Bridgeport’s “Three for All” Had Something For Everyone

Column By: NICK FILLMAN / RPW – SWEDESBORO, NJ – For the third straight year, the Bridgeport Speedway hosted their annual “Three for All” special event featuring three of the nations top divisions with Super Late Models, 360 Sprint Cars and 358-Modifieds on Tuesday, July 11th.

In addition to the divisions offered for this special, the Bridgeport Speedway offers a complete package that allows race fans to enjoy a relaxing atmosphere outside of the racing.

Bridgeport can often be found offering a live band underneath their pavilion behind their large comfortable grandstand sections, which on this particular evening featured a DJ playing a variety of music. Bouncy houses and other safe areas for children to play offer an avenue for families to take should their children need a break from the racing action and to meet new friends and race fans.

One of the corner stones for fans of all ages to enjoy is the “Bandit Bus” rides. Bridgpeort will run a small shuttle bus to the pits taking fans of all ages through the pit area to get an up close and personal view of the teams preparing their cars for the nights racing events.

Capping off their treats for the fans is the always-popular staging of the headlining division behind the grandstands. Tuesday’s special show featured the mighty Super Late Models behind the main seating area, giving many fans a close look at these cars that don’t often run in New Jersey.

Fans also have the opportunity to talk with the drivers of whatever division may have been placed behind the stands and take photos with their favorite driver. For those younger fans, it’s an opportunity to create a life-long favorite.

As I stated before, special to the Tuesday night show was the Central PA super LM’s. Driver and Lazer Chassis owner, Jim Bernheisel, took lucky fans on a ride of their life in his two seater Late Model.

Tuesday’s fields featured 20 Super Late Models from regions like Central PA, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia with some of the top drivers those areas had to offer.

Kenny Pettyjohn, Ricky Elliott, Coleby Frye, and the legendary Gary Stuhler were among those in competition and put on a good show for the fans on hand. Bryan Bernheisel grabbed the win over the hard-charging Virginian, Kyle Hardy.

On a weekly basis, the Bridgeport Speedway contests Big Block modifieds. But on Tuesday, they featured a special event for the Spec head 358-Modifeids. Eighteen were on hand and represented cars from every speedway in the area.

The 358 showcase allows for drivers who don’t have a Big Block to test their skill at the big 5/8ths mile oval. Drivers with many wins like Ryan Watt and Craig Von Dohren were on hand as well as drivers who are either just starting as up-and-coming rookies in Modified competition like Matt Stangle, Brandon Grosso and Rodger Manning.

The special show also offered a few other drivers who run weekly at other speedway’s a shot to grab the win who mainly run, or who only run in the 358-Mod ranks like veterans Rocco Infante and Steve Davis. Davis is a former champion in the Sportsman at Bridgeport.

Brett Kressely, who was fresh off a big $4,000 win at Big Diamond the previous Friday, and a second place at Grandview Saturday, was able to steal the win away from early race leader Ryan Godown.

Over the past few years, the drivers of the United Racing Club 360 sprint Car Series have figured out how to make the best of racing at the sweeping South Jersey oval. Bridgeport hosted the first ever “Big Track Classic” last November which produced two of the best URC features ever run at the speedway.

Drivers on hand Tuesday at Bridgeport included former champions Davie Franek and Curt Michael, along with front runner Robbie Stillwaggon, and eventual feature winner Josh Weller.

Being that the show was a special event held on a Tuesday, Pennsylvania Speed-week champion Lucas Wolfe was on had in his Pabst Blue Ribbon 5w machine to take on the regulars with URC. Wolfe would end up in 17th after suffering a flat tire with two laps to go running in the top five.

The third straight edition of the “Three for All” was the best that has been contested in terms of overall car counts, and driver quality providing fans with an event that was well worth the money.

If fans weren’t able to attend this years event, they should definitely keep an eye out for the “Three for All” on the Bridgeport Speedway next season and make it a cant miss trip to the Bridgeport Speedway. Whether you’re a Modified, Late Model, or Sprint car fan, there will truly be something for everyone.