PHOTO: People’s United Bank victory lane (L-R): Modified runner-up Joey Roberts, winner Ron Proctor, third-place Leon Gonyo. (MemorEvents photo)
Proctor takes overall win; Bushey doubles up in Late Models
WEST HAVEN, VT – Defending NASCAR Whelen All-American Series stock car racing champion Ron Proctor made a statement that he’s in the running for a second title at Devil’s Bowl Speedway. The Charlton, NY veteran posted a victory and a second-place finish in twin 20-lap Bond Auto Parts Modified features at the People’s United Bank Memorial Day Special on Friday night.
Proctor’s No. 27 Timco Towing & Transportation/Charlton Oil-sponsored Teo Pro Car came from 11th starting position to win the first 20-lap run, earning one point toward his overall total in the cumulatively scored two-segment race, beating Vince Quenneville, Jr., nephew Jamie Proctor, Cody Sargen, and rookie Joey Roberts in convincing fashion. Leon Gonyo of Chazy, NY put on a similarly impressive performance in the second segment, driving through traffic from ninth place to win, but Proctor came from 14th to finish second. Jason Bruno, Hunter Bates, and Roberts completed the top five in the segment.
Proctor’s total score of three points was good enough for the overall victory. Georgia, VT drivers Roberts’ ten points (5th, 5th = 10) gave him his best finish of his young Modified career, while Gonyo’s second-segment win broke a three-way tie (11 points) with Sargen and Jamie Proctor for third place overall. Alex Bell, Quenneville, Bruno, Bates, and Andy Smith completed the unofficial overall top ten.
Craig Bushey of Fairfax, VT posted his second-straight win in the 30-lap J&S Steel Late Model feature. Rookie Johnny Chesnut made a bid for an upset win but was passed by Bryan Town, and soon after Bushey, following a mid-race restart. Town, of Charlestown, NH, ran to a runner-up showing with Rutland, VT’s Kevin Elliott third – each a career-best finish. Norm Andrews, Dan Petronis, Dave Wilcox, rookie Robert Bryant, Jr., and Matt White were next in line, followed by Chesnut, who was involved in two late incidents. Rookie Jesse Carris was tenth, unofficially.
Ryan Keith of Pittsford, VT posted his first Devil’s Bowl victory in 18 years, winning the 20-lap Renegade feature despite constant challenges from Frank Monroe. Granville, NY driver Monroe was second ahead of Leicester, VT’s Jeremy Jones. Robert Gordon and rookie Robin Cummings were fourth and fifth, respectively.
Bristol, VT rookies Josh Masterson continued an outstanding start to his career in the 20-lap Bomber feature, picking up his third win in four starts. Bobby LaVair of Gabriels, NY finished second with John McCarron of Rennselaer, NY third. Harold LaVair and Ray Germain, Jr., completed the top five.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway is back in action on Friday, June 1 at 7:30pm with Carrara Masonry & Concrete Night presented by Mobil 1. General admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors (62+), and free for children 12 and under. Gates open at 6:00pm.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway is located on Route 22A in West Haven, VT, six miles north of Exit 2 on US Route 4. For more information, call (802) 265-3112 or click www.devilsbowlspeedwayvt.com.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS – People’s United Bank Memorial Day Special
Devil’s Bowl Speedway, West Haven, VT
Friday, May 25, 2012
Pos.-Driver-Hometown
(# – denotes rookie)
Bond Auto Parts Modified Feature #1 (20 laps)
1. Ron Proctor, Charlton, NY
2. Vince Quenneville, Jr., Brandon, VT
3. Jamie Proctor, Schuylerville, NY
4. Cody Sargen, Greenfield Center, NY
5. # Joey Roberts, Georgia, VT
6. Jessey Mueller, Olmstedville, NY
7. Alex Bell, Cambridge, NY
8. # Jeff Haskins, Wells, VT
9. # Andy Smith, South Glens Falls, NY
10. Leon Gonyo, Chazy, NY
11. Matt Atwood, Whitehall, NY
12. Paul Braymer, Granville, NY
13. Dave Snow, Brandon, VT
14. Hunter Bates, Middlebury, VT
15. Jason Bruno, Plattsburgh, NY
DNS: James Introne, Sr., Hartford, NY
Heat Winners: Vince Quenneville, Jr., Joey Roberts
Bond Auto Parts Modified Feature #2 (20 laps)
1. Leon Gonyo, Chazy, NY
2. Ron Proctor, Charlton, NY
3. Jason Bruno, Plattsburgh, NY
4. Hunter Bates, Middlebury, VT
5. # Joey Roberts, Georgia, VT
6. Alex Bell, Cambridge, NY
7. Cody Sargen, Greenfield Center, NY
8. Jamie Proctor, Schuylerville, NY
9. # Andy Smith, South Glens Falls, NY
10. Paul Braymer, Granville, NY
11. Matt Atwood, Whitehall, NY
12. # Jeff Haskins, Wells, VT
13. Vince Quenneville, Jr., Brandon, VT
14. Dave Snow, Brandon, VT
15. Jessey Mueller, Olmstedville, NY
Bond Auto Parts Modified OVERALL FINISH (total points)
1. Ron Proctor, Charlton, NY (3 pts.)
2. # Joey Roberts, Georgia, VT (10 pts.)
3. Leon Gonyo, Chazy, NY (11 pts.)
4. Cody Sargen, Greenfield Center, NY (11 pts.)
5. Jamie Proctor, Schuylerville, NY (11 pts.)
6. Alex Bell, Cambridge, NY (15 pts.)
7. Vince Quenneville, Jr., Brandon, VT (15 pts.)
8. Jason Bruno, Plattsburgh, NY (18 pts.)
9. Hunter Bates, Middlebury, VT (18 pts.)
10. # Andy Smith, South Glens Falls, NY (18 pts.)
11. # Jeff Haskins, Wells, VT (20 pts.)
12. Jessey Mueller, Olmstedville, NY (21 pts.)
13. Paul Braymer, Granville, NY (22 pts.)
14. Matt Atwood, Whitehall, NY (22 pts.)
15. Dave Snow, Brandon, VT (27 pts.)
J&S Steel Late Models (30 laps)
1. Craig Bushey, Fairfax, VT
2. Bryan Town, Charlestown, NH
3. Kevin Elliott, Rutland, VT
4. Norm Andrews, Northfield, VT
5. Dan Petronis, II, Mechanicville, NY
6. Dave Wilcox, Swanton, VT
7. # Robert Bryant, Jr., Brooklyn, CT
8. Matt White, Northfield, VT
9. # Johnny Chesnut, Grantham, NH
10. # Jesse Carris, Rutland, VT
11. Chris Curtis, Rutland, MA
12. Chris Wilk, Mendon, VT
13. # Danny Sullivan, Morrisonville, NY
Heat Winners: # Johnny Chesnut, Craig Bushey
Renegade (20 laps)
1. Ryan Keith, Pittsford, VT
2. Frank Monroe, Granville, NY
3. Jeremy Jones, Leicester, VT
4. Robert Gordon, Milton, VT
5. # Robin Cummings, Milton, VT
Heat Winner: Ryan Keith
Bomber (20 laps)
1. # Josh Masterson, Bristol, VT
2. Bobby LaVair, Gabriels, NY
3. John McCarron, Rennselaer, NY
4. Harold LaVair, Gabriels, NY
5. Ray Germain, Jr., Bristol, VT
6. Garry Bashaw, Lincoln, VT
7. Garrett Given, Cornwall, VT
8. Jake Noble, Benson, VT
9. # Gerald LaFlam, Hinesburg, VT
10. # Kyle Watrous, Niantic, CT
11. Matt Monaghan, Colchester, VT
12. Eddie Bruno, Fair Haven, VT
DNS: # Shane Doran, Benson, VT
Heat Winners: Ray Germain, Jr., Josh Masterson