Plenty of Talent Headed to Bridgeport this Friday & Saturday

This weekend is shaping up to be a one to remember for all those who will be attending Bridgeport Speedway. For the fifth consecutive year Bridgeport and their staff will be honoring the late Doug Hoffman and just what he meant to the track and racing in general. However, for the first time in it's history, the '60over Special' event will now be a two day racing affair. Everything kicks off on Friday, March 24 with 358 small blocks headlining the program. The D.A.'s Auto Body Rookies will be competing in their first race of the season and the Big Blocks, Crate/Sportsman, and the Outlaw Stocks will be hot lapping throughout the night trying to lock into Saturday's feature events. Then on Saturday, Hand one of this year's Poker Series will take place with the Big Blocks fighting for a $4,400 first place prize in their 44-lap race, while the Crate/Sportsman duke it out for $1,000 in their 25-lap tussle, and the Outlaw Stocks battle it out for $500 in a 15-lap event. Live music, Bandit Bus rides, Moon Bounce, Frisbee Redraw Giveaway, Doug Hoffman model car raffles, and most of all great side by side racing is what's in store for everyone this weekend at Bridgeport.

Many of the Northeast's top name drivers have been reaching out to the track to confirm that they'll be in attendance this coming weekend.

Current Camping World Nascar Truck driver Stewart Friesen will be making the tow to South Jersey as he will be doing double duty in his Halmar International No. 44.

Joining Friesen, is fellow NY chauffer Danny Johnson. The 'Doctor' loves making house calls to Bridgeport's 5/8 mile facility.

The track's all-time feature winner Jimmy Horton, who's coming off a huge win down at Georgetown, will be returning to his old stomping grounds this weekend as well.

Duane Howard, last year's Colonial Pipeline/811 Dig Safely Poker Series Champion, will be looking to pull out another 'Ace' from his sleeve on opening day. Howard will be behind the wheel of Norm Hansell's No. 357 on both nights.

Jeff Strunk will be piloting the well-known Hynemann No. 126 that has driven to so many Bridgeport victories. The Bechtelsville Bullet wants nothing more than to shake that monkey on his back when it comes to the 5/8 mile.

Teenager Ryan Krachun will make his debut behind the of the well-kown Lincoln Auto Body No. 5. Krachun has run well in his few starts at Bridgeport and hopes to represent the once driven Doug Hoffman machine.

David VanHorn is headed to Bridgeport this weekend piloting the Racer's Guide No.323. VanHorn would like to compete for the Poker Series title and Saturday could be a huge step in the right direction.

Ryan Godown will making his assault on Bridgeport in the Atlas Paving/Petruska No. 66 this weekend. Both car owner and driver know how to get it done at the 5/8 mile. This combo could be the team to beat!

Jordan Watson is another driver who has his sight set on being the 811 Dig Safely Poker Series champion in 2017. Watson was strong at Georgetown as he advanced more positions than any other driver.

The 'Cream Ridge Bad Boy' PJ Oliver will be driving an hour south this weekend as he will be mixing it up with the best in the business in his always sharp-looking No. 13xxx

Brett Kressley shocked everyone with his first Big Block victory last season at Bridgeport. After backing it up on several occasions, Kressley is now considered one of the guys to beat at every special event race held at Bridgeport.

Mike White will be trekking north to Bridgeport for the 5th Annual Doug Hoffman Memorial race in his familiar No. 43. The self-owned machine sponsored by Plum Creek Farms & Carey's Towing always knows the quick way around Bridgeport.

Pennsylvania driver Kyle Borror is extremely looking forward to coming back to Bridgeport to compete on Friday night. The Grandview small block driver enters as many Bridgeport shows as his schedule allows every season.

Kevin Sockriter will towing the No. 55 north on Fri day night to compete in the Small Block division. Kevin's been a strong competitor down in his home state of Delaware.

Delaware driver, Shawn Ward is excited about returning to Bridgeport Speedway. Ward likes to run The Port when his schedule allows him to do so. Look for the pristine looking No. 7 this weekend.

John Pakenham who supports the 5/8 when he can will be doing double duty this weekend. "The Puma" will be piloting his self-owned No. 18 Big and Small Block.

Billy Pauch Jr will be steering the Danny's Pizza Pizzazz No. 51 on both Friday and Saturday. Junior has more shows at Bridgeport scheduled in 2017 than any other year prior.

Danny Bouc informed Bridgeport that he'll be in the house this weekend. Friday for certain and possibly for Saturday. Bouc loves going fast and Bridgeport is the place he makes that happen!

Frank Cozze has indicated that he'll be doing double duty the entire weekend. Cozze will bring his new No.401 to South Jersey, as he races in the Doug Hoffman Memorial.

Justin Grim will be making a rare appearance at Bridgeport this weekend. The Grandview/Big Diamond driver is eager to get the season going.

There will probably be a few more drivers on the 'Invader List' but these are the ones that have informed us that they'll be competing.

Now if those driver's aren't enough to get the blood pumping what about all the Bridgeport Hot Shoes that will be in the house each and every week throughout the 2017 season.

2013 & 2016 Big Block track champion Ryan Watt will be doing double duty with his Big & Small Blocks at Bridgeport. Watt always puts on a show for the fans each week with his routine charges to the front of the pack.

Rick Laubach will be steering the Ryan Kerr-owned No. 1K and the Gary & Lori Hermann-owned No. 7 this weekend. The 2012 track champion is ready for another stellar year at the 5/8 mile in 2017

Sam Martz has been a fine addition to the weekly field since joining the Bridgeport Family in 2013. Martz is the defending Friends of Mike winner and finished 3rd in points last season.

Wade Hendrickson and the Craig & Leslie Pondish-owned No. 6 will be a threat as always. The 'Flying Farmer' showed the invaders the quick way around Bridgeport in last year's South Jersey Shootout by winning one for the home team.

Billy Pauch Sr has went on record stating that he'll call Bridgeport his home for the 2017 season. 'The Kid' sits 3rd on the all-time win list while also owning 3 track championships. Pauch fans are pumped for the new season!

Richie Pratt felt rejuvenated after last year's Wildcard Weekend performance. Pratt will be doing double duty in his familiar family-owned No. 28 cars this weekend. 'Last Lap' Pratt will be seeking revenge for a subpar 2016 season.

Neal Williams reunited with long-time car owner and friend Sal Debruno last season. 'The Wheel' got stronger and stronger as the season progressed. The Overhead Door car will have a brand new look to it for the '17 campaign.

Jamie Mills was sidelined for three months in 2016 after a wicked accident at Bridgeport. However, very little stops 'Jammin' Jamie from rebounding strongly. Look for the Blue Hen Racing No. 30 to be up front come Saturday while Mills gets back to his '15 championship form.

Dominick Buffalino will be returning back to Bridgeport in 2017 with high hopes. The second-generation driver is the defending winner of this race and expects no less than to be standing in victory lane once again in his No. 51M

David Hunt might just be the 'dark horse' of all the drivers this weekend. Another fine addition to Bridgeport since 2013, Hunt is always fast and has collected 5 wins in a short period of time being a regular at the 5/8.

Tommy Beamer has been known to put on some of the most exciting racing of any driver at Bridgeport in the Big Block division. The Don Thornton-owned No. 31 car drives in harder and higher than anyone on the 5/8.

Jesse Hill will be competing both days in the 358s and the Big Blocks with his familiar No. 99. 'The Thrill' had a top 5 run going in the Doug Hoffman event last season until the final turn. Hill will be looking for redemption on Saturday.

Where there's one Hill-Boy there's another. Jesse's brother and former Crate/Sportsman champion Travis Hill will be driving the Joel Boinske No. 19 on in Saturday's Big Block action. Travis is also a multi-winner in the 600 micro class.

CJ Jones is coming off of a phenomenal Big Block rookie season. Jones captured the '16 'Star of Tomorrow' award while driving to 2 victories last season. Jones looks to get back to his winning ways this season.

Jim Britt also had a great rookie season in 2016. Britt won in dramatic fashion last year over Duane Howard and finished 7th in the overall point standings. With a new paint scheme and some new equipment, Britt looks to top last year's efforts.

Third-generation driver Clay Butler will be calling Bridgeport his home track in the 2017 season. Butler will be piloting the Cray Motorsports No. 4B this year with a small block and big block as part of his arsenal.

Ryan Anderson...he's another 'dark horse'. Anderson is always fast at the 5/8 complex and he's had some great finishes to prove it. Anderson will be driving his own No. 27 for most of the shows at Bridgeport this year.

Mike Barone has been eagerly awaiting for the season to start in his No. 267. Barone was sat out most of last year regrouping for 2017. Barone has high hopes this season and will look to start that ball rolling on Saturday.

Mike Franz has been a loyal supporter of Bridgeport for many many years. Franz will be chauffeuring his own No. 28z all year long at the Port.

Ernie Miles III got his feet wet last year in the Big Block division. The former micro sprint driver moved into the Crate/Sportsman class two years ago and has now joined the talents of all the modifieds in 2017.

Ron Roberts will once again be turning left and going fast on the 5/8 mile. Roberts and his familiar No. Z14 have what it takes to pull off the upset this weekend. Let's see if the crafty veteran can get it done!

Dave Shirk will be calling Bridgeport his Saturday night home once again and looks to get everything going in the right direction this coming weekend. Dave and his crew are looking to turn some heads all year long.

Rusty Smith should be doing double duty this weekend with his small and big block chars. The 2013 Poker Series champion is looking to get back in the mix this year after racing on and off again the past two seasons.

Bob Sarkisian will be steering his always well-maintained No. 47 Big Block on Saturday. Sarkisian won a couple of features in the past few seasons on both the 5/8 and the 1/4 mile. Bob is yet another 'dark horse' to win.

We can't forget about a few more of Bridgeport's finest. Scottie Ambruster, Pete Visconti, Ricky DiEva, Tom Maccherone, Jack Swain, and Bucky Kell are a few guys that you'll on Saturday night's but probably won't be ready in time for this weekend.

The Crate/Sportsman division will be full of talent as well on Saturday. Outsiders who plan on stealing one away from the home team include Jason Rush, Pat Wall, Frank Dorry, Jeremy Martino, Craig Whitmoyer, Brian Hitz, Brian Papiez, Jordan Henn, and many more. Some of the guys who will look to defend the home turf are Brad Roberts, Matt Stangle, Matt Peck, David Crossman, Dave Damiano, Roger Manning, Chris Jenkins, Adam & Clyde Cox, Stephen Kemery, Eric Kormann, Jeremy Harrington, Scott Hulmes, Billy Briggs, Kevin Belmont, Tom Sherby, Jeff Bubori, Chuck Sayres, Pete Serra, Bobby Bracall, Melissa Scarpati and a bunch more!

The Pennco Tech Outlaw Stocks, who always put on an awesome show for the fans will have Bridgeport's stars and cars as well as some 'invaders' this weekend. Ron Frees, Billy Wroble, Vern McLaughlin, and John Meyer are a few drivers looking to take down the regulars like TJ Henry, Tom Wills Jr., Brian Ludwig, Gary Klimeczak, Spider Ensinger, Jeff Dirkes, Jeramy Doerr, and Mike Creamer.

We'll see everyone this weekend as the weather looks to be almost perfect for this time of the year!
Friday Pits open 3pm - Stands 6pm - Racing 7:30pm
Saturday Pits open Noon - Stands 2pm - Racing 4pm

Bridgeport Speedway

BRIDGEPORT SPEEDWAY TO HONOR DOUG HOFFMAN WITH SEASON OPENER
In just a few short weeks, the Bridgeport Speedway will honor one of its own when the Fifth Annual 60 Over Special | Doug Hoffman Memorial Weekend opens the 2017 season on the 5/8th mile speedway.

Many credit Doug Hoffman for the resurgence of the Bridgeport Speedway.

The four time track champion took over the reins for the 2012 speedway. After meeting with track owner, Brian Ramey, it was clear that Doug Hoffman was the man for the task at hand.

The Big Block Modifieds had been removed from the Saturday night schedule as a last ditch effort on the part of Jay James who had tried just about everything to be successful at the Logan Township race track. James decided to leave the speedway at the end of the 2011 season, leaving the future of the Bridgeport Speedway as a big question mark as the New Year approached.

Ramey met with several interested parties but it was clear that Hoffman was the right man for the job. “I didn’t know Doug well,” Ramey explained. “Doug approached us to discuss the possibility of him taking the reins for the 2012 season. We had several people pursuing the opportunity but none of them had the insight that Doug had. There was no doubt that he (Hoffman) was the best fit since his heart was in Big Blocks and that is what Bridgeport was designed and built for.”

Hoffman first met with fans and competitors at the Motorsports Show in Oaks, PA in January. It was a very optimistic and enthusiastic Hoffman that met with the press on Friday night of Motorsports. He outlined some of his plans for the coming season – the return of the Big Block Modifieds, the introduction of the Poker Series, his plans to make the speedway racier as well as several promotions that were directed for the benefit of the fans at the front gate.

“When people say that Bridgeport is too fast, what they really mean is that there is too much traction,” Hoffman explained. “We have to produce good racing. We need a slick surface from top to bottom. It can’t take down rubber. It can’t be a one lane track.” Hoffman talked about how drivers like Tobias, Brightbill, Horton, Pauch and himself as well, traveled to other tracks and won big races, making people sit up and take notice of the drivers who regularly competed at the Bridgeport Speedway. “It needs to be cool as hell to win at Bridgeport,” Hoffman told the crowd. He compared it to his induction into the DIRT Hall of Fame in 2011. “That was freakin’ neat – that’s the feeling we need to create at Bridgeport.”

Afraid that he wasn’t able to meet with everyone during the trade show, Hoffman set up all day meetings the following Saturday at the local Holiday Inn.

As the end of the 2012 season approached, Hoffman could take great pride in what he had accomplished. Nearly fifty Big Blocks were on hand for the season opener that year – a Race of Champions on Dirt event. The Poker Series was a huge success when introduced to the fans at Bridgeport. Hoffman combined efforts with 410 Sprint Car owner, Mike Heffner, to bring the 410s to the Bridgeport Speedway. He brought the racers to the fans by having the starting line-up stage behind the grandstands, giving the fans a very up close and personal look at the competition. And he continued a Bridgeport tradition of bringing the top five finishers behind the grandstand after each feature event – a tradition that Hoffman, himself was not a fan of when he competed at Bridgeport. “I got a lot of heat for that and I deserved it,” Hoffman said of his lack of cooperation as a driver. “Everybody makes mistakes and I made one with the fans at Bridgeport when I raced there.” As a promoter, Hoffman saw the other side of the story.

When Hoffman criticized the track preparation during the season, he was told to do it himself – so he did. If a job needed to be done – cut the grass, pick up trash, talk to a competitor – whatever it was, Hoffman did whatever was needed.

Looking back on the 2012 season, Hoffman said, “The track has raced another year and it didn’t fold on our watch.” “We’ve had good racing. I think we put to bed the rumor that you can’t have good racing on a big track.” Four drivers captured their career first wins that season in Big Block Modified competition – Mike Barone, Eric Kormann, Jesse Hill (with a Small Block) and Stan Frankenfield, Jr.

With ninety-two Bridgeport feature wins and four track championships, Doug Hoffman knew what needed to be done. While he only had one season as the track’s promoter, there is little doubt that he laid the foundation for what the Ramey family, Keith Hoffman, Dave Adams and Danny Serrano have continued for the last four seasons.

The Bridgeport Speedway will open the gates on the 2017 season with the running of the fifth annual 60 Over Special | Doug Hoffman Memorial Weekend on March 24th and 25th. While it is the fifth year of the race honoring the former track champion and promoter, this will be the first time that the event will be run as a two day event.

Friday night action will see the return of the 358 Small Block Modifieds for a twenty-five lap, $2500 to win main event. It will be the first race of the season for the DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookies on the 5/8th mile track. All divisions will have the opportunity to participate in the open practice sessions on Friday night so that they can prepare for Saturday’s racing action. Pit gates will open at 3pm with grandstand access at 6pm. Racing will get underway at 7:30pm.

On Saturday night, the Spirit Auto Center Big Block Modifieds will compete in qualifying events for a forty-four lap feature event with $4,400 going to the winner. The Stewart Stainless Crate/Sportsman and PennCo Tech Outlaw Stocks will run qualifying events and features as well. Saturday’s race card will be the first hand of the 811 Dig Safely/Colonial Pipeline 2017 Poker Series. Pits will open at noon, grandstands at 2pm and racing will get underway at 4pm. (There is a rain date set for Sunday, March 26th should it be needed.)

The Bridgeport Speedway is committed to maintaining a safe, fun, family atmosphere, creating life-lasting memories of excitement.