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While many Northeast tracks have struggled with springtime rainouts, Bridgeport Motorsports Park has bucked the trend. Thanks to the leadership of 2024 EMPA Promoter of the Year Doug Rose, Bridgeport has delivered an impressive start to the season, running 14 of its first 16 scheduled events—it’s their best spring stretch in three years.
“Some speedways have only been able to run two, three, maybe four shows this season,” said Rose. “We’ve achieved 14, and it’s a testament to planning, preparation, and drainage.”
That planning paid off early. After losing the Doug Hoffman Memorial to weather three years in a row, this year’s season opener saw sunny skies and mid-60s temperatures for a successful Short Track Super Series event. Last week’s Nascar Truck Series winner Stewart Freisen took home the STSS Modified $6,060 payday back in March.
“We built this place with drainage in mind. We can handle one or even two inches of rain overnight on a Friday and still be racing Saturday,” Rose added. “I’ve always been a planner. Knowing what you’re up against is half the battle. The rest is having a great team beside you.”
Rose also credits a personal mantra inspired by legendary NC State basketball coach Jim Valvano: “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up,” a quote that’s guided him since age 22. I’ve always surrounded myself with people with the same “don’t give up” attitude and it’s situations like these that lead to success.
Weekend Recap: Monster Trucks, Racing, and Resilience
Despite a forecast showing a 40% chance of rain, Bridgeport Motorsports Park forged ahead with a full weekend of action, highlighted by the 2X Monster Trucks and Auto Racing. Fans packed the stands for both matinee and evening events, headlined by Monster Jam Freestyle Champion Bounty Hunter and kids’ favorite Shark Bite.
“The show must go on,” said Rose and Bounty Hunter driver/promoter Jimmy Creten—and it did, with an electric atmosphere and high-flying action from Monster Trucks and motorcycles alike.
Sunday capped off the weekend with a full slate of auto racing, once again dodging spring showers. Here’s how the racing unfolded:
DCB’s Plumbing & Heating Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series (MASS) (25 Laps)
🏁 Winner: Troy Betts – Claimed his first-ever Bridgeport Speedway win after a dramatic back-and-forth action with Dave Brown. As Betts and Brown shared sliders for the last 7 laps, former Bridgeport Champion Kevin Nagy slipped by Brown with his own slider to claim second at the flag.
Top 5: Betts, Kevin Nagy, Dave Brown, Shelby Kelly, Buddy Schweibenz
ICE LESS LLC 602 Sportsman (25 Laps)
🏁 Winner: Wayne Weaver – Jumped out to the early lead and never looked back, Weaver meticulously “weaved” his way through heavy lapped traffic on his way to his first win of the season—and nearly a year to the day since his last.
Top 5: Weaver, Jax Yohn, Steve Kemery, Luke Bunting, Jesse Hirthler
Victory Fuel Wingless Sprints (20 Laps)
🏁 Winner: Brian Spencer – The defending champ earned his second win of the season, taking the lead on lap 14 from Thomas Radivoy.
Top 5: Spencer, Radivoy, Jonathan Swanson, David Swanson, JR Fulper
Insta Signs Plus Street Stocks (15 Laps)
🏁 Winner: Jasen Geesaman – Traveled in from Central PA despite the weather and picked up his third win of 2024.
Top 5: Geesaman, Bailey Tolson, Mike Hughes Jr., Darren Cox, Gary Bozowski
DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookies (8 Laps)
🏁 Winner: PJ Bozowski – Became the division’s first three-time winner this season and took over the Rookie of the Year Point lead.
Top 5: Bozowski, Austyn Myers, Mike Hughes Jr., Charley Cossaboone, Aiden Spencer
Janney Electric Four Cylinders (15 Laps)
🏁 Winner: Lee Allen – Took the lead on lap 8 and never looked back for his second win of the season.
Top 5: Allen, Joe Garey Sr., Colin Gale, Eric Degler, Dan Stein Jr.
As Bridgeport Motorsports Park heads into another week, all eyes turn to the forecast. With more rain on the radar for upcoming events, the question remains—how long can Bridgeport keep outsmarting the weather?
Stay tuned. The Kingdom of Speed isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
