TIM IULG STELLAR IN MASS OPENER AT BRIDGEPORT SPEEDWAY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE………

By PETE WORTMAN

(April 11, 2026):  Tim Iulg of Bridgeton, NJ opened the 10th anniversary season of the DCB Plumbing & Heating Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series presented by Capitol Renegade on a winning note, by capturing the 25 lap A-Main on Saturday night at the Bridgeport Speedway. Iulg withstood a late race restart with just 2 laps remaining to defeat defending MASS champ Troy Betts by just 0.568 seconds. 

“After drawing the worst possible number for the heat, I was very fortunate to get into the the feature redraw,” stated the elated winner in victory lane, “That last restart I knew Troy would try the slider and I figured I was better off having the momentum down the backstretch rather than protect against it, and it worked out.”   

Iulg and series rookie Tyler Grau brought the 20 car field to the start with Iulg jumping out in front to pace the field.  Eddie Wagner wasted no time getting by Grau quickly and took up the chase. While Iulg slowly expanded his lead, several battles were being waged behind the duo, including Troy Betts pressuring Grau for third. Betts finally bested Grau for the spot exiting turn 2 and set his sights on Wagner. Lapped traffic was now coming into play as the race was nearing the halfway point, and Iulg’s once comfortable advantage shrunk to just 2 car lengths. Betts successfully made another inside move work in turn 2, this time to grab second from Wagner as the pair made it three wide with a lapped car. 

Betts was clearly on a mission as he quickly ran down the leader in heavy lapped traffic. Iulg, however, had the answer each time as he flawlessly threaded the needle past the back markers. As the leaders were coming to the white flag, Dan Leaper slowed in turn one bringing out the race’s only caution.  This set up a green-white-checkered dash for the win. As the green waved, Iulg went high to the cushion leaving the door open for the slider attempt, and Betts didn’t disappoint as he threw the car under Iulg and into the lead momentarily only to see Iulg use his momentum and steer back under him. Betts regained his momentum on the final lap for one last try, but it fell short on the final turn and Iulg held on for the victory.  

The win was Iulg’s 5th career victory in the series, his first since Oct. of 2024. All 5 of his MASS wins have come right here at Bridgeport. Troy Bett’s hard work paid off with a second place finish in his own #22. 2017 Series champion Eddie Wagner finished a solid third, with last year’s opening night winner Dave Brown edging out rookie Tyler Grau for the 4th position. Rookie Grau put in a strong effort posting the first top five in the series. Rick Lafferty, DJ Tanner, Brian Carber, Ryan Stillwagon and Jared Kreider rounded out the top ten.          

Next Saturday night April 18th, MASS will be back in action at the Delaware International Speedway in Delmar, DE, with the Bett’s Garage Towing & Hauling 25 lap feature paying a cool $1000 to win. Gates open at 4pm, with racing at 7pm.  

4/11/26

DCB’s Plumbing Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series presented by Capitol Renegade

All-State Auto Glass Heat 1: Rick Lafferty ($50) 2. Tyler Grau 3. Troy Betts 4. Ryan Stillwagon

All-State Auto Glass Heat 2: Eddie Wagner ($50) 2. Andrew Turpin 3. Cody West 4. Adam Carberry

All-State Auto Glass Heat 3: Dave Brown ($50) 2. Jonathan Swift 3. DJ Tanner 4. Tim Iulg 

A-Main Feature Results (25 Laps):

1.) TIM IULG 2.) Troy Betts 3.) Eddie Wagner 4.) Dave Brown 5.) Tyler Grau 6.) Rick Lafferty 7.) DJ Tanner 8.) Brian Carber 9.) Ryan Stillwagon 10.) Jared Kreider 11.) Andrew Turpin 12.) Cody West 13.) Jonn Brennfleck 14.) Jonathan Swift 15.) Aiden Borden 16.) Dirk Rimrott 17.) Dan Leaper 18.) Ryan Schultz 19.) Keith Anderson 20.) Adam Carberry 

DNS: Shelby Kelly, Kurt Rainey, Thomas Radivoy

Contingency Awards: 

Tin Hoagie Customs Highest Pill Draw $50: Tim Iulg (50)

Next Generation Construction Quick Time in Hot Laps $50: Tim Iulg 15.236

WheelsofSpeed.com 13th Place Starter $30: Jared Kreider

Professional Design Services Most Laps Led $100: Tim Iulg - 25

JWK Electric 12th place finisher $50: Cody West

Insinger Performance Tail End of Lead Lap (10 Gal. Fuel): Jon Brennfleck

Bitner Automotive Lightning Fast Lap in Feature $50: Rick Lafferty 15.101

Janney Electric Hard Charger Award $50: Brian Carber +7

Kreider Manufacturing Hard Luck Award (25% off Order Coupon): Dan Leaper

PHOTO COURTESY OF JIM BROWN RACING PHOTOS