JoJo Watson & Travis Hill Claim Opening Day Modified and Crate Wins at Bridgeport

JoJo Watson used a lap 18 restart to take the lead after a three way battle with Cale Ross and Neal Williams to take the opening day modified win at Bridgeport Motorsports Park.

Travis Hill also used a lap 17 restart to take the lead and drive to the 602 Crate victory lane over Brian Papiez and Matt Peck.

JoJo Watson picked up his first win of the season in his 3^rd race.  He and Jimmy Britt were the only two open small blocks in the field with the remaining cars all spec 358 entries.  Despite carrying more weight than the spec motors JoJo was able to park his 430 Ford Open small block in victory lane for his first win in two year at Bridgeport.

JoJo noted “We had a close call in the heat race but the with the 5^th starting position draw in the feature we were on our way to turn our night around.  We had a red flag in the heat race, and I opted to keep the motor running during the red to keep heat in the motor or a chilly spring night.  The red was for a little longer then I thought it would be and I cut it pretty close with fuel as the car shut off in turn 3 on the final lap and I dropped from 3^rd to 4^th but was still in the feature redraw.”

In victory lane JoJo noted “I told my guys that tonight would be one of those wars of attrition races and I was going go pick my way to the front.  I was very lucky to be on the bottom for the late restart.  On the restart I drove it in deep and knew if I came out on all four wheels that I would be leading the race.  I got to thank all my people and sponsors it takes an army of help to keep this thing going.”

Neal Williams finished 2^nd from his 3^rd place starting position and is off to his best start of the season ever.  Neal finished 7^th in the 2022 modified points and is looking to step up into the top three for the 2023 season.

Duane Howard finished 3^rd from his 8^th starting position.   Duane moved forward 5th but fell back into 8^th but his second charge proved to just need a few more laps as he found his grove and moved into a 3^rd place finish.

Duane commented “We do have all our cars this year on coils. Tracks are just a little bit too good right now with the cool and damp spring weather.  I felt in the last  10 laps of the feature that our car was the best when the track started to blow off.  So hopefully some warm weather, no rain and more good sunshine will keep the track getting to the slick side where you can race a little bit. We have a good car for the slick race tracks and the more we get into the season that that will help me this year at Bridgeport.”

Travis Hill took the win from his 5^th starting position and grabbed the lead off a key lap 17 restart and drove into victory lane for the opening day 602 Crate win.

In victory lane Travis noted “I searched around while running behind the leaders to find a fast and smooth line.  While we were under caution, I saw the line that I used after the restart, and it was a good one and took me to victory lane on a track that had character tonight.  My guys have busted their asses all winter and it paid off with us parking it on opening night.”

Postrace Travis reflected “In the race we drew well and started 3^rd.  We were able to get to the lead in the first few laps as the car was well balanced and the track was superfast . The new clay definitely has bite in it and I believe it just needs to get a little tighter and the racing will really good on it. “

“I was able to redraw 5th for the feature which is a good spot to be able to figure out the race track out, but it was also a tough spot with the likes of both Papiez and Bill starting on front row.  As the race unfolded, we moved to third and both Papiez and Bill had a straight away on us, but it felt like we were closing in on them when the yellow came out.  During the caution, I got a really good look at the track and what it was doing.  I was able to get by Ethan Bill and then another caution came out. Papiez took the outside for the restart, and I saw there was a good clean lane in the middle, but it was tricky, and you just had to hit it right.  Had one restart and I drove through the middle and kind of missed it and then bobbled up the track as he was able to turn down under me and the cation came out again.  This time I knew exactly where I had to be if he took the top again.  He took the top again, and I was able to drive into one and stuck it in the middle, cleared him and drive away.  After I got to lead, we had a few cautions with under five to go so it was single file restart this time and I knew where I had to be. The track definitely had character and you’re going to have that for a few weeks with new clay and the weather we have had lately.  Everyone has to race on the same track, I understand it’s not ideal and it was hard on race cars. Sometimes conditions are not always going to be perfect, and I just hope we can get through then next couple of  weeks and the clay gets settled in and setup, so we have a good track to put on some more good racing for the fans.”

Racing continues this Saturday on Bridgeport’s High Banks as the Mid Atlantic Sprints (MASS) join the Modifieds, 602 Sportsman and Street Stocks.