Karl Sheldon Wins the 1st Mike Estrada State Farm 4 Cylinder Enduros; Kevin LaForest Gets the Win in the Peanuts Auto 4 Cylinders
The DIRTcar Northeastern Sportsman Modifieds Series event race scheduled for July 4th postponed due to general admission grandstand limitations
The JTB Towing and Recovery evening winners were: Matt Lashua in the Sabil & Sons DIRTcar Sportsman Modifieds, Melvin Pierson in the DIRTcar Sportsman Coupes, Kevin LaForest in the Peanuts Auto Four Cylinders, and Karl Sheldon in the Mike Estrada State Farm 4 Cylinder Enduros
The field of DIRTcar Sabil & Sons Sportsman Modifieds had a bit of a struggle getting started with cautions plaguing the first ten laps of their 35 lap main event. After several single file restarts and the threat of being put in time out the drivers finally got it together and went on to put on a top-notch race of excitement, as they always do. Matt Lashua starting from the pole was able to hold off the wolves thru all of the restarts and get his first win of the season. James Fadden and Ryan Christian joined him in victory lane in second and third. Jason Gray came up from 21st starting position to finish in fourth and Jeremy Huntoon taking fifth.
The Wells River Chevrolet DIRTcar Sportsman Coupes saw last year’s champion come from mid-pack to move to the front and claim his first win of the season. Matt Ellsworth put up a hard fight but, in the end, would succumb to Melvin Pierson’s charges settling in for the second-place spot. The final victory lane spot went to Thomas Placey. Tad Kingsbury and Bob Kilburn finished he top five.
The USAC DMA Midgets made their first appearance of the season with some new and old faces on hand. After missing his heat race last years champion starting from the rear in the feature worked his way to the front to take the lead away from Justin Phillips on lap 12 and cruised on for the win. Phillips was able to hold on to the bride’s maid position with Seth Carlson grabbing third. A familiar face in the WYKR Sprint Cars of New England Floyd Billington was behind the wheel of a Midget and in his first appearance grabbed the 4th place spot with Manny Diaz rounding out the top five. The USAC DMA Midges will be back in action on July 11, 2020.
The C.A. Miller Limited Late Models and LaValley’s Building Supply Dirt Stockers were off and will return to action on July 4th, 2020.
In the Peanuts Auto Four Cylinders it was Kevin LaForest’s turn to get the jump over Buddy Welch as he went on for the win. Welch was able to hold on to second with Garrett Brown grabbing third. Bobby Bell and Jason Porter completed the top five.
The Mike Estrada State Farm 4 Cylinder Enduros were on hand with thirty-four drivers ready to compete for the first checkers of the season. Karl Sheldon coming from deep in the pack survived the rolls, spills, and flames of his fellow competitors to come home with the win. Dan Allard and Mike St Lawrence finished second and third, with Paul Hodge and Aren Keene finishing out the top five. The Mike Estrada State Farm 4 Cylinder Enduros will return for racing action on Saturday, July 25th.
Racing action will resume this coming Saturday, July 4th with our fireworks extravaganza sponsored by F.M.S. NAPA Auto Parts of Bradford VT. The night will a full card of racing for the 99Rock weekly racing series, with the Sabil & Sons DIRTcar Sportsman Modifieds, Wells River Chevrolet DIRTcar Sportsman Coupes, CA Miller Limited Late Models, LaValley’s Dirt Stockers and the Peanuts Auto Four Cylinders. Plus the WYKR Sprint Cars of New England will be on hand as well.
Although still with a lot of restrictions we are happy to report that we will be having limited fans in the stands this coming Saturday, July 4th. As per the designated VT state guidelines, we will continue to enforce social distancing and face coverings at all times. All people entering the property will be required to wear face coverings at all times and to be temperature checked. To order your tickets ahead of time to guarantee you can see the best dirt track racing in Vermont and fireworks show call 603/787-6352 Monday June 29th from 3:00 to 7:00; Wednesday July 1st from 3:00 to 7:00; and Friday July 3rd.
There will be designated sections of seating, again with limited seating in each section. KEEP POINTS TO KNOW we are working under the “arrive, play and leave” mentality. Groups may not gather before during or after activities (no tailgating, etc.). You will NOT be able to go into any section but the one your tickets are in. You will NOT be able to leave the grandstand area to go out to your vehicle. NO ONE will be able to come out of the pits to see you. You can NOT arrive before the gates open to save your seats. You will be required to provide your name and phone number for contact tracing purposes. Again we are working under the “arrive, play and leave” mentality.
General Admission tickets $15.00 per person, adults, seniors, teens, and kids. Pit entry fee is $30.00 for 2020 Registered members, and $35.00 for non-members- must be over the age of ten to enter the pits.
Gates will open at 3:00pm gates and will be close at 7:00 pm. No entry will be allowed after that time. You will be required to enter your designated ticket area or pits immediately upon arrival, there will be no “tailgating” before the events. Racing will kick into gear at 6:00 pm(ish), based on track conditions. Once the events have concluded for the evening everyone will be required to leave the facility, there will be no “tailgating” after the events. Once you enter designated ticket area or the pits, you will not be able to leave, (there will be no reentry), if you leave you will be required to leave the property immediately.
We are just as anxious as everyone is to get things back to our “new norm” until then we continue to work diligently within the Vermont State guidelines, to ensure that we are doing everything in our power to keep everyone safe, and sincerely appreciate your understanding. As we progress, we will keep you updated of any changes. Racing will kick into gear at 6:00 pm(ish), based on track conditions, and as always, Visa and MasterCard are accepted.
Again to be sure to get your tickets call 603/787-6352 during the hours indicated above, and check out our Facebook page and web site for more information.
April May and Butch are now on air with Stephen John for all the updates happening at the Ridge every Friday morning from 6:30 to 7:00 on WYKR.
Bear Ridge Speedway is as an alcohol-free family-friendly entertainment spot, with our goal to make each experience at the Ridge better than the last. Remember “Dirt where every lap is the last lap,” we continue to offer the best source of good inexpensive, high-quality entertainment for families.
Bear Ridge Speedway is located off exit 16 of I91 on to Rte 25 west 1 mile to South Road up the hill to Kidder Rd. The green will wave every Saturday at 6:00 pm(ish). Be sure to check the web www.bearridgespeedway.com and Facebook at www.facebook.com/
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS – 53rd Season of Racing JTB Towing and Recovery. night
99ROCK Weekly Racing Series
Bear Ridge Speedway — Bradford, VT
Saturday, June 27, 2020
Sabil & Sons DIRTcar Sportsman Modifieds (35 Laps)
1st 18 Matt Lashua started1st
2nd 91nh James Fadden started 10th
3rd 10s Ryan Christian started 2nd
4th 00 Jason Gray started 21st
5th 26 Jeremy Huntoon started 4th
6th 92 Ricky Sanville started 20th
7th 14 Nathan Locke started 7th
8th 24 Jordan Fornwalt started 17th
9th 5 Tanner Siemons started 13th
10th 9 Michael Dunn started 6th
11th 97 Alan Hammond
12th 98 Walter Hammond
13th 3 Jeff Huntington
14th 88 Walt Hammond
15th 631 Todd Buckwold
16th 51 Bryan Bigue®
17th 20 Todd Hayward
18th 27 Kyle Ashford ®
19th 86 Mike Ryan
20th 4 DJ Robinson
21st 1d Wayne Stearns
22nd 40 Steve Flint
23rd 42T Robert Tucker
24th 28 Josh Ruel
25th 34 Richie Simmons
HEAT one: Matt Lashua
HEAT two: Bryan Bigue ®
HEAT three: Ryan Christian
Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupe Feature (30 Laps)
1st 33 Melvin Pierson started 3rd
2nd 21e Matt Ellsworth started 1st
3rd 22 Thomas Placey started 7th
4th 09 Tad Kingsbury started 11th
5th 77 Robert Kilburn started 9th
6th 71 Josh Harrington started 14th
7th 50 Tyler Stygles started 15th
8th 3 Jason Horniak started 8th
9th 16 Brian Chaffee started 18th
10th 4 Jeff Robbins started 10th
11th 1 Jeremy Hodge
12th 12 Cody Gregoropoulos
13th 83 Will Hull
14th 69 Alexander Pushee ®
15 91 Alfred O’Haire ®
16 18 Cody Copeland
17 10 Ryan Christian
18 28 Bob Shepard
HEAT one: Cody Gregoropoulos
HEAT two Ryan Christian
USAC DMA Midgets Feature (25 laps)
1st 3 Will Hull
2nd 16 Justin Phillips
3rd 4 Seth Carlson
4th 44 Floyd Billington
5th 42 Manny Diaz
6th 77 Jeff Champagne
7th 7 Brandon Piastka
8th 17 Justin Sheridan ®
9th 91 Wayne Koehler
10th 33 Melvin Pierson
11th 5 Tim West
12th 50 Owen Carbee ®
13th 92 Patrick Bleau Jr ®
DNS 18c Mike Chaffee
HEAT one: Tim West
HEAT two: Justin Phillips
C.A. Miller Limited Late Model Feature (20 Laps)
Off Returning July 4th
HEAT one:
LaValley’s Building Supply Dirt Stockers
Off Returning July 4th
HEAT one:
Peanuts Auto Four Cylinders (20 Laps)
1st 49 Kevin LaForest started 6th
2nd 65 Buddy Welch started 14th
3rd 89 Garrett Brown started 7th
4th 24 Bobby Bell started 9th
5th 13 Jason Porter started 5th
6th 9 Jach Audet started 4th
7th 18 Dennis Perry started 8th
8th 66 Robert Audetstarted 18th
9th 12 Devon Spinks started 2nd
10th 71 Sawyer Harrington® started 11th
11th 98 Tom Brown
12th 44 Logan Martin®
13th 17 Shane Stygles
14th 80 Eric Baker
15th 88 Joey Thibodeau®
16th 53 Travis Burroughs
17th 33 Daniel Mears
18th 54 Katie Burroughs
19th 60 Dustin Towle
55 Rick Stygles (DNS)
HEAT one: Jason Porter
HEAT two: Buddy Welch
Semi Feature winner: Buddy Welch
WYKR Sprint Cars of New England
Off Returning 7/4
HEAT One:
HEAT Two:
Mike Estrada State Farm 4/6 Cylinder Enduro
1st 55 Karl Sheldon
2nd 19 Dan Allard
3rd 23 Mike St Lawrence
4th 72 Paul Hodge
5th 35 Aren Keene
6th 99 Donald Beer
7th 79 Jon LaForest
8th 34 John Dupree
9th 44 Eric Lundblad
10th 42 Josh Pike
11th 97 Cary Hunter
12th 74 David Wilder
13th 69 Collin Morse
14th 83 Kiki Willey
15th 76 Dominic Bassett
16th 80 Kevin Keene
17th 1 Chris O’Dell
18th 51 Hunter Lafond
19th 59 Trevor Irwin
20th 21 Daniel Marchbanks
21st 71 Chris Mooney
22nd 31 Adrian Langmaid
23rd 5 Michael Bent
24th 77 Phillip Basaldu
25th 20 Devin Bell
26th 40 Shawn Bell
27th 89 Brian Robinson
28th 14 Geoff Durphey
29th 13 Jason Porter
30th 24 Michael John
31st 29 Brian Greene
32nd 38 Blake Southworth
DNS 50 Mara Southworth
DNS 81 David Noyes
Sources: April May Preston-Elms/Bear Ridge Speedway PR