Tuesday April 02, 2013 BRIDGEPORT SPEEDWAY’S 2013 ROOKIE SERIES IS SHAPING UP AND GETS UNDERWAY ON SATURDAY, APRIL 6 Bridgeport, NJ – (April 2, 2013) – On Saturday, April 6, Bridgeport Speedway will be back in action, as they will host their first regular season point event of 2013. Of course the Big Block Modifieds, Crate/Sportsman, and Outlaw Stock drivers will be anxious this coming weekend, as they start their quest for the 2013 point championship. However, nothing can quite compare to the eagerness of a ‘Rookie’ driver.
D.A.’s Auto Body and Repair is proud to sponsor this year’s Bridgeport rookie class. Dave Adams, who currently is part of the new management team at Bridgeport was more than happy to step up and become the sponsor of such a promising rookie contingent.
Adams is the president of D.A.’s Auto Body and Repair located in Feasterville, PA. Serving customers for more than 30 years, their reputation for quality and reliable auto repairs is second to none. There isn't anything that D.A.’s won't do! Whether you need a basic oil change or you've been in a fender bender, they'll keep your car working and looking as good as new. Routine maintenance, state inspections, collision work, engine work, brakes, transmissions, you name it and D.A.’s will take care of you. For more information you can reach Dave and his first-class repair shop at 215-357-2606 or log onto www.daautopa.com.
Dave Adams has raced for over 30 years across the northeast with most of his success coming at Bridgeport Speedway. With many wins and championships included in his resume, Adams has always been a Bridgeport catalyst. He’s also competed at tracks such as Nazareth, Flemington, and East Windsor. Unfortunately those tracks are no longer around and that’s exactly why Adams wants to continue the growth of the sport that he so loves. “I started out running Demo Derbies and then moved up to the Late Models, then Sportsman, then Small Blocks, and eventually the Big Blocks. We need guys to keep entering this sport….it’s very important,” eluded Adams. “I feel that if we keep injecting new blood into this sport then dirt racing will be okay and Bridgeport will be in good shape. I’m excited to be back at Bridgeport, it’s like my second home. The word on the street is that it will be one of the bigger rookie classes Bridgeport’s had in long time and I’m just glad to be a part of it.”
D.A.’s has put up a generous point fund for the rookie drivers. The D.A.’s Auto Body and Repair Champion will walk away from the Bridgeport Banquet with a $500 first prize check along with plenty of other hardware for their winning efforts. Second place in points will receive $300 and third place will receive $200 in prize money along with plaques and trophies all courtesy of D.A.’s Auto Body and Repair.
The rookie class will run 12 consecutive weeks starting April 6 and will continue until graduation night which will be held on Saturday, June 22. The D.A.’s Auto Body and Repair rookies will compete in an 8-lap rookie race each week. The winner of the each rookie race will receive a first place trophy and will automatically qualify for the Crate/Sportsman feature event. The rookie feature will serve as their heat race. The remaining drivers will then tag on the back of the consolation event(s) and try to race their way into the Crate/Sportsman 20-lap feature.
The first official driver to register for the new season was Rich D’Antonio. This 22-year old will be driving the No. 74 Crate-1 in his first season of competition. Rich is one of the few drivers to compete at the speedway who will make the tow from the state of Maryland (Elkton). D’Antonio will be steering a 2006 Bicknell in the rookie series.
The next driver is Ian Humphrey, who has turned a few heads already this season in just a few practice outings. The No. 90 machine will be driven by this second-generation driver out of New Hope, Pennsylvania. The 18-year old rookie will be behind the wheel of a 2001 Crate-1 Teo car. Ian’s main focus this season is to raise awareness for children stricken with Type 1 Diabetes and to show and prove that there are no limitations when it comes to this disease.
Scott Hulmes Jr. will be strapping himself into a racecar for the first time ever in 2013. Scott will be following in his father’s footsteps as Scott Sr. has been a fixture at Bridgeport over the years racing in the Sportsman and Modified divisions. Hulmes Jr. will be driving a 2003 Dirt Wheels No. 7 Crate-2 Sportsman this season. The 19-year old second-generation driver hails from Mantua, NJ.
Another second-generation driver to join this year’s rookie crop will be Chris Lillick. Chris’ father, Bob,
and brother, Bob Jr., have and will continue to compete on the 5/8 mile clay oval. Chris will be behind the wheel of his No. 7 1996 Pauch-Olsen Sportsman car. The 21-year old rookie calls King of Prussia, PA his home.
The next driver in the D.A.’s Auto Body 2013 Rookie Series is Hellertown, Pennsylvania’s Jeff Bubori.
The 31-year old driver has participated in both open-practices with his No. 28 and is very excited to be a part of this year’s rookie class. Bubori will be driving a 2001 Teo Crate-1 in his quest for the rookie title.
Chris Schaeffer has added his name to the list of possible rookie champions. Good friends with Dave Dissinger, who is a new modified addition to this year’s field, Chris has decided to also be a part of the Bridgeport rookie class. The 28-year old from Auburn, PA will be driving a 2011 Bicknell chassis. The No. 88x Sportsman will be looking to join his teammate Dissinger as first-time Bridgeport Speedway winners.
Jesse James Bonaduce was the last driver to officially enter this year’s field of rookies. You’d think with a name like Jesse James that he might be from somewhere in the Wild Wild West but, Jesse actually calls Somerville, NJ his hometown. The 20-year old snowmobile rider has teamed up with long-time car owner Jimmy Horton Sr. and former racer Mike Sena for his 2013 rookie assault. Bonaduce will be driving a 2005 Crate-1 Olsen machine numbered 43.
There are several other drivers who have expressed their interest in running a handful of rookie races this season, so don’t be surprised to see at least a half dozen or so extra rookie competitors turning laps at Bridgeport throughout the months of April, May, and June. Ryan Cox, son of Clyde Cox III will be in action this coming weekend, as well as the Dunn Brothers. Justin and Robbie Dunn are the sons of 4-cylinder Enduro winner Scott Dunn. Patrick Gold has already logged a lot of laps around Bridgeport at both practice sessions. George Gareis Jr. son of former Sportsman competitor George Gareis will also make select appearances this season. George Kohrmann and Jimmy Amato are two drivers that have also stated that they will be able to compete in a few of the rookie series races.
On Saturday, April 6, the pit gates swing open at 3:30 p.m. with the grandstand turnstiles opening at 4:30 p.m. Hot laps get cranked up at 5:30 p.m. and racing starts at 6:00 p.m. Adult (16 and older) admission for the season point opener will be $15 with students (10-15) being admitted for $10. Kids 9 and under are free. Admittance to the pits is $30 with a Bridgeport Speedway license and $35 without.
Bridgeport Speedway provides a safe and secure family atmosphere, free parking, giveaways, and fan participation games. As a premier racing complex, Bridgeport Speedway is a banked 5/8th mile dirt oval, featuring a dirt 1/4 mile oval embedded in the center, and is located in Southern New Jersey -- just minutes from Pennsylvania and Delaware at exit 14 off of I-295.
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