Fisher, Gordon, Bradford also crowned at Mekkelsen RV Vermont 200 Weekend
WEST HAVEN, VT – Devil’s Bowl Speedway crowned its 2014 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series champions during a busy and picturesque Sunday afternoon at the Mekkelsen RV Vermont 200 Championship Weekend. Todd Stone and Robert Gordon became two-time champions on the asphalt, while Jamie Fisher and Chuck Bradford each celebrated their first titles.
The headline Bond Auto Parts Modified division ran two 50-lap feature races to close its season, and saw very different outcomes. Former track champion Ron Proctor, 62, led wire-to-wire to win the opening race, while 19 year-old Jessey Mueller took the the second event. Charlton, NY veteran Proctor outdistanced a torrid three-way battle for the runner-up spot during his run. Leon Gonyo, after blowing his primary engine in practice on Saturday morning, squeaked out the position ahead of Mueller and Stone, with Canadian Patrice McGrail fifth.
Mueller, of Olmstedville, NY, broke free from the pack in the second race and collected his fourth Devil’s Bowl victory of the season and 10th overall at tracks across the northeast. Nick Heywood finished second to help pad his lead in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national rookie standings. Joey Roberts finished third ahead of Stone and Gonyo.
Stone’s pair of fourth-place finishes were enough to collect his second consecutive Devil’s Bowl and NASCAR Vermont State championships. The Middlebury, VT driver beat Gonyo by 40 points (938-898) to win the track championship title, and won the NASCAR state title over Roberts by an unofficial margin of 12 markers (392-380). Billy Lussier of Fair Haven, VT clinched the Devil’s Bowl Speedway Rookie of the Year title, and Jason Durgan of Morrisonville, NY took rookie honors in the NASCAR Vermont standings.
Both 50-lap feature races also counted toward the Northern Modified Challenge Series championship, where Mueller holds a 22-point lead on Gonyo (334-312) entering the 100-lap series finale on the new infield dirt track at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Saturday, October 18.
Trampas Demers of South Burlington, VT earned his first-ever Devil’s Bowl Speedway victory in the 100-lap finale for the Late Model division and the four-race Vermont State Late Model Championship Series. Demers took the lead from Rich Lowrey, Jr. at lap 23 and cruised for much of the race, but held off a furious charge by Brandon Atkins, Bobby Therrien, and Nick Sweet over the final 10 laps. Therrien muscled his way underneath Demers in the final corner, but fell about six feet shy at the finish line. Sweet, of Barre, VT, finished third to wrap up his second Vermont State Championship. Atkins was fourth with Lance Allen fifth.
Point leader Jamie Fisher of Shelburne, VT struggled to a 12th place finish, but was fortunate to have his championship rivals – Josh Masterson and Emily Packard – suffer a similar fate. Packard was the best of the trio with a 10th-place finish, followed by Masterson in 11th, but Fisher held on to win the track title by 11 points. Masterson took second overall in a tie-breaker, based on his four feature wins during the season to Packard’s three. Dan St. Hilaire of Shelburne, VT clinched the Rookie of the Year title in August.
Robert Gordon of Milton, VT put an exclamation point on his dominant season in the intermediate Renegade class with his sixth feature victory of the year. Gordon drove through heavy traffic and numerous crashes to win 20-lap halves of the two-segment race and a score a perfect two-point total. A pair of 15 year-olds, Richard Lowrey, III (7 points) and Dylan Rabtoy (8 points), finished second and third overall, respectively. Ray Germain, Jr. was fourth, with Rookie of the Year Scott FitzGerald of West Rutland, VT fifth.
Chris LaVair of Gabriels, NY posted his third victory of the season in the two-segment feature for the Central Vermont Motorcycles Mini Stock division. LaVair finished second in the opening 15-lap segment and won the final leg to post . Chuck Bradford of Addison, VT won the first round and finished third in the second half to end up as the overall runner-up for the race, but easily outdistanced Jake Noble for the track championship. Noble finished third overall in the race, followed by John McCarron and first-time Devil’s Bowl racer Donny Yates. Like his father in the Renegades, Andrew FitzGerald of West Rutland, VT clinched the Rookie of the Year title.
The day began with the annual 10-lap “Shootout” races for non-feature winners in each regular division. Jamie LaFountain of Keeseville, NY won the Modified portion with Rich Lowrey, Jr. of Charlotte, VT topping the Late Models. Jim McKiernan of Moriah Center, NY won the Renegade race, and Harold LaVair, Jr. of Gabriels, NY won the Mini Stock Shootout.
The Enduro Series ran a wild 50-lap metal-grinder to close the event, with “Mr. Bojangles” Shawn Fountain of Plattsburgh, NY surviving for his second win of the season. Eric “Mongo” Messier finished second with Tyler Rhoades, Jeff Murray, and Andy Botala third through fifth. Richie Turner walked away uninjured after a scary hit into the Turn 1 wall; Turner held the lead at the time of the crash.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway switches over to its new infield dirt track for the three-race “Battle at the Bowl” series, opening on Friday, September 26 at 7:00 p.m. Sportsman Modifieds will headline the program with a 50-lap, $1,000-to-win race, and will be joined by Pro Stocks, eight-cylinder Street Stocks, and four-cylinder Mini Stocks. More information will be announced in the coming days.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway is located on Route 22A in West Haven, VT four miles north of Exit 2 on U.S. Route 4. For more information, call (802) 265-3112 or visit www.devilsbowlspeedwayvt.com. Devil’s Bowl Speedway is on Facebook at facebook.com/DevilsBowlSpeedway and on Twitter and Instagram at @DevilsBowlSpeed; follow the action using the #DevilsBowl hashtag.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS – Mekkelsen RV Vermont 200 Championship Weekend
Devil’s Bowl Speedway, West Haven, VT
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Bond Auto Parts Modified Feature #1 (50 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
(# – denotes rookie)
1. (1) Ron Proctor, Charlton, NY
2. (4) Leon Gonyo, Chazy, NY
3. (8) Jessey Mueller, Olmstedville, NY
4. (11) Todd Stone, Middlebury, VT
5. (3) Patrice McGrail, Candiac, QC
6. (5) Vince Quenneville, Jr., Brandon, VT
7. (13) Kenny Tremont, Jr., West Sand Lake, NY
8. (7) Joey Roberts, Fletcher, VT
9. (14) Nick Heywood, Plattsburgh, NY
10. (12) Cody Sargen, Greenfield Center, NY
11. (17) Andy Heywood, Morrisonville, NY
12. (15) Codie Aubin, Plattsburgh, NY
13. (20) Jamie LaFountain, Plattsburgh, NY
14. (16) Dave Snow, Brandon, VT
15. (19) Roger Labreche, Jr., St-Remi, QC
16. (18) # Billy Lussier, Fair Haven, VT
17. (21) # Jayson Criss, Plattsburgh, NY
18. (10) Jason Durgan, Morrisonville, NY
19. (22) Eric Lauziere, Drummondville, QC
20. (2) # Jason Reome, Ballston Spa, NY
21. (23) Keith Pelkey, Clintonville, NY
22. (6) Timex Morgan, Plattsburgh, NY
23. (9) Travis Bruno, Plattsburgh, NY
Heat Winners: Patrice McGrail, Jason Durgan, Vince Quenneville, Jr.
Bond Auto Parts Modified Feature #2 (50 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
(# – denotes rookie)
1. (9) Jessey Mueller, Olmstedville, NY
2. (3) Nick Heywood, Plattsburgh, NY
3. (4) Joey Roberts, Fletcher, VT
4. (8) Todd Stone, Middlebury, VT
5. (10) Leon Gonyo, Chazy, NY
6. (2) Cody Sargen, Greenfield Center, NY
7. (5) Kenny Tremont, Jr., West Sand Lake, NY
8. (6) Vince Quenneville, Jr., Brandon, VT
9. (7) Patrice McGrail, Candiac, QC
10. (22) Timex Morgan, Plattsburgh, NY
11. (11) Ron Proctor, Charlton, NY
12. (18) Jason Durgan, Morrisonville, NY
13. (13) Jamie LaFountain, Plattsburgh, NY
14. (1) Andy Heywood, Morrisonville, NY
15. (16) # Billy Lussier, Fair Haven, VT
16. (17) # Jayson Criss, Plattsburgh, NY
17. (23) Travis Bruno, Plattsburgh, NY
18. (15) Roger Labreche, Jr., St-Remi, QC
19. (21) Keith Pelkey, Clintonville, NY
20. (12) Codie Aubin, Plattsburgh, NY
21. (20) # Jason Reome, Ballston Spa, NY
22. (19) Eric Lauziere, Drummondville, QC
23. (14) Dave Snow, Brandon, VT
Late Model Feature (100 laps)
Pos.-Driver-Hometown
(# – denotes rookie)
1. (4) Trampas Demers, South Burlington, VT
2. (6) Bobby Therrien, Hinesburg, VT
3. (14) Nick Sweet, Barre, VT
4. (8) Brandon Atkins, AuSable Forks, NY
5. (5) Lance Allen, Barre, VT
6. (2) Rich Lowrey, Jr., Charlotte, VT
7. (3) Luke Hinkley, Claremont, NH
8. (9) Joey M. Laquerre, East Montpelier, VT
9. (11) Bucko Branham, Plattsburgh, NY
10. (13) Emily Packard, East Montpelier, VT
11. (12) Josh Masterson, Bristol, VT
12. (15) Jamie Fisher, Shelburne, VT
13. (7) Matt White, Northfield, VT
14. (10) Robert Bryant, Jr., Brooklyn, CT
15. (1) Jamie Aube, North Ferrisburgh, VT
16. (17) Jason Corliss, Barre, VT
17. (19) Shawn Fleury, Middlesex, VT
18. (20) # Scott Coburn, South Barre, VT
19. (21) Norm Andrews, Northfield, VT
20. (18) Walter J. Hammond, Canaan, NH
21. (22) # Eric Badore, Milton, VT
22. (16) Seth Bridge, Mendon, VT
23. (24) Chris Lacey, Burlington, VT
24. (23) Mark Norris, Farmington, ME
Heat Winners: Emily Packard, Josh Masterson, Jamie Fisher
Renegade Feature (20 laps x 2)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown-Segment Results
(# – denotes rookie)
1. (7) Robert Gordon, Milton, VT – 1 + 1 = 2 pts.
2. (8) Richard Lowrey, III, Charlotte, VT – 4 + 3 = 7 pts.
3. (4) Dylan Rabtoy, Swanton, VT – 2 + 6 = 8 pts.
4. (16) Ray Germain, Jr., Bristol, VT – 8 + 2 = 10 pts.
5. (2) # Scott FitzGerald, West Rutland, VT – 6 + 4 = 10 pts.
6. (14) Zack Daniels, Plattsburgh, NY – 5 + 5 = 10 pts.
7. (1) Jim McKiernan, Moriah Center, NY – 3 + 11 = 14 pts.
8. (13) Amber Turner, Milton, VT – 11 + 8 = 19 pts.
9. (12) Tony Putzier, Jericho, VT – 9 + 10 = 19 pts.
10. (5) Stephen Donahue, Graniteville, VT – 13 + 9 = 22 pts.
11. (6) Josh Payea, East Georgia, VT – 10 + 12 = 22 pts.
12. (11) Billy Thwaits, Clintonville, NY – 16 + 7 = 23 pts.
13. (10) Shawn Duquette, Morrisonville, NY – 7 + 18 = 25 pts.
14. (3) Shawn Franklin, Waitsfield, VT – 15 + 13 = 28 pts.
15. (15) # Jared Blake, North Hero, VT – 14 + 14 = 28 pts.
16. (9) Ray Benoit, Milton, VT – 12 + 18 = 30 pts.
17. (17) Randy Howard, Georgia, VT – 18 + 18 = 36 pts.
Segment Winners: Robert Gordon (2)
Central Vermont Motorcycles Mini Stock Feature (15 laps x 2)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown-Segment Results
(# – denotes rookie)
1. (11) Chris LaVair, Gabriels, NY – 2 + 1 = 3 pts.
2. (9) Chuck Bradford, Addison, VT – 1 + 3 = 4 pts.
3. (7) Jake Noble, Benson, VT – 3 + 6 = 9 pts.
4. (8) John McCarron, Rensselaer, NY – 4 + 11 = 15 pts.
5. (15) Donny Yates, North Montpelier, VT – 8 + 8 = 16 pts.
6. (5) # Doug Senecal, West Rutland, VT – 7 + 9 = 16 pts.
7. (6) Kyle Watrous, Bomoseen, VT – 6 + 10 = 16 pts.
8. (10) Mike Whalen, Jr., Plattsburgh, NY – 13 + 5 = 18 pts.
9. (1) Lance Masterson, Lincoln, VT – 11 + 7 = 18 pts.
10. (12) Bobby LaVair, Saranac Lake, NY – 17 + 2 = 19 pts.
11. (14) Dale O’Neil, Mooers, NY – 15 + 4 = 19 pts.
12. (2) # Andrew FitzGerald, West Rutland, VT – 5 + 16 = 21 pts.
13. (17) Dan Collins, Rensselaer, NY – 9 + 13 = 22 pts.
14. (13) Eric Messier, Hinesburg, VT – 10 + 15 = 25 pts.
15. (16) Pete Blaney, Jay, NY – 14 + 12 = 26 pts.
16. (3) Matt Monaghan, Colchester, VT – 12 + 14 = 26 pts.
17. (4) Harold LaVair, Jr., Gabriels, NY – 16 + 19 = 35 pts.
18. (18) Kyle Sorensen, Ballston Spa, NY – 19 + 19 = 38 pts.
Segment Winners: Chuck Bradford, Chris LaVair
Enduro Series (50 laps) – UPDATED 9/16/14
Pos.-(Car No.)-Driver-Hometown-Laps Completed
1. (7) Shawn Fountain, Plattsburgh, NY – 50 laps
2. (88X) Eric Messier, Hinesburg, VT – 50 laps
3. (8X) Tyler Rhoades, Milton, VT – 50 laps
4. (35) Jeff Murray, Georgia, VT – 50 laps
5. (666) Andy Botala, Grand Isle, VT – 50 laps
6. (38) Casey O’Connell, Burlington, VT – 49 laps
7. (30) Tom Kudlacik, Milton, VT – 48 laps
8. (68) Kevin Sorel, Plattsburgh, NY – 48 laps
9. (00) Kirk Brunelle, Ferrisburgh, VT – 48 laps
10. (177) Marc Denton, Milton, VT – 48 laps
11. (14) Chris Mattos, Milton, VT – 47 laps
12. (4D) Chuck Bradford, Addison, VT – 47 laps
13. (172) Kevin Prim, Burlington, VT – 46 laps
14. (28) Trevor Sampson, Addison, VT – 46 laps
15. (7-11) Rob Barrows, Williston, VT – 46 laps
16. (98) Aaron Connolly, Georgia, VT – 45 laps
17. (66) Andrew Hill, Georgia, VT – 45 laps
18. (802) Brett Wood, Georgia, VT – 45 laps
19. (19) Kevin Hoisington, Springfield, VT – 44 laps
20. (57) Darren Grenier, Poultney, VT – 43 laps
21. (02) Corey Wood, Georgia, VT – 38 laps
22. (07) Kevin Keene, East Hardwick, VT – 33 laps
23. (76) Shawn Moquin, Milton, VT – 33 laps
24. (05) Ed Shackett, Sr., Middlebury, VT – 33 laps
25. (73) Larry Underwood, Georgia, VT – 31 laps
26. (17X) Richie Turner, Fairfax, VT – 30 laps
27. (20) Zach Wood, Georgia, VT – 27 laps
28. (91) Hunter Murray, Cambridge, VT – 27 laps
29. (77) Bill Fountain, Altona, NY – 15 laps
30. (33) Andrew Lopes, Colchester, VT – 8 laps
No Score – (87) Brandon Uline, Ballston Spa, NY; (2) Ryan Benoit, Essex, VT; (41) Edward Barrett, Middletown Springs, VT; (911) Eric Hendrix, Plattsburgh, NY
Bond Auto Parts Modified Shootout (10 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
(# – denotes rookie)
1. (2) Jamie LaFountain, Plattsburgh, NY
2. (1) # Billy Lussier, Fair Haven, VT
3. (3) Nick Heywood, Plattsburgh, NY
4. (6) # Jason Reome, Ballston Spa, NY
5. (7) Dave Snow, Brandon, VT
6. (5) Codie Aubin, Plattsburgh, NY
7. (4) # Jayson Criss, Plattsburgh, NY
Late Model Shootout (10 laps)
Pos.-Driver-Hometown
(# – denotes rookie)
1. (2) Rich Lowrey, Jr., Charlotte, VT
2. (4) Jamie Aube, North Ferrisburgh, VT
3. (1) Joey M. Laquerre, East Montpelier, VT
4. (5) Brandon Atkins, AuSable Forks, NY
5. (6) # Scott Coburn, South Barre, VT
6. (3) Seth Bridge, Mendon, VT
7. (7) Mark Norris, Farmington, ME
Renegade Shootout (10 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
(# – denotes rookie)
1. (3) Jim McKiernan, Moriah Center, NY
2. (5) Dylan Rabtoy, Swanton, VT
3. (2) Ray Benoit, Milton, VT
4. (7) Ray Germain, Jr., Bristol, VT
5. (9) Tony Putzier, Jericho, VT
6. (10) # Amber Turner, Milton, VT
7. (6) # Jared Blake, North Hero, VT
8. (8) Scott FitzGerald, West Rutland, VT
9. (4) Shawn Franklin, Waitsfield, VT
10. (1) Randy Howard, Georgia, VT
Central Vermont Motorcycles Mini Stock Shootout (10 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
(# – denotes rookie)
1. (1) Harold LaVair, Jr., Gabriels, NY
2. (2) Dale O’Neil, Mooers, NY
3. (3) # Andrew FitzGerald, West Rutland, VT
4. (7) Lance Masterson, Lincoln, VT
5. (5) Matt Monaghan, Colchester, VT
6. (6) # Doug Senecal, West Rutland, VT
7. (4) Dan Collins, Rensselaer, NY
8. (8) Kyle Sorensen, Ballston Spa, NY