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BRIDGEPORT, NJ (April 7, 2007) – Despite cold weather surrounding the Bridgeport Speedway; the action, on the track, was red-hot as fans withstood the elements to witness Sewell, NJ’s Richie Pratt, Jr. add a cool $3500 to his Easter Basket.
Pratt selected the top spot in a pre-race driver redraw and easily launched his almost 800 horsepower machine to the front of the pack right from the get-go. Quickly following into the runner-up spot was Quakertown, PA’s Rick Laubach steering his self-owned #20 right in Pratt’s shadow, waiting for the young Modified driver to make the slightest mistake. Laubach appeared to be Pratt’s biggest competition until a mid-race flat tire sent Teo Pro chassied machine pitside for a quick repair. The lap 16 re-start gave Jeff Strunk, aboard the Goldrush Trailer #126, the opportunity to pounce on the leader; but Pratt would have none of that sailing on, pulling an almost full straight-a-way lead. It seemed to be all Pratt, until out of nowhere Strunk’s ‘Red Rocket’ shot back to the front, pulling alongside of the #901 as the checkered flew. It was Pratt at the line, edging Strunk by 1/1000th of a second, in the 800th Big Block Modified feature at the Bridgeport Speedway. Frenchtown, NJ’s Billy “The Kid” Pauch and Allentown, PA’s Doug Hoffman put on one of the fiercest battles of their careers, finishing 3rd and 4th respectively and defending Modified Champion, Duane Howard rounded out the top five finishers.
Riegelville, PA’s “Mr. 358” John Pursell picked up right where he left off in the 358 Small Block division, easily dominating the 20 lap feature event. Pursell’s only challenge came from Vineland, NJ’s Eric Kormann, who fought hard, but could never muster enough to slip passed the defending 358 Small Block Champion. Kormann settled for second followed by Kevin Collins, Jimmy Horton IV and a great run for Randy Yaple completed the top five.
Milford, DE’s Jordan Watson edged out younger brother, Joseph Watson to capture the 15 lap Sunoco Sportsman feature event. This marked the second consecutive victory for the elder of the “Watson Boyz”, after Jordan’s Turkey Chase 2006 victory. Travis Hill came home in 3rd position, followed by Jeff Brown and Jon Haegele.
Pat Conaway slipped passed Ken Watson just past the halfway point in the Outlaw Stock Feature event and easily went on to capture the victory. Watson rolled home in second followed by Joe Trumbetti, Jim Honaker and Ron Dirkes.
Sixteen year old, Matt Harrell led the C. Harrell Trucking #35 Teo Pro Car to victory in the Bartleson Masonry/Post Plumbing Rookie Sportsman division. Harrell started in the third position and out powered Ryan Forte to overtake the lead on the initial circuit. Mike Cogdill came home in second, followed by former Outlaw Stock driver Tom Gibson, Mike Lewis in fourth and Jim Bartleson, Jr. rounding out the top five.
Logan Township Mayor Frank D. Minor and Deputy Mayor Lyman Barnes enjoyed a brisk night of racing activities at the famed South Jersey oval.
Kristin Fioretto of Royersford, PA was the lucky recipient of the Fan Upgrade. Her and her family were quickly escorted to one of our Luxury Skybox Suites to enjoy the remainder of the racing action.
Billed ‘The Fastest Dirt Track in the East’, The Bridgeport Speedway is a high-banked 5/8th mile dirt oval, located in Southern New Jersey -- just minutes from Pennsylvania and Delaware at exit 14 off I-295.
For further information, including the 2007 schedule of events, visit the speedway’s website at www.thenewbridgeportspeedway.com or contact the information line at 856-467-4408.
MEDIA CONTACT: JAY DUGAN - 609-477-9504 OR JDUGAN@THENEWBRIDGEPORTSPEEDWAY.COM
Race Results
Big Block Modifieds
Heat 1 (8 Laps)– 1. Billy Pauch 2. Rick Laubach 3. John Willman 4. Doug Hoffman 5. Scott Irwin 6. Chad James
Heat 2 (8 Laps)– 1. Duane Howard 2. Wade Hendrickson 3. Mike Franz 4. Jamie Mills 5. Tommy Beamer 6. Jimmy Chester
Heat 3 (8 Laps)– 1. Richie Pratt, Jr. 2. Jim Wyers 3. Steve Bottcher 4. Jeff Strunk 5. Jim Stong 6. Billy Pauch, Jr.
Consi (8 Laps)– 1. Mike Iles 2. Bob Sarkisian 3. Tim Millman 4. Chic Cossaboone 5. Ken Meisner 6. Mark Forte
Feature (30 Laps)– 1. Richie Pratt, Jr. 2. Jeff Strunk 3. Billy Pauch 4. Doug Hoffman 5. Duane Howard 6. Jamie Mills 7. Steve Bottcher 8. Mike Iles 9. Mike Franz 10. Tommy Beamer 11. Wade Hendrickson 12. Kenny Meisner 13. Scott Irwin 14. Rick Laubach 15. Chic Cossaboone 16. John Willman 17. Jimmy Chester 18. Mark Forte 19. Jim Wyers 20. Tim Millman 21. Billy Pauch, Jr. 22. Chad James 23. Jim Stong 24. Bob Sarkisian
358 Small Blocks
Heat 1 (8 Laps)-- 1. Tom Miller 2. Eric Kormann 3. John Stangle 4. Randy Yaple 5. Ron Roberts 6. Dan Cogdill
Heat 2 (8 Laps)– 1. Bob Lineman, Jr. 2. John Pursell 3. Jesse Hill 4. Jimmy Horton IV 5. Kevin Collins 6. Sean Gunther
Feature (20 Laps)– 1. John Pursell 2. Eric Kormann 3. Kevin Collins 4. Jimmy Horton IV 5. Randy Yaple 6. Tom Miller 7. John Stangle 8. Bob Lineman, Jr. 9. Dan Cogdill 10. Sean Gunther 11. Jesse Hill 12. Ron Roberts 13. Andy Miller 14. Anthony Moran 15. Bob Rambone 16. Kate Brown 17. Glenn Knell 18. Mark Forte Jr.
Sunoco Sportsman
Heat 1 (6 Laps)—1. Chuck Buchman 2. Joseph Watson 3. Travis Hill 4. Jordan Watson 5. David Bell 6. Jeff Brown
Heat 2 (6 Laps) – 1. Brad Trice 2. Jerry Carter 3. Brett Ballard 4. Bob Bartleson 5. Jon Haegele 6. Jason Rivers
Feature (15 Laps) – 1. Jordan Watson 2. Joseph Watson 3. Travis Hill 4. Jeff Brown 5. Jon Haegele 6. David Bell 7. Chuck Hopkins 8. Chuck Buchman 9. Brett Ballard 10. Brad Trice 11. Gino Postarivo 12. Matt Harrell 13. Bob Bartleson 14. Pat Hires 15. Mike Hires 16. Jim Bartleson, Jr. 17. Jerry Carter 18. Ryan Forte 19. Dan Stout 20. Tom Gibson 21. Jason Rivers 22. Forrest Peters 23. Mike Barone 24. Mike Lewis
Outlaw Stocks
Feature (15 Laps) – 1. Pat Conaway 2. Ken Watson 3. Joe Trumbetti 4. Jim Honaker 5. Ron Dirkes 6. Jim McLaughlin 7. Chris Pidgeon 8. John Gandy, Jr. 9. Joe Ecret 10. Jeff Dirkes
Bartleson Masonry/Post Plumbing Rookie Sportsman
Feature (8 Laps) – 1. Matt Harrell 2. Mike Cogdill 3. Tom Gibson 4. Mike Lewis 5. Jim Bartleson, Jr. 6. Ryan Forte
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