HODNETT AND WATT ARE NIGHT OF WINGS III WINNERS‏

Upcoming Events

Friday, July 18 - Twin 15s for 270cc Micros - 600cc Micros and 4 Cylinders - Racing at 8pm on 1/4 mile

Saturday, July 19 - Bill Hill Memorial - Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman & Outlaw Stocks - Racing at 7pm on 5/8 mile track

 

 

HODNETT AND WATT ARE NIGHT OF WINGS III WINNERS

 

 

     Greg Hodnett led from the wave of the green to the checkered flag to take the win in the 360 Sprint Car main event on the Night of Wings III at the Bridgeport Speedway.  Ryan Watt picked up his third Bridgeport win of the season when he won the twenty-five lap 358 small block modified feature event.

 

     Hodnett, who spends most of his race nights behind the wheel of a 410 Sprint car, spoke of his respect for the drivers who regularly compete in the 360 format.  "These cars are very different," Hodnett said of the 360 Sprints.  "They are completely different animals.  These guys who run them all the time are more familiar with the way they respond.  They know these cars well.  Drawing the pole was definitely a benefit to us." 

 

     Hodnett was pleased with the racing surface.  "The track was real smooth," Hodnett continued.  "I like these bigger tracks to begin with so this was a good night."  

 

     Hodnett drew the pole position for the start and quickly put the Lelands.com #27 out in front of Jimmy Stitzel who started on the outside pole.  Justin Barger took over second on the first lap as current URC point leader, Davie Franek moved into third.  Troy Betts and Josh Weller battled for fifth during the early laps.  

 

     Hodnett led Barger and Franek through the first ten laps with Franek taking over second on lap eleven.  Curt Michael, driving the Bill Gallagher owned #5G, broke into the top five and ran fourth at the half way mark after starting in ninth.  

 

     With ten laps to go, Hodnett ran into lapped traffic.  For a while, it appeared as if runner-up Franek was closing the gap on the but Franek was never able reel in Hodnett to challenge for the lead.  

 

     Michael took over third with just over five laps remaining.  

 

     Hodnett led the charge to the checkered followed by Franek, Michael, Barger and Aaron Ott who raced from fourteenth to fifth to be named he Hard Charger of the race.

 

     Robbie Stillwaggon set fast time during time trials, turning the 5/8th mile track in just over eighteen seconds.

 

     A silent auction was conducted during the night's activities and over a thousand dollars was raised for the Charlie Dean Leffler Discretionary Fund.

 

     In the Small Block Modified feature 2013 Big Block Modified champion, Ryan Watt, grabbed the early lead from his pole starting position followed by Richie Pratt, Jr., Craig VonDohren, Jimmy Blewett and Wade Hendrickson.  Hendrickson quickly disposed of the competition and was second by the completion of lap nine. 

 

     A tangle which occurred on the backstretch on the tenth lap eliminated Pratt, Rusty Smith and Mike Iles from competition and sent Blewett to the rear for the restart.  With the green flag conditions back  on the speedway Hendrickson raced to the outside to take the lead from Watt and appeared to be on his way to his third win of the season.  On lap 16, Watt moved to within striking distance and regained the lead one later.

 

     As the checkered flag waved, Watt was pulling away from Hendrickson for his third win of the season.  VonDohren finished third followed by Jimmy Horton in fourth.  Horton broke a U-joint prior to the start of his heat race and started 25th in the field.  Rocco Infante finished fifth from his 27th starting position after breaking a front axle in his qualifying race.

 

360 SPRINT CAR (25 laps)

1. Greg Hodnett, 2. Davie Franek, 3. Curt Michael, 4. Justin Barger, 5. Aaron Ott, 6. Kyle Reinhardt, 7. Troy Betts, 8. Josh Weller, 9. Kyle Purks, 10. Larry Kelleher, 11. Mark Bitner, 12. Jimmy Stitzel, 13. Ed Aiken, 14. Robbie Stillwaggon, 15. Andy Best, 16. Randy West, 17. Bob DeVault, 18. Dave Brown, 19. Jeff Fithian, 20. Rick Steif, 21. Jon Haegele, 22. Jonathan Swanson, 23. Brad Franks

 

358 SMALL BLOCK MODIFIED (25 laps)

1. Ryan Watt, 2. Wade Hendrickson, 3. Craig VonDohren, 4. Jimmy Horton, 5. Rocco Infante, 6. Jarrad Miller, 7. Scott Ambruster, 8. Lou Cicconi, 9. Brian Kressley, 10. Don Cogdill, III, 11. Steve Searock, 12. Jimmy Blewett, 13. Neil Huber, 14. Andrew Bohn, 15. Jason Rivers, 16. Nick Nicotra, 17. Shawn Ward, 18. Scott Hulmes, 19. Jimmy Martin, Jr., 20. Pat Wall, 21. Ron Roberts, 22. Richie Pratt, Jr., 23. Rusty Smith, 24. Mike Iles, 25. P.J. Oliver, 26. Marc Herman, 27. Tommy Beamer