State Championship event rescheduled for June 15; Masterson wins Bombers; $567 raised for fund
WEST HAVEN, VT – Rains put a stop to the “I Am Vermont Strong 100” stock car event at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Friday night. Just as qualifying was completed for the second round of the four-race Vermont State Late Model Championship Series, a blustery rain storm swept onto the grounds and forced the postponement of the main events.
Jamie Fisher of Shelburne, VT won the first qualifying heat for the J&S Steel Late Models, just ahead of Chris Wilk and Dave Pembroke. Milton, VT driver Jean-Paul Cyr beat Joey Becker and Brian Hoar in the second heat, and Ricky Rolfe of Albany Township, ME won the third heat over Matt White and Craig Bushey. Chip Grenier of Graniteville, VT won the consi over Bryan Town and Dan Petronis, II.
The “I Am Vermont Strong 100” main event has been pushed back one week, rescheduled for Friday, June 15 at 7:00pm.
One feature event was completed before the nasty weather, and Josh Masterson won his fourth NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Bomber feature event in six tries. Masterson, of Bristol, VT, is a rookie. Bobby LaVair of Gabriels, NY was second, with John McCarron of Rennselaer, NY third. Matt Monaghan and Harold LaVair completed the unofficial top five. Bobby LaVair and Ray Germain, Jr., won the qualifying heats.
Qualifying was also completed for the Bond Auto Parts Modifieds, with Hunter Bates of Middlebury, VT and rookie Jeff Haskins of Wells, VT taking wins. Bill Duprey of Hydeville, VT won the Renegade heat.
A fundraiser was held for the “I Am Vermont Strong” organization and the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund, which have provided assistance for victims of flooding during Vermont storms in 2011. Race fans donated $567 in a 10-minute fundraising drive, collected by drivers from all four racing divisions. Special guests included Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Rob Ide, Vermont Disaster Relief Fund Director of Operations Betsy Ide, fundraising organizers Pam Shambo and Debbie Boyce, and Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott, who also competed in the Late Model events. Rob Ide and Lt. Gov. Scott presented the Kennedy family of North Clarendon, VT with an “I Am Vermont Strong” commemorative license plate in pre-race ceremonies; the Kennedys lost their home in Tropical Storm Irene last fall.
The “I Am Vermont Strong 100” will made up on Friday, June 15, along with a full card of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing. Gates open at 6:00pm, racing begins at 7:00pm. Additional details will be announced soon.
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. Devil’s Bowl Speedway is on Facebook at facebook.com/DevilsBowlSpeedway and Twitter at @DevilsBowlSpeed.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS – I Am Vermont Strong 100
Vermont State Late Model Championship Series
Devil’s Bowl Speedway, West Haven, VT
Friday, June 8, 2012
Pos.-Driver-Hometown
(# – denotes rookie)
J&S Steel Late Model Feature (100 laps)
POSTPONED (Rain)
Heat Winners: Jamie Fisher, Jean-Paul Cyr, Ricky Rolfe
Consi Winner: Chip Grenier
Bond Auto Parts Modified Feature (35 laps)
POSTPONED (Rain)
Heat Winners: Hunter Bates, # Jeff Haskins
Renegade Feature (15 laps)
POSTPONED (Rain)
Heat Winner: Bill Duprey
Bomber Feature (15 laps)
1. # Josh Masterson, Bristol, VT
2. Bobby LaVair, Gabriels, NY
3. John McCarron, Rennselaer, NY
4. Matt Monaghan, Colchester, VT
5. Harold LaVair, Gabriels, NY
6. # Gerald LaFlam, Hinesburg, VT
7. Ray Germain, Jr., Bristol, VT
8. Dan Collins, Rennselaer, NY
9. Jake Noble, Benson, VT
10. Garrett Given, Cornwall, VT
11. # Kyle Watrous, Niantic, CT
12. Anthony Alger, Warrensburg, NY
13. # Shane Doran, Benson, VT
Heat Winners: Bobby LaVair, Ray Germain, Jr.