BRIDGEPORT, N.J. — Dave Ely was perfect on Saturday night when the United Racing Company opened its 61st season as the nation’s oldest traveling sprint-car organization at Bridgeport Speedway. 
Ely, driving Gene Franckowiak’s URC sprinter, was dominant in warm-ups, flawless on his way to winning his qualifying heat race and blistered all competitors to collect the $2,000 first prize in the 25-lap event. 
Ely led every lap of the feature and wasn’t seriously challenged along the way.
With just three laps remaining, Mark Bitner and Curt Michael had their last shots at Ely, but when the green flag waved, Ely was off like a flash.
Ely cruised to his ninth-carer URC triumph, with Bitner finishing in second place.
Michael, Chris Coyle and Jason Clauss filled the top five.
The finish:
Dave Ely, Mark Bitner, Curt Michael, Chris Coyle, Jason Clauss, Kyle Purks, Ed Aikin, Becca Anderson, Robbie Stillwaggon, Justin Collett, Kevin Welsh, Davey Sammons, Scott Pursell, Brett Schoenly, Chuck Palmucci, Dave Betts, Randy West, Gary Gollub, J.J. Grasso, Brian Seidel, Tim Hogue, Joey Biasi, Scott McClaren, Adam Gordon, Jamie Bodo.