Driver: Joey Roberts
Nickname: Fireball
Hometown: Fletcher, VT
Date of Birth: 1/3/81
Family: Wife – Stephanie; Children – Evan, Brogan
Favorite Food: “It’s a tie – Steak and Shepherd’s Pie”
Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, spending time with family
Started Racing: 1998
Accomplishments: Devil’s Bowl Speedway Asphalt Modified Rookie the Year (2012); Riverside Speedway V8 Enduro Champion (2003)
Division: Limited Sportsman
Car No.: 50X
Car: Bicknell
Car Owner: Eric Friend
Crew Chief: Robin Cummings
Team Members: Norman Morrill, David Blatt, Zack Ross, David Johnson, Stephanie Roberts, Evan Roberts
Sponsors: Friend Construction (Bristol, VT), Queen City Steel (Burlington, VT), Dupont Auto Body (Monkton, VT), Glitz Hair Design (Cambridge, VT), Rack ‘N Reel (New Haven, VT), Yandow’s Construction (St. Albans, VT), JV Embroidery (Ferrisburgh, VT)
Joey Roberts in victory lane at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on June 3, 2017. (Barry Snelling/Devil’s Bowl Speedway photo)
“I got my start in racing when I was kid by going with one of my best friends, Brian Cote, and his father down to Devil’s Bowl Speedway. We would watch the Modifieds slingin’ it every Sunday night. When I got old enough to drive, I got hooked up with my wife Stephanie’s brother Craig Bushey and the rest is history.”
Did you have a favorite driver before you started racing?
“I don’t like other drivers – I have to race against ‘em! I can’t say that I really ever had a favorite driver when I was growing up. If I had to pick one, it would be my best friend that I have in racing, Bucko Branham. He’s a real racer and I trust him 100%. You can call him up and ask a question and he’ll give you a straight answer, plus he’s a great driver.”
What is your favorite moment of your racing career?
“My favorite moments happened this year, actually, just being able to do this as a family. I got to watch my son Evan win a Bandit race at Devil’s Bowl and jump up on the roof. And my son Brogan won in his first time ever racing a go-kart at Thunder Road. And my wife won some Ladies races at Devil’s Bowl. I guess everyone in the family won this year but me!”
What is your most embarrassing moment?
“That was at Airborne. It was the fourth week of the year and I was going for my fourth win in a row, but I spun on my own in front of the field. That was dumb.”
Joey Roberts in victory lane after winning the “Best Appearing Car” award at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on May 27, 2017. (Barry Snelling/Devil’s Bowl Speedway photo)
“It seems like Jason Durgan and I got into it a few times over the years. I don’t know why, but we just did.”
If you couldn’t drive your car, who would you want to be your substitute?
“Bucko Branham. Easy answer.”
Are you looking forward to the new ½-mile dirt track at Devil’s Bowl?
“Yes and no. I’m nervous because I don’t know the dirt. I had one experience on dirt at Bear Ridge in a Renegade-type car and we did well, but I don’t know. Everyone know I like to keep my stuff clean, too, so that’s gonna bother me a little bit. I don’t even like driving my street car on dirt roads! I guess I better get used to it. I am actually really looking forward to it, though. It’s a new challenge after racing on the asphalt my whole career.”
What are your racing goals for 2018?
“My goals are to have fun and finish in the top three in my division. We’re learning the dirt this year and we have two cars ready to go and figure it out. We just like to go have fun and camp at the track every weekend and make the best of it.”