The Bulldog is going back full-time to where he was once just a puppy winning races.
Eric Berndt confirmed to RaceDayCT Sunday that he will compete full-time in the SK Modified division at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl in 2022.
Berndt will compete for the newly formed Ferguson Motorsports team owned by Lee and Ryan Ferguson in 2022 at the Speedbowl.
Berndt last competed full-time locally in 2019, running in the SK Modified division at Stafford. He ended his season early that year in August. In 2020 he ran selected races late in the year at the Speedbowl for team owner Billy “Bear” Calicchio. He had two victories in October 2020 at the Speedbowl for Calicchio. Berndt’s only start in anything in 2021 was a start for Bob Horn Racing in a Tri-Track Open Modified Series event in July at Star Speedway in Epping, N.H. filling in for Joey Cipriano III who was forced to miss the event due to illness.
Berndt said he’s missed being a part of weekly competition but won’t miss operating his own team.
“You miss everything a ton,” Berndt told RaceDayCT. “But being able to do it with somebody else’s car with full sponsorship and showing up to drive and helping out when they need it, that’s just the biggest thing that I needed. With my family and my family business it’s just too hard for me to put in the time and commitment needed to run full-time. It’s like running a second business.”
Berndt is 12th on the all-time career SK Modified win list at the Speedbowl with 17 career victories at the facility.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Berndt said. “I’m really excited. I really can’t wait for the season to start. These guys are excited for what we’re doing. It’s going to be a really good operation.”
Berndt sits ninth on the all-time SK Modified win list at Stafford Speedway with 22 career victories at the historic half-mile. He got his start in SK Modified racing at the Speedbowl driving for his grandfather at the shoreline oval in 1995. He was 16 years old when he scored a win as a rookie that season after replacing Ted Christopher in the car.
“Obviously to go run for a championship at the track where I first started racing is going to be great,” Berndt said.
John Bergenty will serve as crew chief for Ferguson Motorsports with Chuck Madigan serving as team manager. The team will have two LFR cars in its stable and run T/A Engines.
Absolutely awesome news! Nobody better to race with and against! Great family and can’t wait to see the Bulldog!
I guess this means George Nocera is out of the ride as he was originally going to pilot the cars!!
Great wheel man!!! Good luck.
Two LFR cars and TA power fresh no doubt. Probably working on it now in fact. Great new opportunity with a proven driver and bright outlook for 2022. Hum, just seems like we’re missing something let me think. Got it, rules and a schedule that’s it.
Hey it’s Waterford. Couple weeks lead time and they’re good to go.
Best, most loyal teams ever.
Comrad creepy and his merry band of loyalists are lucky to have them.
Is Nocera gonna be in the other car, cause they said two cars? Is that a possibility?
Are we sure the bowl is opening? There is no schedule available on their web site. I am sure they are but how about putting out something out, so teams can start getting ready. Nice to see Eric Berndt back in an SK. I always thought he was great at keeping the car in one piece, always running around the top 5 with a few wins sprinkled in over the season. Best of luck to Eric Berndt and the new team. I look forward to following them next season
Missed seeing him at Stafford the last couple of years. Now I’ll have to drive Waterford to see one of my favorites. Good luck in 2022 at Waterford !!