HOFFMAN TAKES FOURTH BRIDGEPORT WIN; LINEMAN, JR. AND PRATT, JR. IN A DEAD HEAT FOR THE SPORTSMAN

Bridgeport, NJ (8/2/03) – Doug Hoffman out of Allentown, PA powered to his fourth victory of the season in his Lincoln Auto Body car Saturday night in the 25 lap feature for the Big Block Modifieds at Bridgeport Speedway. Doylestown, PA driver Bob Lineman, Jr. and Sewell, NJ point leader Richie Pratt, Jr. shared a Dead Heat finish and shared victory to the exciting Sportsman feature. Second generation rookie John Barnett, Jr. out of Tabernacle, NJ took his first ever win in the Jasper Sprint main event. Ken Watson picked up his second win of the season in the Outlaw Stock headliner. In a special appearance for the 4-Cylinder Stocks it was Warren Stradley picking up the double points event victory. Rob DeVault out of Cedarville, NJ won the August edition of the Demo Derby series.

Action for the Mighty Modifieds seen Stephan Durand in his Thornton’s Gulf and Bates Motel Hayride sponsored big block, powered out to the lead at starter Dennis Weir’s green flag. Durand was chased by the Cingular Cellular sponsored Mark Forte for the first two circuits. Durand who has experienced a rocky season thus far, would motor out to a comfortable lead as 11th starting Doug Hoffman who seemed to b e shot out of a rocket shot into second past Forte on lap three. As Durand, the Mahwah, NJ pilot was continuing to lead the Hoffman in his Dieter Schmidt mount was trying feverously to real in on the torrid pace set by the leader. The event continued on a wicked non-stop pace, the Flying Farmer of Lawrenceville, NJ Wade Hendrickson, worked his way into third to set up a three way battle for the number one spot. As the field received the halfway signal lap traffic began to come into play as Durand used a cautious approach and a Hoffman and Hendrickson began to close in on the leader. Hoffman would make his move around Durand in his Don Thornton, Sr. machine as they negotiated a slower moving Scott Irwin on lap 15. This lap car bungle also allowed Hendrickson to get Durand and go after the veteran Hoffman. When lap 20 was posted into the books, Troy Ale would find the first turn tire not to his liking and would bring out the events first and only yellow flag. During this slow down Durand suffered a flat left rear tire and went pit side to put on a new skin thus eliminating his chances at a solid top five finish. At the same instance, Jimmy Chester also retired from his fifth place run. When the race resumed, the crowd was on their feet to see fan favorite Hoffman pull off his 78th career victory on the Bridgeport Speedway over Hendrickson. Oley, PA defending champ Duane Howard crossed the line third with Neshanic Station, NJ point leader Jimmy Horton fourth and Quakertown, PA driver Rick Laubach fifth. The rest of the top ten were Dave Adams, Mark Forte, Jamie Mills, Ryan Kerr and Kyle Strickler. The three heats were taken by Duane Howard, Mark Forte and Ricky Elliott with Jimmy Horton winning the consi.

Doylestown, PA second generation driver Bob Lineman, Jr. took the lead at the start of the sportsman main event from his third starting position over John Purcell out of Riegelsville, PA. The initial start was delayed as Jeff Acolia took a wild end over end ride in turn one involving five other cars in the tumble. Fortunately, Acolia was not injured in the wild ride. When the race got back rolling, Lineman, Jr. pulled out to the lead over Purcell and Steve Lozorak. On lap four the 2002 Sportsman Champion Bob Sarkisian made his way into second and began to apply pressure toward the leader Lineman, Jr. Two laps later, Reading, PA youngster Andy Burkhart turned some heads as he got past Sarkisian into second and now would try his hand at Lineman, Jr. Things at the front would settle down during the middle portion of the event till current point leader and last week’s winner Richie Pratt, Jr. would work his way to the top three on lap 17. Pratt, Jr. would have difficulty keeping the third spot as Sarkisian would battle with him side-by-side for the position and took it back the following lap. When the two laps to go sign was given by starter Mike Knappenberger, Pratt, Jr. would attempt a slide job on Burkhart and with some contact take the spot and go after the race long leader Lineman, Jr. Next came the white flag and Lineman, Jr. was trying to hold his line as Pratt, Jr. was along side and trying everything he could to get the advantage. Well it came to the last corner and a drag race down to the flag with both drivers crossing the finish line in a dead heat. The third place went to Andy Burkhart with Bob Sarkisian fourth and John Purcell fifth. Sixth through tenth were Dan Cogdill, Sammy Wescott, Jr., Ron Roberts in his back up car, Kevin Collins and Steve Lindale. The heat race winners were John Purcell, Billy Jo Chester and Sammy Wescott, Jr. The consi was taken by Dan Cogdill.

The Jasper Sprint cars had Tabernacle, NJ second generation driver John Barnett, Jr. took the lead from his pole starting spot over The Lady Outlaw Mares Stellfox. Barnett, Jr. would feel some heavy pressure from Stellfox as the first seven lap were clicked into the record books. Steve Strubble who stumbled slightly on the start would get by Stellfox on lap eight and set chase after the leader Barnett, Jr. As Strubble was applying pressure on the leader, he was feeling the same type of deal from behind as Shane Smith wanted the spot. Behind the top trio though, some high flying action was happening as Steve Schmidt was using his typical high lane toward the front and Jeff Foote was using the bottom. Right in that mix was Matt Beasley using the upstairs lane also. During the second portion of the race, Barnett, Jr. would hold his steady line although a constant pressure was there from the divisions’ driver with the most wins Steve Strubble. As the laps would wind down smoke began to appear from under the hood of the leader Barnett, Jr. This would be notice by Strubble running a close second and he began to push harder on the rookie leader. Well with smoke now bellowing, Barnett, Jr. became the second rookie this season to visit the Bridgeport victory lane. Strubble was a close second followed by Shane Smith, Steve Schmidt and point leader Jeff Foote. Ron Karnbach, Matt Beasley, John Wyers, Chip Brown and Joe Howe rounded out the top ten. Steve Stubble, John Barnett, Jr. and Warren Durbin won the three heats with Jon Brenfleck taking the consi.

The exciting Outlaw Stocks had Brian Ludwig lead lap one over Pat Hires who rocketed up from twelfth starting spot. The second lap was Hires turn to lead as he led over a quick moving Ken Watson. For the third lap it was the third leader in as many laps as Watson passed Hires for the lead and would never look back. Watson would maintain that top spot despite being ganged up upon by the Hires gang of Pat and Mike. The top three would run a fast pace as in the end Watson would win number two on the season over the Pat Hires and Mike Hires. The leaders pace had them lap up into the top ten of the field. Brian Ludwig held on for a solid fourth with Frank Blauvelt coming from the back to a fine fifth. The two heats were won by Steve Haegele and Brian Ludwig.

The fans were treated to ¼ mile action as the 4-Cylinder Stocks were added for there loss of a race in lieu of the Big Show. This double points event had Wilmington, De driver Warren Stradley lead from start to finish although there was plenty of action behind him. With 15 cars partaking in the event, the fender rubbing was abounding as Stradley raced to the lead with Dave Bentley, Sr. just coming up a half a car length short in the end. Gary Walls, Jr. came in with a close third with Mike Hughes fourth and Dave Bentley, Jr. fifth. The makes of the top five cars were Pinto, Mustang, Mustang, Toyota, and Mustang.

Bridgeport Bits

The entire show completed by 10:05 on the oval tracks with 142 Cars. A thank you to all of the teams who made this happen with the cooperation on this weather threatening night.

Bridgeport Speedway is New Jersey’s fastest ¼ mile and 5/8th mile clay speedway’s and located on Floodgate Road off of exit 14 of Interstate 295 minutes from PA and DE bridges. Information is available on the official website at www.bridgeportspeedway.com or by calling the speedway office at 856-467-4407 or 856-467-4408.

Modified

Heat 1 – Howard, Hoffman, Durand, Adams, Chester, Heiber

Heat 2 – Forte, Truppi, Laubach, Ale, Irwin, Glisson

Heat 3 – Elliott, Hendrickson, Kerr, Mills, Barone, Strickler

Consi – Horton, Bottcher, Dekutowski, Iles, Acolia, Fanslau

Feature 25 Laps – DOUG HOFFMAN, Wade Hendrickson, Duane Howard, Jimmy Horton, Rick Laubach, Dave Adams, Mark Forte, Jamie Mills, Ryan Kerr, Kyle Strickler, Steve Bottcher, Stephan Durand, Joe Dekutowski, Scott Irwin, Rich Acolia, Jimmy Chester, Ricky Elliott, Troy Ale, Don Fanslau, Don Barone, Butch Glisson, Brian Truppi DNQ – Dave Daniels, Ed Firth, Bud Schwiebinz, Jon Haegele, Mike Franz, Mark Tranquility

Sportsman

Heat 1 – Purcell, Burkhart, Lineman, Jr., Lozorak, Masiado, Schultz

Heat 2 – Chester, Klingmeyer, Britt, Roberts, Wyant, Harris

Heat 3 – Wescott, Jr., Pratt, Jr., Sarkisian, Stepanchuk, Lindale, Kormann

Consi – Cogdill, Lineman, Sr., Acolia, Roberts, Collins, Sadler, Jr., Price, Scheidler, Tucker

Feature 20 Laps – Dead Heat – BOB LINEMAN, JR. & RICHIE PRATT, JR., Andy Burkhart, Bob Sarkisian, John Purcell, Dan Cogdill, Sammy Wescott, Jr., Ron Roberts, Kevin Collins, Steve Lindale, Doug Stepanchuk, Rob Wyant, Bob Lineman, Sr., John Scheidler, Randy Tucker, Jim Britt, Eric Kormann, Steve Lozorak, Blaine Sadler, Jr., Kevin Schultz, Billy Jo Chester, Dennis Price, Billy Harris, Bill Klingmeyer, Joe Masiado, Jeff Acolia DNQ – Drew Ricco, Steve Harrison, Frank Curry, Todd Kuhl, Bob Cook, Bill Horton, Steve Warner, Jay Horton, Bill Briggs, Court Ottinger, Bob Gibbons, Tom Hann, Dave Hunt, Jack Amunsen

Jasper Sprint Cars

Heat 1 – Strubble, Howe, S. Smith, Karnbach, D. Smith, Curtis

Heat 2 – Barnett, Jr., Beasley, Stellfox, Foote, Adams, Wyers

Heat 3 – Durbin, Bowman, Piersig, D. Brown, Schmidt, Mueller

Consi – Brenfleck, Butts, C. Brown, Rose, Ernesto, Davis

Feature 20 Laps - JOHN BARNETT, JR., Steve Strubble, Shane Smith, Steve Schmidt, Jeff Foote, Ron Karnbach, Matt Beasley, John Wyers, Chip Brown, Joe Howe, Jeff Mueller, Donnie Smith, Joe Butts, Jon Brenfleck, Mares Stellfox, Dave Brown, Jeff Davis, Bob Adams, A.J. Ernesto, Torrey Rose, Jack Curtis, Brooke Bowman, Mike Piersig DNS – Warren Durbin DNQ – Layne Foulk, Doug Smith, Bob Rasmussen

Outlaw Stocks

Heat 1 – S. Haegele, Watson, Erdbrink, Trumbetti, R. Dirkes, Fiel

Heat 2 – Ludwig, P. Hires, Franchetti, M. Hires, Benz, J. Dirkes

Feature 20 Laps – KEN WATSON, Pat Hires, Mike Hires, Brian Ludwig, Frank Blauvelt, Rich Franchetti, Mike Lonabaugh, Jim Erdbrink, Alan Fiel, Jim Honaker, Draper Ellis, Tim Ralston, Walter Hayes, Tracy Rocap, Robert Benz, Joe Trumbetti, Jeff Dirkes, Chris Prychka, Steve Scotten, Ron Dirkes, Steve Stark, Dave Williams DNS – Steve Haegele, Rick Kostes

4-Cylinder Stocks

Feature 15 Laps – WARREN STRADLEY, Dave Bentley, Sr., Gary Walls, Jr., Mike Hughes, Dave Bentley, Jr., Dave Damiano, Bill MacNeir, Ken Wallace, Terry Sammons, Bob Hartman, Matt Ward, Mark Brooks, Carl Holcombe, Jim Hughes, Jeff Walls