WEST HAVEN, Vt.—Devil’s Bowl Speedway’s 2024 Banquet of Champions went off without a hitch Saturday, December 7 at the Holiday Inn in Saratoga Springs. The 2024 season-ending awards marked the fourth one held at the Saratoga county facility.
As is tradition, a trio of high honors were awarded to track staff members. The Dedication Award, Award of Excellence and the John Bruno Award have all been awarded at the annual banquet since the early days of the Bruno family era at Devil’s Bowl. Greg Collette, a wrecker driver at both Devil’s Bowl and Airborne Park, as well as a key member of the track prep team at both tracks was awarded the Dedication Award for his steadfast support of racing at both tracks. Collette is known for his long hours on race days and his seemingly permanent smile. Helen “Chip” Alexander, Mike Bruno’s sister, has been a dedicated member of the speedway staff since the Bruno family purchased the speedway in 2011 and she was awarded with the Award of Excellence for regular participation in helping the track to function smoothly.
Head starter Bob Bigelow, who has been coming to the speedway for decades and has logged over 25 years at his post, was awarded with Devil’s Bowl Speedways highest honor, the John Bruno Award. Bigelow’s reputation for fairness and a firm hand over the racing action at New England’s fastest dirt track.
In the drivers’ special awards, Most Improved Driver and Sportsmanship plaques were handed out. In the Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprints, Quinn Quenneville took home all the hardware. The 3rd place points driver also earned Most Improved and Sportsmanship honors. The Fisher Auto Parts Mini Stock Most Improved Driver was Benson’s Adam Stewart and the Sportsmanship award recipient was repeat winner Mark Mahoney, who announced he would not be driving in 2025.
The Hoosier Racing Tire Novice Sportsman Most Improved Driver was true rookie and two-time feature winner Aiden Benoure. The Sportsmanship award winner was the ever-popular Bobbi Hults, a winner and new grandmother in 2024. Bob Kilburn earned his fourth Sportsmanship trophy in a row in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman, while Poultney’s Marty Hutchins won Most Improved honors in his return to racing after stepping away in 2020.
Fair Haven’s own Billy Lussier added another Sportsmanship trophy to his mantle in the Sunoco Sportsman Modified ranks while former pavement standout Josh Masterson was awarded Most Improved Driver.
Checks were awarded at the banquet to eligible competitors who attended 80% of the 2024 races. Tim LaDuc collected his third $5,000 check for winning the headline 602 crate sportsman track for the third time in the last four years. In total, the mod-squad was paid over $14,000 across the top-15 spots.
Scott Towslee earned $2,000 for the ever-competitive limited sportsman title. The novice and mini-stock champions, Logan Denis and Brian Blake, respectively, earned $500 each for their accomplishments. Bridport’s Gage Provencher earned $300 as the Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint titlist. Ascending talent Rob Steele, from Bomoseen, earned $200 for 14 races as the champion in the totally-stock 9th State Cannabis Crown Victoria division. Jason Porter was also recognized on stage as the five-race enduro series champion, in which over 70 cars competed in 2024.
More than $30,000 in cash and awards was paid out to Devil’s Bowl drivers for the 2024 season. 2025 is expected to be bigger and better. Information regarding next season will be released in the coming weeks, including dates and locations for procedure meetings and the much-anticipated release of the schedule. Keep your eyes on the Devil’s Bowl Speedway facebook page for more information throughout the winter. Devil’s Bowl Speedway would like to thank everyone involved for their contributions to the memorable 2024 season and to wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season.