Boyertown’s Watt wires Bridgeport’s ‘Dirty Jersey 5’
BRIDGEPORT, N.J. » The cards fell right for Ryan Watt to secure a ‘Dirty Jersey 5’ victory on Saturday night at Bridgeport Speedway.
Through the gate, Watt drew No. 1, starting from the pole of the first heat race, then again picked the first position in a postqualifying redraw of top qualifiers. The Boyertown driver took the lead at the outset and was never headed in the 40-lap Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By VP big-block/small-block Modified event on the five-eighths-mile.
The win for Watt was worth $5,000 from the posted payout, a $500 product certificate from Art’s Radiator, a free Keizer wheel, and another $500 in cash as the two-night American Racer ‘Southern Swing’ champion contested between Friday at Georgetown (Del.) Speedway and Saturday at Bridgeport.
“Everything went our way tonight,” offered Watt following his second STSS victory of the season. His first came in June at Delaware International Speedway during the ‘Diamond State 50’ program.
“We’ve been fast here all year. Getting to start up front made it easier on us, but you’re never safe at these races. There were a lot of good cars here tonight.”
Saturday’s event was the final “100-point” program of the season. The $10,000 Velocita-USA championship will be decided on October 27-28 at Georgetown Speedway during Mid-Atlantic Championship Weekend utilizing increased championship points.
At the drop of the green, Watt’s Ron Roberts-owned car took over the lead.
Delaware driver Jordan Watson shot from fourth into the second position. It was Watson who ran closest to Watt’s blistering pace. However, eight laps from the finish an apparent engine issued forced
Boyertown’s Ryan Watt poses with the winner’s check in victory lane after his Dirty Jersey 5 win on Sept. 30 at Bridgeport Speedway.
Watson’s No. 1J to the infield.
A final caution with five laps remaining set up a dash to the finish.
With Watt out front, all eyes were on Craig Von Dohren. The Oley driver started 12th and struggled to gain ground in the early laps. However, Von Dohren’s Dick Biever-owned No. 14s gained speed in the mid- to-late stages.
With just one lap remaining, Von Dohren swept into the runner-up spot, chasing Watt across the line. Von Dohren earned the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Hard Charger Award in the process (24 custom, screen-printed ‘team wear’ tee-shirts).
Track regular Sam Martz of Somerville, N.J., completed a steady performance to fill out the podium. Ryan Godown was rimriding in the final laps aboard the Atlas Paving No. 66, but the Ringoes, N.J., driver settled for fourth.