Martin claims sixth Limited Late Model win; Durkee back in Four Cylinder victory lane
–by T.J. Ingerson (@TJIngerson)
VMM Editor
BRADFORD – Adam Pierson and Michael Danforth both utilized late race passes for the lead to visit victory lane in their respective divisions on O’Reilly Auto Parts night on Saturday night at Bear Ridge Speedway.
For Pierson, the driver from East Corinth ran down race leader Kevin Chaffee and made a race winning pass on the outside on lap 20 to claim his third USAC Dirt Midget Association feature win of the season at the quarter-mile clay oval.
“We had to work the top,” Pierson said in victory lane. “We had a fast car.”
Pierson came from a 12th place starting spot in the 25-lap feature and had made quick work into the top-five lap five. From there, Pierson saw the division’s best drivers – Chaffee, teammate Josh Sunn, and newcomer Robert Tucker – in his windscreen.
As Pierson attempted to make his way to the front, leader Chaffee was in a fight with Sunn as Sunn looked for a way around the outside of Chaffee. However, Sunn would fall victim to Pierson, but followed Pierson around Chaffee for the second spot.
With White River Junction’s Sunn second on the podium, Bradford’s Chaffee held on for third. East Granby, Conn. driver Dean Christensen finished fourth after his Elliott Beveridge Dash win. Tucker, of West Topsham, completed the top-five finishers.
Jeff Horn finished sixth with 72-year-old Ray Miller seventh. Adam Whitney finished eighth while Jeff Champagne and Mark Cole completed the top-ten finishers.
For Danforth, it was a come-from-behind victory with a little luck for the Corinth driver.
Danforth started the 30-lap Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupe feature in the fifth spot, but was immediately involved in a first lap incident that also involved Brian Chaffee and Stan Otterman. Danforth was forced to pit road to the attention of his crew and would restart in the 15th spot.
As Danforth began to fight his way back through the competitive field, former division champion Jason Colbeth took the lead on lap six over rookie Chris LaForest. As Colbeth paced the field on the tenth lap, Danforth had already managed to get his way into the sixth spot.
Danforth continued to make gains and had moved into the fourth spot by lap 20 as Colbeth led point leader Tim Hodge and LaForest.
Hodge would make an attempt for the lead to the inside of Colbeth on lap 24 and gained the lead by a marginal length on lap 25. Colbeth would fight back on the outside and retake the lead on lap 26, but the duo continued to race side-by-side. However, as the two entered turn four, they would make contact – Hodge’s right front to Colbeth’s left rear – that saw Colbeth spin around and both drivers making slight contact with the wall.
That would hand the lead back to LaForest with Danforth second and veteran Melvin Pierson in third. LaForest kept the lead for the first lap after the restart, but Danforth fought to the inside and, after a slight battle, would take the lead for keeps on lap 29.
LaForest, of Barre, finished second for a career best finish in the Coupes while Corinth’s Matt Ellsworth got by Pierson on the final lap to finish third. Bradford’s Jason Horniak completed the top-five finishers.
Josh Harrington, Thomas Placey, Bob Shepard, Earl Maxham, and Otterman finished sixth through tenth, respectively.
Tim Martin of White River Junction earned his seventh Mike Rivers Automotive Limited Late Model feature win of the season in their 20-lap feature.
Martin finished ahead of Legion Speedway Super Street ace J.P. Vaillancourt of Plymouth, N.H. with former Bear Ridge Strictly Stock champion Bryan King of Corinth in third. Wayland Childs of Chelsea and T.J. Morse of Waterbury completed the top-five finishers.
Jesse Durkee of South Royalton won the 20-lap Weglarz Property Service Four Cylinder feature for his second win of the season over Jim Durkee and rookie Kevin LaForest. Sean Perron an Mike Ryan completed the top-five finishers.
Bear Ridge Speedway races again on Saturday, July 9 with Dennis Preston Builders night along with the David’s House benefit. The Granite State Mini Sprints will also be on the racing card for a 6:00pm post time.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS – O’Reilly Auto Parts Night
Bear Ridge Speedway, Bradford, Vt.
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Pos.-Driver-Hometown
(# — denotes rookie)
Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupes (30 laps)
1. Michael Danforth, Corinth
2. # Chris LaForest, Barre
3. Matt Ellsworth, Corinth
4. Melvin Pierson, Corinth
5. Jason Horniak, Bradford
6. Josh Harrington, Topsham
7. Thomas Placey, Bradford
8. Bob Shepard, West Topsham
9. Earl Maxham, Enfield, N.H.
10. Stan Otterman, West Topsham
USAC Dirt Midget Association (25 laps)
1. Adam Pierson, East Corinth
2. Josh Sunn, White River Junction
3. Kevin Chaffee, Bradford
4. Dean Christensen, East Granby, Conn.
5. Robert Tucker, West Topsham
6. Jeff Horn, Ashland, Mass.
7. Ray Miller, Granby, Conn.
8. Adam Whitney, Warren
9. Jeff Champagne, Westfield, Mass.
10. Mark Cole, Lebanon, N.H.
Mike Rivers Automotive Limited Late Models (20 laps)
1. Tim Martin, White River Junction
2. J.P. Vaillancourt, Plymouth, N.H.
3. Bryan King, Corinth
4. # Wayland Childs, Chelsea
5. # T.J. Morse, Waterbury
Weglarz Property Service Four Cylinders (20 laps)
1. Jesse Durkee, South Royalton
2. Jim Durkee, West Hartford
3. # Kevin LaForest, Barre
4. Sean Perron, Sharon
5. Mike Ryan, Vershire
PHOTOS:
1 – Adam Pierson (#76) passes Kevin Chaffee (#2) for the USAC Dirt Midget Association race lead on Saturday night at Bear Ridge Speedway. (Alan Ward photo)
2 – Jason Colbeth (#18) and Tim Hodge (#2) sit stopped after an incident while racing for the lead on Saturday night at Bear Ridge Speedway. (Alan Ward photo)
3 – Michael Danforth celebrates his Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupe feature win on Saturday night at Bear Ridge Speedway. (Alan Ward photo)
