Dave Camara will be a force in Devil’s Bowl’s headline class for the first time in over 20 years, continuing an already brilliant career in dirt modified racing.
New England’s Fastest Dirt Track hasn’t seen much of one of Vermont racing’s favorite sons since his return to the seat last year, ending a 13-year hiatus and driving the #24 for Wes Moody at Fonda. Camara managed two top-10 finishes, including a season-best 7th place run in June.
He also started the 2023 Slate Valley 50 at Devil’s Bowl, but was forced out on the opening circuit. He later attempted to qualify for the Vermont 200, driving for Gene Munger, but came up a few positions short in the late rounds of qualifying.
“It was decent. It was a lot different than I thought it was gonna be…I knew it was gonna be tough, especially going to Fonda…Everything was a challenge…We had more fun [at Devil’s Bowl] last year at the 200 racing for Gene and AJ [Munger],” Camara said of his 2023 season.
The one they called “The Flash,” Dave Camara began his racing career under the guidance and tutelage of the late Jack Johnson, the Schenectady, N.Y. racing legend and Hall of Famer who won over 400 features and numerous championships in his illustrious career.
Camara was clearly a good student, becoming the 2001 and 2002 Devil’s Bowl Small-Block Modified Champion and collecting titles at Fonda, Albany-Saratoga and Autodrome Granby. He has visited victory lane more than 60 times at 12 different racetracks in the United States and Canada.
Now 55 years old with all of those accolades behind him, Camara is looking forward to racing for fun, close to his friends and family, close to home.
“I just wanna race and have a little fun. We’re close to home here. My kids will be here, We’re here with people I’ve known for years…we’re coming to have some fun and maybe pick one off if it’s possible,” he said.
“It’s fantastic to see the amount of people and the amount of cars that are here every week. It really is a good thing,” he said.