By Mandee Pauch

Worlds will collide at New Jersey’s Bridgeport Speedway next Wednesday as the track hosts the season-opening “Battle at the Bridge” for the Super DIRTcar Series.

Both visiting series drivers and local heavy hitters will duke it out for the 60-lap big-block modified victory in the 2018 season’s lone appearance in the Garden State. Last year’s race saw Bridgeport Speedway’s regulars successfully defend their home turf in Swedesboro with the track champion, Ryan Watt, clinching the main event.

“I think this race at Bridgeport is truly one of the only places you’ll see such a mixture of talented drivers,” said Danny Serrano, Bridgeport Speedway’s general manager. “Ninety-nine out of 100 of the races up in New York, the guys down here don’t go to. And vice versa. Our little slogan on the event is ‘Battle at the Bridge—where dirt worlds collide.’ 

“It’s pretty unique that you’ll get to see all of the greats together in one place—Jimmy Horton, Jamie Mills, and Duane Howard against Danny Johnson, Brett Hearn, and Tim Fuller. It’s the only time you really get to see them all together, other than maybe in Florida, but you don’t even get everyone down there.”

How many speedway's do you know that has 3 race tracks? We are super excited for our season in 2018! What show are you most excited for? pic.twitter.com/NLa1v0lHGc

— Bridgeport Speedway (@bridgeportspeed) March 13, 2018

Prior to the race’s 2017 edition, the series last visited the track in 2005 when Danny Johnson won the 200-lap main event. Billy Pauch and Frank Cozze hold the most series wins at the spacious 5/8-mile, with two wins each. Cozze’s two victories came in 1991 and 1994, while Pauch’s were in 1988 and 1996.

“Of all the track regulars that will be in attendance, I would say Billy Pauch and Ryan Watt are definitely the two top contenders,” Serrano said.

Pauch and Watt are the only two drivers who have won at Bridgeport Speedway so far this season on the fast 5/8-mile.

“I think after Watt’s dominance last year, he’s still the guy to beat,” Serrano said. “Billy seems to excel in the bigger races and the longer distance races, so I think they’re the two local hometown guys that all of the fans are looking to defend the turf.”

The Battle at the Bridge will also kick off the first points race of the season for the Super DIRTcar Series, and Serrano couldn’t be happier for the tour to start its season at the high-banked dirt track.

Everyone knows that strong finishes are important at every series race, but a successful night early in the season goes a long way.

“It’s always good being early in the series,” Serrano said. “The guys are anxious and ready to start the tour. It’s a good situation we’re in because a lot of guys intend to follow it, whereas later in the year some guys may drop off because of money or equipment. It’s good for DIRT as well because if a guy from our way fairs well he could become the point leader and may want to go to the next race.”