Bridgeport Speedway in Swedesboro NJ was the place to be for an action packed weekend ,as the Track got ready to host the first race of the 2017 season. The weather was co-operating and the pits were full of cars, some ready to turn their first laps of the season in the Doug Hoffman Memorial.
Friday night at Bridgeport speedway, saw some exciting racing take place for Bicknell Racing Products customers. Rick Laubach, who would have to battle his way through field after starting 19th, put on a spectacular performance for fans, as he passed cars quickly to take over the lead. Laubach would go on to take the checkers in the feature event, followed by Frank Cozze, Ryan Watt, Billy Pauch Jr. Other BRP drivers finishing in the 10 were Duane Howard (6), Jeff Strunk (7).
Strunk would be back in the headlines the following night, as focus now shifted to the main event Saturday evening. Sam Martz would lead the field to the green flag in the 44 Lap Doug Hoffman memorial race. Jeff Strunk was quickly moving through the field and had closed in on the leaders early on. Strunk took over the lead before the halfway point in the feature and he seemed to be on his way to his first Big block win. A few laps later, Strunk would start to slow, running into motor troubles in the last 10 laps of the race, allowing Stewart Friesen to claim the win. Strunk would finish in the runner up spot, but said they lost a cylinder in the later laps of the race. Going on to say that maybe if the caution had not come out he may have been able to hold off. Ryan Watt as the cause for the caution with his 2nd flat tire of the race with 2 laps to go. On the restart, Strunk was able to maintain the lead, but not for long as Friesen had more power and the momentum to get around Strunk for the checkers. Friesen also picked up the $4400 pay day. Jeff Strunk was the recipient of the front end kit valued at $500 for being the first Bicknell Chassis over the line courtesy of Bicknell Racing Products.
Other notable Bicknell Racing Products Customers finishing in the top 10 were Duane Howard (3), Billy Pauch Jr. (4), Jordan Watson (7), Jimmy Horton (8), David Van Horn (9), Frank Cozze (10)