60 Over Spectacular: Friesen Over Krachun at Bridgeport STSS Modified Opener

Column By: Doug Rose / BRIDGEPORT MOTORSPORTS PARK – SWEDESBORO, NJ  – The box score will say Stewart Friesen started from the pole and won Sunday’s ’60 Over Special’ at Bridgeport Motorsports Park.

That, however, was far from reality.

Friesen, of Sprakers, N.Y., first battled with Louden Reimert – then lost the lead again to Ryan Krachun – before driving to Bicknell Racing Products Victory Lane following the 60-lap event run in memory of late driver and promoter Doug Hoffman.

Friesen pocketed $6,060 for his second consecutive victory in the event.

“It was a wild race,” Friesen said. “Starting from the pin there, you never know what’s gonna happen.”

Sunday’s program kicked off the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco 2026 season under bright sunny skies.

Following the Beyea Custom Headers Redraw, Friesen led the field to green in Round No. 1 of the STSS Modified NJ Quality Drywall South Region. Pennsylvania’s Louden Reimert outgunned Friesen and paced the first 13 laps around the high-banked oval before Friesen put the Halmar International No. 44 out front.

As Friesen led, fifth-starter Krachun was beginning to climb from fifth position in the Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz No. 51.

Krachun slipped beneath Reimert to take over second place on the 28^th lap and set his sights on Friesen.

As Friesen began to struggle through turns one and two, Krachun became a factor for the lead. With 22 laps remaining, Friesen nearly clipped the outside boilerplate and Krachun darted into the top spot.

“I just kind of got complacent,” Friesen said. “I thought I found a smooth spot up by the fence (in turns one and two) but it bit me. The 51 (Krachun) snuck by. Pretty wild out there.”

Friesen remained in step with Krachun until a pivotal pair of restarts with 13 laps remaining.

Roaring into turn one, Friesen regained a lead he would ultimately never relinquish for his 55^th STSS victory and first since Quebec’s Le RPM Speedway last July, prior to his injuries sustained a week later.

“Winning Doug’s (Hoffman) race is something we circle on the calendar,” Friesen said. “Him and my Uncle Alex were really tight.”

Krachun, of Neshanic Station, N.J., matched his series-best runner-up finish worth $3,000.

“Stewie ran one hell of a race: he is one of the best to do it,” Krachun said. “It’s just good to be fast here again.”

Michael Maresca of Baldwinsville, N.Y., followed a Saturday preliminary night victory with a third-place finish, followed by Matt Stangle, also of Neshanic Station, N.J., who started eighth and Ryan Godown of Ringoes, N.J., who started 14^th.

Finishing sixth through 10^th, respectively, were Alex Yankowski of Covington Township, Pa., in the Millman No. 84Y; Long Island’s Dillon Steuer; early leader Reimert of Oley, Pa.; Anthony Perrego of Montgomery, N.Y., who started 23^rd and Brandon Grosso of Montgomery, N.J.

A field of 34 STSS Modifieds signed in for competition.

Maresca was the ATL Fuel Cells Hot Lap Hero with a circuit of 15.718 seconds.

Heat winners were Danny Bouc, Yankowski, Matt Stangle and Friesen. Neal Williams won the B-Main.

Joe Toth of Upper Makefield, Pa., rode the outside lane past Robbie Emory to win the 25-lap STSS Sportsman event worth $1,560, Round No. 1 of the Belmont’s Garage South Region.

The win for Toth was his seventh with the series.

Emory had kept the field behind him for 20 laps before a failing engine forced him to the infield.

Toth went on to win over Mike Butler of Bedminster, N.J., Matt Peck of Pottstown, Pa., Travis Hill of Elmer, N.J., and Quebec invader Christopher Cordeau.

Thirty-six STSS Sportsman registered for competition.

Bobby Butler was the JLR Technologies Hot Lap Hero at 17.330 seconds.

Heat winners were Ryan Anderson, Emory, Jax Yohn and Toth. Adrianna Delliponti and Teague Miller split the B-Mains.

Next up: Pa.’s Bedford Speedway this Sunday, March 29 for the 90th Anniversary Special and a first-time STSS Modified visit.

To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, check out ‘Short Track Super Series’ on Facebook or @ShortTrackSS on (X) or Instagram.