T.C. Forward and Melvin Pierson grab the 1st win in the DIRTcar Sportsman Modifieds and Coupes Opening night of Bear Ridge Speedway’s 50th season of racing.
T.C. Forward and Melvin Pierson grab the 1st win in the DIRTcar Sportsman Modifieds and Coupes Opening night of Bear Ridge Speedway’s 50th season of racing.
For Immediate Release BRS-050717-1
It was thought that the anticipation and waiting of the first green flag of Bear Ridge Speedway’s 50th year of racing was going to have to go on for yet another week when all woke up to over cast skies moisture in the air and the knowledge that every other track in New England had already canceled due to rain. But for 28 years the man at the helm of our hidden gem has taken on the challenge that mother nature has thrown him and more often than not, has been declared the winner. This night turned out to be no exception. The annual Bradford car show was canceled due to the wet conditions of the field used. Showers came on and off throughout the afternoon but by 3:30 the graders were out working the clay oval and right on schedule the first green flag was waived at 6:00 pm(ish). Those that made the trip and were lucky enough to find a parking spot and a seat to be a part of the historic opening night of 50 years of racing at the Ridge were not disappointed.
The small in size buy mighty in speed and performance Laquerre’s Sports USAC DMA Midgets were the first to hit the track. Most of these guys trek from far away to be a part of the full card weekly racing and for those that have a great night it is well worth the trip. it proved to be well worth the trip. When things don’t go your way the trek back home can me be long. Opening night for one of the veterans of this class has made both those trips with the scales seemingly to be tipped more to the longer trip home, so being able to start the season on the right foot is a huge milestone. Dean Christiansen driving one of the Ray Miller stable machines, starting from the second row was able to get to second place quickly but seemed unable to get to the point as Manny Dias dominated the first nineteen laps. On the last lap Christiansen made the move that got Dias loose enough to lose his ground giving Christiansen the opportunity he needed to take the lead and go on to steal the win. Dias was able to hold on to second and third went to Adam Whitney. Andrew Barrows and Jeff Horn completed the top five. The Laquerre’s Sports USAC DMA Midgets will return to the Ridge in two weeks for their next scheduled event.
The Wells River Chevrolet DIRTcar Sportsman Coupes were next on the track for their thirty lap main event. The full field of the Ridge’s co-premiere division were led to the green by Melvin Pierson driving the Jon Covey machine and Earl Maxhim. Maxhem quicly learned that he still has a few kinkds to work outas he slipped back in the pack for a disappointing finish outside the top ten. Pierson on the other hand appears t have come out of the gate primed for perfection as he dominated the event. A role over would bring out the red flag, when the fans saw Matt Ellsworth go for a wild ride in turn four landing on his roof. Ellsworth climbed out of his car making the slow walk to the pits as his machine made the trip bad on a double hook. When racing resumed it was still all Pierson as he went on to grab the win. Joining him in the record books for making it to victory lane in the Ridge’s 50 year of racing was last year’s champion Jason Horniac coming up from seventh and Jason Colbeth. Todd Hayward and Gene Pierson coming out of retirement for the 50th season of racing at the Ridge rounded out the top five.
Up next came the pounding thunder of the Sabil & Sons DIRTcar Sportsman Modifieds. Todd Fenoff and TC Forward brought the full field of cars to the green with Robert Tucker and Steve Flint close behind. Forward was able to get the jump of Fenoff for the point and would check out on the field. The man on the move who would have loved to have seen just a few more laps was Derek Graham. Graham having taken a year off was ready to get back at it. And his dominate perforamance of the night showed just how eager he was. Starting from deep in the pack he picked his way to the front and would fall one spot short of the checkers coming home in second. Joining Forward and Graham in victory lane was Trever Rocke. Terry Williams and Robert Tucker finished fourth and fifth.
The C.A. Miller Limited Late Models put on an exciting show for the fans with Wayland Childs being able to hold off Ryan Christian for the win. Brian Campbell crossed the line in third grabbing the final victory lane spot.
With last year’s champion in the Weglarz Property Service Four Cylinders making the big leap to the Sportsman Modifieds, and several new drivers signing up for the season this division could prove to offer some great racing excitement in 2017. Tonight, the remaining veterans were still able to get the job done with Jesse Durkee grabbing the win. Jason Porter making the trip weekly from Maine was able to grab second with Bobby Bell in third. Charlie Lakin and Buddy Welch completed the top five.
Bear Ridge Speedway’s 50th season of dirt car racing continues Saturday, May 13th, sponsored by Alarmco Inc of Bradford VT with the Sabil & Sons DIRTcar Sportsman Modifieds, Wells River Chevrolet DIRTcar Sportsman Coupes, C.A. Miller Inc Limited Late Models, and the Weglarz Property Service Four Cylinders. Plus the Sprint Cars of New England will be on hand. The Laquerre’s Sports USC DMA Midgets are off this week. Special general admission for the 99Rock Weekly Racing Series is $13 for adults (age 18-61), $10 for teens (12-17) and seniors (62+), and $2 for children; Visa and MasterCard are accepted. Racing begins at the famous “6:00-ish” start time.
Season passes are still available for general admission, Adults is $180.00, Seniors and Teens $150.00. 2017 membership and car owner applications are available on line or by calling 603/222-4052.
Bear Ridge Speedway is as an alcohol free family friendly entertainment spot, with our goal to make each experience at the Ridge better than the last. Remember “Dirt where every lap is the last lap” we continue to offer the best source of good inexpensive high quality entertainment for families.
Bear Ridge Speedway is located off exit 16 of I91 on to Rte 25 west 1 mile to South Road up the hill to Kidder Rd. The green will wave every Saturday starting May 6th at 6:00 pm(ish). Be sure to check the web www.bearridgespeedway.com Questions can be sent to brsdirt@charter.net
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS – 50th Season of Racing Opening Night sponsored by FMS NAPA Auto Parts
99ROCK Weekly Racing Series
Bear Ridge Speedway — Bradford, VT
Saturday, May 6 2017
Sabil & Sons DIRTcar Sportsman Modified Feature (40 laps)
1 1x TC Forward
2 10 Derek Graham
3 63 Trevor Rocke
4 97 Terry Williams
5 42T Robert Tucker
6 10s Ryan Christian
7 631 Todd Buckwald
8 77 Chris Clark®
9 34 Richie Simmons
10 115 Tom Forward
11 22 Tyler Maxham®
12 42c Josh Currier
13 9 Michael Dunn
14 4 DJ Robinson
15 86 Mike Ryan
16 8 Stephen Lary®
17 40 Steven Flint
18 87 Todd Fenoff
19 97H Alan Hammond
DNS: Adam Piersron
Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupe Feature (25 laps)
1 33 Melvin Pierson
2 3 Jason Horniak
3 18 Jason Colbeth
4 20 Todd Hayward
5 15 Gene Pierson
6 96 Thomas Placey
7 51 Danny Doyle
8 50 Tyler Stygles
9 16 Brian Chaffee
10 77 Robert Kilburn
11 5 Tanner Siemons®
12 2 Earl Maxham
13 28 Bob Shepard
14 63 Mike Stender®
15 24 Jeremy Beckley
16 56 Chris LaForest
17 71 Josh Harrington
18 23 Derrick Stearns®
19 21e Matt Ellsworth
DNS: Jeff Rob0bins
Laquerre’s Sports USAC DMA Midgets Feature (20)
1 69 Dean Christensen
2 42 Manny Dias
3 12 Adam Whitney
4 64 Andy Barrows
5 A1 Jeff Horn
6 5 Derek O’Hearn®
7 1B Joe Krawiec
8 10 Jeff Champagne
9 3 Seth Carlson
10 9m David Moniz
C.A. Miller Limited Late Model Feature (15 laps)
1st O2 Wayland Childs
2nd 10s Ryan Christian
3rd 12 Bryan Campbell
4th 87 Don Reynolds
Weglarz Property Management 4-Cylinder Feature (20 laps)
1st 88 Jesse Durkee
2nd 13 Jason Porter
3rd 24 Bobby Bell
4th 3 Charlie Lakin
5th 65 Robert Welch
6th 33 Erin Vien®
7th 71 Rodney Davis
8th 1 David Durkee
9th 21 Harry Davidson
10th 2 Deven Stearns
11th 82 Peter Burt®
12th 8 Sean Perron
13th 62 Wayne LaBree®
14th 83 Mike Sherburne
15th 7 Andrew Royston®
16th 12 Steve Bell
17th 17 Shane Stygles
18th 75 Derrick Counter
19th 0vt Kelly Miller Jr®
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Contact: April May Preston Email: brsdirt@charter.net
