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Bear Ridge Speedway Honors 58th Season Champions

Bear Ridge Speedway Honors 58th Season Champions
Jason Gray set Bear Ridge History with 6th consecutive championship in
the Sabil & Sons DIRTcar Sportsman Modifieds.
Michael Danforth wins his 2nd consecutive championship in the
Wells River Chevrolet DIRTcar Sportsman Coupes Champion

For Immediate Release BRS-11302025-1

West Lebanon NH – Bear Ridge Speedway honored the champions from its 58th season of dirt track stock car racing on Friday night and Saturday nights November 28th & 29th. The two-night format featuring ‘Fendered Wheels’ on Friday night and ‘Open Wheels’ on Saturday night recognized over sixty drivers, with over four hundred crew members, sponsors, fans, and officials in attendance for a sold-out banquet hall each night at the Fireside Inn & Suites West Lebanon NH for the gala. More than $40,000 in prizes, awards and point fund purses were awarded.

Jason Gray of E Thetford VT was one of five drivers who headlined the Saturday night festivities with his sixth consecutive championship, the first in the history of Bear Ridge speedway in any division, in the DIRTcar Sabil & Sons Sportsman Modifieds (3rd place finisher in the DIRTcar Sportsman Modified Eastern Region Series). Gray beat out runner up Max Dolliver of Londonderry NH, (the third year in a row), Robert Tucker of East Corinth VT came home in third, Todd Buckwold of Canaan NH scored fourth and Ashton Pierson of East Corinth VT completed the top five (9th place finisher in the DIRTcar Sportsman Modified Eastern Region Series).
Jeremy Huntoon of Bradford VT (6th place finisher in the DIRTcar Sportsman Modified Eastern Region Series),
Melvin Pierson of Corinth VT, Jeff Huntington of Piermont NH, Thomas Placey of Bradford VT, Mike Ryan of Bethel VT were your 6th through 10th place finishers.

Michael Danforth JR of Corinth VT will go down in the record books as the youngest driver in the history of Bear Ridge Speedway to win back-to-back championships in a top tier division. Last year he took home his first championship driving a car owned by and with the help of his grandfather Bear Ridge Speedway Hall of Famer Gene Pierson he claimed the crown of champion in the DIRTcar Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupes, this year he backed it up with his second consecutive championship (He finished 7th in the 2025 DIRTcar Pro Stock Hoosier Tire Weekly Championship & Track Points). Danforth beat Terry Williams of Groton VT who came home in second, (9th in the 2025 DIRTcar Pro Stock Hoosier Tire Weekly Championship & Track Points). Cooper Hodge of Newbury VT who is third, (6th in the 2025 DIRTcar Pro Stock Hoosier Tire Weekly Championship & Track Points). Jason Horniak of Bradford VT comes home fourth, (8th in the 2025 DIRTcar Pro Stock Hoosier Tire Weekly Championship & Track Points), Lucas Wheeler of E Thetford, VT, (15th in the 2025 DIRTcar Pro Stock Hoosier Tire Weekly Championship & Track Points), completes the top five. Ali Pushee of W Topsham VT, Earl Maxham of Canaan NH, Bob Shepard of W Topsham VT, Alexis Pushee of Bradford VT and Cody Gregoropoulos were your 6th through 10th place finishers.

The newly formed division Dad’s 4 By Tool & Supply Sportsman Modifieds Limited will see it’s inaugural year crowning co-champions. At the Ridge we keep score the old-fashioned way by what you earn from opening week to the final week of the season, and if there is a tie, both drivers are recorded in that position. Co-champions going in the record books are Bryan King of Corinth VT and Travis Shinn of Rumney NH. Both veteran drivers, it was no surprise to see the tie with both of their talents getting them to the front. Finishing second place to the pair was the son of King, Shawn King from Brookfield VT. Damon Jillson from West Hartford VT is scored in third.

Chris Murray of Fair Haven VT was the third of the three drivers who headlined the Saturday night festivities with another championship crown added to his portfolio. Driving the famed 76 in memory of Frank Manafort in the XTREME DIRTCAR DMA Midgets he would beat out Will Hull of Plainfield VT driving for one of New England’s most prominent car owners Skip Matczak. Third through fifth would be filled out with drivers from the legendary New England Auto Racers Hall of Famer Ray Miller’s stable. With Brandon Piastka from West Suffield CT in third, brother Daniel Piastka from West Suffield CT fourth, and John Forlano from East Hampton CT fifth.
Wayne Koehler of Jewett NY, Keith Brown of Hardwick MA, John Egan® of Suffield CT, Jeff Horn of Ashland Ma, and Nikki Ouellette were your 6th through 10th place finishers.
Kelly Miller Sr of Duxbury VT was crowned on Friday night for his second title in a row in the High-Country Dispensary Late Models. Scott Heath of Warren NH is your runner up for the third year in a row, with Tim Higgins Tunbridge VT in third.

Tyler Fellows of East Corinth VT in the LaValley Building Supply Dirt Stocks is crowned your champion beating out John Fields of Orford NH, Matt Pike of Warren NH is third, Keith Mansur of Canaan NH fourth and, Mike McClay of New Hampton NH completes the top five. Travis King® East Corinth VT, Tim Blake from Winchester NH, Jordan Robinson Sharon VT, John Porter and Dana Carter were your 6th through 10th place finishers.

Zach Audet of Johnson VT gets his first championship beating out Kevin LaForest of Northfield VT in the Woodsville Power Equipment Ridge Runners. Katie Burroughs of Groton VT is scored in third with Tim Davis of Woodsville NH fourth, Nathen Sargent® completing the top five. Lucas Balch of Orford NH, Ryan Sayers of Barre VT, Matt Lucas of Woodsville NH, Terry Flint Jr Lyme NH and Kyle Morris Groton VT were your 6th through 10th place finishers.

The Joe Mama’s Sporting Goods Four/Six Cylinder Enduro top five were recognized for their achievements. Justin Faford of Westminster Ma was crowned the Champion beating out Tim Colby of Lyndonville VT who comes home in second. Trevor Hess of Hardwick VT is recorded in third with Brandon Gray fourth. and Scott Dowland of Island Pond VT fifth.

Special awards were given in several categories, headlined by the prestigious John Poor Memorial Award, given annually to one driver and or crew from DIRTcar Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupes and DIRTcar Sabil & Sons Sportsman Modified divisions. John Poor was an important official at Bear Ridge Speedway for many years and the award bearing his name is given to drivers. John loved racing, wanting to see a good race with guys racing hard with each other in a pack for position. He rooted for the guy and or crew who worked hard every week did their homework and despite adversity was able to shake it off and show up at the track ready to put on a good show for the fans, be respectful of his fellow competitors and who had fun racing no matter what the outcome. In the DIRTcar Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupes division Ali Pushee took home the honors and Mike Ryan in the DIRTcar Sabil & Sons Sportsman Modifieds.

The Bob Shepard “Drive, Desire, Determination and Dedication” award, was awarded to former Champion and lifetime supporter of Bear Ridge Speedway Ralph Stygles. This year we are recognizing a person who has been a part of Bear Ridge since the very early days. He has done everything from winning a championship to show up mid-week to make sure the windows are clean and the booth is ready for Saturday night. This individual is one of the most dedicated supporters of racing and Bear Ridge that I know. Getting on in age as we all are, he still exhibits the drive to be at the Ridge every week and is often at the track mid-week in his determination to help wherever he can to get things ready for the next week. He still has the desire to get in an old car on old timers’ day, which can make for some very anxious moments!
The Rookie of the year based on points was awarded to Thomas Placey in the DIRTcar Sabil & Sons Sportsman Modified division, with Logan Martin in the DIRTcar Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupes, and John Egan in the XTREME DIRTcar DMA Midgets. Friday night’s winners were Travis King in the LaValley Building Supply Dirt Stocks, and Nathen Sargent in the Woodsville Power Equipment Ridge Runners.
The Ray Brown/John Bullis annual award is given out by our dear friend and one of our announcers, John Sleeper
Jeff Huntington wins in the DIRTcar Sabil & Sons Sportsman Modified division, with AJ Pushee earning the honors in the DIRTcar Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupes. Travis Shinn received the honors in the Dad’s 4 By Tool & Supply Sportsman Modifieds Limited. Keith Brown won the award in the XTREME DIRTcar DMA Midgets. Friday night’s winners were Tim Higgins in the High-Country Dispensary Late Models. John Fields in the LaValley Building Supply Dirt Stocks, and Lucas Balch in the Woodsville Power Equipment Ridge Runners took home plaques.

The Most Popular Driver award is given to the driver with the most fan votes collected over the summer.
Aiden Hervey wins in the DIRTcar Sabil & Sons Sportsman Modified division, with Terry Williams earning the honors in the DIRTcar Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupes. Travis Shinn received the honors in the Dad’s 4 By Tool & Supply Sportsman Modifieds Limited. Nick Fretto won the award in the XTREME DIRTcar DMA Midgets. Friday night’s winners were Kelly Miller Sr in the High-Country Dispensary Late Models. Tim Blake in the LaValley Building Supply Dirt Stocks, and Terry Flint Jr in the Woodsville Power Equipment Ridge Runners took home plaques.
The Big Al’s Photos “What A Picture” Awards (the name simply states the award. It could be anything from the great wreck to the great victory) were given to Owen Brown in the DIRTcar Sabil & Sons Sportsman Modified division, with Michael Danforth Jr earning the award in the DIRTcar Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupes. Damon Jillson received the honors in the Dad’s 4 By Tool & Supply Sportsman Modifieds Limited and Brandon Piastka in the XTREME DIRTcar DMA Midgets. Friday night’s winners were Scott Heath in the High Country Dispensary Late Models, Jordan Robinson in the LaValley Building Supply Dirt Stocks, and Ryan Sayers in the Woodsville Power Equipment Ridge Runners took home plaques.

Most Improved and Sportsman of the Year were once again determined by competitor votes in their respective positions.

Most Improved in the DIRTcar Sabil & Sons Sportsman Modified division is Jeremy Huntoon, Wells River Chevrolet DIRTcar Sportsman Coupes Alexis Pushee, XTREME DIRTcar DMA Midgets John Forlano, High Country Dispensary Late Models Tim Higgins. LaValley Building Supply Dirt Stocks Matt Pike, and the Woodsville Power Equipment Ridge Runners Katie Burroughs.

Sportsman of the Year the DIRTcar Sabil & Sons Sportsman Modified division is Todd Buckwold, Wells River Chevrolet DIRTcar Sportsman Coupes Earl Maxham, Bryan King in the Dad’s 4 By Tool & Supply Sportsman Modifieds Limited, and Wayne Koehler in the XTREME DIRTcar DMA Midgets. On Friday night in the High Country Dispensary Late Models it is Scott Heath, for the LaValley Building Supply Dirt Stocks Matt Pike, and the Woodsville Power Equipment Ridge Runners Kevin LaForest.

The Bear Ridge Speedway Hall Fame inducted the eighth group of five members. Track champion Bob Moore, staff members Paul Pearl, John Sleeper, and Teri Wyman along with long time sponsor and supporter Dennis ‘Dad’ Preston were inducted.

More than 60 prizes were given to racers by random draw. The nights were capped with two sessions of the deal or no deal event for seven lucky drivers, with seven prizes each night from a hat/t-shirt combo to a $500.00 gift certificate handed out. The top prize of a $500.00 Bear Ridge Speedway gift certificate was taken home by Kelly Miller on Friday night and Logan Martin on Saturday night.

Bear Ridge Speedway’s 58th season of dirt track racing is now officially complete. The 2026 season begins on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Season Passes for 2026 are now available; information and order forms are online at www.bearridgespeedway.com.

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Contact: April May Preston-Elms Email: brsdirt@gmail.com Phone: (802) 222-4052

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