Double-points victory helps to inch point lead ahead
WEST HAVEN, Vt. – It seemed to be only a matter of time before Demetrios Drellos won a feature at Devil’s Bowl Speedway, and the alarm bell rang loud and true on Sunday, August 3, at the double-points “Vince Quenneville Sr. Memorial” Mid-Season Championships. “The Greek Streak” headlined a busy night that also included wins by Johnny Bruno, Josh Coonradt, Andrew FitzGerald, Tim Simonds, Austin Chaves, and Cory Gray.
The event was a benchmark for the season at the Vermont track; not only did the race draw the first sellout crowd of the year in the pandemic-limited grandstand seats, the handicapper’s tower saw 163 racing vehicles signed in for competition.
Queensbury, N.Y., youngster Drellos blasted through the Pepsi Sportsman Modified field from his 17th-place starting position on the extreme outside lane, chasing down and then engaging in a sensational side-by-side battle for the lead with Jack Speshock at lap 15. The pair traded the top spot three times before Speshock crashed out just after the halfway mark, when he was unable to avoid a backmarker’s car that had suddenly stopped in the middle of the racing groove.
With smooth sailing ahead, Drellos was able to clear traffic and drive away for his first victory of the summer in the 38-lap special, run in memory of pioneering Devil’s Bowl champion Vince Quenneville Sr.’s most famous car number. Veteran racer John St. Germain was a late arrival to the front, having started 15th, and scored the runner-up finish for the second week in a row. Adam Pierson started alongside Drellos in 18th place and finished third after dicing with St. Germain.
Kenny Tremont Jr. came from 21st to take fourth, and Marty Kelly III was stout all night to round out the top five. Justin Comes was sixth, followed by Vince Quenneville Jr., Jimmy Ryan, Dylan Rabtoy, and Billy Lussier. Speshock, Quenneville, and Comes won the qualifying heats, and Bobby Hackel took the last-chance consolation qualifier; thirty-four cars attempted to qualify for 24 starting spots.
Michael Wagner-Fitzgerald made the most of his first Devil’s Bowl appearance of 2020 by winning a hard-fought B-Feature for the Sportsman division. The Gansevoort, N.Y., racer sparred with rookie James Hanson before pulling away late. Chris Murray took second place with Hanson, Jamy Begor, and Marty Hutchins next in line.
The feature win for Drellos came with double championship points on the line, helping to extend his lead to 16 points over Pierson, 449-433. Hackel’s otherwise dismal night dropped him to third place, 55 points behind Drellos at 394 markers; Tremont (367) and St. Germain (355) complete the unofficial top five.
Johnny Bruno got his fourth win of the year in O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman division, grabbing a double-points 20-lapper. Montgomery Tremont and Josh Bussino waged a see-saw tussle for the lead for the first dozen laps before Castleton, Vt., teenager Bruno came charging in.
Bruno survived a pair of restarts and the challenges of Bussino, Tremont, and Anthony Warren in the final circuits before pulling away. Warren slipped into second place for the third-straight race, with Bussino third. Larry Gallipo got past Tremont for fourth at the finish line. Anthony Ryan, Matt Bilodeau, Mike Ryan, Austin Comes, and Evan Roberts rounded out the top 10. Lacey Hanson and Anthony Ryan won the heats. Unofficially, Bruno leads Warren by just two points for the championship, 519-517.
Josh Coonradt added another notch in his belt by taking the 20-lap Pro Stock/Super Stock combination feature. The defending Super DIRT Week Pro Stock winner, from West Milton, N.Y., led every step of the way for his first win in the Pro Stock class at Devil’s Bowl. Scott Towslee was the runner-up for the second time in a row, ahead of Kim Duell, Jay Fitzgerald, and Ed Thompson.
In the Super Stock portion of the race, point leader Andrew FitzGerald of West Rutland, Vt., was a convincing winner for the fifth time in 2020, crossing the finish line seventh overall. Billy Duprey and Cam Gadue completed the podium for the Super Stocks, followed by Russ Farr and Tylor Terry. Duell won the Pro Stock heat and Duprey took the Super Stock qualifier.
The Mini Stock division saw its sixth different first-time in the last seven races as Clarendon, Vt.’s Tim Simonds took his inaugural victory. Simonds started 16th and took command as lap 16 was completed. When the 20-lap race was ended three tours early due to time constraints, Simonds found himself in the right place. Rookie Chris Sumner finished second after leading most of the event, and Kyle Davis Jr. score his first top-three run in third place. Brian Blake finished fourth with Willie Rice fifth.
Austin Chaves benefitted from a restart with nine laps complete to take his third Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint win. Samantha Mulready set the pace for most of the race, but a caution period proved costly for Mulready, as Chaves jumped into control on the restart. Mulready scored her best finish of the year in second, and point leader Cody O’Brien roared from the back after early problems for third place. Kamden Duffy and Dakota Green were next in line.
The Enduro Series was on track for its second 50-lap run of the season, and a recent record-high 56 entries piled onto the track for a mayhem-filled race. Three red flags and lots of wild crashes punctuated the action, but nothing could stop Clarendon, Vt.’s Cory Gray, the undisputed Enduro King, as he grabbed his seventh Enduro win since 2015; Gray started 25th on the field.
Jake Dumas came from 39th starting position to take the runner-up spot, one lap behind. Adding to the fun for the winner, Kyle Gray – the winner’s twin brother – finished third in a car that was purchased and prepared for him as a surprise bachelor’s party gift. Jonathan Mason started 53rd and finished fourth, with Bryce Allen fifth. Kyle Gray, Mason, and Allen were each two laps down, as was sixth-place Dustin Tierney. Eric Leno was seventh with 47 laps complete, followed by Scott Richner, Xander Stillwell, and Eric Friend – each four laps behind the winner.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway hosts one of the summer’s most highly anticipated events on Sunday, August 9, as the second annual “Battle at the Bowl” Big Block/Small Block Modified Challenge revs up. Superstar drivers Stewart Friesen, Matt Sheppard, Mat Williamson, and many more will be on hand for the unique event, featuring a pair of 25-lap features, the one-and-only “Pole Shuffle” match races, and the 50-lap, $7,500-to-win Challenge race. The King of Dirt Racing Crate Modified Series will also be on hand for the 40-lap, $1,500-to-win Leon Gonyo Memorial race.
Advance sale tickets are now available online, and quantities are limited by Vermont State COVID-19 pandemic guidelines. Grandstand seats are $30 (all ages) and Infield Drive-In tickets are $40, with kids age 12 and under free in the infield; pit passes are $45 per person and camping is free. Tickets are for sale online at https://buytickets.at/BBSBchallenge (processing fees apply), or at the speedway on race night while tickets last.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway is located on Route 22A in West Haven, Vt., four miles north of U.S. Route 4, Exit 2, 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, Instagram, and Snapchat at @DevilsBowlSpeed; follow the action using the #DevilsBowl hashtag.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS – “Vince Quenneville Sr. Memorial” Mid-Season Championships
Devil’s Bowl Speedway – West Haven, Vt.
Sunday, August 2, 2020
Pepsi Sportsman Modified Feature (38 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (17) Demetrios Drellos, Queensbury, N.Y.
2. (15) John St. Germain Jr., West Sand Lake, N.Y.
3. (18) Adam Pierson, East Corinth, Vt.
4. (21) Kenny Tremont Jr., West Sand Lake, N.Y.
5. (11) Marty Kelly III, North Bennington, Vt.
6. (14) Justin Comes, Middlebury, Vt.
7. (4) Vince Quenneville Jr., Brandon, Vt.
8. (7) Jimmy Ryan, Whiting, Vt.
9. (8) Dylan Rabtoy, Swanton, Vt.
10. (10) Billy Lussier, Fair Haven, Vt.
11. (16) Tanner Siemons, Orford, N.H.
12. (24) Brian Whittemore, Pittsford, Vt.
13. (19) Bobby Hackel, Rensselaer, N.Y.
14. (2) Jake Scarborough, Brandon, Vt.
15. (20) Travis Bruno, Morrisonville, N.Y.
16. (9) Joey Scarborough, Brandon, Vt.
17. (13) # Justin Stone, Middlebury, Vt.
18. (23) Bucko Branham, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
19. (1) # Josh Masterson, Bristol, Vt.
20. (22) Tim LaDuc, Orwell, Vt.
21. (3) Jack Speshock, Malta, N.Y.
22. (6) Derrick McGrew Jr., Ballston Spa, N.Y.
23. (5) Mike Palmer, Salisbury, Vt.
24. (12) Frank Hoard III, Manchester Center, Vt.
Heat Winners: Jack Speshock, Vince Quenneville Jr., Justin Comes
Consi Winner: Bobby Hackel
Pepsi Sportsman Modified B-Feature (12 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (2) Michael Wagner-Fitzgerald, Gansevoort, N.Y.
2. (3) Chris Murray, Fair Haven, Vt.
3. (1) # James Hanson, Orwell, Vt.
4. (4) Jamy Begor, Mooers Forks, N.Y.
5. (6) # Marty Hutchins, Poultney, Vt.
6. (5) Rob Maxon, Pownal, Vt.
7. (8) Tanner Forbes, Jay, N.Y.
8. (9) # Adam Piper, Leicester, Vt.
9. (7) Whitey Slavin, West Sand Lake, N.Y.
Did Not Start: Brent Warren, Salisbury, Vt.
O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman Feature (20 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
1. (10) Johnny Bruno, Castleton, Vt.
2. (11) Anthony Warren, Shoreham, Vt.
3. (2) Josh Bussino, Mount Holly, Vt.
4. (13) Larry Gallipo, West Rutland, Vt.
5. (1) Montgomery Tremont, West Sand Lake, N.Y.
6. (3) Anthony Ryan, Benson, Vt.
7. (9) Matt Bilodeau, Brandon, Vt.
8. (16) Mike Ryan, Chelsea, Vt.
9. (14) Austin Comes, Middlebury, Vt.
10. (12) Evan Roberts, Fletcher, Vt.
11. (19) Shawn McPhee, Rutland, Vt.
12. (15) Randy Ryan, Orwell, Vt.
13. (18) Mike McGinn, Elizabethtown, N.Y.
14. (6) Gary English, Salisbury, Vt.
15. (18) Bryon Linendoll, West Pawlet, Vt.
16. (17) Garrett Given, Orwell, Vt.
17. (7) Kevin Groff, Wynantskill, N.Y.
18. (5) Scott FitzGerald, West Rutland, Vt.
19. (8) Lacey Hanson, Orwell, Vt.
20. (4) Jeff White, Rutland, Vt.
Heat Winners: Lacey Hanson, Anthony Ryan
Pro Stock/Super Stock Feature (20 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown (Division)
1. (2) Josh Coonradt, West Milton, N.Y. (PS)
2. (3) Scott Towslee, Manchester, Vt. (PS)
3. (1) Kim Duell, Porter Corners, N.Y. (PS)
4. (4) Jay Fitzgerald, Ballston Spa, N.Y. (PS)
5. (5) Ed Thompson, Castleton, Vt. (PS)
6. (6) Dean Charbonneau, Clifton Park, N.Y. (PS)
7. (11) Andrew FitzGerald, West Rutland, Vt. (SS)
8. (10) Bill Duprey, Hydeville, Vt. (SS)
9. (9) Cam Gadue, Highgate, Vt. (SS)
10. (7) Russ Farr, Middle Granville, N.Y. (SS)
11. (15) Tylor Terry, Mooers, N.Y. (SS)
12. (8) Ronnie Alger, Orwell, Vt. (SS)
13. (13) Matt Mosher, Queensbury, N.Y. (SS)
14. (16) Bill Fountain, Altona, N.Y. (SS)
15. (12) Curtis Condon, Queensbury, N.Y. (SS)
16. (14) Sam Grandchamp, West Rutland, Vt. (SS)
17. (18) Travis Stokes, West Chazy, N.Y. (SS)
18. (17) Jason Barrett, Queensbury, N.Y. (SS)
Heat Winners: Kim Duell (PS), Bill Duprey (SS)
Mini Stock Feature (20 laps) – REVISED 8/04/20
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (16) Tim Simonds, Clarendon, Vt.
2. (1) # Chris Sumner, Ripton, Vt.
3. (9) Kyle Davis Jr., Cornish, N.H.
4. (13) Brian Blake, Cornwall, Vt.
5. (7) Willie Rice, Poultney, Vt.
6. (20) Josh LaPorte, Peru, N.Y.
7. (4) # Griff Mahoney, Brandon, Vt.
8. (19) Dakota Desabrais, Hampton, N.Y.
9. (5) Katrina Bean, Benson, Vt.
10. (23) Jake Fountain, Dannemora, N.Y.
11. (3) # Adam Stewart, Benson, Vt.
12. (11) Craig Kirby, St. Albans, Vt.
13. (10) Jake Barrows, Middlebury, Vt.
14. (6) # Cody Groesbeck, Fair Haven, Vt.
15. (8) Mary Gardner, Middle Granville, N.Y.
16. (2) # Tom Severance, Fair Haven, Vt.
17. (14) T.J. Knight, Wells, Vt.
18. (13) Jarrod Colburn, Rutland, Vt.
19. (15) Chris Conroy, Newport, N.H.
20. (22) # Freddy Burch, Middle Granville, N.Y.
21. (18) Shawn Moquin, Milton, Vt.
Disqualified: (17) Michael Daniels, Plattsburgh, N.Y. (minimum weight)
Did Not Start: Greg Zindler, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint Feature (15 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (6) Austin Chaves, Chester, Vt.
2. (5) Samantha Mulready, Cambridge, N.Y.
3. (8) Cody O’Brien, Springfield, Vt.
4. (4) Kamden Duffy, Richmond, N.H.
5. (2) Dakota Green, Cambridge, N.Y.
6. (7) # Troy Audet, Bridport, Vt.
7. (1) John McPhee Jr., Rutland, Vt.
8. (11) John Smith, Poultney, Vt.
9. (3) # Kaidin White, Monkton, Vt.
10. (9) # Arnie Kasuba, Castleton, Vt.
11. (12) Nadine Coates, Newport, N.H.
12. (10) Scott Layton, Poultney, Vt.
Enduro Series Feature (50 laps)
Pos.-(Car No.)-Driver-Laps Completed
1. (17) Cory Gray – 50 Laps
2. (00) Jake Dumas – 49 Laps
3. (29) Kyle Gray – 48 Laps
4. (3) Jonathan Mason – 48 Laps
5. (01) Bryce Allen – 48 Laps
6. (357) Dustin Tierney – 48 Laps
7. (19) Eric Leno – 47 Laps
8. (21) Scott Richner – 46 Laps
9. (420X) Xander Stillwell – 46 Laps
10. (X44) Eric Friend – 46 Laps
11. (2X) Zach Stone Sr. – 46 Laps
12. (78) Klancy Dunbar – 46 Laps
13. (09) Lynn Sumner – 45 Laps
14. (99L) Colton Leno – 45 Laps
15. (11) Andy Botala – 44 Laps
16. (88) Cagney Hamblett – 42 Laps
17. (15) Mason Phillips – 41 Laps
18. (51) Frank Phillips – 40 Laps
19. (143) Cody Dion – 40 Laps
20. (289) Jason Greene – 37 Laps
21. (79) Jacob Gosselin -32 Laps
22. (510) Matt Wade – 31 Laps
23. (7) Dalton Wilkey – 30 Laps
24. (56) Driver??? – 23 Laps
25. (74) Mike Slingerland – 22 Laps
26. (9) Robert Francis – 20 Laps
27. (28J) Jamie Trinci – 19 Laps
28. (36) Kaleb Lyman – 18 Laps
29. (49) Rob McKinney – 18 Laps
30. (91) Norman Morrill – 16 Laps
31. (8) Rich Rose – 15 Laps
32. (94X) Carrie LaRose – 14 Laps
33. (55X) Richard Tatro – 14 Laps
34. (44B) Kevin Ballantine – 14 Laps
35. (41) Jacob Mallory – 13 Laps
36. (326) Bryant Salmon – 13 Laps
37. (69) Ayden Barber – 13 Laps
38. (23) Brent Wilbur – 12 Laps
39. (30X) Matt DuPont – 11 Laps
40. (817) Spencer Wood – 11 Laps
41. (99) Ed Barrett – 10 Laps
42. (199) James Berlinghoff – 10 Laps
43. (100J) Joe Sherwood – 10 Laps
44. (27X) Brian Blake – 9 Laps
45. (221) Justin Hamilton – 9 Laps
46. (713) Jayde Pope – 9 Laps
47. (802) Jeff Smith – 9 Laps
48. (46) Samantha Senna – 7 Laps
49. (6) Larry Bristol – 6 Laps
50. (44G) Gilbert Clark – 6 Laps
51. (42) Chris Lussier – 6 Laps
52. (22J) John McPhee Jr. – 5 Laps
53. (16A) Abby Racine – 2 Laps
54. (95) Lee Moss – 0 Laps
55. (215) Kevin Wade – 0 Laps
56. (55) Taylor Tanner – No Score Card
(Photos by Jeremy McGaffin/Showstopper)
