WEST HAVEN, VT — Late Model stock car champion Brian Hoar of Williston, VT rolls in to Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Sunday, May 6 looking to defend his title in the historic “Spring Green” event. The 112-lap race marks the grand re-opening for the West Haven half-mile and is the third round of the American-Canadian Tour championship schedule.
Hoar took down last year’s Spring Green race, the first-ever ACT event at Devil’s Bowl, before later collecting his record eighth ACT championship. He says winning the inaugural Devil’s Bowl ACT race was a special accomplishment for his No. 37 Goss Dodge-Chrysler/RPM Racing Engines team.
“It was really cool winning at Devil’s Bowl last year. I never raced there when it was a dirt track but we got the chance last year and it was a lot of fun,” Hoar said. “I love that there’s another asphalt track in Vermont. The fact that it’s only an hour away from home makes it even more special.”
Despite his résumé, Hoar’s march to the win wasn’t easy. Action-packed racing produced 11 lead changes, five of which came during a thrilling 40-lap slugfest between Hoar and Craig Bushey.
“Devil’s Bowl is a flatter track, and no one really knew what to make of it before we raced there, but ever since last year we can’t wait to get back,” Hoar said. “I love the track layout, and I had a great race with Craig out front. It’s a very racy track, and the side-by-side racing is outstanding.”
Fairfax resident Bushey enters the Spring Green waving the home track banner; Bushey and his No. 05 Vermont Life Safety/Miller Auto Group team will race for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series weekly Late Model championship at Devil’s Bowl. Other locals expected to take on the ACT outsiders include Devil’s Bowl champion Hunter Bates of Middlebury, Albany-Saratoga Speedway champion Dan Petronis of Mechanicville, NY, and 15 year-old top rookie contender Joey Laquerre of East Montpelier.
ACT stars gunning for Hoar include New Hampshire’s Wayne Helliwell, Jr., and Joey “Pole” Polewarczyk, Jr., Maine youngsters Austin Theriault and Ben Ashline, and Jean-Paul Cyr of Milton. Helliwell is the defending NASCAR New Hampshire State Champion, while Polewarczyk owns eight ACT victories. Theriault, 18, is a development driver for NASCAR Sprint Cup racer Brad Keselowski, and Ashline impressed with a driver from 27th to fifth in the Spring Green as a rookie last year. Cyr is a seven-time ACT champion and won the 1990 Pro Stock title on the former Devil’s Bowl Speedway clay.
The American-Canadian Tour’s historic Spring Green event begins at 1:30pm on Sunday, May 6, along with the NASCAR Bond Auto Parts Modifieds, Renegades, and Bombers. General admission is $18 for adults, $15 for seniors (62+), and free for children 12 and under. Discount season passes are available.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway is located on Route 22A in West Haven, VT, six miles north of Exit 2 on U.S. Route 4. For more information, call (802) 265-3112 or visit www.devilsbowlspeedwayvt.com.
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PHOTOS:
1. Brian Hoar (#37) and Craig Bushey (#05) are expected to resume their Devil’s Bowl Speedway battle at the Spring Green 112 on Sunday, May 6. (MemorEvents photo)
2. Brian Hoar returns to Devil’s Bowl Speedway in West Haven, VT on Sunday, May 6 as the defending American-Canadian Tour and Spring Green champion. (Leif Tillotson photo)