News Director 
Story By: MIKE WISNIEWSKI / BARONE RACING – SICKLERVILLE, NJ – If early results are any indication of the future, Mike Barone looks to be a force in the Big Block Modified ranks at Bridgeport Speedway this season. With a new Bicknell chassis and a fresh Lombardo Big Block engine, Barone has competed in three races this season and has finished in third in two of those events.
His latest race took place on Sunday, April 23 when Bridgeport Speedway played host to the Short Track Super Series South Jersey Shootout event. Against a stellar field of drivers assembled from Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, Barone started on the pole in the 40-lap feature and led the first twenty-nine tours.
In the midst of traffic, eventual winner Stewart Friesen slipped by Barone to take command for the remainder of the contest.
“The car felt perfect for the first twenty nine laps or so. In the final laps, the handling of the car became worse. As a team, we had the wrong tire compound on the right rear so I burned it up too quick. If it wasn’t for that, I am pretty confident I could have won the race,” explained the talented driver from Hillsborough, NJ.
With the drivability of his car diminished, Barone held on for a very respectable and eye opening third place finish. Afterwards, Barone reflected on his early season results and revealed his goal for the 2017 season.
“Every good finish builds my confidence especially running as well as we did with the top guys on dirt. I am confident that I can finish in the top five in points this year at Bridgeport,” stated Barone.
