BRADFORD, VT – Opening night (day) is a long at the Ridge, with the festivities starting out at the Bradford Jiffy Mart for the annual Bear Ridge Car Show. The field was filled with some spectacular looking machines, and it was a difficult task to pick out the best three for each division. The awards will be presented to the finest on May 16th when the USAC DMA Midgets return. Following the car show the trailers headed up the hill to hit the track for the first time, for an afternoon practice. Then it was time to race and the first green flag on the 48th consecutive racing season was thrown at the infamous 6:00pm(ish) time. After heat races, the dash for cash for the Midgets and a Blackmount Equipment Semi Feature for the DIRTcar Sportsman Coupes, the Ridges beloved Penny Davis who was taken from us in March was taken for a final ride around the track in the very famous #6 driven by Promoter/owner and multi-track champion C.V. Butch Elms. The infield was lined shoulder to shoulder around the ¼ mile with drivers, crews, and family from the pits.
Her brother Boyd and great nephew Hunter waived the flag for her final ride. We cant thank the family enough for giving us the opportunity to say goodbye in such a fitting manner. She will surely be missed, and never forgotten.
The first feature of the night was run by the Weglarz Property Service/F.M.S. NAPA Auto Parts Four Cylinders found the battle resumed between last year’s track champion Mike Ryan and runner up Charlie Lakin. The two would do battle on the track for the lead, as several new comers and other veterans tried to work the kinks out of their machines opening night. Ryan claimed the win over Lakin, Lakin with a better finish in his heat claims the points for opening night. Rookie Justin Severance in his first ever appearance at the Ridge claimed the third victory lane spot. Rounding out the top five were David Durkee and Karl Sheldon.
The USAC DMA Midgets came out next with wiley veteran Jeff Horn setting point. Horn was able to hold off the charges of the field until lap eight when Josh Sunn took over the lead. Sunn held off team mate Adam Pierson for the first recorded USAC DMA Midget win of the season. Horn came home third claiming the finally victory lane spot one of his best finishes of his career in the Midget. Rounding out the top five were Adam Whitney and Dean Christian. The USAC DMA Midgets return for action on May 16th.
In the DIRTcar Wells River Chevrolet Pro Stock Sportsman Coupe Matt Ellsworth brought the field around to the green and kept the point for four laps. On lap five Brian Chaffee took over the point. A few cautions late in the race had Chaffee wondering if this would ever end. Eventually the checkers did wave and he was able to claim his first win the DIRTcar Sportsman Coupes. Joining him in victory lane was Matt Ellsworth who held on for second, and Josh Harrington sneaking in at the end for third. Johnathan Covey and Michael Danforth completed the top five.
The dirt pounding earth shaking DIRTcar Bond Auto Sportsman Modifieds hit the track for their opening night feature with Robert Tucker and Jordan Fornwalt setting the pace for the field. With the absence of last year’s champion Chris Donnelly the big question is, which one of these beautiful machines will claim the crown. Some of the expected favorites didn’t fare so well while others and some unexpected ones did. Kevin Chaffee would step out early due to mechanical problems eliminating his opportunity to make an opening statement. While Gary Siemons had a strong night and solid finish coming home in fourth. The man of the hour though was Richie Simmons who took the lead over on lap three and survived the opening night jitters cautions, claiming the first checkers of the season. Following him to victory lane was Jordan Fornwalt and Josh Sunn doing double duty. As stated Siemons came home fourth with Flying Ryan Christian rounding out the top five.
A new fan friendly victory lane area has been added to the track. After the top three are recognized the feature winner of the first three events will drive across the track and enter the grandstand area for a meet and great with any and all fans who want to see him/her during the next race. Richie thought it was such a great idea that even though his event was fourth he went over to meet with the fans. Already after just the first night this is already proving to be a big hit, and we are sure will become more popular as the season progresses.
The Crazy Ed’s Sports Limited Late Models completed the action for the night with Brandon Gray taking the lead on lap one and never looking back. This division championship is totally up for grabs this year, as last year’s track champion and team mate Jason Giguere and Rob Williams will not be seen in action at the Ridge. Expect to see some great completion for the title as Gray, James Fadden and Matt Lashua to name but a few set their sights on the crown. Derek O’Hearn followed Gray to victory lane with Tim Martin taking third. Rounding out the top five were James Fadden and Bobby Bell.
Bear Ridge Speedway’s 48th season of stock car racing continues on Saturday, May 9th for the ROCK99 Weekly Racing Series. The card will include the weekly Bond Auto Parts DIRTcar Sportsman Modified, Wells River Chevrolet DIRTcar Pro Stock Sportsman Coupe, Crazy Ed’s Sports Limited Late Model, Weglarz Property Service/F.M.S. NAPA Auto Parts Four Cylinders, plus the Granite State Mini Sprints (USAC Dirt Midget Association is off). The car show winners from Saturday May 2nd at the Jiffy Mart Bradford will be announced on the 16th when the USAC DMA Midgets return.