Bergeron, Turner, Noble, Messier all track champions; Sweet takes Vermont State title
WEST HAVEN, VT – Todd Stone completed a dream season on Sunday, September 15 at Devil’s Bowl Speedway, sewing up a dominant Modified stock car campaign by taking his 10th NASCAR Whelen All-American Series (NWAAS) victory of the year. Stone was one of six champions crowned during the Vermont 200 Weekend.
In the first of two 50-lap Bond Auto Parts Modified division races, Middlebury, VT driver Stone ran from 12th starting position to track down leader Ron Proctor after halfway, then rocketed into the top spot following a restart with 13 laps remaining. The victory brought Stone’s season total to double digits and not only locked up the track championship, but as a first-year NASCAR member, Stone also unofficially clinched the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series National Rookie of the Year crown.
Veteran driver Proctor of Charlton, NY – the driver Stone succeeds as track champion – held on for the runner-up finish, with Joe Williams third, Kenny Tremont, Jr. fourth, and Vince Quenneville, Jr. fifth.
Stone wasn’t as lucky in the second race, getting collected in a Lap 2 wreck and finishing 18th. That opened the door for Williams and 18 year-old Jessey Mueller of Olmstedville, NY, to wage an entertaining battle for the victory; Mueller eventually drove to his fourth Devil’s Bowl win of the year. Williams finished second with Hunter Bates third, Tremont fourth, and Leon Gonyo fifth.
Both races also awarded points toward the Northern Modified Challenge Series championship, and Quenneville finds himself with a narrow one-point lead over Mueller – with Williams just three points back – entering the final event at Canaan Dirt Speedway in Canaan, NH on Saturday, October 19.
The 100-lap finale for the Late Model division had two championship races riding on it, with the event tallying points for both the Devil’s Bowl weekly NWAAS track championship and the Vermont State Late Model Championship Series. Nick Sweet of Barre, VT put on a clinic in the first 86 laps, putting all but five other drivers one or more laps down. Three late caution periods bunched the field up, however, and gave Travis Stearns of Auburn, ME a shot at the win. Sweet and Stearns ran the final five laps of the race in dramatic side-by-side fashion, with Sweet taking the victory by less than two feet.
Behind the battle for the win, Chris Bergeron of Claremont, NH fought tooth-and-nail with Brandon Atkins, Josh Masterson and Boomer Morris for third position, and against Bristol, VT rookie Masterson for the track title. Bergeron nipped Atkins by inches to take the final podium position, and captured the track championship by a scant four points over Masterson. Atkins, Morris, and Masterson finished 4-5-6, followed by Bucko Branham, Chip Grenier, Dallas Trombley, and Joey Becker.
Sweet was crowned the Vermont State Late Model Champion with a 33-point advantage over Graniteville, VT racer Grenier. Sweet was nearly untouchable in the four-race series, winning both events at Devil’s Bowl Speedway and finishing second in both races at his home track, Thunder Road, in Barre.
The Renegade division ran a thrilling two-segment, 40-lap finale that featured a dramatic crash and runs from the back of the field by point leaders Richie Turner of Fairfax, VT and Robert Gordon of Milton, VT. Turner was collected in a wreck at the halfway mark of the first 20-lap segment, forcing him to the rear of the field. Gordon escaped and drove to the win to score one point for the cumulatively scored race, while Turner made an impressive drive from 16th after the crash to finish second and take two segment points; Tylor Terry, Jamy Begor, and Stephen Donahue rounded out the top five in the segment.
With the finish order inverted to begin the final round, the top drivers moved through traffic in close formation, with Begor breaking out to the lead. Turner caught him late and the pair swapped the lead twice in the final six laps before Begor prevailed ahead of Turner, Gordon, Brad Bushey, and Donahue. With two runner-up finishes, Turner’s four-point total matched Gordon’s, but Turner’s better final-segment finish gave him the tiebreaker. The win also gave Turner a narrow five-point cushion on Gordon, clinching the track championship. With five total segment points, Begor claimed third overall in the race ahead of Donahue (10 points) and Shawn Duquette (13 points).
Jake Noble of Benson, VT survived a roller coaster 25-lap race to win his first championship in the Central Vermont Motorcycles Mini Stock division. Noble trailed title rival Chuck Bradford early in the race but took the lead when Bradford’s engine expired at Lap 6. Noble bobbled on a restart, however, and dropped to seventh on the track before ultimately rebounding to a runner-up finish behind winner Mike Whalen, Jr. of Plattsburgh, NY. Rookies Scott FitzGerald and Lance Masterson posted career-best finishes in third and fourth, respectively, with Dan Collins fifth.
The Enduro Series closed its season with a wild 50-lap race featuring 36 starters and three red flags. Shawn “Mr. Bojangles” Fountain dominated until being caught late by Brett “Woody” Wood. The pair traded the lead four times in the final six laps through heavy lapped traffic before Wood, of Georgia, VT, got the upper hand and drove to the victory. Fountain was second with Roger LaBounty. Eric “Mongo” Messier of Hinesburg, VT clinched the title with a fourth-place finish. Chris Mattos was fifth, and “Wild Bill” Fountain – who entered the race tied for the point lead with Messier – finished sixth.
Eleven year-old Alexis Aiken of Claremont, NH won a six-lap Youth Division exhibition race for drivers age 10-14 racing in four-cylinder Mini Stock cars. Aiken, who won five times in 2013 at the recently closed Canaan Fair Speedway, outran Tyler Tewksbury, Xander Emerson, Johnny Bruno, and Brie-Anna Menard for the win.
The Vermont 200 Championship Weekend brought the 2013 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing season at Devil’s Bowl Speedway to a close. Information regarding the annual Banquet of Champions, rules, and scheduling for the 2014 season will be released in the coming weeks and months.
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, visit www.devilsbowlspeedwayvt.com or call (802) 265-3112. Devil’s Bowl Speedway is on Facebook at facebook.com/DevilsBowlSpeedway and Twitter at @DevilsBowlSpeed.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS – Vermont 200 Championship Weekend
Devil’s Bowl Speedway, West Haven, VT
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Bond Auto Parts Modified Feature #1 (50 laps)
Northern Modified Challenge Series
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
(# – denotes rookie)
1. (12) Todd Stone, Middlebury, VT
2. (4) Ron Proctor, Charlton, NY
3. (7) Joe Williams, Scotia, NY
4. (8) Kenny Tremont, Jr., West Sand Lake, NY
5. (5) Vince Quenneville, Jr., Brandon, VT
6. (13) Jason Durgan, Morrisonville, NY
7. (10) Hunter Bates, Middlebury, VT
8. (11) Joey Roberts, Fletcher, VT
9. (16) Nick Heywood, Morrisonville, NY
10. (15) Jack Speshock, Malta, NY
11. (2) Dave Snow, Brandon, VT
12. (18) Jeff Haskins, Wells, VT
13. (1) # Jamie LaFountain, Keeseville, NY
14. (17) Travis Bruno, Morrisonville, NY
15. (20) Justin Stone, Middlebury, VT
16. (19) Tyson Drown, Morrisonville, NY
17. (14) Roger Labreche, Jr., St-Remi, QC
18. (9) Jessey Mueller, Olmstedville, NY
19. (3) Cody Sargen, Greenfield Center, NY
20. (6) Leon Gonyo, Chazy, NY
21. (21) Billy Lussier, Fair Haven, VT
Heat Winners: Cody Sargen, Jessey Mueller, Todd Stone
Consi Winner: Nick Heywood
Track Champion: Todd Stone
Bond Auto Parts Modified Feature #2 (50 laps)
Northern Modified Challenge Series
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
(# – denotes rookie)
1. (9) Jessey Mueller, Olmstedville, NY
2. (8) Joe Williams, Scotia, NY
3. (10) Hunter Bates, Middlebury, VT
4. (21) Kenny Tremont, Jr., West Sand Lake, NY
5. (3) Leon Gonyo, Chazy, NY
6. (6) Ron Proctor, Charlton, NY
7. (19) Nick Heywood, Morrisonville, NY
8. (7) Vince Quenneville, Jr., Brandon, VT
9. (1) # Jamie LaFountain, Keeseville, NY
10. (2) Cody Sargen, Greenfield Center, NY
11. (17) Travis Bruno, Morrisonville, NY
12. (4) Jeff Haskins, Wells, VT
13. (18) Jack Speshock, Malta, NY
14. (20) Jason Durgan, Morrisonville, NY
15. (14) Roger Labreche, Jr., St-Remi, QC
16. (5) Dave Snow, Brandon, VT
17. (11) Joey Roberts, Fletcher, VT
18. (12) Todd Stone, Middlebury, VT
19. (16) Justin Stone, Middlebury, VT
20. (15) Tyson Drown, Morrisonville, NY
21. (13) Billy Lussier, Fair Haven, VT
Late Model Feature (100 laps)
Vermont State Late Model Championship Series
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
(# – denotes rookie)
1. (1) Nick Sweet, Barre, VT
2. (5) Travis Stearns, Auburn, ME
3. (4) Chris Bergeron, Claremont, NH
4. (12) # Brandon Atkins, AuSable Forks, NY
5. (7) Boomer Morris, Barre, VT
6. (9) # Josh Masterson, Bristol, VT
7. (11) Bucko Branham, Plattsburgh, NY
8. (13) Chip Grenier, Graniteville, VT
9. (8) Dallas Trombley, Rutland, VT
10. (3) Joey Becker, Jeffersonville, VT
11. (19) Jamie Fisher, Shelburne, VT
12. (6) Robert Bryant, Jr., Brooklyn, CT
13. (15) Chris Lacey, Burlington, VT
14. (17) # Seth Bridge, Mendon, VT
15. (16) Chad White, Fort Ann, NY
16. (18) # Tommy Eriksen, Jr., Ferrisburgh, VT
17. (2) Emily Packard, East Montpelier, VT
18. (10) Trampas Demers, South Burlington, VT
19. (14) Hunter Bates, Middlebury, VT
Heat Winners: Travis Stearns, Chris Bergeron
Consi Winner: Bucko Branham
Track Champion: Chris Bergeron
Vermont State Late Model Champion: Nick Sweet
Renegade Feature (20 laps x 2)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown-(Seg. 1 + Seg. 2 = Total Pts.)
(# – denotes rookie)
1. (4) Richie Turner, Fairfax, VT (2 + 2 = 4)
2. (3) Robert Gordon, Milton, VT (1 + 3 = 4)
3. (8) Jamy Begor, Mooers Forks, NY (4 + 1= 5)
4. (6) # Stephen Donahue, Graniteville, VT (5 + 5 = 10)
5. (11) Shawn Duquette, Morrisonville, NY (6 + 7 = 13)
6. (13) Jimmy Bushey, Mooers Forks, NY (7 + 8 = 15)
7. (14) Danny Doyle, Waitsfield, VT (10 + 6 = 16)
8. (5) # Brad Bushey, Cambridge, VT (15 + 4 = 19)
9. (10) Tylor Terry, Morrisonville, NY (3 + 16 = 19)
10. (19) Ryan Boutin, Fairfax, VT (9 + 11 = 20)
11. (9) Andrew Bordeau, Dannemora, NY (8 + 12 = 20)
12. (18) Amber Turner, Milton, VT (11 + 13 = 24)
13. (12) Scott FitzGerald, West Rutland, VT (16 + 9 = 25)
14. (16) Ray Benoit, Milton, VT (12 + 14 = 26)
15. (7) Robin Cummings, Milton, VT (17 + 10 = 27)
16. (20) Dylan Rabtoy, Swanton, VT (13 + 15 = 28)
17. (2) # Ray Germain, Jr., Bristol, VT (14 + 17 = 31)
18. (1) # Richard Lowrey, III, Charlotte, VT (18 + 17 = 35)
19. (17) Tony Putzier, Jericho, VT (19 + 17 = 36)
20. (15) Randy Howard, Georgia, VT (20 + 17 = 37)
Heat Winners: Robert Gordon, Richie Turner
Segment Winners: Robert Gordon, Jamy Begor
Track Champion: Richie Turner
Central Vermont Motorcycles Mini Stock Feature (25 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
(# – denotes rookie)
1. (5) Mike Whalen, Jr., Plattsburgh, NY
2. (8) Jake Noble, Benson, VT
3. (4) # Scott FitzGerald, West Rutland, VT
4. (1) # Lance Masterson, Lincoln, VT
5. (13) Dan Collins, Rensselaer, NY
6. (12) John McCarron, Rensselaer, NY
7. (6) Chris LaVair, Gabriels, NY
8. (3) Kyle Watrous, Bomoseen, VT
9. (9) # Kyle Sorensen, Ballston Spa, NY
10. (14) # Lacey Hanson, Orwell, VT
11. (2) Matt Monaghan, Colchester, VT
12. (10) Harold LaVair, Jr., Gabriels, NY
13. (7) # Chuck Bradford, Addison, VT
14. (11) Bobby LaVair, Gabriels, NY
Heat Winners: Jake Noble, Chris LaVair
Track Champion: Jake Noble
Youth Division Feature (6 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
1. (3) Alexis Aiken, Claremont, NH
2. (4) Tyler Tewksbury, Lebanon, NH
3. (5) Xander Emerson, Charlestown, NH
4. (1) Johnny Bruno, Castleton, VT
5. (2) Brie-Anna Menard, Sharon, VT
Heat Winner: Alexis Aiken
Enduro Series Feature (50 laps) – REVISED FOLLOWING SCORING RECHECK ON 9/17/13
Pos.-(Car No.)-Driver-Hometown-Laps Completed
1. (802) Brett Wood, Georgia, VT – 50 laps
2. (7) Shawn Fountain, Plattsburgh, NY – 50 laps
3. (11) Roger LaBounty, Morrisonville, NY – 50 laps
4. (88x) Eric Messier, Hinesburg, VT – 50 laps
5. (77) Bill Fountain, Altona, NY – 50 laps
6. (35) Jeff Murray, Georgia, VT – 50 laps
7. (32) Arnie Naparty, Schenectady, NY – 49 laps
8. (30) Tom Kudlacik, Milton, VT – 49 laps
9. (3) Shane Wood, Whiting, VT – 49 laps
10. (48) Eddie Shackett, Jr., Middlebury, VT – 49 laps
11. (86) Tyler Rhoades, Milton, VT – 49 laps
12. (66) Ted Sheloski, Ira, VT – 48 laps
13. (20) Zachary Wood, Georgia, VT – 48 laps
14. (50) Ed Shackett, Sr., Middlebury, VT – 48 laps
15. (269) Mike Hance, Westport, NY – 48 laps
16. (14) Chris Mattos, Milton, VT – 48 laps
17. (7B) Billy Jones, Rutland, VT – 48 laps
18. (02) Robert Lalancette, Fairfax, VT – 48 laps
19. (70) Doug Duffy, Jr., Milton, VT – 48 laps
20. (68) Kevin Sorel, Plattsburgh, NY – 47 laps
21. (51) Alex Laplante, Milton, VT – 47 laps
22. (28) Trevor Sampson, Addison, VT – 46 laps
23. (99) Christian Loomis, Poultney, VT – 46 laps
24. (49) Richard Stone, West Rutland, VT – 42 laps
25. (25) Jim Monroe, Mechanicville, NY – 40 laps
26. (01) Brad Disorda, Leicester, VT – 39 laps
27. (666) Andy Botala, Grand Isle, VT – 38 laps
28. (171) Richie Turner, Fairfax, VT – 37 laps
29. (21) Aaron Desabrais, Bristol, VT – 32 laps
30. (29) Brett Horlacher, Malta, NY – 29 laps
31. (76) Shawn Moquin, Colchester, VT – 26 laps
32. (56) Bret Williams, Sudbury, VT – 25 laps
33. (4) Evan Chalmers, Wells, VT – 23 laps
34. (40) Steve Miller, Vergennes, VT – 19 laps
35. (22) Ethan White, Hinesburg, VT – 16 laps
36. (17x) Nathan Heald, Wells, VT – No score
37. (18) Chris Emerson, Chester, VT – No score
Track Champion: Eric Messier
