NEWS FROM BRIDGEPORT'S 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/March 29, 2012

A New Era for Bridgeport Speedway Gets Underway This Saturday, March 31 With Race of Champions-sanctioned Poker Series Event; Talent-Filled Field Set for Highly Anticipated Return of the Big-Block Modifieds

BRIDGEPORT, NJ - When the final story of Bridgeport Speedway is told, March 31, 2012 will be a key date.

A new era of racing at the Logan Township oval begins on Saturday under the leadership of Doug Hoffman. Andrew Harpell's Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour invades Bridgeport for the first time ever in a 60-lap event paying $4,000 plus lap money to the victor. Joining the RoC Modifieds are Crate Sportsman and Outlaw Stocks in season-long points-paying events.

RoC's inaugural visit at Bridgeport, offering South Region points, doubles with 'Hand One' of the innovative 'Poker Series' introduced by Hoffman this season. The 'Poker Series' concept originated at Pa.'s Mahoning Valley Speedway during Hoffman's seven-year run as the paved quarter-mile track's promoter. The day also marks the return of powerful big-block Modifieds to the five-eighths-mile oval after a full season with crate engine cars headlining the speedway's weekly program.

For first-year speedway operator Hoffman, positive first impressions at this week's event are imperative. Hoffman signed a lease with speedway owners Jay James and Brian Ramey to operate Bridgeport on Jan. 7. He has since been swept into a whirlwind of promotions and publicity for the star-crossed speedway that began at the Motorsports 2012 show in Oaks, Pa. The feedback has been positive.

"This is a big day for Bridgeport Speedway," Hoffman, a 92-time Bridgeport victor and three-time champion during his illustrious driving career, said. "There's no doubt it's important for us to get this thing off the ground the right way. Throughout the winter, it's all been talk. Now we need to act. A lot of eyes will be on us this weekend."

Hoffman and wife Gena were able to beat the weather last Saturday with an open practice session. The day wasn't just a test and tune for racers; it allowed the staff to work together for the first time under the new regime. Concession stands were up and running. An employee meeting was held to prepare for the opener.
"We all needed to get that practice in," Hoffman said. "That chance to work together was a big deal. We're opening with the biggest race Bridgeport has seen in a long time."

Hoffman knows a racy-yet-slower track surface is key for the opener. He and Chip Wingate - who will head the track crew - have been working the clay for the better part of the last week-and-a-half.

"We've got to get it right," Hoffman surmised.

A talent-laden field of touring series drivers is expected for the lid-lifter, including superstar Brett Hearn of Sussex, N.J., the Gypsum Express trifecta of defending RoC champion Billy Decker of Unadilla, N.Y., three-time RoC champ Pat Ward of Genoa, N.Y., and rising star Larry Wight of Phoenix, N.Y., New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway RoC winner Stewart Friesen of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., Jimmy Phelps of Baldwinsville, N.Y., Danny Johnson of Rochester, N.Y., and more.

From the PA 358 circuit, Selinsgrove 358-Modified winner Duane Howard of Oley, Pa., will drive the Craig Pondish No. 6 after losing an engine with the BPG Racing No. 4 during the 'Icebreaker' weekend. Other PA drivers planning to attend are Jeff Strunk of Bechtelsville, Pa., Craig Von Dohren of Boyertown, Pa., Kevin Hirthler of Boyertown, Pa., Doug Manmiller of Shoemakersville, Pa., Dale Hartz of Hamburg, Pa., and more.

On the heels of strong top-five finishes in RoC events at Selinsgrove and New Egypt, Bridgeport's all-time leading winner Jimmy Horton of Neshanic Station, N.J., straps into Dieter Schmidt's Lincoln Auto Body No. 5 Troyer in search of a RoC triumph.

Three-time Bridgeport champion Wade Hendrickson of Lawrenceville, N.J., returns to the famed Rio Bros. No. R10 at Bridgeport. The newly assembled Tony Feil-powered Teo-Pro car hits the track for the first time this weekend.

Ryan Godown of Ringoes, N.J., makes his second appearance in the Rick Clay-owned No. 88c after his debut in the car at Selinsgrove. Jimmy 'Showtime' Blewett of Howell, N.J., has set plans for his Bridgeport Speedway debut this weekend.

Delaware International Speedway regular Eric Kormann of Vineland, N.J., will make a Bridgeport start along with former champion Mike Iles of Medford, N.J. Teenager Sammy Piazza of Lawrenceville, N.J., hits the Bridgeport oval for the second time in a big-block.

From the Southern Tier region, Penn Can (Pa.) Speedway star Brett Tonkin of Carbondale, Pa., plans his Bridgeport debut.

Rick Laubach of Quakertown, Pa., driving the Gary and Lori Herrmann No. 7, leads the list of Bridgeport regulars that includes defending champion Ryan Watt of Boyertown, Pa., Richie Pratt Jr. of Woodbury Heights, N.J., Jesse Hill of Barnsboro, N.J., Mike Barone of Hillsborough, N.J., a returning Bob Sarkisian of Woolwich, N.J., Matt Harrell of Elmer, N.J., Mike Franz of Paulsboro, N.J., and more.

"From what we've heard, this looks to be an incredible field of cars," Hoffman said. "Our job is to capitalize on what we have this weekend and build some momentum for the regular season (which opens on April 7)."

Currently, there is a three-way tie in the RoC South Region point standings with 65 points involving Billy Pauch Sr. (Frenchtown, N.J.) and the Troyer duo of Howard and Phelps.

Lap money, at $20 per lap, will be awarded. Laps remain available and all money raised goes back to the racers. To purchase a lap, e-mail Deyo99H@aol.com.

The winner of the RoC Modified event has a choice between a guaranteed starting position in the Sept. 29 $20,000 Outlaw 200 at Fulton (N.Y.) Speedway or the $10,000-to-win Hurricane 100 at Brewerton (N.Y.) Speedway Oct. 4. The runner-up gets the other position.

The RoC Modified 13th-place finisher earns a $100 bonus from MTL Motorsports.

Big-block Modifieds will receive show-up points for the event, ranging from 55 to the winner down to 50 for those failing to qualify. Full rules for the event are posted online at www.rocdirt.com.

On Friday night (March 30), an open practice is planned from 6-9 p.m. Gates open at 4 p.m. Pit admission for the open practice is $20 (member) and $30 (non-member).

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.

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. For Saturday's (March 31) program, pit gates open at noon in addition to RoC registration. 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.

Saturday grandstand admission is $25 for Adults and $23 for Seniors (65 and over) and Students (with ID). Kids 12 and under are admitted FREE. Pit admission is $30 for Bridgeport members and $35 for non-members.

Custom 'Poker Series' apparel produced by Bob Hilbert Sportswear (Boyertown, Pa.) will be on sale beginning with Saturday's event.

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.

Hoffman expects a dramatic 'Poker Series' title run to unfold during the season.

"Usually in a mini-series, somebody will run away with the points," Hoffman said. "You won't see that with the 'Poker Series.' It will be interesting right down to the end."

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.