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Bear Ridge Speedway Honors 50th Season Champions

Bear Ridge Speedway Honors 50th Season Champions
Graham is crowned the Sabil & Sons DIRTcar Sportsman Modifieds 2017 Champion.
Alan Hebb and Jr Coffin awarded the Bob Shepard 4-D award and along with George Barber, CV Elms II and Merlin Bean were inducted into the Bear Ridge Speedway Hall of Fame

For Immediate Release BRS-120317-1

W Lebanon NH – Bear Ridge Speedway honored the champions from its 50th Season of dirt track stock car racing on Saturday December 2nd. More than 300 drivers, crew members, sponsors, fans, and officials filled a sold-out banquet hall at the Fire Side Inn W Lebanon NH for the gala, where more than $20,000 in prizes and point fund purses was awarded.

Derek Graham of E Woodsville NH headlined the guest list as the Sabil & Sons DIRTcar Sportsman Modified Champion. Graham beat out runner up Richie Simmons of Bradford VT claiming his first Bear Ridge Championship. Terry Williams of Wells River VT came home in third tied with Todd Buckwold of Canaan NH. Robert Tucker of E Corinth VT and Ryan Christian completing the top five.

Brian Chaffee of Bradford VT was honored as the DIRTcar Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupe champion. Chaffee one of fourteen different drivers to record a victory held on to the championship with just a fourteen-point lead over Jason Colbeth of Newbury VT. Melvin Pierson E Corinth VT beat out Brother Gene Pierson E Corinth VT by four points for third. Todd Hayward of Bradford VT took home fifth.

Dean Christensen E Granby CT claimed his first USAC Dirt Midget Association Championship. Joe Krawiec Bristol CT the first driver to win a championship in the Midgets, came back to the Ridge and made it to within 15 points of grabbing another. Rookie Derek O’Hearn Dorchester NH is scored in third with Adam Whitney Waitsfield VT in fourth and Jeff Horn Ashland MA in fifth.

Wayland Childs Chelsea VT is crowned the 2017 champion in the CA Miller Limited Late Models over Ryan Christian of Canaan NH. Rookie Bryan Campbell Barre VT is third, with Kevin Dickinson Canaan NH and John Neddo Barre VT completed the top five.

Jesse Durkee So Royalton VT gets his first championship in Weglarz Property Service Four Cylinders championship. He beat out Robert “Buddy” Welch from Topsham VT who finished in the bridesmaid position once again. Jason Porter Freeport ME is recorded in third with Bobby Bell St Johnsbury VT and Steve Bell Danville VT completing the top five.

WYKR Sprint Cars of New England were recognized present from the top five were Clay Dow Barnstead NH in second Will Hull Montpelier VT in third. Kevin Chaffee Bradford VT and Matt Hoyt Campton NH completed the top five.

Special awards were given in several categories, headlined by the prestigious John Poor Memorial Award, given annually to one driver from each of the Modified and Coupe divisions. John Poor was an important official at Bear Ridge Speedway for many years and the award bearing his name is given to drivers who elevate the sport of stock car racing through exceptional conduct on and off the track. Terry Willams and crew member Douglas Smith won John Poor Memorial trophy in the Modified division, with Melvin Pierson and car owner Jonathan Covey taking the honors in the Coupe division.

The Bob Shepard “Drive, Desire, Determination and Dedication” award, given by an anonymous sponsor was awarded to two men who have been a part of the Bear Ridge family since the day we opened fifty years ago. Pit Steward Alan Hebb and Jr Coffin Chief Spotter were recognized and received a standing ovation for this recognition.

The Sportsmanship Award was given this year to Derek Graham in the DIRTcar Sabil & Sons Sportsman Modified division, with Brian Chaffee earning the honors in the DIRTcar Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupes. Will Hull in the USAC DMA Midgets, Ryan Christian in the CA Miller Limited Late Models, and Jason Porter in the Weglarz Property Service Four Cylinders.

The Rooke of the year based on points was awarded to Walt Hammond in the DIRTcar Sabil & Sons Sportsman Modified division, with Tanner Siemons in the DIRTcar Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupes. Derek O’Hearn in the USAC DMA Midgets, Bryan Campbell in the CA Miller Limited Late Models, and Wayne LaBree in the Four Cylinders.

The Big Al’s Photos “What A Picture” Hard Luck Awards were given to Richie Simmons in the DIRTcar Sabil & Sons Sportsman Modified division, with Robert Kilburn earning the honors in the DIRTcar Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupes. Adam Whitney in the USAC DMA Midgets, and Harry Davidson in the Four Cylinders took home plaques.

The Raymond /Cliff Bullis Memorial Award for performance on the track and conduct in the pit area was awarded to Stephen Lary in the DIRTcar Sabil & Sons Sportsman Modifieds, Earl Maxham in the DIRTcar Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupes, Manny Dias in the USAC DMA Midgets, Bryan Campbell in the CA Miller Limited Late Models, Jason Porter in the Fours Cylinders.

The Bear Ridge Speedway Hall Fame has been created with five members being inducted in. George Barber founder of Bear Ridge Speedway, C.V. Elms II member of management team, co-owner and owner, Merlin Bean first track champion, Ray Coffin and Alan Hebb Bear Ridge family members since day one.

More than 60 prizes were given to racers by random draw. The night was capped with the deal or no deal event for 5 lucky drivers the top award of a $1000.00 Bear Ridge Speedway gift certificate was taken home by Matt Lashua.

Bear Ridge Speedway’s 50th season of stock car racing is now officially complete. The 2018 season begins on Saturday, May 5, 2018. Season Passes for 2018 are now available; information and order forms are online at www.bearridgespeedway.com or by calling (802) 222-4052.
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Contact: April May Preston Email: brsdirt@charter.net Phone: (802) 222-4052

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