Masterson, Wood repeat; McKiernan, Murray score first wins of season
WEST HAVEN, Vt. – Jimmy Ryan may have led every lap of the Bond Auto Parts Sportsman Modified feature race on the Asphalt Track at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Saturday, May 28, but the box score won’t show just how wild the action was behind him. The veteran stock car racer from Shoreham, Vt., outlasted a rough-and-tumble field of competitors to end a six-year winless streak at the inaugural “Yorkmont Memorial Day 5000” and headed a winners list that included Josh Masterson, Jim McKiernan, Zach Wood, and Jeff Murray.
In addition to the on-track action, race fan Emily Catellier of Rutland, Vt., was the happy winner of a $5,000 cash prize given away by sponsor Yorkmont Auto Auctions of Fair Haven, Vt. The event was capped off by a holiday fireworks show by Northstar Fireworks.
One week after a fuel line problem left him on the sidelines, Ryan was in the right place all race long, ahead of several multi-car wrecks that shook up the field. Although Ryan said that his car wasn’t handling well, he was able to withstand a sequence of restarts and drive away from the pack every time. No less than eight different drivers tried to rattle Ryan in the early stages of the race before wrecks, spins, or damage hampered their progress.
When the smoke cleared after 30 laps, Ryan was the convincing winner for the first time since August 29, 2010, and for the first time in his career under the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Jackie Brown Jr., of Hurley, N.Y., withstood a long challenge from Jason Durgan and held on for the runner-up spot. Morrisonville, N.Y., racer Durgan settled for third ahead of Ron Proctor and Joey Roberts.
Josh Masterson of Bristol, Vt., was the winner of an entertaining 40-lap race in the Central Vermont Motorcycles Late Model division, for his second victory in as many races in 2016. The Late Models threw off a barnburner, with side-by-side racing leaving tire marks on the doors of almost every car in the class. Masterson drove a strong car to the front of the field after battling with several drivers, then beat hard-charging Robert Bryant Jr., in a restart with just two laps remaining.
Brooklyn, Conn., racer Bryant thrilled the fans with back-to-front run, and came out on top of a sensational fight with Bobby Therrien of Hinesburg, Vt., for the runner-up position. The ever-improving Seth Bridge finished fourth with early leader Steve Miller fifth.
Jim McKiernan of Moriah Center, N.Y., traded some full-fender barbs with Scott FitzGerald during the 20-lap Rosen & Berger Auto Recyclers Renegade race, but came out on top for the second main-event win of his career at Devil’s Bowl. The runner finished ahead of FitzGerald, of West Rutland, Vt., with Colchester, Vt.’s Matt Monaghan third. Ray Germain Jr. finished fourth in his first start in two years, and Tony Salerno was fifth.
Rookie Zach Wood continued the perfect start to his Portland Glass Mini Stock career, going two-for-two in his first two starts. After winning on opening night a week ago, the Georgia, Vt., youngster ran to the win. Wood’s teammate and fellow rookie Eric Messier of Hinesburg, Vt., finished second for the second-straight week. Brad Bertrand, Garrett Given, and Andrew FitzGerald completed the top five.
Jeff Murray of Georgia, Vt., won one of the most competitive Enduro Series races in recent memory, taking the lead from Rutland, Vt.’s Cory Gray with a dozen laps remaining and fending him off in the final laps. Gray held on for second ahead of Andrew Lopes, Brandon Gray, and Brett Wood.
The Dirt Track at Devil’s Bowl Speedway is in action on Sunday, May 29 at 6:00 p.m. for its season-opening event. The Sprint Cars of New England headline the program along with Sportsman Modifieds, Renegades, and Mini Stocks. Regular general admission is $12 for adults and $10 for seniors (62+) and students (13-17). Kids age 12 and under are always admitted for free.
The Asphalt Track resumes on Saturday, June 4 at 6:00 p.m. with the People’s United Bank 100 for the American-Canadian Tour Late Models, plus the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series weekly divisions.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway is located on Route 22A in West Haven, Vt., four miles north of Exit 2 off of U.S. Route 4 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 and Instagram at @DevilsBowlSpeed; follow the action using the #DevilsBowl hashtag.
OFFICIAL RESULTS – Yorkmont Auto Auctions “Memorial Day 5000”
Devil’s Bowl Speedway Asphalt Track – West Haven, VT
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
Saturday, May 28, 2016
Bond Auto Parts Sportsman Modified Feature (30 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (1) Jimmy Ryan, Whiting, VT
2. (4) Jackie Brown, Hurley, NY
3. (7) Jason Durgan, Morrisonville, NY
4. (6) Ron Proctor, Charlton, NY
5. (5) Joey Roberts, Fletcher, VT
6. (11) # Chuck Bradford, Addison, VT
7. (9) Dave Snow, Brandon, VT
8. (2) Billy Lussier, Fair Haven, VT
9. (10) Bob Kilburn, Fair Haven, VT
10. (8) Vince Quenneville Jr., Brandon, VT
11. (3) Travis Bruno, Morrisonville, NY
Heat Winners: Jason Durgan, Ron Proctor
Shiley Fabrication Hard Charger Award: Chuck Bradford
Shiley Fabrication Hard Luck Award: Travis Bruno
Central Vermont Motorcycles Late Model Feature (40 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (6) Josh Masterson, Bristol, VT
2. (9) Robert Bryant Jr., Brooklyn, CT
3. (5) Bobby Therrien, Hinesburg, VT
4. (1) Seth Bridge, Mendon, VT
5. (2) Steve Miller, Vergennes, VT
6. (4) Chad White, Fort Ann, NY
7. (8) Mark Norris, Benson, VT
8. (3) Jamie Aube, North Ferrisburgh, VT
9. (7) Jesse Carris, Rutland, VT
10. (10) Stephen Donahue, Graniteville, VT
Heat Winners: Seth Bridge, Josh Masterson
Crazy Horse Racing Winners Circle Challenge: Josh Masterson
Rosen & Berger Auto Recyclers Renegade Feature (20 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (2) Jim McKiernan, Moriah Center, NY
2. (3) Scott FitzGerald, West Rutland, VT
3. (1) Matt Monaghan, Colchester, VT
4. (7) Ray Germain Jr., Bristol, VT
5. (5) Tony Salerno, Mineville, NY
6. (4) # Bill Burlingame, Gansevoort, NY
7. (6) # Austin McKiernan, Moriah Center, NY
Heat Winner: Scott FitzGerald
Bond Auto Parts Hard Charger Award: Ray Germain Jr.
Portland Glass Mini Stock Feature (15 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (6) # Zach Wood, Georgia, VT
2. (8) # Eric Messier, Hinesburg, VT
3. (4) Brad Bertrand, Ferrisburgh, VT
4. (3) Garrett Given Sr., Cornwall, VT
5. (2) Andrew FitzGerald, West Rutland, VT
6. (5) Chris LaVair, Saranac Lake, NY
7. (1) Harold LaVair Jr., Saranac Lake, NY
8. (7) # Brett Wood, Georgia, VT
9. (9) Roger LaBounty, Peru, NY
10. (11) Johnny Bruno, Castleton, VT
11. (10) # Josh Swahn, Pittsford, VT
12. (12) # Roo Forrest, West Rutland, VT
Heat Winners: Brad Bertrand, Chris LaVair
Bond Auto Parts Hard Charger Award: Eric Messier
Enduro Series Feature (50 laps)
Pos.-(Car No.)-Driver-Hometown-Laps Complete
1. (35) Jeff Murray, Georgia, VT – 50 Laps
2. (17) Cory Gray, Rutland, VT – 50 Laps
3. (33X) Andrew Lopes, Colchester, VT – 50 Laps
4. (423) Brandon Gray, Thetford, VT – 50 Laps
5. (802) Brett Wood, Georgia, VT – 50 Laps
6. (76) Shawn Moquin, Milton, VT – 49 Laps
7. (666) Andy Botala, Grand Isle, VT – 49 Laps
8. (91) Hunter Murray, Cambridge, VT – 49 Laps
9. (30) Tommy Kudlacik, Milton, VT – 48 Laps
10. (44) Craig Kirby, Winooski, VT – 48 Laps
11. (723) Patrick Ryan III, Richmond, VT – 46 Laps
12. (5) Kyle Botala, Grand Isle, VT – 45 Laps
13. (98) Dom Guerrina, North Hero, VT – 45 Laps
14. (110) Shawn McIntyre, Swanton, VT – 43 Laps
15. (69) Dillon Botala, Grand Isle, VT – 42 Laps
16. (38X) Casey O’Connell, Burlington, VT – 42 Laps
17. (14) Chris Mattos, Milton, VT – 38 Laps
18. (20) Zach Wood, Georgia, VT – 37 Laps
19. (8) Curtis Denton, St. Albans, VT – 34 Laps
