Breakthrough: Jeff Strunk Takes First-Ever Short Track Super Series Victory Sunday on Bridgeport Three-Eighths-Mile; Tom Collins STSS Sportsman Victor
BRIDGEPORT, NJ – Finally, Jeff Strunk is a Short Track Super Series winner.
Strunk, of Boyertown, Pa., etched his name on the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco winner’s list on Sunday night on the all-new Design for Vision/Sunglass Central three-eighths-mile oval at Bridgeport Speedway.
Driving Glenn Hyneman’s Keystone Racing No. 126 with spec small-block power, Strunk dominated the day’s events, launching off the pole via a pre-race redraw of top qualifiers and leading all of the 40 laps.
Strunk earned $5,000 for his victory and an additional $100 from Beyea Headers for turning the day’s fastest lap in timed warm-ups.
“I’ve been trying for a long time to win one of these races,” offered Strunk, who became the 23rd different winner in 51 STSS events contested since BD Motorsports Media LLC formed the series in 2014.
“There was no junk here today. They were all good cars. Even when I was in lapped traffic I was racing cars that could win a feature any given weekend. That’s what makes this series such a challenge.”
A field of 46 STSS Modifieds signed in for the second round of the STSS South Region and the first-ever series visit to the new three-eighths-mile oval at Bridgeport.
Strunk drew the pole during a fan meet and greet behind the grandstands moments before the 40-lap main reached starter Warren Alston’s green flag. Strunk immediately drew away from New York State invader Danny Creeden, who settled into second.
The first 10 laps spun off caution-free before disaster struck at the exit of turn two. Frank Cozze, who had been rim-riding on the outside lane from his sixth starting position, and Creeden met at the exit of turn two. Cozze’s No. 401 shot off the track and made contact with a tire marker, drawing the red. Initially shaken, the Wind Gap, Pa., driver walked away.
On the restart, the inside lane jammed up and caused a multi-car tangle that saw Jared Umbenhauer on his side. A second red and short clean-up ensued.
When green-flag racing resumed, Strunk again motored away from Creeden, who now felt pressure from Matt Sheppard in the Hurlock Auto & Speed No. 9s.
Sheppard ultimately cleared Creeden entering the race’s final quarter, but was more than a straightaway behind Strunk, who was negotiating lapped traffic.
The race’s final yellow flew on lap 36 for a flat tire on Creeden’s car.
Strunk knew he had company on the restart in the form of Sheppard and 10th-starter Stewart Friesen, who had dropped deep in the field early and rallied back in the Halmar International No. 44.
“I looked at the scoreboard there on that last yellow and saw two of the best right behind me,” Strunk said. “I knew I had to hit my marks and not make any mistakes just like the first 36 laps.”
Strunk is now two-for-two on the new three-eighths-mile oval at Bridgeport.
Sheppard scored his second runner-up finish in a pair of STSS starts for the Hurlock, Md.-based Hurlock Auto & Speed Supply team. He opened the South Region at Delaware’s Georgetown Speedway in March placing runner-up to Ryan Watt.
“It’s a long ride down here to run these races,” Sheppard said. “But it makes the ride a lot easier when we keep having good runs.”
Friesen, of Sprakers, N.Y., completed the podium in third spot, followed by Sheffield, Mass., driver Andy Bachetti, who started 11th and Montgomery, N.Y., driver Anthony Perrego, who rolled off eighth in Brian Smith’s No. 44 before getting shuffled back in the early laps and recovering for fifth.
Finishing sixth through 10th, respectively, were Ryan Godown of Ringoes, N.J., who switched to a back-up spec engine car after track-run-in; Rick Laubach of Hellertown, Pa., driving Ryan Kerr’s No. 1K; Duane Howard of Oley, Pa., in the Norm Hansell-owned No. 357; Billy Pauch Jr. of Milford, N.J., who started 20th in Daniel Sommeling’s No. 51; and David Van Horn Jr. of Harmony, N.J., who rolled off 16th in Fred Vahlsing’s No. 323ov.
Strunk set the fastest lap during timed warm-ups and earned $100 from Beyea Headers.
Heat winners were Creeden, Perrego, Von Dohren, Friesen and Richie Pratt Jr. Consolation victors were Van Horn, Neal Williams and Jared Umbenhauer.
Tom Collins Jr. of Lansing, N.Y., made the long tow to South Jersey for Round No. 2 of the STSS Crate 602 Sportsman South Region. His haul was rewarded with a $1,000 victory in the 20-lap event.
Collins had run on the Bridgeport five-eighths-mile before, but had not laid eyes on the three-eighths-mile until Sunday morning. However, he took an immediate liking to the venue and led from start-to-finish in the 20-lap main impressively, opening up a lead of more than a full straightaway at times.
“I really like this smaller track,” Collins said with a smile after the main event. “It’s cool to travel around and see all these different facilities. I’m planning on chasing both the North and the South of this series. We will probably run more than 60 races overall.”
Another Empire State driver – Cory Cormier of Otisville, N.Y. – chased Collins to the stripe, finishing second. Rick Wegner Jr. made a ‘game-day’ decision to compete on Sunday and ended up a solid third, followed by Pennsylvania teenager Dylan Swinehart and Scott Kohler.
A field of 37 STSS Crate 602 Sportsman took part in the program. Heat winners were Cormier, Jeremy Harrington, Wegner and David Schilling. Consolations went to Adam McAuliffe and Eric Kormann.
Jeramy Doerr won the accompanying 15-lap Outlaw Stock feature.
BRIDGEPORT BITS: With the three-eighths-mile in operation for only the second time since its construction, the turn-one pit area was utilized to bring fans closer to the action and allow crew members to watch from the main grandstand with a clear view….
Bridgeport track champion Ryan Watt received Hard Charger distinction after taking a provisional and driving forward from 25th starting position to finish 11th in the Ron Roberts-owned small-block. Watt picked up $200 from Precision Hydraulic & Oil’s Joe Infante, a $200 Beyea Headers certificate, and $50 toward the purchase of Vahlco Wheels….
Tough break for Delaware’s Jordan Watson, who showed speed early in the program before suffering terminal engine woes during his heat-race program….
The ‘South Jersey Shootout’ STSS Modified field grew from a year ago to a solid 46 cars from across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast….
Up next for the STSS is the ‘Hard Clay Open’ on Tuesday, May 8 at N.Y.’s Orange County Fair Speedway to kick off the Halmar International North Region with a 50-lap main event paying $5,000 to win and $500 just to take the green flag. The Orange County Sportsman division will be on the docket as well with a $1,000-to-win 20-lap main.
The STSS Velocita-USA South Region heads to Delaware International Speedway in Delmar, Del., on Thursday, May 24 with the ‘Diamond State 50’ offering $5,000 to win plus the STSS Crate 602 Sportsman ($1,000 to win) and Delaware Super Trucks.
To learn more about the 2018 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 Twitter or Instagram.
The Short Track Super Series is presented by American Racer/Lias Tire, Sunoco Race Fuel, Insinger Performance, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Halmar International, Allstar Performance, ATL Racing Fuel Cells, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Beyea Custom Headers, Bicknell Racing Products, Dirt Track Digest, Fast Axle, Fox Racing Shocks, Henry’s Exhaust, Hig Fab, HyperCo, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, K&N, Land Hoe Maintenance, Precision Hydraulic & Oil, QA1, Race Pro Weekly, Racing Optics, Superior Remodeling, Teo-Pro Car, Vahlco, Velocita, Weld & Wilwood.
‘SOUTH JERSEY SHOOTOUT’ RESULTS SUMMARY – BRIDGEPORT SPEEDWAY APRIL 29, 2018
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco Velocita-USA South Region Event No. 2 Modified Feature Finish (40 laps): JEFF STRUNK, Matt Sheppard, Stewart Friesen, Andy Bachetti, Anthony Perrego, Ryan Godown, Rick Laubach, Duane Howard, Billy Pauch Jr., David Van Horn Jr., Ryan Watt, Brian Krummel, Craig Von Dohren, Mike Gular, Danny Creeden, Jimmy Horton, Danny Bouc, Neal Williams, Dillon Steuer, Matt Stangle, Brett Kressley, Joseph Watson, Dave Hunt, Frank Cozze, Richie Pratt Jr., Billy Pauch Sr., Jared Umbenhauer, Billy Decker.
Did Not Qualify: Rocco Infante, Jim Britt, Ryan Krachun, Doug Manmiller, Tyler Boniface, Michael White, Kevin Vaclavicek, Wade Hendrickson, Chris Grbac, Tommy Beamer, Justin Grim, Ron Roberts, Steve Young, Jordan Watson, Bob Sarkisian, Roger Manning, Brandon Grosso, Sam Martz.
American Racer/Lias Tire Bonuses (FREE Tire): Duane Howard (eighth) & Mike Gular (14th)
ATL Fuel Cells Bonus ($200 Certificate): Anthony Perrego (fifth)
Behrent’s Performance Warehouse Bonuses ($50 Gift Card): Andy Bachetti (fourth) & Billy Pauch Jr. (ninth)
Beyea Custom Headers Fast Time ($100): Jeff Strunk
Beyea Custom Headers Heat Winners ($50 Certificates): Danny Creeden, Anthony Perrego, Craig Von Dohren, Stewart Friesen & Richie Pratt Jr.
Beyea Custom Headers Hard Charger ($200 Certificate): Ryan Watt (25th to 11th)
Fast Axle Bonus ($50 Certificate): Ryan Godown (sixth)
Henry’s Exhaust Power Position ($50 Certificate): Ryan Watt (11th)
Precision Hydraulic & Oil Hard Charger ($200): Ryan Watt (25th to 11th)
QA1 Hard Charger ($50 Certificate): Ryan Watt (25th to 11th)
Racing Optics Bonus (sleeve of tear-offs): Stewart Friesen (third)
Sunoco Racing/Insinger Performance Bonuses ($50 Certificates): Matt Sheppard (second), Brian Krummel (12th) & Joseph Watson (22nd)
Vahlco Wheels Hard Charger ($50 Certificate): Ryan Watt (25th to 11th)
WELD Wheels Hard Luck Award (FREE Wheel): Frank Cozze
Wilwood ‘Lucky 7’ Bonus ($50 Certificate): Rick Laubach (seventh)
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco South Region Crate 602 Sportsman Event No. 2 Feature Finish (20 laps): TOM COLLINS, Corey Cormier, Rick Wegner Jr., Dylan Swinehart, Scott Kohler, Jim Housworth, Stephen Kemery, Tommy Scheetz, Sammy Martz Jr., Adam McAuliffe, Seth Spayd, Frank Dorry, Eric Kormann, Joe Toth, Jeremy Harrington, Brad Roberts, David Crossman, Bobby DeLeon, Connor Otten, Andrew Kreis, David Schilling, Shayne Spoonhower, Tom Moore Jr., Parker Guldin, Ryan Simmons, Dan Fleming, Wayne Weaver, Joseph Brown.
Did Not Qualify: John Criscione, Thomas Sherby, Alonzo Morales, Pete Serra, Kevin Borden, Adam White, Chris Brennan, Jim Gallagher Jr., Tom Princiotta.
Outlaw Stock Feature Finish (15 laps): JERAMY DOERR, Tom Wills Jr., Spider Ensinger, Mike Creamer, Billy Wroble, Lee Allen, Brian Ludwig, Gary Klimeczek, Keith McKinley, Rich Stanton, David Kramer, Scott Hulmes.
Sources: Brett Deyo/Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco PR
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco
Velocita-USA Modified South Region Standings (*after Bridgeport, April 29)
Pos. Car No. Driver Gtown 3/17 Bport 4/29 Total
1 9S Matt Sheppard 95 95 190
2 14W Ryan Watt 100 60 160
3 44 Stewart Friesen 65 90 155
4 323ov David Van Horn Jr. 90 62 152
5 4 Andy Bachetti 60 85 145
51 Billy Pauch Jr. 80 65 145
7 357 Duane Howard 76 68 144
8 44 Anthony Perrego 62 80 142
9 14s Craig Von Dohren 72 56 128
10 126 Jeff Strunk 25 100 125
91 Billy Decker 85 40 125
12 7 Rick Laubach 48 72 120
13 26 Ryan Godown 40 76 116
14 1 Billy Pauch 68 40 108
15 6 Danny Bouc 58 48 106
16 16X Danny Creeden 52 52 104
17 2A Mike Gular 43 54 97
18 43 Jimmy Horton 40 50 90
19 30M Joseph Watson 41 42 83
20 51M Wade Hendrickson 56 25 81
21 69 Tyler Boniface 50 25 75
22 6 Matt Stangle 25 44 69
Z14 Ron Roberts 44 25 69
24 19K Brett Kressley 25 43 68
25 1J Jordan Watson 42 25 67
26 44 Doug Manmiller 40 25 65
118 Jim Britt 40 25 65
28 17Z Brian Krummel 0 58 58
29 9W Carson Wright 54 0 54
30 43W Michael White 25 25 50
31 O Neal Williams 0 46 46
17 Scott Van Gorder 46 0 46
33 6D Dillon Steuer 0 45 45
65 Scott Hitchens 45 0 45
35 43X David Hunt 0 41 41
36 401 Frank Cozze 0 40 40
B4 Richie Pratt Jr. 0 40 40
1H Jared Umbenhauer 0 40 40
30 Jamie Mills 40 0 40
55 Mark Byram 40 0 40
9J Danny Johnson 40 0 40
93 Danny Varin 40 0 40
43 19 Rocco Infante 0 25 25
29K Ryan Krachun 0 25 25
3V Kevin Vaclavicek 0 25 25
7 Chris Grbac 0 25 25
31 Tommy Beamer 0 25 25
611 Justin Grim 0 25 25
187 Steve Young 0 25 25
4 Bob Sarkisian 0 25 25
414 Roger Manning 0 25 25
32 Brandon Grosso 0 25 25
3 Sammy Martz 0 25 25
7W Shawn Ward 25 0 25
85 H.J. Bunting 25 0 25
109 Brett Barrett 25 0 25
46 Jeremy Smith 25 0 25
17J Matt Janiak 25 0 25
71 Kevin Gardner 25 0 25
32H Brian Hitz 25 0 25
55 Allison Ricci 25 0 25
44 Russell Morseman 25 0 25
2 Jack Lehner 25 0 25
33 Brad Trice 25 0 25
20C Craig Hanson 25 0 25
8 Norman Short 25 0 25
2T Clay Tatman 25 0 25
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco
Crate 602 Sportsman South Region Standings (*after Bridgeport, April 29)
Pos. Car No. Driver Gtown 3/17 Bport 4/19 Total
1 20 Corey Cormier 76 95 171
2 69 Steve Kemery 95 72 167
3 713 Tom Collins 60 100 160
4 234 Adam McAuliffe 90 62 152
5 41D Dylan Swinehart 41 85 126
34 Shayne Spoonhower 85 41 126
7 123 Brad Roberts 68 50 118
8 72 Jim Housworth 40 76 116
9 17 Dan Fleming 65 40 105
10 27 Bobby Deleon 58 46 104
11 84Y Alex Yankowski 100 0 100
12 16s Eric Kormann 40 56 96
13 30 Jeremy Harrington 40 52 92
14 304 Rick Wegner Jr. 0 90 90
24 Sammy Martz Jr. 25 65 90
11 Connor Otten 46 44 90
17 80D David Crossman 40 48 88
18 20 David Schilling 42 42 84
19 12S Scott Kohler 0 80 80
20 Ryan Simmons 40 40 80
19 Connor King 80 0 80
22 9 Joe Toth 25 54 79
23 M1 Dave Marcuccilli 72 0 72
24 7X Tommy Scheetz 0 68 68
25 59 Tom Moore Jr. 25 40 65
26 98T Tyler Thompson 62 0 62
27 10S Seth Spayd 0 60 60
28 31X Frank Dorry 0 58 58
29 1RX Dwayne Crockett 56 0 56
30 20 Cole Stangle 54 0 54
7 Dave Constantino 52 0 52
32 17 John Criscione 25 25 50
15 Adam White 25 25 50
11T Jeff Taylor 50 0 50
35 O5 Sean Metz 48 0 48
36 15M Daniel Morgiewicz 45 0 45
37 O9 David Jenkins 44 0 44
38 6K Andrew Kreis 0 43 43
60 Hunter Lapp 43 0 43
40 11 Parker Guldin 0 40 40
O Wayne Weaver 0 40 40
4U Joseph Brown 0 40 40
3 Cole Hentschel 40 0 40
44 257 Thomas Sherby 0 25 25
28 Alonzo Morales 0 25 25
21 Pete Serra 0 25 25
9b Kevin Borden 0 25 25
X1 Chris Brennan 0 25 25
31 Jim Gallager Jr. 0 25 25
32 Tom Princiotta 0 25 25
97 Matt Smith 25 0 25
12k Jon Calloway 25 0 25
101 John Stevenson 25 0 25
92 Tommy Vigh Jr. 25 0 25
7L Joe Jarowicz 25 0 25
7X Chuck Miller 25 0 25
56 Trent Van Vorst 25 0 25
32M Freddy Massey 25 0 25
51 Jordan Long 25 0 25
31 Ryan Riddle 25 0 25
22 Nick Alberti 25 0 25
92 Jason Rush 25 0 25
78 Gary Langenstein 25 0 25
22J Stacy Jackson 25 0 25
5 Tommy Wilkins 25 0 25
267 David Graham 25 0 25
94 Jordn Justice 25 0 25