Watt, Strunk and Horton claim Triple 20’s on day 2 of Danny Serrano Memorial

Day 2 of the Danny Serrano 100 Memorial started with heavy showers in the morning and afternoon which created a flooded pit area and track.  But persistent Bridgeport track crews had cars on track by 7:30 PM to start the modified triple 20’s; crate race and east coast 360 sprint car race.

The triple 20’s started around 11:00 but were well worth the wait as driving strategies and battles for every position played out in every one of the three 20 lap qualifiers.

Twenty # 1 saw Jimmy Blewett take the early lead only to have his rear break on lap 3 ending his night early after being in the lead.  Jeff Strunk inherited the lead and took command of the race until the checkered flag and right into victory lane for triple 20 # 1. 

The top 7 qualifiers for Sunday’s Danny Serrano 100 were Jeff Strunk, Mike Mahaney, Jared Umbenhauer, Davey Sammons, Tommy Sheetz, Craig Von Dohren and Brandon Grosso.

Twenty # 1 pit notes

Tommy Sheetz was the surprise of the night with a 5^th place qualifying position from his 13^th place starting position.  Sheetz had his big block powered T3 moving forward and holding off challenges from Craig Von Dohren and Brandon Grosso for the 5^th position.

Roger Manning recently returned to racing and this was only his 3^rd race of the season.  Manning started in 17^th position and from lap 14 and picked up a position on almost every lap to finish 8^th place and just missed transferring his 414 entry into Sunday’s 100 lap feature.  Manning will start on the pole of one of the two consolation events on Sunday.

Mike Mahaney made the long trek from King’s Ferry, NY for his second visit to Bridgeport this season.  Mahaney has quickly taken a liking to the 4/10 mile high bank facility and grabbed the 2^nd qualifying position from a 7^th place starting positon.

Twenty # 2: Dominic Buffalino and JoJo Watson brought the field to green in modified triple 20 # 2 with weekly regular Watson powering to the early lead which he held until lap 16.  Ryan Watt made his move on lap 17 and took over the lead and drove right into victory lane of twenty # 2.

The top 7 qualifiers for Sunday’s 100 lap feature were Ryan Watt, Danny Bouc, JoJo Watson, Dominic Buffalino, Peter Britten, Frank Cozze and Billy Pauch.

Twenty # 2 pit notes

Bridgeport’s weekly competitor Neal Williams just missed qualifying with an 8^th place finish in a battle with Billy Pauch, Anthony Perrago and Richie Pratt Jr for the final transfer spot.  Billy Pauch got the final sport sending Williams, Perrago and Pratt to the consolation.  Pratt made a strong charge on the final 2 laps going above the cushion but a flat tire finished his bid for the final transfer spot.

Frank Cozze was in a lap 1 tangle which sent the 401 to the pits for a flat tire.  Visibly smoking Cozze continued to charge back to the front and moved into the 6^th qualified position from 15^th after returning from changing his flat tire.

Twenty # 3 – Justin Grim led the first 6 laps but tracked down by Jimmy Horton on lap 6 who then proceeded to check out on the field.  Ryan Krachun pitted for a flat tire on lap 2 and the 29 entry proved to be one of the most dialed in entries on the grounds as he proceeded to move from 17^th to 2^nd place after pitting for a flat tire.

The top 7 qualifiers for twenty # 3 were Jimmy Horton, Ryan Krachun, Duane Howard, Dillon Steuer, Rick Laubach, Justin Grim and JR Heffner.

Twenty # 3 Pit Notes

Justin Grim made his first visit to Bridgeport during Friday night’s practice session. It was well worth the practice time; as Grim picked up right where he left off at Grandview this season on Saturday with a 6th place finish and qualified position in the 100 lap feature. Justin has met many challenges this year at Grandview and has succeeded at each one; from staying up front when handicapped; moving forward in the heat race; and moving forward in the feature and on top of that he added qualifying for the 76er. So it wasn’t extremely surprising to see the 61 go to a brand new track and qualify from the heat race with 56 cars on the grounds. The progression has been outstanding as Justin Grim continues on with his breakout season.

Briggs Danner made a strong bid for a qualifying position but fell one sport short with an 8^th place finish from his 13^th place starting position.  Briggs had a busy night as he also was the winner of the East Coast 360 sprint car feature.  Briggs will be on the front row of the modified consolation tomorrow.

Alex Yankowski had a flat tire and visible vibration from mud in his wheels and his 11^th place finish puts the 84Y entry in the consolation qualifier tomorrow.

Ryan Krachun went above the cushion and it stuck as he drove from 17^th to a 2^nd place finish.  Krachun noted “I knew it would either stick or end up in the loose stuff and into the wall.  Fortunately for us it stuck.”  Ryan has been fast since Friday as he was 2^nd quickest of 39 at practice on Friday.  Krachun seems to have the Bridgeport 4/10 figured out and the 29 entry dialed in for the Danny Serrano 100.

The East Coast 360 sprint were won by Briggs Danner followed by Alex Bright, Chris Allen, Kyle Spence and Joey Amantea to round out the top 5.

The 602 crate feature went to 2020 Bridgeport track champion Steve Kemery who started on the pole and never looked back as he drove green to checkered into victory lane for his 5^th Bridgeport win of the season.  David Jenkins from Delaware had his best run of the season and ran 2^nd behind Kemery for the entire race from the outside pole.  The top 10 was rounded out by Brian Krummel, Dan Fleming, Sammy Martz, Wayne Weaver, Travis Hill, Steve Davis, Anthony Tramontana and Jeremy Martino.

The final day of the Danny Serrano 100 Memorial weekend is Sunday September 27 with hot laps at 5:00 and racing at 6:00.