Bridgeport, NJ – It seems that as each year passes, more and more interest grows within the Slingshot division at the South Jersey complex.  For years the 1/4 mile clay oval was known as ‘Bridgeport’ or ‘The Small Track’.  That all changed this past winter, with the re-naming of the Bridgeport Speedway 1/4 mile track.  After investing in the Saturday 5/8 mile program over the past few seasons, the extremely established Spirit Auto Center car and truck dealership located in Swedesboro, NJ, saw the rising promise in the 1/4 mile racing program as well.  The Gloucester County oval has been renamed Spirit Auto Center Speedway.  Spirit Auto Center aren’t the only ones who’ve chosen to partner up with Bridgeport’s 1/4 mile program.  One new, and two familiar faces have jumped on board in 2016 to help promote their passion for the Slingshot division.  Three, yes THREE different point funds are up for grabs at the all new Spirit Auto Center Speedway this coming season!

Although the Slinger Warehouse is new to the Spirit Auto Center Speedway fold, Steve Svanda (new owner/operator of Slinger Warehouse) of OMS Racing has always supported Bridgeport in the past.  The Slinger Warehouse name has been associated with many tracks, races, and drivers and this year will be no different, as their company will be more prominent than ever in 2016.  Located in Allentown, PA, the New Slinger Warehouse services the entire Slingshot racing community.  If it has to do with Slingshots, look no further than the New Slinger Warehouse.  Whether you need parts (new and used), set ups, refurbishing, inspections, or anything else, make sure you contact Steve and the gang.  You can visit their website at www.slingerwarehouse.com or visit them on their Facebook page.  The ‘Slinger Warehouse Sunday Series’ will consist of all 7 Sunday events (Six Poker and King of the Sling).  The track will keep ‘traditional points’ for these 7 shows.  The top 5 in points after October 23 will place in the money.  The Sunday Series champion will earn $500 for their winning efforts.  Second through fifth will see $250, $200, $150, and $100 respectively.

For a second straight season Speedway’s All Star Bagel Stop has partnered up with the quarter-mile and has decided to sponsor a six-race Friday night series at the Spirit Auto Center Speedway.  Located in New Egypt, NJ, Speedway’s All Star Bagel Stop offers fresh bagels baked daily, a gourmet coffee station, and new everyday specials on the menu.  For the best breakfast and lunch specials, you can check out Speedway’s Facebook page.  The Speedway’s All Star Bagel Stop Friday Night Series dates are April 8, April 22,(should one of those events r/o April 29 would be the rain date), May 27, June 17, Sept 2, and Sept 16 which is the final Friday Night Series point event.   Each race will have the traditional point structure throughout the season.  The champion will see at least $300, with second earning $250, and third through 5th taking home $200, $150, and $100 respectively.  Currently, additional sponsorship is being sought out.  As a result, the top 5 in points could certainly see an increase from the base point fund.

The Poker Series works just like all the other Poker Series events that Bridgeport Speedway has hosted in the past two seasons.  The winner of each event will receive an ‘Ace’, second a “King” and on down the line all the way to 13th position where that driver will earn a ‘2’.  The six Sunday Poker dates are May 15, June 5, July 10, July 24, Aug 14, and Sept 11.  Dave McCullough and Andrew Kreis have been crowned the Poker Champions the past two seasons.  Both drivers were able to pick up a $500 check at the annual Bridgeport Speedway awards banquet, all courtesy of the Jeffrey Houge Realtor.com Action Track USA.  The second and third best hands will also earn $200 and $100 respectively.  The Tobias Slingshots can be found racing at all your local ‘small tracks’ in NJ, DE, PA, and NY however, their home is in Kutztown, PA each and every Wednesday night.  For more information on the popular Wednesday night facility you can visit www.actiontrackusa.com or www.speedwayentertainment.com.

Once again, with 13 races scheduled this year, it now allows Spirit Auto Center Speedway to be qualified as a “home track” for National Slingshot points chasers.  Three races are highlighted on this season’s schedule…the first being July 24.  As part of the Poker Series, this race will also serve as an M/A Silver Regional Tour Race.   The August 14 Poker Series race will also serve as a ‘Qualifier’ for the $4,000 to win ‘Super Slingshot Fair Nationals’ at the Action Track in Kutztown, PA.  The winning driver will automatically earn a spot in the biggest race in Slingshot history.  The final race of the season will have all kinds of incentives on the line come October 23.  The second annual ‘King of the Sling’ 40-lapper makes its return during the sixth annual ‘Bill Thomas Memorial Weekend’.  Last year, young Dillon Steuer was able to tote $1,000 back to Long Island, NY after finally breaking into victory lane.  This year’s ‘King of the Sling’ race will now count as a ‘National Tour’ event for the Tobias Slingshots.  So between National Tour event, the $1,000 pay day, and the Slinger Warehouse championship, there’s plenty on the line in late October.
Some questions have been fielded this winter and hopefully have been clarified –

1-You CAN be 14 and 15 years of age to compete WITHOUT having to ask for special provisions from the NJSP. If you are 13 then you will have to go through the proper protocol of requesting permission for the underage driver. All Bridgeport needs from the driver/parent is the track’s signed parent waiver form and… A copy of the driver’s birth certificate to ensure they are at least 14 years of age.
2-The Head & Neck restraint is NOT mandatory in for the Poker Series events as well as the ‘King of the Sling’.  However, it is mandatory for the Friday night series.  In 2017 there will be NO questions asked as EVERYONE will be required to have the SFI 38.1 rated proper head and neck apparatus.  However, Bridgeport Speedway does strongly encourage all competitors to obtain this equipment for a safer race.  All other NJ safety requirements are still in place.  You can find all rules and regulations under www.njsp.org under ‘Public Information’.

There are two 1/4 mile practices scheduled for Saturday, March 19 and Saturday, April 2.  Should you have any questions regarding NJ state laws, age restrictions, safety apparatus, or questions about any of the 2016 Slingshot series please don’t hesitate to call Danny Serrano at 609-433-4487.  You can find all the latest information regarding Spirit Auto Center Speedway on their new site at www.spiritspeedway.com.