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The 2026 season roared to life at Bridgeport Motorsports Park with an impressive 126 race cars filling the pit area for opening night on the High Banks. Haulers and trailers stretched all the way to the main road as teams poured in, setting the tone for what promises to be a huge season.
The fans showed up in force as well, and they were treated to thrilling action across every division. Slide jobs and tight battles among the leaders made for an exciting night of racing from start to finish.
Doug Rose addressed competitors during the drivers meeting, thanking the massive turnout and emphasizing the significance of the moment.
“We are beginning a new era of racing in New Jersey,” Rose said. With packed pits and strong fan support, he also outlined plans for pit parking moving forward, noting that many spots are now reserved for the season.
Ryan Godown powered his way to victory in the Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz Modified feature. David Shilling led the opening lap before Neal Williams surged to the front. Williams held off defending champion Dillon Steuer through the early stages, but Godown entered the mix at halfway.
After an intense battle among the top contenders, Godown charged into second and then took the lead on lap 24, holding on over the final six laps for the win. Williams finished second, followed by Steuer, Shilling, and Ryan Krachun, who impressively drove from 12th to fifth.
“The track was in tip-top condition,” said Godown. “It was easier for me coming from third than it was for Neal.” Williams noted that his car just got too free late in the race.
The Mid Atlantic Sprint Cars got their season started Saturday night at the Kingdom of Speed in thrilling fashion. Tim Iulg fought back all night after a bad pill draw at the beginning of the event. Starting last in heat race competition, advancing to the redraw where luck change and drew the pole for the 25 lap feature. Iulg fired off to the early lead. At the mid point of the race Troy Betts began putting the pressure on second place running Eddie Wagner. Through lapped traffic Betts took over second setting sights on race leader Iulg. Betts threw slider after slider at the 19 of Iulg, but could not secure the top spot. Iulg did lead every lap enroute to victory in the Sprint Car season opener, marking the series’ 10th anniversary season. Defending champion Troy Betts held on for second, with Eddie Wagner finishing third.
Travis Hill captured the win in the Demers Heating & Cooling Sportsman feature after a hard-fought battle with Jesse Hirthler. Hirthler held off Steve Kemery to secure second, while Mike Butler and Charley Cossaboone rounded out the top five.
Tyler Lilick claimed the first Rookie Sportsman victory of the season, fending off heavy pressure from Brayden Morrison all the way to the checkered flag. Billy Interrant, Jim Robey, and Rick Keiper completed the top five.
The Swanson brothers made history with their first-ever one-two finish. Jonathan Swanson led every lap to take the win, followed closely by his brother David. Wayne Scott finished third.
Lee Allen appeared headed for victory in the Four Cylinder feature until mechanical issues struck with just two laps remaining. That opened the door for a dramatic finish between John Parker and Kelly Fleming. Contact on the final lap allowed Parker to secure his first career win.
Racing returns to the High Banks this Saturday, featuring the season opener for the USAC East Coast Wingless Sprints, along with Sportsman, Street Stocks, 4 Cylinders, Mod Lites, and Rookies.
DANNY’S PIZZA PIZZAZZ MODIFIED A-MAIN (30 LAPS)
1. Ryan Godown, 2. Neal Williams, 3. Dillon Steuer, 4. David Schilling, 5. Ryan Krachun, 6. Cale Ross, 7. Coleby Frye, 8. H.J. Bunting, 9. Mike Franz, 10. Johnny Bangs, 11. Wade Hendrickson, 12. Bobby Butler, 13. Frank Cozze, 14. D.J. Hunt, 15. Blaine Bracelin, 16. Jared Millman, 17. Jeff Parker, 18. John Aumick, 19. Brian Papiez, 20. Sammy Martz, Jr., 21. Stan Frankenfield, Jr., 22. W.B. James, 23. Richie Pratt, Jr., 24. Cole Stangle, 25. Billy Osmun, III, DNS – Dominick Buffalino, DNQ – Will Dupree, Sean Metz
DEMERS HEATING & COOLING SPORTSMAN A-MAIN (25 LAPS)
1. Travis Hill, 2. Jesse Hirthler, 3. Steve Kemery, 4. Mike Butler, 5. Charley Cossaboone, 6. Brandon Watkins, 7. P.J. Bozowski, 8. Matt Ellery, 9. Luke Bunting, 10. Brad Roberts, 11. Billy Chester, 12. Brian Rogers, 13. Aiden Spencer, 14. Brian Lilick, 15. Wayne Weaver, 16. Chris Grbac, 17. Nick Stephans, 18. Matt Peck, 19. Ryan Anderson, 20. Ethan Young, 21. Bryan Rhoads, 22. Ethan Bill, 23. Ronnie Solomon III, 24. Ryan Simmons, 25. Rick Wagner, 26. Christopher Buffalino, Jr., 27. Dave Damiano, 28. Brayden Morrison, DNQ – Lexi Wilson, Dylan Morris, Pete Serra, James Allen, Theresa Aumick, Walter McIntyre, Drew Ziegler, John Scarpati, Jim Robey, Tommy Kimkoski, Scott Hulmes, Chris Dorgstan, Hunter Ploski, Rob Tete, John Norcia, Tom Carpenter, Nico Perolrelli, Matt Blakeslee, J.D. Darling, Randy Ruhamel
ROOKIE SPORTSMAN PRESENTED BY D.A.’S AUTO BODY AND REPAIR (8 LAPS)
1. Tyler Lilick, 2. Brayden Morrison, 3. Billy Interrant, 4. Jim Robey, 5. Rick Keiper, 6. Tom Carpenter, 7. Randy Rommel, 8. James Allen, 9. Drew Ziegler, 10. Nico Pecorelli, 11. Matt Blakeslee, 12. JD Darling, 13. Sara Lynn
DCB PLUMBING & HEATING MID-ATLANTIC SPRINTS A-MAIN (25 LAPS)
1. Tim Iulg, 2. Troy Betts, 3. Eddie Wagner, 4. Dave Brown, Jr., 5. Tyler Grau, 6. Rick Lafferty, 7. D.J. Tanner, Jr., 8. Brian Carber, 9. Ryan Stillwaggon, 10. Jared Kreider, 11. Andrew Turpin, 12. Cody West, 13. Jon Brenfleck, 14. Jonathan Swift, 15. Aidan Borden, 16. Dirk Rimrott, 17. Dan Leaper, 18. Ryan Schultz, 19. Keith Anderson, 20. Adam Carberry, DNS – Shelby Kelly, Kurt Rainey
VICTORY FUEL WINGLESS SPRINTS A-MAIN (20 LAPS)
1. Jonathan Swanson, 2. David Swanson, 3. Wayne Scott, 4. Mick D’Agostino, 5. Shea Wills, 6. J.R. Fulper, 7. Stan Ploski, III, 8. Donald Ottatti, 9. Nathan Scott, 10. Sean Case, 11. Heidi Hedin, 12. Greg Shepsis, 13. A.J. Hunt
INSTA SIGNS PLUS FOUR CYLINDER STOCKS A-MAIN (15 LAPS)
1. John Parker, 2. Kelly Fleming, 3. Lee Allen, 4. Joe Garey, Sr., 5. Dominic Antonelli, 6. Logan Mull, 7. Dale Moll, 8. Joe Garey Jr.
