Bear Ridge Speedway Honors 48th Season Champions
First time in history 2 sanctioning bodies have the same champion – Pierson wins the USAC and DIRTcar championships; Chaffee and Chaffee win the John Poor Memorial awards
FAIRLEE, VT – Bear Ridge Speedway honored the champions from its 48th Season of dirt track stock car racing on Saturday, December 19. More than 300 drivers, crew members, sponsors, fans, and officials filled a sold-out banquet hall at the Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, VT for the gala, and more than $20,000 in prizes and point fund purses was awarded.
Adam Pierson of E Corinth, VT headlined the guest list as the Bond Auto Parts DIRTcar Sportsman Modified Champion. Pierson held off the runner up once again, Kevin Chaffee of Bradford VT, taking the title by a mere 10 points. The youngest driver in the division came home in third, Jordan Fornwalt of Bradford VT with Derek Graham hailing from Woodsville NH, and Josh Sunn of White River Jct rounding out the top five.
Bob Shepard of Topsham, VT was honored as the DIRTcar Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupe champion. Shepard had a dominate lead for most of the season slipped a bit in the end to make things more interesting, but was able to hold on to the crown by seven points over runner up Thomas Placey of Bradford VT. Finishing third three points behind second and five over fourth was Topsham VT’s Josh Harrington. Melvin Pierson, not present, was 4th and last year’s champion Jason Colbeth of Newbury, VT survived a rough season to hold on to fifth.
Adam Pierson of E Corinth claimed his second USAC Dirt Midget Association Championship in three years. Pierson continued to be too tough to beat with his team mate Josh Sunn White River Jct VT, only able to get to second. Dean Christensen recorded his best finish ever coming home in third, with Kevin Chaffee back in the Skip Matzcak machine coming home in fourth and Scott Holcomb rounded out the top five.
James Fadden of Plainfield, NH was named the Crazy Ed’s Laquerre’s Sports Limited Late Model champion over Rookie Tim Martin of White River Jct. Rookie Matt Lashua came home in third and Travis Smith completed the eligible drivers present in fourth.
Rookie Justin Severance of Brandon, VT won his first Weglarz Property Service Four Cylinders championship in a dominating fashion, winning 15 of 19 races. Last year’s champ Mike Ryan would have to settle for second with Jesse Durkee taking home third. Good Time Charlie Lakin finished in fourth with rookie Robert Welch taking the fifth spot.
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. Kevin Chaffee won John Poor Memorial trophy in the Modified division, with Brian Chaffee taking the honors in the Coupe division.
The Bob Shepard “Drive, Desire, Determination and Dedication” award, given by an anonymous fan sponsor was awarded to two recipients this year, Herb Gray and Gene Pierson.
Kevin Chaffee was the winner of the Modified division’s annual Sportsmanship Award. Matt Ellsworth won similar honors in the Coupe division, as did USAC Midget legend Ray Miller, Tim Martin in the Late Models, and for the first time ever a female wins the award in the Four Cylinders with the honors going to Kaitlyn Coates.
Race fans voted Richie Simmons as the Most Popular Driver in the Modified division, with Josh Harrington earning the honors in the Coupes. Kevin Chaffee in the Midgets, Travis Smith in the Late Models, and Rookie Robert Welch in the Four Cylinders took home the hardware for this award.
The Big Al’s Photos “What A Picture” Hard Luck Awards were given to Modified driver Robert Tucker, Coupe Jeremy Beckley, Midget driver Kevin Chaffee, Late Model driver Travis Smith, and in the Four Cylinders Kaitlyn Coates.
Josh Currier was given the Lap Leader Award for the Modified division with Buster Kathan taking the honors in the Coupe class. Josh Sunn won the award in the Midget division, with Late Model Tim Martin, and Mike Ryan in the Four Cylinders leading the most laps in their respective divisions.
The Raymond /Cliff Bullis Memorial Award for performance on the track and conduct in the pit area was awarded to Ryan Christian, Buster Kathan in the Coupes, Jeff Horn in the Midgets, Matt Lashua in the Limited Late Models, Jacob Roy in the Fours Cylinders.
More than 50 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 gift certificate was taken home by Josh Currier.
Our ever favorite Speedway Illustrated’s Karl Fredrickson honored us as once again being the Keynote speaker.