"SLICK RICK" FINDS HIS GROOVE - LAFFERTY SCORES NATIONALS WIN AT BRIDGEPORT

Swedesboro, NJ

On a crisp Saturday night at “The Kingdom of Speed” in Swedesboro, New Jersey, the Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series (MASS) 305-sprint-car competitors put on a thrilling 50-lap showdown as part of the Ron Faison 305 Sprint Car Nationals. The headline: Rick Lafferty drove a smart, strong race to take the win, capturing his first MASS 305 victory and taking the top prize.

The feature got underway after a red flag brought the initial start of the 50 Lap event to a halt, with Timmy Bittner flipping in turns one and two. Once the race resumed, D.J. Tanner led early and showing strong pace, while polesitter Dave Grube mounted a challenge on multiple occasions. On lap 26, following a fuel stop at halfway, the green-flag restart saw Grube grab the lead momentarily from Tanner, but then was suddenly side lined due to contact with the 19T after a faulty slide job exchange - forcing a caution.

Meanwhile, Lafferty steadily moved forward: by lap 32 he’d passed Dave Brown for third, and by lap 33 he’d move around Brian Carber into second place. With the race entering its closing stages, a caution on lap 42 tightened the field. On the restart, Lafferty emerged from turns three and four to seize the lead on lap 44. From there, he pulled away, avoiding calamities and navigating lapped traffic with poise to the finish. Ultimately he crossed the line ahead of Tanner and Carber to collect the $4000 pay day and his first ever Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series career win.

Rounding out the top five was Dave Brown and Kevin Nagy.

Thirty-One cars made the call for the Third Annual Ron Faison Sprint Car Nationals hosted by Bridgeport Motorsports Park. The All State Auto Glass sponsored Heat race events were won by Eddie Wagner, Buddy Schweibinz, Bob DeVault and Owen Dimm and the last chance qualifier sponsored by JWK Electric went to Jared Kreider. Group Time Trial Flights were used to set up heat race line ups. Dave Grube and Brian Carber laid down the quick lap times of the night.

After years of 410 experience, Lafferty began to work with Larry McVay last season.  McVay gave all the credit to Lafferty and his father.  “It was all Rick and his dad,” McVay recounted. “They built this car with parts that I had around.”  The No. 83 was not painted nor lettered but it was fast. This was McVay's first win for his team and as a car owner.

MID-ATLANTIC SPRINT SERIES OFFICIAL FEATURE RESULTS (50 LAPS) :

1. RICK LAFFERTY 2. DJ Tanner 3. Brian Carber 4. Dave Brown 5. Kevin Nagy 6. Bob Devault 7. Buddy Schweibinz 8. Tim Iulg 9. Troy Betts 10. George Loux 11. Aidan Borden 12. Jared Kreider 13. Shelby Kelly 14. Dustin Young 15. Dan Leaper DNF: Nick Sweigart, Rory Janney, Owen Dimm, Dave Grube, Eddie Wagner, Dale Eggert, Robbie Stillwaggon, Tyler Grau and Timmy Bittner

DNQ: Chris Dolan, Andrew Turpin, Bob Lilick, Jeff Paulson, Rick Steif, Ryan Stillwaggon and Kurt Rainey

ADDITIONAL BONUSES:

Next Generation Construction Hot Laps Quick Time: Dave Grube

Next Generation Construction Quick Time - Flight 1: Brian Carber

Next Generation Construction Quick Time - Flight 2: Dave Grube

All State Auto Glass Heat 1: Eddie Wagner

All State Auto Glass Heat 2: Buddy Schweibinz

All State Auto Glass Heat 3: Bob DeVault

All State Auto Glass Heat 4: Owen Dimm

JWK Electric BMain: Jared Kreider

Line's Self Storage Leader at Halfway: DJ Tanner

Janney Electric Lightning Fast Time of the Feature: DJ Tanner

Bruce's Auto Body Hard Charger: George Loux (+9)

Kreider Manufacturing Hard Luck Award: Timmy Bittner

Tin Hoagie Custom Highest Pill Draw: Dan Leaper

WheelsofSpeed.com Lucky 13th Starting Spot: Troy Betts

Insinger Performance Tail End of The Lead Lap: Dustin Young

Insinger performance Non-Finisher: Dale Eggert

Bitner Automotive Winner's Hot Pick: Buddy Schweibinz

Racer X Motorsports Match Races:

Dave Brown - $100

Troy Betts - $500

Rick Lafferty - $100

DJ Tanner - $200

Dave Grube - $100