WEST HAVEN, Vt. – Devil’s Bowl Speedway management is saddened to confirm the passing of stock car racing driver Terry Stevenson.
Mr. Stevenson, 62, of Whitehall, N.Y., was competing in a NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Super Stock race at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in West Haven, Vt., on the evening of Sunday, May 27, 2018, when he was stricken by cardiac arrest.
With five of 20 laps complete at approximately 8:05 p.m., Mr. Stevenson was driving car slowly around the race track during a yellow flag caution period when his car drifted slowly to the left and lightly brushed the inside retaining wall as it came to a stop. No other people or vehicles were involved.
First responders from Vergennes Area Rescue Squad and the Devil’s Bowl Speedway Safety Team were on site and at the scene promptly. Mr. Stevenson was unresponsive and was quickly and carefully extricated from his car and transported by ambulance to Rutland Regional Medical Center in Rutland, Vt., where he was officially pronounced deceased upon arrival.
Terry Stevenson was competing in his first race after more than 20 years away from the sport. He was previously a top driver at Devil’s Bowl Speedway and other area tracks, winning a championship at Devil’s Bowl in 1993 in the GT 4-Cylinder division. He and his family were enthusiastic about coming back “home” to Devil’s Bowl, and speedway officials were proud to have him on the driver roster for the 2018 season.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway thanks Vergennes Area Rescue Squad and the Devil’s Bowl Speedway Safety Team for their professionalism and expedient care for Terry Stevenson. Devil’s Bowl Speedway also thanks its dedicated fan base for its support, and requests that the same continues to be extended to Terry Stevenson’s family members and friends.
(Photo by Jeremy McGaffin)