Story By: BRIDGEPORT MOTORSPORTS PARK – SWEDESBORO, NJ – Sammy Martz, Jr. picked a good night to claim his first ever Modified feature win. The twenty-two year old racer’s name will be forever linked to his forty-four lap victory in the Doug Olsen Memorial Race in the Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz Modifieds at the Bridgeport Motorsports Park.
The victory was worth $8,000 for the winner though the non-monetary aspects of this race will be much more important to Sammy Martz, Jr.
Glenn & Bonita Hyneman of the Big Spring Car Wash, Bob Faust of B& F General Machine, Tom Hessert of Hessert Chevrolet and Milton Leap joined forces to sponsor the night of racing honoring Doug Olsen. Sam Westcott, a former employee of Olsen’s, sponsored the fast time award. The five lap cash dash paid $1,000 to win and $500 for second – sponsored by B&F General Machine. Jimmy Horton offered a bonus for the ninth place finisher while Bill Brown & Company offered a bonus for the race’s hard charger. These are the people who made the night possible in addition to the many who worked behind the scenes to bring the Doug Olsen Memorial Race into reality.
Sammy Martz, Jr. is a racer who has come through the ranks. The third generation racer competed in the DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookies and then the 602 Sportsman. He was a track champion in both divisions. His move into the Modifieds did not slow his competitiveness but he struggled to put all the pieces together. Something always prevented the good runs from becoming great runs – until Saturday night.
Dillon Steuer and Martz, Jr. led the field to the green flag after finishing first and second in the five lap cash dash. B&F General Machine sponsored the thousand dollar payout for the winner and five hundred dollars for second. Martz grabbed the lead on the start and never looked back. Steuer offered challenges until he needed to face the challenges of his own with Frank Cozze. Cozze took over second before the halfway point.
While Martz, Jr. raced ahead of the field, the battles continued among the top five.
Sammy Martz, Jr. raced to the checkered flag with Frank Cozze, Dillon Steuer, Anthony Perrego and Billy Pauch, Jr. Pauch rallied back after an early pit stop for a flat. Cole Stangle finished sixth followed by Matt Stangle who received the Hard Charger Award from Bill Brown & Company. Jim Gallagher, Jr. finished eighth followed by Cale Ross in ninth. Ross was the recipient of the award sponsored by Jimmy Horton. Danny Bouc rounded out the top ten.
Jim Gallagher Jr. was the Fast Timer recipient, sponsored by Sam Westcott.
Martz, Jr. was able to celebrate his victory with his family. His dad had a front row seat to the victory as he raced behind his son to the checkered.
Travis Hill picked up the $1,000 victory in the Ice Less 602 Sportsman feature event for his second win of the 2024 season.
Rob Tete led the way for the first ten laps. Hill raced into second on lap nine and then bested Tete on a lap eleven restart. Ethan Bill took over second on lap fourteen but was never able to get close enough to Hill to offer a challenge. It was Hill for the win at the end of twenty-five laps followed by Bill, Jax Yohn, Rob Tete and Sean Metz. Wayne Weaver finished sixth with Billy Chester, Thomas Prychka, Matt Peck and Dave Damiano rounding out the top ten.
Michael Beckett raced to another win in the DA’s Auto Body & Repair Rookies, bringing his win total to five in Rookie competition. Ashley Therien finished second with Dave McElroy taking third. Therien has one win to her credit as the only driver to finish ahead of Beckett in Rookie competition so far this season.
Nick Sandone III led the first four laps of the Street Stock feature Mike Hughes worked his way into second. The caution waved for Jimmy Combs on lap five. Hughes took the lead on the resulting restart.
Hughes spent the remaining laps, pulling away from the field to score his third win of the season – the only Street Stock competitor to reach that mark. Sandone finished second followed by Jeff Dirkes, Kevin Heckman and Terry Chaney.
DANNY’S PIZZA PIZZAZZ MODIFIED FEATURE (30 LAPS)
1. Sammy Martz, Jr., 2. Frank Cozze, 3. Dillon Steuer, 4. Anthony Perrego, 5. Billy Pauch, Jr., 6. Cole Stangle, 7. Matt Stangle, 8. Jim Gallagher, Jr., 9. Cale Ross, 10. Danny Bouc, 11. Billy Osmun, III, 12. Jimmy Horton, 13. Joseph Watson, 14. Ryan Krachun, 15. Mike Franz, 16. Sam Martz, Sr., 17. J.R. Fulper, 18. Roger Manning, 19. David Hunt, 20. Brian Papiez, 21. Rick Laubach, 22. Stan Frankenfield, Jr., 23. Dominick Buffalino, 24. Billy Pauch, Sr., 25. H. J. Bunting, DNQ – Jordan Watson, W.B. James
ICE LESS LLC 602 SPORTSMAN FEATURE (25 LAPS)
1. Travis Hill, 2. Ethan Bill, 3. Jax Yohn, 4. Robert Tete, 5. Sean Metz, 6. Wayne Weaver, 7. Billy Chester, 8. Thomas Prychka, 9. Matt Peck, 10. Dave Damiano, 11. Brian Rogers, 12. Nick Stephans, 13. Scott Hulmes, 14. Justin Newhard, 15. David Hartman, 16. Howie Finch, 17. Ethan Young, 18. Craig Pellegrini, 19. Shane Kassekert, 20. Joe Toth, 21. Michael Beckett, 22. Trent Wiley, 23. Brian Papiez, 24. Pete Serra, DNQ – Brandon Shipley, Ashley Therien, Dave McElroy
D.A.’S AUTO BODY AND REPAIR ROOKIES (8 LAPS)
1. Michael Beckett, 2. Ashley Therien, 3. Dave McElroy
STREET STOCK FEATURE (15 LAPS)
1. Mike Hughes, 2. Nick Sandone, III, 3. Jeff Dirkes, 4. Kevin Heckman, 5. Terry Chaney, 6. Gary Bozowski, 7. Curtis Reed, 8. Jimmy Combs, DNS – Gary Klimeczak