by Jay | May 20, 2012 | Bear Ridge, Dirt Track, New England, Vermont
BY MARK McKEON
After a heat race in which he finished first by only leading the final 15 feet, defending USAC DMA champion “Flatfoot Joe” Krawiec of Bristol, CT turned in a dominating performance to win the 25 lap feature at Bear Ridge Speedway on Saturday night.
Starting sixth, Krawiec took the lead on lap six from David Rose, Jr. of Keene, NH, who had also won a heat, but suffered a mechanical failure in the feature.
Krawiec’s teammate and season opener winner Kevin Chaffee of Fairlee, VT raced his way from 13th to finish second, but was unable to mount a serious assault for the lead. Young Tim Gallant of Wales, MA showed both speed and car control to come from eighth and finish third, while former Sprint Car chauffer Scott Holcomb of Granby, CT charged from 14th to earn the fourth place finish. In only his second start in a Midget, Chase Dowling of Roxbury finished an impressive fifth after starting 12th.
(more…)
by Jay | May 17, 2012 | Bear Ridge, New England, Vermont
Vermont Foodbank benefit at Bear Ridge Speedway on Saturday
USAC Midgets, Granite State Mini Sprints highlight R&M Automotive event
It’s more than just stock car racing at Bear Ridge Speedway on Saturday night. R&M Automotive hosts the Bradford race track’s annual benefit drive for the Vermont Foodbank, and with an incentive: Race fans who donate three or more non-perishable food items will save $2.00 on their general admission tickets at the event.
There is a healthy dose of action on track as well, though. All six divisions from the 99ROCK Weekly Racing Series will try to tame the Bear Ridge quarter-mile including the Bond Auto Parts DIRTcar Sportsman Modifieds, the Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupes, the USAC Dirt Midget Association, the Weglarz Property Service Fast Fours, and the KDD NAPA Auto Parts of Bradford Hornets. The Granite State Mini Sprint club will also be on hand for its first appearance of the season, as will the Hornet Stinger youth division.
(more…)
by Jay | May 14, 2012 | Bear Ridge, Modified, New England, Vermont
Pierson takes Coupes; Reynolds and King have memorable night
Jason Gray led a parade of stock car winners through victory lane at Bear Ridge Speedway on Wells River Chevrolet Night on Saturday. Gray was joined in the winner’s circle by Gene Pierson, Jordan Fornwalt, Rob Gioia, Don Reynolds, and Julie Stender.
Gray, of East Thetford, VT, dominated the 35-lap Bond Auto Parts DIRTcar Sportsman Modified feature for his fourth career win. He took the lead from former track champion Gary Siemons on lap 12 and cruised to the win. Dan Eastman of Thetford Center, VT flew up the outside lane from his ninth starting position to finish second, with Orford, NH driver Siemons third at the finish. Bryan King finished fourth. Josh Sunn crossed the finish line fifth but was disqualified in post-race inspection when his car failed to meet minimum weight; Jeff Elliott inherited the position.
Pierson ran to his first win of the year in the 30-lap Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupe race. The East Corinth, VT driver held on despite constant pressure from sophomore driver Jason Colbeth of Newbury, VT. Colbeth matched his best career finish with Jason Horniak third. Tim Hodge and Mike McGinley completed the unofficial top five.
(more…)
by Jay | May 6, 2012 | Bear Ridge, Modified, New England, Touring Series News, Vermont
Harrington takes Coupe win, Viets under observation after frightening crash
Kevin Chaffee of Fairlee, VT started Bear Ridge Speedway’s 45th stock car racing season off with historic double victories at the KDD NAPA of Bradford season opener on Saturday. “The Fairlee Flier” swept both the Bond Auto Parts DIRTcar Sportsman Modified and USAC Dirt Midget Association victories to begin the year.
With each of the 99ROCK Weekly Racing Series divisions running twin-segment, cumulatively-scored events, Chaffee posted finishes of fourth and first in the Modified class for a total low score of five points. In the Midget division, Chaffee won the first segment and finished second in the final leg for a total low score of three points.
(more…)
by Jay | May 6, 2012 | Bear Ridge, Modified, New England, Touring Series News, Vermont
BY MARK McKEON
BRADFORD, VT – “The Fairlee Flier,” Kevin Chaffee of Fairlee, VT was the overall winner of the 45 lap USAC Dirt Midget Association feature at Bear Ridge Speedway on Saturday. Driving for car owner Skip Matczak, Chaffee won the initial 25 lap segment and finished third in the 20 lap second segment, which was won by Jim Mossman of Hollis, NH. No heat races were run. Drivers drew for position in the first segment and finishers in the first second were inverted in the second segment, followed by the non-finishers.
Chaffee then switched to his DIRTcar Sportsman Modified and won the 60 lap, two segment feature in that stock car class.
“What a great night this is for both of my crews and car owners,” Chaffee said. “I really appreciate the opportunity that Skip Matczak has given me with a full time ride in the Midget this year. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the coaching and mentoring from my teammates Joe Krawiec and Denny Zimmerman”.
(more…)
by Jay | May 3, 2012 | Bear Ridge, New England, Vermont
Pit area expanded to accommodate more race teams
Bear Ridge Speedway is ready to raise the curtain on its 45th season on Saturday, May 5, and is expected to draw its largest opening night field of dirt track stock cars ever. So many entries are anticipated for the event, sponsored by KDD NAPA of Bradford, that the pit area has been expanded to accommodate more team haulers and race cars.
The six divisions in the 99ROCK Weekly Racing Series have seen a major growth spurt during the off-season, including a large number of rookie teams and returning veterans in the Bond Auto Parts DIRTcar Sportsman Modifieds, the Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupes, and the A Notch Above Automotive Limited Late Models.
(more…)
