Story By: DEB SMITH / BRIDGEPORT MOTORSPORTS PARK – SWEDESBORO, NJ – Ryan Krachun earned his second career victory in the Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz Modifeds at the Bridgeport Motorsports Park on a night of racing sponsored by Blue Hen Speed & Performance.
Tom Sherby and Matt Peck earned victories in a pair of Ice Less LLC 602 Sportsman features while Jimmy Combs earned the win in the Street Stock main event. Dan Stein, Jr. was the winner of two Four Cylinder features while Michael Beckett raced to his second win in the DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookie feature.
Jim Gallagher, Jr. raced the Elite Welding No. 31 into the lead on the start and led through the first twelve laps as Krachun made his way through the top five from his eighth place starting position. Krachun had just moved into second before the caution waved for the first time as Rick Laubach slowed on the track.
Krachun took the lead following the lap thirteen restart, powering by Gallagher as the pair exited turn two. Krachun led Gallagher, Sammy Martz, Jr., Cole Stangle and HJ Bunting through the halfway mark.
Martz, Jr. raced into second on lap twenty and gave chase to the race leader for the remaining laps. Martz was able to keep pace with Krachun, running to the inside between turns one and two but Krachun was able to pull away on exit of turn two.
The caution waved several times during the final laps but Krachun was able to ward off any challenges. A flat tire on the Blue Hen Racing No. 30 on the final lap, saw several cars involved in the incident has drivers took evasive action when HJ Bunting ran into trouble at the end of the straightaway. Jojo Watson’s Auto Gallery No. 21w was heavily damaged. The cars of JR Fulper and Mike Barone were also towed from the track while Cale Ross was able to rejoin the field for the final lap.
Krachun took the win over Martz, Jr., Billy Pauch, Jr., Matt Stangle and Neal Williams. Stan Frankenfield finished sixth after starting 20th, followed by defending track champion, Jordan Watson, Rick Laubach, Brad Roberts and Dillon Steuer who rebounded after a trip to the pits in the final laps.
Krachun credited the win to Dale Planck and company at DIG Race Products as he celebrated with his legion of fans.
Blue Hen Speed & Performance Modified heats were won by Jim Gallagher, Cole Stangle and Brad Roberts.
Tom Sherby led all twenty-five laps of the night’s Ice Less 602 Sportsman feature for his first win on the High Banks since the 2022 season. Sherby returned after falling victim to an early race incident one week earlier. Thomas Prychka finished second followed by Matt Peck, Jax Yohn and defending champion, Travis Hill.
Matt Peck gave the Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz No. 51 team their first Sportsman win of the season when he raced to the win in the feature held over from opening day. First year competitor, Michael Beckett led for the first twelve laps before Peck took over at the halfway point. Brian Papiez, James Hill and Ethan Bill pursued the race leader as they raced nose to tail to the checkered.
Peck took the win over Papiez, Bill, James Hill and Jax Yohn. Tom Sherby finished sixth followed by Michael Beckett, Stephen Yankowski, Travis Hill and Howie Finch.
Jimmy Combs may have found his new Saturday night home as he raced to the win in the Bridgeport Motorsports Park Street Stocks. Lee Allen was sidelined before the checkered with mechanical issues after racing in second for most of the race. Nick Sandone III finished second and took the point lead as a result. Jeff Dirkes finished third in his first race of the season.
Dan Stein Jr. came up big after winning both Four Cylinder feature events. It was a first for Stein who also set the fast time in the division.
Lee Allen finished second in the first feature followed by John Parker, Ed Ford and Joe Garey, Sr.
Stein dominated the second feature as well, winning this one over Joe Garey, Jr., Ed Ford, John Parker and Dale Mull.
Michael Beckett raced to his second win in the DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookie feature event. Ashley Therien finished second for the second week in a row followed by Kenny Ott, RJ Witcraft and Dan Adaire.
Action returns to the High Banks next Saturday with the Modifieds, Mid Atlantic Sprint Series, Victory Fuel Wingless Sprints, Street Stocks and Rookies.
Modifieds 1. Ryan Krachun 2. Sammy Martz Jr 3. Billy Pauch Jr 4. Matt Stangle 5. Neal Williams 6. Stan Frankenfield 7. Jordan Watson 8. Rick Laubach 9. Brad Roberts 10. Dillon Steuer 11. Sam Martz 12. Cale Ross 13. Billy Osmun 14. HJ Bunting 15. Joseph Watson 16. Mike Barone 17. JR Fulper 18. Mike Franz 19. Jim Gallagher 20. Danny Bouc 21. Cole Stangle 22. Roger Manning 23. Greg Nailer
Sportsman Feature #1 1. Tom Sherby 2. Thomas Prychca 3. Matt Peck 4. Jax Yohn 5. Travis Hill 6. Ethan Bill 7. Pete Serra 8. James Hill 9. Brian Papiez 10. Howie Finch 11. Stephen Yankowski 12. Billy Chester 13. Justin Zook 14. Wayne Weaver 15. Kris Thompson 16. Shane Kassekert 17. Mike Loney 18. Michael Beckett 19. Brian Rogers 20. Tippy Martinez 21. John Scarpati 22. Robert Tete 23. Ethan Young 24. Brandon Shipley 25. Eric Mattson
Sportsman Feature #2 1. Matt Peck 2. Brian Papiez 3. Ethan Bill 4. James Hill 5. Jax Yohn 6. Tom Sherby 7. Michael Beckett 8. Stephen Yankowski 9. Travis Hill 10. Howie Finch 11. Pete Serra 12. Mike Loney 13. Shane Kassekert 14. Tippy Martinez 15. Billy Chester 16. Brandon Shipley 17. Robert Tete 18. Thomas Prychka 19. Brian Rogers 20. Wayne Weaver 21. Ethan Young
Street Stocks 1. Jimmy Combs 2. Nick Sandone III 3. Jeff Dirkes 4. Terry Chaney 5. Lee Allen
4 Cylinder Feature #1 1. Dan Stein Jr 2. Lee Allen 3. John Parker 4. Ed Ford 5. Joe Garey 6. Colin Gale 7. Dan Stein Sr 8. Tim Jones 9. Joe Garey Jr
4 Cylinders Feature #2 1. Dan Stein Jr. 2. Joe Garey Jr. 3. Ed Ford 4. John Parker 5. Dale Mull 6. Dan Stein Sr. 7. Rob Well 8. Lee Allen 9. Colin Gale 10. Joe Garey 11. Garrett Mull 12. Tim Jones 13. Eric Degler