12/19/2018
Bear Ridge Speedway Honors 51st Season Champions
W Lebanon NH – Bear Ridge Speedway honored the champions from its 51st Season of dirt track stock car racing on Saturday December 1st. More than 300 drivers, crew members, sponsors, fans, and officials filled a sold-out banquet hall at the FireSide Inn W Lebanon NH for the gala, where more than $25,000 in prizes and point fund purses was awarded.
Kevin Chaffee of Bradford VT headlined the guest list as the Sabil & Sons DIRTcar Sportsman Modified Champion. Chaffee beat out runner up Robert Tucker of East Corinth VT, claiming his first Bear Ridge Championship. Richie Simmons of Bradford VT came home in third, with Ryan Christian of Canaan NH coming home in fourth and Jordan Fornwalt of Bradford VT completing the top five.
Melvin Pierson of E Corinth VT was honored as the DIRTcar Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupe Champion. Pierson was one of thirteen different drivers to record a victory and beat out Todd Hayward of Bradford VT. Josh Harrington of Topsham VT came home in third with Chris LaForest of Barre VT and Tanner Siemons of Orford NH completing the five.
Rookie sensation Jason Goff of Preston Hollow NY claimed his first USAC Dirt Midget Association Championship. Goff beat out Will Hull of Plainfield VT and Joe Krawiec Bristol CT by seventeen points. Hull and Krawiec both claim the honors of the runner up position as they were tied in the points standings. Derek O’Hearn of Dorchester NH is scored in third with Seth Carlson of Brimfield Ma in fourth, and Adam Whitney Waitsfield VT in fifth.
Ryan Christian of Canaan NH who won the most Features of any driver in 2018 finally made it to the top and is crowned the 2018 champion in the CA Miller Limited Late Models.Rookie George Osgood of Vershire VT came home in the bridesmaid position with Kelly Miller of Morrisville VT third. John Neddo Barre VT and Nicholas Longley of Orange NH completed the top five.
Jason Porter of Freeport ME gets his first championship in Weglarz Property Service Four Cylinders. He beat out Jesse Durkee of So Royalton VT who finished in the bridesmaid position. Robert “Buddy” Welch from Topsham VT is recorded in third with Bobby Bell of St Johnsbury VT and Danny Doyle of Chelsea VT completing the top five.
WYKR Sprint Cars of New England were recognized present from the top five were Will Hull of Plainfield VT who was crowned the champ. Matt Hoyt Campton NH came home in second Jake Williams in third. Jordan Fornwalt of Bradford VT and Denis McLeod 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. Robert Tucker and wife Mae won John Poor Memorial trophy in the Modified division, with Earl Maxham taking the honors in the Coupe division.
The Bob Shepard “Drive, Desire, Determination and Dedication” award, given by an anonymous sponsor was awarded to a special man who was taken from us unexpectedly this year. He had the drive to take the bull by the horns and get in his machine every week despite his decreasing health, the determination to make it too the front, a strong heat race winner, and an unwavering dedication to Bear Ridge Speedway. This year’s winner Robert “Buster” Kathan
The Sportsmanship Award was given this year to Steve Lary in the DIRTcar Sabil & Sons Sportsman Modified division, with Robert Kilburn 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 Kelly Miller Jr in the Weglarz Property Service Four Cylinders were other recipients .
The Rookie of the year based on points was awarded to Tanner Siemons in the DIRTcar Sabil & Sons Sportsman Modified division, with Tad Kingsbury in the DIRTcar Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupes. Jason Goff in the USAC DMA Midgets, George Osgood in the CA Miller Limited Late Models, and Cody Copeland 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 Jason Horniak earning the honors in the DIRTcar Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupes. Derek O’Hearn in the USAC DMA Midgets, Kelly Miller Sr in the C.A. Miller Limited Late Models and Owen Carbee 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 Terry Williams in the DIRTcar Sabil & Sons Sportsman Modifieds, Todd Hayward in the DIRTcar Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupes, Seth Carlson in the USAC DMA Midgets, George Osgood in the CA Miller Limited Late Models, Garrett Brown in the Fours Cylinders.
The Bear Ridge Speedway Hall Fame has been created with five members being inducted in. Bob Doyle Parts truck and photographer, Ted Wynott Chief Flagman, Ralph Stygles long time racer, track supporter and former track champion, Ervine “Brother” Eastman long time racer and nine time track champion, and Norman Roulx long time announcer .
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 Tad Kingsbury.
Bear Ridge Speedway’s 51st season of stock car racing is now officially complete. The 2019 season begins on Saturday, May 4, 2019. Season Passes for 2019 are now available; information and order forms are online at www.bearridgespeedway.com or by calling (802) 222-4052.
Article Credit: April May Preston