2009 Bridgeport Speedway News

March 15, 2009

Bridgeport Hosts First Local Slingshot National

Many of the Slingshot by Tobias race teams already have April 17th circled on their racing calendar for one good reason, it starts the 2009 Briggs & Stratton Slingshot by Tobias National Championship tour in the northeast.

Defending 2008 National Champion Ben "Flipper" Whitaker has made it known at the Speedway Entertainment Awards Banquet that he is looking to repeat his accomplishments of a season ago.

The spacious 1/4 mile clay oval located inside the big 5/8 mile complex at Bridgeport has been a favorite of many Slingshot teams. Last years' tour winners Gary Hieber and Kaitie McCardle can be expected to lead the contingent of racers ready to tackle this years challenges.

Bridgeport was given a National date due to it being the first local track to schedule the Slingshots over the past 4 seasons and the cooperation from "Captain" Joe and his Friday night staff to provide all race teams with an equal chance of sitting in victory lane and have given them a chance to show what they are made of in early season action.

The trip to the Garden State has proven to be a spring board for many drivers success for the rest of their racing season.

With over 120 drivers earning National Points in 2008,the task to claim the championship is not an easy one as many of the talented Junior racers will be moving up and putting their skills behind the wheel to good use as the season progresses on. Joseph Kata III will be one challenger that many veteran drivers will have to deal with.

The Slingerweeks National at Sumter County Fairgrounds proved age is no object in the Slingshots as the "Flyin' in Florida 30" winner was Minnesota teenager "Cool Hand" Lucas Schott in a crowd pleasing win over Slingshot creator and part time wheeltwister Rich Tobias.

When the checkered is thrown at Bridgeport it will give a indication who will be the front running challengers for the rest of the season as many teams have called the Speedway Entertainment office asking for more details on the specifics of this upcoming event.

Not to be left out of this racing weekend is the ultra-fast and competitive Shellhammer's Speedway in Leesport, PA.Shellhammers took on 2 Slingshot tour races in 2008 and both events were major successes, much so that the Cordier Family has asked the Slingshots to be part of 9 weekly events on their schedule,the first being a Mid-Atlantic Regional on April 18th.

The 75 minute jaunt from Bridgeport, NJ to Leesport, PA found a solid field of Slingshots ready to tackle a track half the size they raced on the night before.1 caution in 5 events proved that when the racers want to race,it can be a night to remember as Rob Marino claimed the "Return to Shelly's 25" in his return as a Slingshot driver after being a winning karter there in the early 90's.

The local racing season is ready to see it's first green and many of the competitors are just waiting to mash the gas pedal.The National at Bridgeport and the regional at Shellhammer's will make everyone forget about the cold weather season and get the hot action back on the speedways. Time will tell if Ben Whitaker can repeat his accomplishments or will Shannon Smith, Bill Weaver, Kaitie McCardle, Gary Hieber, Joseph Kata III, Brett Bieber, Mike Glass, Lucas Schott, Emily VanInwegen and over 100 others take the coveted 2009 Slingshot by Tobias National Championship.