New rules to pit David “602” crate engines against 358-cubic inch Goliaths
WEST HAVEN, VT — The past and future will clash in a horsepower war at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in 2012. The buzz around the West Haven, VT stock car track has turned to the rulebook, as the headline NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Modified division will pit David against Goliath next summer.
The Modified rulebook embraces the modern-day General Motors “602” crate engine — a cost-effective, momentum-dependent motor — but throws a lion into the ring by allowing the return of the 358-cubic inch engine — an unlimited, high-tech, high-horsepower fire breather. The move will allow Devil’s Bowl teams to compete at Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY and other tracks, and vice versa.
Significant testing at the track and on engine dynamometers has revealed that each power plant has its advantages. A six-hour, on-track test in October proved that mixing the engine options will create more back-and-forth action on the half-mile track. The bigger 358s create more torque and are faster down the straightaways, but cars using the smaller 602 engine have better handling and are faster in the corners.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway will sweeten the deal with two weekly incentive programs for the Modified class: The top-finishing car using a Devil’s Bowl-approved 602 crate engine and adhering to a strict set of suspension guidelines will receive a $200 bonus, and a $100 weekly “Hard Charger” bonus will be paid to the driver who gains the most positions in the feature event, regardless of engine type.
“I think that the cars will be competitive with each other,” said veteran Brandon, VT driver Don Scarborough, who tested with his 358 engine in October. “The 358 is the same car and the same motor we’ve always run, but they’ve found a way to make the cars a little more equal. If some of the big guns from Airborne or the old Devil’s Bowl guys want to come back they’ll be able to. It looks like it’ll be fun.”
After the October test, teenage sensation Jessey Mueller feels the smaller engines have the edge. “We’ve got a shot at finishing in the top-three every week,” said the Olmstedville, NY shoe. “The 602s have a momentum advantage, and we don’t have to spend as much money as the 358s to be competitive.”
Just 15 minutes from Rutland, Vermont’s second-largest city, Devil’s Bowl will host weekly Friday-night summer racing for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Special events include the American-Canadian Tour Spring Green on Sunday, May 6, the Firecracker Twin 44s on Wednesday, July 4, and the revival of the Vermont 200 on September 15-16.
The 2012 Devil’s Bowl Speedway schedule and NASCAR Modified rulebook are online at www.devilsbowlspeedwayvt.com. Rulebooks for the Late Model, Renegade, and Bomber divisions will follow soon. For more information, call (802) 265-3112 or email devilsbowlspeedway@gmail.com.