Bridgeport, NJ – The Spirit Auto Center Speedway paid tribute to one of its own on Friday night. Amy Barber worked at both the Spirit quarter mile as well as the Bridgeport Motorsports Park for many years before her passing last year. Her family was very involved in racing – fielding a 600 Micro Sprint on Friday nights and then serving in a variety of roles on Saturday night. From safety crew to ticket sales, Amy performed whatever task she was asked to do. Perhaps Bridgeport’s Dave Adams said it best. “Amy never complained, ” Adams explained. “She did whatever needed to be done. In all the time that I knew her, she never complained. She just did what needed doing.” Even though Amy’s illness frequently had her feeling less than her best, she marched on.
Friday night’s events were run in Amy’s honor and many of the feature winners shared their fond memories of Amy Barber. Friday night’s events were sponsored by Rob Tete & Pro Tek Roofing, Spirit Auto Center, Jason Shade, Hyper Racing and Matteo’s Family Kitchens.
Just one week after Tommy Kunsman added his fourth win in the Hyper Racing 600s, Luke Thomas returned to tie the mark. Both drivers now have four wins.
Zack Bealer and the Gary & Donna Spotts No. 2s, grabbed the lead of the start but it was PJ Williams who had the Rogers No. 29 out in front by the time the lap was scored. It was Williams, Bealer and Thomas but Thomas moved the Kenny Vincent No. 97 into second following a lap four restart. Olivia Haworth and Tommy Kunsman completed the top five with just five laps scored.
By halfway, Thomas had reeled in the leader and took the crossed flags on Williams’ back bumper. The caution waved again on lap sixteen. Williams had plenty of company on the restart as both Thomas and Kunsman challenged for the lead. Thomas came away with the lead as Kunsman took over second two laps later.
Kunsman kept the No. 21K close throughout the remaining laps but it was Thomas who took the win over Kunsman and Williams. The win was worth $1,000 to Thomas and his Vincent No 97 team. Kyle Spence made a late race pass for fourth and Haworth rounding out the top five. Connor Sheffield had a strong effort to finish sixth followed by Chris Fenimore, Matt Smith, Zack Bealer and Jon Barber in the Barber Motorsports No. 99B.
Many additional prizes were offered by Amy’s many friends and family to the 600 competitors in addition to the additional purse money offered by the sponsors.
The six lap Dash for the 600s paid $300 to the winner, Matt Smith and $100 to second place Tommy Kunsman, and $100 for third, Kyle Spence – sponsored by DA’s Auto Body & Repair. Adams Motorsports provided $50 to each of the three heat winners – Matt Smith, Kyle Spence and Zack Bealer.
Prettiest Car Award sponsored by Tony Bozowski to Chris Fennimore’s No. 92 – $200.
The Hard Charger Award was sponsored by DynoBar and Team 29 (Jon Keller and AJ Rogers) Chris Fenimore No. 92 – $200 The Hard Luck Award was sponsored by Susan & Eric Bland and Florence Cossaboon to Kristen Landwher $200.
The Fastest Hot Lap Award was presented by Dylan Corcoran to Brendan Hires – $60.
The Highest Finishing Female was presented by Casey & Dave Zubec to Oliva Haworth – $50.
The Oh Shit Award was presented by Jason Shade to Steven Fleetwood No. 11F – $100.
The First Non-Qualifier Award was presented by Ralph Richards, Jr. in memory of Marcia Richards to Mark Landwher $100.
Random Finisher Award presented by Linda’s Speedway/Mike Batz to Anthony Tramontana #80 – $25.
Set of M2 Bearings by John Whary to Dan Leaper and Zack Bealer.
Employee Appreciation Award by Spirit Auto Center to Ken Raively – $100.
5th place finisher by Mel from Hyper to Olivia Haworth for $50.
10th place finish by J&J Auto Body to Jon Keller No. 99B for $60.
18th place finish by Cindy Fischer to Steven Fleetwood No. 11F for $50.
Last running car by Nicholas Fillman to Josh Conover No. 12 for $99.
The graphics for this event, including the $1,000 check for the winner of the Amy Barber Memorial Race were provided by Tori Pavel and Scott Phillip.
Alex Swift raced to his sixth win of the season as the Mason Dixon 270 Micro Sprint Series joined the JC Fabrication 270s in Friday night action on the Spirit quarter mile.
Glenn McComber grabbed the lead at the wave of the green flag with Swift and Tommy Rinck in hot pursuit. Following a lap four restart, Swift raced to the inside of Macomber to take the lead in turn three. It was Swift, Macomber, Billy Gray, Joe Dopke and Rinck through lap five.
Dopke worked his way into second by halfway followed by Gray, Nick Walton and Macomber.
Swift raced ahead through traffic to capture the winner of Dopke, Gray, Walton and Rinck. Blake Eshem .finished sixth followed by Macomber, John Wagner, Charles Coburne and Jonathan John.
PJ Bozowski is competing in his third season of Speedway Entertainment All Star Slingshot competition. After collecting a lot of seconds and top five finishes, Bozowski won his first race earlier this season. On Friday night, Bozowski won his fourth win and third in a row on the Spirit quarter mile. This win was special for the race winner who fondly remembered Amy Barber in Champion Victory Lane.
Defending Slingshot Champion and current point leader, Michale Beckett finished second followed by Brandon Oakley, Nick Bilello and Brayden Morrison. Kristofer Surran finished sixth followed by Scott Phillip, Frank Yoder, Robert Davies and Dave Morrell.
Jack Jarvis won his eighth feature of the season in the Juniot Slingshots after Austin Walls led the first two trips around the track. The race for second was a tough one as Carter Mullins challenged Walls.
Jarvis took the win over Mullins and Walls.
HYPER RACING EVO FUEL INJECTION 600cc MICRO SPRINT FEATURE (30 laps):
1. Luke Thomas, 2. Tommy Kunsman, 3. P.J. Williams, 4. Kyle Spence, 5. Olivia Haworth, 6. Connor Sheffield, 7. Chris Fenimore, 8. Matt Smith, 9. Zack Bealer, 10. Jon Keller, 11. Sam LaMothe, 12. Anthony Tramontana, 13. Dylan Kontra, 14. Gary Bozowski, 15. J.T. Bierman, 16. Wayne Scott, 17. Dan Leaper, 18. Steve Fleetwood, 19. Jacob Homrick, 20. Sonny Tete, 21. Josh Conover, 22. Brendan Hires, 23. Ethan Simpson, 24. Bubba Hughes, 25. Brett Conkling, DNQ – Eric Lobecker, Corey Waegel, Dana LaMothe, Mark Landwher, Rebecca Lamothe, Dustin Tyler, Kristan Landwher, Jared Kreider
JC FABRICATION 270cc MICRO SPRINT FEATURE WITH MASON DIXON SERIES (20 laps):
1. Alex Swift, 2. Joe Dopke, 3. Billy Gray, 4. Nick Walton, 5. Tommy Rinck, 6. Blake Esham, 7. Glenn Macomber, 8. John Wagner, 9. Charles Cobourn, 10. Jonathan John, 11. Dustin Dash, 12. James Miller, 13. George Nardelli, 14. Steve Darion, 15. Jimmy Wagner, 16. Michael LaBuda DNS – Alex Lester, Tom Landwher
SPEEDWAY ENTERTAINMENT ALL STAR SLINGSHOT FEATURE (20 laps):
1. P.J. Bozowski, 2. Michael Beckett, 3. Brandon Oakley, 4. Nick Bilello, 5. Brayden Morrison, 6. Kristoffer Surran, 7. Scott Philipp, 8. Frank Yoder, 9. Robert Davies, 10. Dave Morrell
SPEEDWAY ENTERTAINMENT JUNIOR SLINGSHOT FEATURE (15 laps):
1. Jack Jarvis, 2. Carter Mullins, 3. Austin Walls
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