2016 Annual Awards Banquet
Bear Ridge Speedway Honors 49th Season Champions
Horniac is crowned the champion the Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupes. Siemons and Ellsworth win the John Poor Memorial awards, and C.V. “Butch” Elms is awarded the Bob Shepard 4-D award
For Immediate Release
FAIRLEE, VT – Bear Ridge Speedway honored the champions from its 49th Season of dirt track stock car racing on Saturday, December 17 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, where more than $20,000 in prizes and point fund purses was awarded.
Adam Pierson of E Corinth, VT headlined the guest list as the Sabil & Sons DIRTcar Sportsman Modified Champion. Pierson with a hundred plus points over runner up DJ Robinson of Sharon VT claimed his second year in a row two sanctioning body championships. Ryan Christian of Canaan NH came home in third, with Kevin Chaffee of Bradford VT Josh Currier of Newport NH rounding out the top five.
Jason Horniac of Bradford, VT was honored as the DIRTcar Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupe champion. Horniac not planning on running the whole season, found himself at the top of the heap without a victory. He beat out runner up Matt Ellsworth of East Corinth VT by thirty-four points. Ellsworth held on to the runner up position beating out Michael Danforth of E Corinth VT by six points. Brian Chaffee o Bradford VT and Josh Harrington from Topsham VT completed the top five.
Adam Pierson of E Corinth claimed his third USAC Dirt Midget Association Championship in four years. Pierson continued to be too tough to beat. Winning eleven straight races tying Billy Boat’s USAC Consecutive season wins a record set in 1995. Adam Whitney of Waistfield VT is the 2016 runner up with Dean Christensen coming home in third for the second year in a row. Doing double duty in the DIRTcar Sportsman Modifieds and the USAC Midgets as a Rookie, taking fourth is Robert Tucker of E Corinth VT. Josh Sunn of White River Jct Vt comes home in fifth.
Tim Martin of White River Jct. VT is crowned the 2016 champion in the Mike Rivers Automotive Limited Late Models over Rookie Wayland Childs of Chelsea VT. TJ Morse from Waterbury VT is third with Don Reynolds of White River Jct VT and Derrick Stearns of Bradford VT finishing out the top five.
Coming back to grab his second Weglarz Property Service Four Cylinders championship it is Mike Ryan of Vershire VT. He beat out Robert “Buddy” Welch from Topsham VT Jesse Durkee takes home third for the second year in a row with Good Time Charlie Lakin Groton VT finishing in fourth with rookie Kevin LaForest of Barre VT 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. Gary Siemons won John Poor Memorial trophy in the Modified division, with Matt Ellsworth 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 the man who hung up his helmet 28 years ago to take over the running of Bear Ridge Speedway, and because of him we will be celebrating 50 years of racing excitement in 2017 C.V. “Butch” Elms.
The Sportsmanship Award was given this year to the Ambulance and Fire crews that support the Ridge each and every week. On hand to receive the award was Barbara Deming, Zach Bagley and Nate Brooks. .
Race fans voted Lenny Pillsbury as the Most Popular Driver in the Modified division, with Thomas Placey earning the honors in the Coupes. Jeff Horn in the Midgets, TJ Morse in the Late Models, and Robert “Buddy” 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 USAC DMA Midget Driver Josh Sunn for his wild ride out of the track in turns one and two.
Trevor Rocke was given the Lap Leader Award for the Modified division with Bob Shepard taking the honors in the Coupe class. Adam Pierson won the award in the Midget division, with Late Model Tim Martin, and Danny Doyle 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 Mike Dunn, Matt Ellsworth in the Coupes, Adam Whitney in the Midgets, Tim Martin in the Limited Late Models, Buddy Welch 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 Bear Ridge Speedway gift certificate was taken home by Terry Williams.
Bear Ridge Speedway’s 49th season of stock car racing is now officially complete. The 2017 season begins on Saturday, May 6, 2017. Season Passes for 2017 are now available; information and order forms are online at www.bearridgespeedway.com or by calling (802) 222-4052.
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Contact: April May Preston
Phone: (802) 222-4052
