Annual awards celebration revitalized in new location
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Devil’s Bowl Speedway officials are excited to announce the revival of the annual Banquet of Champions on Saturday, January 22. The celebration will honor the top competitors and award winners of the 2021 stock car racing season in a stunning new location, at the Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs in the historic Upstate New York city.
The Banquet of Champions is open for drivers, family and team members, fans, sponsors, and officials to attend. After a year off due to the pandemic, and with a fresh new destination location, the highly-anticipated event is expected to have a welcome return. A cocktail reception precedes the awards ceremony and a buffet dinner will highlight the night, which concludes with music and dancing.
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Track champions will officially be crowned in each of Devil’s Bowl Speedway’s weekly racing divisions, led by Orwell, Vt.’s Tim LaDuc, who earned his first track championship in 21 years in the headline Sportsman Modified class, and the third overall title of his career.
Bridport, Vt.’s Troy Audet will collect the O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman crown after an impressive first season aboard a Modified car, and Fair Haven, Vt.’s Chris Murray will bring home his third Super Stock championship. Ripton, Vt.’s Chris Sumner will wrap up his first Mini Stock championship and Orwell, Vt.’s Ray Hanson tops off his dominant run in the Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint class. Barnstead, N.H.’s Clay Dow will also be honored for his title in the three-race 360 Sprint Car championship.
In addition to the championship hardware, trophies and point fund money will be distributed to more than 60 eligible drivers, and a roster of special award winners will also be announced. The recipients of the Dedication Award, the Devil’s Bowl Speedway Award of Excellence, and the prestigious John Bruno Award – the speedway’s highest honor – will each be revealed, as will the driver-voted Sportsmanship and Most Improved Driver awards.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway has named a total of 40 nominees for its annual Sportsmanship and Most Improved Driver awards. Up to six drivers in each of the track’s five weekly divisions are nominated by track officials to each category, with the winning drivers decided by a vote of their peers. The Sportsmanship Award goes to a driver in each division who displays a consistent commitment to competitiveness, fairness, and respect. The Most Improved Driver Award is given to someone who has made noticeable progress in their on-track competitiveness.
Fifteen drivers are nominated in both categories for their respective divisions including Sportsman Modified racers Tanner Siemons, Justin Stone, Marty Kelly III, and rookie Johnny Bruno.
Appearing on the ballot for both awards in the Limited Sportsman class are champion Audet, Austin Comes, Evan Roberts, and Mike McGinn. Paul Braymer and Chuck Bradford find themselves on both Super Stock ballots, and the 500cc Mini Sprint doubles are Scott Bachand, Roger LaDuc, John Smith, and rookies Gage Provencher and Vern Woodard; the Mini Stock division has six different nominees in each category.
The Banquet of Champions will be held on Saturday, January 22, at the Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs. Doors open for a cocktail reception at 4:00 p.m. and awards begin at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $55 for adults (age 13+) or $35 for children (age 12 and under) and include free off-street parking. Ticket orders and special award voting ballots are due by Friday, January 7. For more information, visit www.DevilsBowlSpeedwayVT.com or email devilsbowlspeedway@gmail.com.
The Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs is located at 232 Broadway in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; overnight rooms in the “Devil’s Bowl Speedway Block” will be $109 each. For more information about the Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs or to reserve an overnight room, call (518) 584-4550, or CLICK HERE.
Sportsman Modified Division Special Award Nominees:
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: Justin Comes, Vince Quenneville, Tanner Siemons, Justin Stone. Marty Kelly III, Johnny Bruno
MOST IMPROVED DRIVER: Tanner Siemons, Justin Stone, Anthony Warren, Marty Kelly III, Mike Fisher, Johnny Bruno
O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman Division Special Award Nominees:
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: Troy Audet, Austin Comes, Evan Roberts, Craig Wholey, Bob Kilburn, Mike McGinn
MOST IMPROVED DRIVER: Troy Audet, Austin Comes, Evan Roberts, Beau Reeves, Justin Lilly, Mike McGinn
Super Stock Division Special Award Nominees:
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: Chris Murray, Paul Braymer, Chuck Bradford, Mark Norris
MOST IMPROVED DRIVER: Paul Braymer, Chuck Bradford, Josh Bussino
Mini Stock Division Special Award Nominees:
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: Craig Kirby, Derrick Counter, Jake Barrows, Chase Allen, Lynn Denton, Mary Gardner
MOST IMPROVED DRIVER: Chris Sumner, Daryl Gebo, Brian Blake, Austin McKirryher, Adam Mahoney, Tom Severance
Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint Division Special Award Nominees:
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: Gage Provencher, Roger LaDuc, John Smith, Kevin Smith, Vern Woodard, Scott Bachand
MOST IMPROVED DRIVER: Kamden Duffy, Gage Provencher, Roger LaDuc, John Smith, Vern Woodard, Scott Bachand
(Bill McGaffin photo)