Bridgeport Speedway bringing the Big Blocks
With the auto racing season winding down a few tracks have turned to some big events and Bridgeport, NJ Speedway is one of them as they offer a two-night show this weekend.
The Speedway will introduce The King of the Big Blocks — sponsored by K&A Excavating Company, Inc. — on Saturday, September 24th on their lightning fast 5/8th mile speedway.
The Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modifieds will be featured in qualifying events and a $12,000 to win, 50 lap feature event. The Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman and PennCo Tech Outlaw Stocks will complete the line-up in the tripleheader program.
With the Bridgeport Speedway being the only track in the Garden State who headlines Big Block Modifieds, the Speedway Management wanted to offer a high dollar event to feature their Big Block Division since most of the special events throughout the Tri-State area are for the Small Block Modifieds. This event promises to attract the leading names in Modified drivers throughout the area.
K&A Excavating Company, Inc. came on board as the title sponsor for the King of the Big Blocks event. K&A Excavating is a company who has built their reputation on their commitment to providing quality service — a commitment that has earned them many valuable customers over the years.
With more than 30 years of experience, K&A Excavating is the “go to” company when you need asphalt removal, land clearing or site preparation. On the best equipment is used for each job by a skilled staff who are able to perform the tasks involved in all projects. K&A’s mission statement is to provide customers with courteous and friendly service and quality workmanship.
Competing for the big prize will be Bridgeport regulars — 2016 Bridgeport Modified Champion, Ryan Watt, 2012 Champion, Rick Laubach, Sam Martz, The Watson brothers Jordan and Joseph, Neal Williams, Richie Pratt, Jr., David Hunt, Tommy Beamer, Ron Roberts as well as both rookie Big Block Feature winners, CJ Jones and Jim Britt. Jimmy Horton — the winningest driver in Bridgeport history and multi-time track champion — will be in the field to challenge the Bridgeport regulars along with former Orange County Speedway Champion, Jerry Higbie and young driving sensations Tyler Dippel, Billy VanInwigen and Brett Kressley who earned his first Big Block Modified win right here at Bridgeport earlier this season.
Drivers like Duane Howard, Grandview Speedway champion Craig VonDohren, recent Freedom 76 Modified Classic winner Jeff Strunk, Ryan Krachun, New Egypt and BIG Diamond champion Ryan Godown, David VanHorn, Billy Pauch Sr., Billy Pauch Jr. and Dominick Buffalino are expected to pull double duty this weekend, racing in both the Friday and Saturday night events. Drivers like Mike Barone, Ryan Andersen, Donny Cogdill, Jamie Mills, Scott Ambruster, Mike Iles and both Jesse and Travis Hill will be returning to action for this big event.
Racing will get unde r way at 6pm on Saturday, September 24th with the Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman and Outlaw stocks in action but the two-day show will start on Friday evening, September 23rd when the Small Block Modifieds and Tri-State Race Saver Sprint cars will compete in a doubleheader show that gets under way at 7:30pm.
The track preparation has been excellent — just ask anyone who has competed on the lightning fast Bridgeport Speedway 5/8 mile track this season!. Many races have been decided in the final laps and with the line-up of drivers expected for this big weekend, it should be racing action at its finest.
The final feature events of the season point chase in both the Big Blocks and Crate/Sportsman were decided in the final three laps.
Ryan Watt took the lead with just three laps to go, racing ahead of CJ Jones and Tommy Beamer to capture his fourth Bridgeport Big Block win of the season.
Ernie Saxton can be reached at Esaxton144@ aol.com.