BRIDGEPORT’S ATMOSPHERE WILL CERTAINLY BE ‘SPECIAL’ FOR THIS SATURDAY’S DOUG HOFFMAN MEMORIAL 60 OVER RACE
By
Bridgeport Speedway
Bridgeport, NJ (March 23, 2014) – On Saturday, March 29, the 43rd season of racing at Bridgeport Speedway gets started with the “The 60 Over Special” Race of Champions-Poker Series Hand One, Big Block Modified race in memory of Doug Hoffman. Many 'special' events are being planned for this year’s opener that honor the late promoter and winning modified star. Saturday's race sponsor and long-time sponsor Bob Straight of Bob's Twin Oaks will be on hand to share in this tribute event. To start the day off, Cassi Pinder, Miss Motorsports 2014, will be on hand singing autographs and handing out pictures at the main entrance of the speedway. Also greeting the fans upon entry with their race cars, will be three of Bridgeport's weekly competitors Mike Barone(Big Block), Ian Humphreys(Crate/Sportsman), and Tom Wills Jr.(Outlaw Stock). Two moon bounces will be on hand for kids to play on throughout the day and evening courtesy of One Stop Party Shop. There will also be a limousine courtesy of Luxury Limousines, that will transport the modified drivers from the pit area to the main grandstands for their feature event redraw. Xtreme Graphics will be supplying 'Doug Hoffman' decaled frisbees for the modified redraw that the drivers will autograph and toss into the crowd during intermission. The Bridgeport Bandit mascot will also be in the house as he helps shoot out tennis balls to the crowd for Poker Power Ball. "Stand as One" will be performing live under the pavilion during the afternoon's festivities on Saturday.
By popular demand the RC2U Portable Racing Track will be set up behind the main grandstand where fans can get some laps of their own under their belts throughout the day. These are just some of the things that the Bridgeport Speedway staff have lined up for opening day.
The Big Block Modifieds will be staged on the midway behind the spectator stands before heading out for their feature, giving the fans an up close interaction with the drivers. After being on display throughout the day, a restored (by Mike Garris) “60 Over” 1955 Chevy Late Model replica of Doug Hoffman's Dorney Park Raceway championship car will pace the feature line-up. Just before the 60-lap race begins, the missing man formation will take shape on the 5/8th mile. All fans are encouraged to dig through their closets and wear their favorite Doug Hoffman apparel in his honor. Doug Hoffman photo collages will once again be available and memorial stickers. A special 60over lettered door panel will be on display that one lucky fan will take home, as it will be raffled off in the Modified Victory Lane. 2014 Poker Series hot off the press as well as 2014 Bridgeport Speedway shirts and hoodies can be purchased as well. Just a few skyboxes remain open for fans if they wish to watch the races from the comfort of their own box.
The winner of this race can line their pockets with $6,060.60 if they enrolled in the “60 Over Challenge”, a $60 gambler’s fee, instead of the originally posted $4000 first place award. A large and very competitive field of Big Block Modified drivers is expected to be on hand for this one of a kind event. Bridgeport Speedway regulars such as Ryan Watt, Richie Pratt, Jr., Jimmy Horton, Rick Laubach, Eric Kormann, Sam Martz, Matt Harrell, Wade Hendrickson, Jimmy Chester and many more will be competing against a slew of expecting invaders such as Matt Sheppard, Frank Cozze, Billy Pauch, Jeff Heotzler, Danny Johnson, Stewart Friesen, Ryan Godown, Duane Howard, Neal Williams, Craig VonDohren, Jimmy Blewett, J.R. Heffner, and many others. The top 5 drivers in the Race of Champion points after Saturday's 60-lapper will each be leaving $400 richer as the $2,000 bonus money will be split up 5 ways. The American Racer Cup presented by Sunoco Race Fuels will be hosting a five tire drawing this Saturday. All American Racer Cup Members will be eligible for early season drawings at the Bridgeport Speedway RoC “60 Over” Special. Drivers can sign up Saturday for the American Racer Cup in both Modified, and Crate/Sportsman divisions. A free American Racer tire will go to five different Modified competitors, while five $85 off vouchers will find their way to five lucky Sportsman drivers.
In addition, two other classes with extra distance races will be in competition. A $1,000 to win 25-lap feature for the Crate/Sportsman division will serve as the opening hand of their Poker Series. The newly formed Lucky Teter/John Blewett Inc. Poker Series for the Outlaw Stocks will compete in a 20-lap main paying $500 to the winner. All three divisions will have qualifying races and consolation events before their main events.
On Saturday, March 29, the pit gates swing open at 11:00 a.m. and fans can begin to enter the grandstands at 1:00 p.m. Warm-ups will get started at 3:00 p.m. with the first heat race hitting the track at 4:00 p.m. Adult (16 and older) admission for the opener will be $25 with students (10-15) being admitted for $12. Kids 9 and under are free. Admittance to the pits is $35.
Before the March 29 event, drivers will have an opportunity to test their 2014 rides. The 5/8th mile racers will have one last practice session on Friday, March 28. This test and tune period will be for three hours with the pit gates opening at 4:00 p.m. and practice starting at 6:00 p.m. Competitors racing on Saturday, March 29 may leave their trailers in the pit area on Friday, March 29. Pit admission for any practice is $25 per session and no license is required. Fans can watch the practice for free in the main grandstand.
Bridgeport Speedway provides a safe and secure family atmosphere, free parking, giveaways, and fan participation games. As a premier racing complex, Bridgeport Speedway is a banked 5/8th mile dirt oval, featuring a dirt 1/4 mile oval embedded in the center, and is located in Southern New Jersey -- just minutes from Pennsylvania and Delaware at exit 14 off of I-295. For more information please call the speedway at 856-467-4407 or visit bpspeedway.com.
