Ellsworth earns second Coupe win; Childs, Welch dominant in wins
–by T.J. Ingerson (@TJIngerson)
VMM Editor
BRADFORD – Ryan Christian earned a dominating win on Saturday night at Bear Ridge Speedway.
The Canaan, N.H. driver took the lead on lap 26 of the 40-lap Sabil & Sons DIRTcar Sportsman Modified feature and sailed to his second feature win of the season.
Christian started in the ninth position and steadily made progress toward the front of the field and stay in the fifth spot on a lap 13 restart. Christian would then move into the third spot – behind race leader Steven Flint and second place Todd Buckwold – by lap 20.
The eventual race winner would jump to the outside of Buckwold on lap 22 and move into the second spot before he moved around the outside of Flint for the race lead on lap 26.
From there, Christian opened up an insurmountable gap as Buckwold moved into the second spot over Flint.
Buckwold, of Orange, N.H., finished second. Hometown driver Richie Simmons, in just his third week back behind the wheel of a Sportsman Modified, finished third. Flint and Lenny Pillsbury completed the top-five finishers, unofficially.
Sixth through tenth was scored as Jordan Fornwalt, Tim Tucker, Robert Tucker, Mike Dunn, and D.J. Robinson, unofficially.
Matt Ellsworth grabbed his second Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupe feature win of the season in their 30-lap feature event.
The Corinth driver took the lead following a lap 12 restart when Ellsworth and Jason Colbeth split the lead car of defending champion Bob Shepard.
Ellsworth would use the momentum of the topside to grab the lead and kept Colbeth at bay for the remainder of the event. Colbeth would make a last lap effort to Ellsworth’s inside, but Ellsworth pulled away out of turn two and saw Colbeth bobble to take the win.
Former champion Colbeth of Newbury finished second with Michael Danforth of Corinth third. Earl Maxham and Shepard completed the unofficial top-five finishers with Brian Chaffee point leader Jason Horniak, Mike Chaffee, Thomas Placey, and Josh Harrington sixth through tenth, respectively.
Wayland Childs of Chelsea won the 20-lap Mike Rivers Automotive Limited Late Model feature as he grabbed the lead early in the event and held on through a late race restart.
Point leader Tim Martin of White River Junction finished second with Bradford’s Derrick Stearns third. John Fields and John Neddo finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
Buddy Welch of East Corinth domainted the 20-lap Weglarz Property Service Four Cylinder feature to claim the win.
Jim Durkee of Hartford finished a distant second with Danny Doyle of Rochester third. Mike Ryan and Jesse Durkee completed the top-five finishers.
Bear Ridge continues its 49th season on Saturday, September 10 with Shaker Valley Auto Spekcer Rocke Memorial event that will feature the Granite State Mini Sprint Association. Post time is 6:00pm.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS – Valley Floors “Topless” Night
Bear Ridge Speedway, Bradford, Vt.
Saturday, September 3, 2016
Mi
Pos.-Driver-Hometown
Sabil & Sons DIRTcar Sportsman Modifieds (40 laps)
1. Ryan Christian, Canaan, N.H.
2. Todd Buckwold, Orange, N.H.
3. Richie Simmons, Bradford
4. Steven Flint, Orange
5. Lenny Pillsbury, Cornish
6. Jordan Fornwalt, Bradford
7. Tim Tucker, Northfield
8. Robert Tucker, Topsham
9. Mike Dunn, North Haverhill, N.H.
10. D.J. Robinson, Sharon
Wells River Chevrolet Sportsman Coupes (30 laps)
1. Matt Ellsworth, Corinth
2. Jason Colbeth, Newbury
3. Michael Danforth, Corinth
4. Earl Maxham, Enfield, N.H.
5. Bob Shepard, Topsham
6. Brian Chaffee, Bradford
7. Jason Horniak, Bradford
8. Mike Chaffee, East Corinth
9. Thomas Placey, Bradford
10. Josh Harrington, Topsham
Mike Rivers Automotive Limited Late Models (20 laps)
1. Wayland Childs, Chelsea
2. Tim Martin, Whitee River Junction
3. Derrick Stearns, Bradford
4. John Fields, Lyme, N.H.
5. John Neddo, Bradford
Weglarz Property Service Four Cylinders (20 laps)
1. Buddy Welch, East Corinth
2. Jim Durkee, Hartford
3. Danny Doyle, Rochester
4. Mike Ryan, Vershire
5. Jesse Durkee, South Royalton
PHOTO: Ryan Christian celebrates his Bear Ridge Speedway DIRTcar Sportsman Modified win on Saturday night with his wife, Kaitlyn. (T.J. Ingerson/VMM photo)
