Duprey, Childs also score opening night wins
WEST HAVEN, Vt. – Devil’s Bowl Speedway finally beat the rain – although not by much – to get its first Dirt Track event in the record books for the 2016 season. Brown’s Quarried Slate and Brown’s Orchard & Farm Stand presented the action, which was the first-ever event held on the 3/10-mile clay oval as part of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.
Bobby Hackel and Vince Quenneville Jr. split victories in twin 25-lap features for Central Vermont Motorcycles Sportsman Modified division. Hackel, of Rensselaer, N.Y., won the first of three heat races and drew for the starting lineup inversion pill, finding himself mired in 12th place to start the first feature race. He made quick work of traffic, however, and avoided some early collisions to work his way into contention. After a physical pass of Tim LaDuc, Hackel took over the lead and cruised to the win.
Orwell, Vt., veteran LaDuc held on for second place in a herculean effort; he spent most of the month of April in a medically-induced coma following a severe infection in his lungs, and was visibly fatigued following the race but pleased with his runner-up finish. Jackie Brown Jr. of Hurley, N.Y., made a late charge for third place, followed by Justin Comes and Kenny Tremont Jr. Jim Introne Jr., Rick Sanville, Derrick McGrew, rookie Justin Severance, and Tim Hodge completed the top 10 finishers in order.
Brandon, Vt., driver Quenneville – who fought a malfunctioning steering box in the first race – won the second feature ahead of a tight battle. As sprinkles began to fall from the sky, Hodge, of Vershire, Vt., nailed down the runner-up spot ahead of Derrick McGrew of Ballston Spa, N.Y. Tremont and Hackel completed the top five, followed by Comes, LaDuc, Severance, Trevor Rocke, and Chris Murray.
Hydeville, Vt.’s Bill Duprey saw traffic in the Rosen & Berger Auto Recyclers Renegade feature part like the Red Sea to take the lead and win the division’s 15-lap race. Curtis Condon of Queensbury, N.Y., led most of the race but settled for second. Josh Bussino of Belmont, Vt., broke a driveshaft coming to the checkers but held on for third place. Darrell Older and Aaron Fachini were next in line.
Wayland Childs of Chelsea, Vt., won the 15-lap Portland Glass Mini Stock feature. An early battle with Mike Ryan came to an end when Ryan cut a tire while leading, handing the lead to Childs. He cruised to the win, followed by Josh Wood and Mike Lique. After pitting for a new tire, Ryan rebounded for fourth place with Chris Conroy fifth.
As has become tradition in events sponsored by Brown’s Quarried Slate at Devil’s Bowl Speedway, each feature winner was presented with a special slate trophy cut in the shape of the state of Vermont and weighing in at approximately 20 pounds. Young race fans were also treated to the annual “kids rides” event during intermission, riding around the race track in their favorite drivers’ cars.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway is back in action on Father’s Day Weekend with a two-day, two-track “topless” show in which the Sportsman Modified cars race without roofs. Racing is scheduled for the half-mile Asphalt Track on Saturday, June 18, and on the 3/10-mile Dirt Track on Sunday, June 19. Regular general admission each night is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, and free for kids age 12 and under. Gates open at 4:00 p.m., with racing at 6:00 p.m. both nights.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway is located on Route 22A in West Haven, Vt., four miles north of Exit 2 off of U.S. Route 4 and just 20 minutes from Rutland, Vt. For more information, visit www.DevilsBowlSpeedwayVT.com or call (802) 265-3112. 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 – Brown’s Quarried Slate/Brown’s Orchard & Farm Stand Night
Devil’s Bowl Speedway Dirt Track – West Haven, VT
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Central Vermont Motorcycles Sportsman Modified Feature #1 (25 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (12) Bobby Hackel, Rensselaer, N.Y.
2. (1) Tim LaDuc, Orwell, Vt.
3. (6) Jackie Brown Jr., Hurley, N.Y.
4. (7) Justin Comes, Middlebury, Vt.
5. (16) Kenny Tremont Jr., West Sand Lake, N.Y.
6. (4) Jim Introne Jr., Hartford, N.Y.
7. (8) Rick Sanville, Windsor, Vt.
8. (3) Derrick McGrew, Ballston Spa, N.Y.
9. (13) # Justin Severance, Pittsford, Vt.
10. (6) Tim Hodge, Vershire, Vt.
11. (11) Vince Quenneville Jr., Brandon, Vt.
12. (17) Codie Aubin, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
13. (18) Trevor Rocke, Canaan, N.H.
14. (5) Billy Lussier, Fair Haven, Vt.
15. (2) Ron Casey, Manchester Center, Vt.
16. (15) Josh Sunn, White River Junction, Vt.
17. (20) # Wade Steele, Addison, Vt.
18. (19) Matt Atwood, Whitehall, N.Y.
19. (9) # Rob Lanfear, Lake George, N.Y.
20. (10) Chris Murray, Fair Haven, Vt.
Did Not Start: Brian Whittemore, Pittsford, Vt.
Heat Winners: Bobby Hackel, Vince Quenneville Jr., Chris Murray
Consi Winner: Justin Severance
Shiley Fabrication Hard Charger Award: Bobby Hackel
Shiley Fabrication Hard Luck Award: Chris Murray
Central Vermont Motorcycles Sportsman Modified Feature #2 (25 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (3) Vince Quenneville Jr., Brandon, Vt.
2. (4) Tim Hodge, Vershire, Vt.
3. (6) Derrick McGrew, Ballston Spa, N.Y.
4. (9) Kenny Tremont Jr., West Sand Lake, N.Y.
5. (13) Bobby Hackel, Rensselaer, N.Y.
6. (10) Justin Comes, Middlebury, Vt.
7. (12) Tim LaDuc, Orwell, Vt.
8. (5) # Justin Severance, Pittsford, Vt.
9. (2) Trevor Rocke, Canaan, N.H.
10. (16) Chris Murray, Fair Haven, Vt.
11. (8) Jim Introne Jr., Hartford, N.Y.
12. (17) Codie Aubin, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
13. (1) Billy Lussier, Fair Haven, Vt.
14. (7) Rick Sanville, Windsor, Vt.
15. (11) Jackie Brown Jr., Hurley, N.Y.
16. (14) Ron Casey, Manchester Center, Vt.
17. (15) # Wade Steele, Addison, Vt.
Did Not Start: Matt Atwood, Whitehall, N.Y.; # Rob Lanfear, Lake George, N.Y.; Josh Sunn, White River Junction, Vt.; Brian Whittemore, Pittsford, Vt.
Shiley Fabrication Hard Charger Award: Bobby Hackel
Shiley Fabrication Hard Luck Award: Jackie Brown Jr.
Rosen & Berger Auto Recyclers Renegade Feature (15 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (7) Bill Duprey, Hydeville, Vt.
2. (3) Curtis Condon, Queensbury, N.Y.
3. (4) Josh Bussino, Belmont, Vt.
4. (5) Darrell Older, Ballston Spa, N.Y.
5. (6) Aaron Fachini, North Adams, Mass.
6. (2) # Brian Bishop Jr., Bridport, Vt.
7. (1) Lou Gancarz, North Adams, Mass.
Heat Winner: Bill Duprey
Bond Auto Parts Hard Charger Award: Bill Duprey
Portland Glass Mini Stock Feature (15 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (1) Wayland Childs, Chelsea, Vt.
2. (5) Josh Wood, Ballston Spa, N.Y.
3. (11) Mike Lique, Lebanon, N.H.
4. (2) Mike Ryan, Vershire, Vt.
5. (4) Chris Conroy, Newport, N.H.
6. (10) Chris LaVair, Saranac Lake, N.Y.
7. (9) Derrick Counter, Leicester, Vt.
8. (6) Chris Cardarelli, Milton, Vt.
9. (13) # Cameron Kennedy, Rochester, Vt.
10. (12) Brian Bishop Sr., Bridport, Vt.
11. (14) Justin Bishop, North Ferrisburgh, Vt.
12. (7) Ben Grant, Victory Mills, N.Y.
13. (3) Jason Porter, Freeport, Maine
14. (8) Mike Whalen Jr., Peru, N.Y.
15. (15) Harold LaVair Jr., Saranac Lake, N.Y.
Heat Winners: Wayland Childs, Mike Ryan
Bond Auto Parts Hard Charger Award: Mike Lique
(Photos by Heather Aube)