NEWS FROM BRIDGEPORTS POKER SERIES

News from Bridgeport Speedway's 'Poker Series'

Promoter: Doug Hoffman - 610-398-4923
'Poker Series' Publicity: Brett Deyo - Deyo99H@aol.com or 845.728.2781

For Immediate Release/February 29, 2012

Field Taking Shape for Saturday, March 31 Race of Champions/Poker Series Event at Bridgeport; Invaders Take Aim at South Jersey Oval; Former Champ Hendrickson Returns Aboard Rio Bros. No. R10

BRIDGEPORT, NJ - The field is taking shape for Bridgeport Speedway's anticipated 2012 kickoff on Saturday, March 31.

For the first time ever, the Logan Township facility hosts the Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour in a 60-lap big-block/small-block event that also serves as 'Hand One' of the innovative five-race 'Poker Series' put together by new speedway promoter Doug Hoffman.

An all-star cast of invading drivers is coming together for the RoC showdown as the mighty big-block Modifieds return to Bridgeport.

Three-time champion Wade Hendrickson of Lawrenceville, N.J., returns to Bridgeport for the extra-distance clash. Hendrickson is the most recent big-block champion at the track (2010) and owns prior titles in '09 and '00. An added twist: Hendrickson is expected to return to the seat of the famed Rio Bros. No. R10 for the special event. The Rios have a long history of success at Bridgeport.

Ryan Godown of Ringoes, N.J., will pilot the Rick Clay-owned No. 88c in the Bridgeport event. Godown is a standout Modified talent who has won at numerous speedways.

Jeff Strunk of Bechtelsville, Pa., the hottest driver on the Pennsylvania 358-Modified circuit in '11 with 358-Modified titles at Big Diamond and Grandview speedways, heads to Bridgeport in search of his second career checkered at the South Jersey oval. Strunk's only win at Bridgeport came in Oct. 2006.

The driver known as 'Showtime' Jimmy Blewett of Howell, N.J., plans his Bridgeport debut on March 31. Blewett, with more than 100 career victories on pavement, was a dirt Mod rookie last year at New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway, breaking into the top-five late in the season. Blewett is ready to try his hand at the wide and spacious Bridgeport five-eighths-mile oval.

'The Kid's Kid' Billy Pauch Jr. prepares for a rare Bridgeport start at the March lid-lifter. The Frenchtown, N.J., rising star will either pilot the Mike Petruska-owned No. 66 or a self-owned No. 15.

Delaware International Speedway's leading big-block rookie from last season - Eric Kormann - returns home to Bridgeport aboard Frank D'Antonio's No. 16 for the RoC special. Kormann built the foundation of his career at Bridgeport in the crate and Sportsman divisions.

Popular Keystone State star Doug Manmiller of Shoemakersville, Pa., will strap into a No. 14 owned by Dick Biever. 'The Handler' plans to chase RoC points this season driving for the Biever operations owned by Dick and his son, Josh.

Dirt Modified superstar Brett Hearn of Sussex, N.J., a winner of more than 800 career feature events, has posted on his website (www.bretthearn.com) that he intends to compete in the RoC event. It has been several years since Hearn, a full-time professional race car driver, has raced at Bridgeport.

Ryan Watt of Boyertown, Pa., last year's crate engine Modified champion at Bridgeport, looks to defend his home turf in a big-block fielded by Delaware's Ron Roberts. The two-car big-block team will include veteran racer Roberts.

Among the other notables planning to attend are Sammy Piazza of Lawrenceville, N.J., former ('08) champion Mike Iles of Medford, N.J., the South Jersey Overhead Door Sal DeBruno team tandem of Richie Pratt Jr. of Sewell, N.J., and Brett Ballard of Pennsville, N.J., Gary Hager of Stewartsville, N.J., past Sportsman/crate title winner Jesse Hill of Barnsboro, N.J., and more.

Further driver information will be released as the event approaches, in addition to complete rules and pricing. All big-block drivers attending the March 31 show will receive show up points, ranging from 55 to 50 depending on their performance.

In preparation for the March 31 program, an open practice session is planned for Friday, March 30. Gates open at 4 p.m. for the 6-9 p.m. shakedown session.

Following practice on Friday, there will be a party at the Holiday Inn of Swedesboro, N.J. A discounted $80 nightly rate is in place for Bridgeport attendees. To make a reservation and obtain the special rate, contact the hotel directly at: 856.467.3322 and mention the speedway.

Grandstand admission to Friday's practice is free of charge. Fans purchasing tickets for Saturday on Friday will be admitted into the grandstand one hour earlier than those purchasing general admission tickets on Saturday.

For the Saturday program, pit gates open at noon. Grandstand gates open at 1 p.m. for advance ticket holders and 2 p.m. for walk-up sales. Hot laps are planned for 3 p.m. with racing at 4 p.m. Crate Sportsman and Outlaw Stocks will complete the program.

Custom 'Poker Series' apparel produced by Bob Hilbert Sportswear (Boyertown, Pa.) will be on sale at all series events.

The remaining Modified 'Poker Series' dates are Sun., May 27, Wed., July 4, Mon., Sept. 3 and Sat., Nov. 10. At each 'Poker Series' event, the winner receives an Ace (A), second a King (K), third a Queen (Q) and so on down to the 13th-place finisher receiving a Deuce (2).

Following the completion of the five-race series, the driver with the best poker hand receives $2,500, second $1,500 and third $1,000. The driver with the worst hand receives $1,000. Drivers must participate in all five events to be eligible for a points fund.

For further information on Bridgeport Speedway, visit

www.bpspeedway.com. Bridgeport Speedway, located just minutes from Pennsylvania and Delaware off I-295 Exit 14, is a state-of-the-art auto racing facility with a five-eighths-mile clay oval and a quarter-mile clay oval embedded in the center.