The Official Site of Area Auto Racing News and Len Sammons Productions Area Auto Racing News
The Design for Vision/Sunglass Central 3/8th mile track at the Bridgeport Speedway took center stage Sunday, April 22, 2018 as three divisions of racing took to the new surface for the first official event.
Bridgeport’s Brian Ramey welcomed the fans to the Grand Opening and thanked them for their support.
“Bridgeport is about speed – that’s what we do here,” Ramey stated. “But Keith (Hoffman) and Danny (Serrano) pushed for the idea of a smaller track – not to replace the 5/8th but in addition to,” Ramey explained.
“We came up with a design that allowed us to do what you see here today. It is very unique.” Three tracks nestled within each other that will allow for many different types of racing.
Ramey introduced Don Manning – a former race winner at the Bridgeport Speedway – who acquired the naming rights of the track for his Design for Vision/Sunglass Central locations.
Ramey thanked Manning for his support while Manning took to the mic to congratulate Bridgeport for the completion of the new facility.
“We are pleased to be a part of it,” Manning stated. Manning’s son, Roger now does the racing and was part of the field of Modifieds who took part in Sunday’s event.
Ramey also introduced John Cavallero whose construction company took on the task of building the new track.
“I remember my dad brought me here when I was just a little boy,” Cavallero recalled. “I was amazed at the action.” After an absence of several seasons, Cavallero now returns to racing competition and raced in the 602 Crate Sportsman competition on the track that he was responsible for building.
The Grand Opening of the Design for Vision/Sunglass Central 3/8th mile track was also recognized as Bridgeport Goes Blue as Miss Bridgeport Speedway, Angelica Martz, brought Autism Awareness to the fans at the Bridgeport Speedway.
Fans supported the event by wearing blue to the races, sporting Autism Awareness ribbons and through their donations. FACES 4 Autism participated in the opening ceremonies and victory lane celebrations throughout the day. The Bridgeport Speedway matched the fans contributions, raising $569 for FACES 4 Autism.
And that was just how the day got started. It was a day of many firsts.
The Modifieds had the fans on their feet as young Matt Stangle and Jeff Strunk raced wheel to wheel to the checkered flag with Strunk taking the win in the first Modified feature event held on the 3/8th mile track.
Earlier in the day, Danny Buccafusca became the first Rookie feature winner. Ryan Simmons earned his first ever Bridgeport victory in the 602 Crate Sportsman feature while Eddie Wagner put his name in the record book as the first feature winner in 305 Sprint Car competition on the new surface.
The Short Track Super Series takes to the Design for Vision/Sunglass Central 3/8th mile track at Bridgeport this Sunday with Modifieds, 602 Crate Sportsman and Outlaw Stocks taking center stage.
