Schilling uses midrace restart to claim lead for first ever King of Dirt win
–by T.J. Ingerson (@TJIngerson)
VMM Editor
BRADFORD, Vt. – David Schilling knew his best opportunity to overtaking Connor Cleveland in the King of Dirt Sportsman Modified championship was to post a win at Bear Ridge Speedway.
He did just that.
The East Greenbush, N.Y. driver made a pass with 30 laps to go on polesitter Michael Sabia to claim the win in the Green Mountain State Clash 100 on Saturday night at the tight quarter-mile clay oval.
The win for Schilling was his first career King of Dirt Sportsman Modified Series win. For the 20-year-old, however, he would fall just short of the championship.
Schilling started in the third spot in the 31-car starting field and quickly moved to Sabia’s rear bumper. Following a pair of lap 69 restarts, Schilling would zoom past Sabia and into the top spot, which put pressure on Cleveland who, at the time, ran in the 11th spot and out of the championship.
A lap 85 restart nearly changed the complexion of the championship as an incident involving Cleveland and Bear Ridge champion Adam Pierson, who was forced to battle from the back of the field after an early race penalty. Pierson retired from the event while Cleveland continued on and rallied late.
Schilling would hold on the rest of the way to claim the win in his first-ever visit to Bear Ridge.
Sabia, of Easton, Conn., settled for second while Kevin Chaffee of Bradford topped the Bear Ridge regulars with a third place finish. Unofficially, his third place finish was good enough to jump Chaffee from eighth to sixth in the King of Dirt Sportsman Modified series standings.
Cleveland, of Corinth, N.Y., finished fourth to earn a six-point advantage over Schilling for the series championship. Multi-time track champion Chris Donnelly of Piermont, N.H. completed the top-five finishers. Series regulars Andrew Buff and Cody Hunt finished sixth and seventh while hometown driver Jordan Fornwalt came home eighth. Scott Duell finished ninth while New Hampshire driver Adam Gage completed the top-ten finishers.
Heat race wins went to Pierson, Jason Gray, Chaffee, and Todd Buckwold. Pierson would finish 25th while Gray was also collected in an incident, too, and finished 24th. Buckwold was credited with a 21st place finish.
VMM will have more from the Bear Ridge Speedway Swenson Insurance Crate Motor Nationals soon.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS – Green Mountain State Clash 100
King of Dirt Sportsman Modified Series
Bear Ridge Speedway, Bradford, Vt.
Saturday, September 24, 2016
Pos.-Driver-Hometown
1. David Schilling, East Greenbush, N.Y.
2. Michael Sabia, Easton, Conn.
3. Kevin Chaffee, Bradford, Vt.
4. Connor Cleveland, Corinth, N.Y.
5. Chris Donnelly, Piermont, N.H.
6. Andrew Buff, Lantham, N.Y.
7. Cody Hunt, Hoosick Falls, N.Y.
8. Jordan Fornwalt, Bradford, Vt.
9. Scott Duell, Ballston Spa, N.Y.
10. Adam Gage, West Lebanon, N.H.
11. Derek Graham, Woodsville, N.H.
12. Robert Tucker, Bradford, Vt.
13. Thomas Placey, Bradford, Vt.
14. Richie Simmons, Bradford, Vt.
15. Terry Williams, Wells River, Vt.
16. Jon Miller, Malta, N.Y.
17. Matt Lashua, Canaan, N.H.
18. Ryan Christian, Canaan, N.H.
19. Jim Morgan, White River Junction, Vt.
20. James Fadden, Lebanon, N.H.
21. Todd Buckwold, Orange, N.H.
22. Luke Klob, Greenville, N.Y.
23. Mike Dunn, North Haverhill, N.H.
24. Jason Gray, East Thetford, Vt.
25. Adam Pierson, East Corinth, Vt.
26. Josh Currier, Newport, N.H.
27. Gary Siemons, Orford, N.H.
28. Kevin Ward, Hyde Park, N.Y.
29. D.J. Robinson, Sharon, Vt.
30. Donnie Lashua, Canaan, N.H.
31. Kevin White, Canaan, N.H.
PHOTOS:
1 – David Schilling celebrates his first career King of Dirt Sportsman Modified Series on Saturday night at Bear Ridge Speedway with girlfriend Kendall. (Alan Ward photo)
2 – David Schilling races under the checkered flag to claim his first King of Dirt win in his first ever start at Bear Ridge Speedway. (Alan Ward photo)
3 – Connor Cleveland would finish fourth and secure the King of Dirt Sportsman Modified Series championship. (Alan Ward photo)
