Bridgeport Speedway: Pratt is pumped up South Jersey Times By Mike Wisniewski Special to the Times After last Saturday’s Big Block Modified feature at Bridgeport Speedway, Richie Pratt Jr. is pumped up heading into this Thursday’s lucrative Friends of Mike Race. Coming from 13th place, Pratt knifed his way through the field to pick up his third win of the season. At the beginning of the 30-lap contest, the eventual victor was having some handling issues with his car. By the second circuit, with David Hunt in front of the pack, he was scored in 18th place out of 24 competitors. After making some cockpit adjustments to his car, he began to power his way to the front. “I got the car working pretty well,” commented Pratt about his changes. With one-third of the event completed, Ryan Watt was the leader with Pratt riding in sixth. On lap 17, Pratt had just overtaken Elmer’s Matt Harrell for fourth place when the yellow flag waved for the third-place running Wade Hendrickson. When action got back underway, Pratt was in third place behind Watt and Hunt. With 10 circuits remaining, Pratt slipped by Hunt and began to close in on Watt. After two back-to-back restarts on lap 22, Watt was still in charge of the race with Pratt in his tracks. With five laps to go, Pratt took the lead by a nose just before the final caution period occurred for Mike Iles. After the single file restart, Pratt repelled Watt’s challenges in the final tours to gain the win. Standing in front of the crowd following his accomplishment, Pratt said his eagerness to compete in this week’s special $7,500-to-win event. “I can’t wait until Thursday night now,” beamed the Woodbury Heights resident. Also on Saturday, Jordan Watson collected the win in the Bill Hill Memorial Race for the Crate/Sportsman. Watson, who is a regular competitor at Delaware International Speedway on Saturday nights, made the tow from his home in Milford, Del. worthwhile as he led every step of the way for the victory. Although he had no power steering, Jimmy Avery managed to maneuver his Outlaw Stock Car to the winner’s circle for his second win of the season in the very competitive race. Last Friday’s racing program on the quarter-mile track was canceled in order to comply with a local town ordinance governing the number of racing events in a given week. Notes: On Thursday, the 8th annual Friends of Mike race will take place at Bridgeport Speedway, which is located at exit 14 off Interstate 295 in Logan Township. The Big Block Modifieds will compete in a 51-lap Poker Series event with $7,500 going to the victor. A stellar field of drivers from across the northeast is expected to be on hand. In addition, the Crate/Sportsman will have a 25-lap Poker Series contest. A huge Chinese Auction ranging from home appliances to racing memorabilia will be held in the pavilion behind the main grandstand during the evening. Spectator gates open at 3 p.m. and the two-division program of racing gets cranked up at 7 p.m. Fans (16 and older) are admitted for $30 with student (10-15) tickets priced at $15. Children 9 and under are free. Bridgeport Speedway will be dark this Friday and Saturday. Go to bpspeedway for the latest information about the 2013 season.
Posted on: Thu, 29 Aug 2013 00:43:00 +0000
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