Ten drivers score wins on night of double features
WEST HAVEN, Vt. – Ten different dirt track stock car drivers visited victory lane at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Sunday, August 26, as the Sugar & Spice Restaurant presented its annual “Double Stack Night” program. A full card of double feature races for all five weekly divisions – plus the seventh annual “Great North American Pancake Eating Championship” – meant a busy night for everyone, but the whole event was completed by 9:15 p.m.
Veteran driver Tim LaDuc and young up-and-comer Jake Scarborough split wins in the twin 20-lap races for the Central Vermont Motorcycles Sportsman Modified division. LaDuc stole the show in the opening race, leading only the final 50 feet. Mike Palmer started on the pole position and led the whole way, but Orwell, Vt., runner LaDuc tracked him down with five laps left and began making a bid for the point.
LaDuc tried repeatedly to get under Palmer on the inside lane, but ran out of room in every attempt except the final one; the pair drag-raced to the checkers with LaDuc beating Palmer by a bumper for his first win of the year. Ron Proctor had a consistent drive to finish third ahead of Allan Hammond and rookie Jeff Washburn.
The second Sportsman race was a battle as well, as Brandon, Vt.’s Jake Scarborough and hometown driver Billy Lussier ran out front. Scarborough led the first lap before Lussier took over for the next 11 circuits. Lussier’s handling began fall off, though, and Scarborough nosed ahead at lap 13 and never looked back. The victory was the first of Scarborough’s career at Devil’s Bowl.
Josh Sunn got by Lussier late in the race to take the runner-up spot, reversing a streak of bad luck that slowed a championship-level pace early in the season. Lussier finished third, with Adam Pierson and Joey Scarborough – the winner’s twin brother – rounding out the top five. The results of the second Sportsman feature are unofficial pending a review of post-race technical inspection.
The championship point battle tightened slightly, and leader Kenny Tremont Jr. now holds a 33-point advantage on Joey Scarborough, 607-574, with LaDuc in third place at 568.
The O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman division had good action in its twin 15-lap features, with Travis Billington and Joey Roberts scoring the wins. South Glens Falls, N.Y., youngster Billington spoiled the party for Tanner Forbes in the first race; Forbes had a big lead with two laps left when a caution flag came out for a spun car, bringing Billington to him for a double-file restart. Billington wasted no time and took the lead, streaking to his fifth win of the year. Forbes was a career-best second ahead of Roberts, Matt Bilodeau, and Brent Warren.
Fletcher, Vt., racer Roberts was a convincing winner in the second feature, taking the lead from Mike Parodi on a restart just past the halfway point and running away for his fourth win. Warren finished second with Adam Piper third, Billington fourth, and Bilodeau fifth.
Warren leads the standings at 749 points, but Billington (729), Roberts (723), and Paolo Pascarella (721) are all within 28 markers entering the final month of racing.
Twin 15s in the Super Stock division saw division dominator Chris Murray and longtime racer Garrett Given cop the victories. Fair Haven, Vt., driver Murray eased a two-week run of bad luck with a dominant win in the first race; he took the lead from Scott FitzGerald at lap 6 and checked out on the field. FitzGerald was the runner-up over Joey Trudeau, Jim McKiernan, and Matt Mosher.
The second race nearly saw a big upset as underdogs Trevor Hurlburt and Ronnie Alger led lots of laps. A caution flag with three laps left interrupted Alger’s lead and allowed Cornwall, Vt., driver Given to push his Camaro to the outside lane on a crazy restart to sail to his first win of the year. A jumbled field shook out with Curtis Condon second, Alger third, Kevin Elliot fourth, and FitzGerald fifth.
With eight wins in 15 races, Murray has built a commanding 71-point lead on Condon, 759-688, with FitzGerald hot on Condon’s heels just four points behind.
A pair of 12-lappers for the Portland Glass Mini Stock division saw repeat winners Mike Preston and Johnny Bruno share the spotlight. Panton, Vt., runner Preston took the first race despite a determined challenge from Shawn Moquin that came down to the final corner; it was Preston’s third win of the season. Bruno finished third behind Moquin, followed by Kaleb Shepard and Brad Bertrand in his first appearance of the year.
The nightcap saw 15 year-old Bruno, of Castleton, Vt., slice through traffic and build a commanding lead for his second win in three weeks. Mike Lique was second, just ahead of a scramble in the last corner that left Bertrand in third place and Moquin wrecked in the wall. Shepard took fourth and Tim Simonds was fifth.
Title contender Chris Conroy sold his car during the week and has taken a break from racing, which leaves Shepard with a huge 81-point lead over Moquin, 706-625.
Two 16 year-olds ran to the checkered flag in the twin 12-lap races for the Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint division, with rookie Dakota Green and sophomore driver Colby Beinhaur taking top honors. Green, of Eagle Bridge, N.Y., was the surprise winner of the first race; his teammate Alex Bell – moonlighting from his regular gig in the Sportsman Modified division – had a massive lead in his first Mini Sprint race, but the car slowed on the final lap and Green and the field quickly reeled him in. Green stole his first-ever win and finished ahead of Beinhaur, Austin Chaves, Shawn McPhee, and Bell, who coasted across the finish line.
It was Shoreham, Vt., racer Beinhaur who dominated the second race for his second win of the year. Kevin Smith was in the thick of things in both races and finished strong as the runner-up. Green, McPhee, and first-time Mini Sprint racer Jason Sabourin completed the top five.
Cody O’Brien continues to lead the Mini Sprint title chase with a 13-point edge on Chaves, 525-512. Green inched closer with his strong double-feature effort and sits third at 493 points.
The gastronomic spectacle which was the seventh annual Sugar & Spice “Great North American Pancake Eating Championship” was held at intermission, and a new all-time record was set by Allen Jones of Rutland, Vt., who mowed through 14 pancakes doused in Vermont maple syrup in just five minutes; Jones’ win was his second in a row and third overall. Eleven year-old Alex Messer of Fair Haven, Vt., won the junior division by cramming six flapjacks in his belly to tie the all-time record for kids; Messer also won in 2015.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway is back on Sunday, September 2, as The Stove Depot presents a jam-packed Labor Day weekend special event featuring the Sprint Cars of New England and a fireworks show, along with all five weekly divisions. Special general admission is $18 for adults, $15 for seniors (age 62+), $5 for teens (age 13-17 with proof of age), and free for kids age 12 and under. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and racing starts at 6:00 p.m.
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 – Sugar & Spice “Double Stack” Night
Devil’s Bowl Speedway – West Haven, Vt.
Sunday, August 26, 2018
Central Vermont Motorcycles Sportsman Modified Feature #1 (20 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (8) Tim LaDuc, Orwell, Vt.
2. (1) Mike Palmer, Salisbury, Vt.
3. (2) Ron Proctor, Charlton, N.Y.
4. (3) Allan Hammond, Canaan, N.H.
5. (4) # Jeff Washburn, Benson, Vt.
6. (9) Justin Comes, Middlebury, Vt.
7. (12) Vince Quenneville Jr., Brandon, Vt.
8. (5) # Marty Kelly III, North Bennington, Vt.
9. (19) Kenny Tremont Jr., West Sand Lake, N.Y.
10. (6) # Tanner Siemons, Orford, N.H.
11. (16) Jimmy Ryan, Shoreham, Vt.
12. (10) Brian Whittemore, Pittsford, Vt.
13. (17) Joey Scarborough, Brandon, Vt.
14. (11) James Fadden, Plainfield, N.H.
15. (20) Adam Pierson, East Corinth, Vt.
16. (21) Gene Pierson Jr., East Corinth, Vt.
17. (14) Josh Sunn, White River Junction, Vt.
18. (13) Jake Scarborough, Brandon, Vt.
19. (15) Billy Lussier, Fair Haven, Vt.
20. (18) Tomas Kimball, White River Junction, Vt.
21. (7) John St. Germain Jr., West Sand Lake, N.Y.
Shiley Fabrication Hard Charger Award: Kenny Tremont Jr. (+10 positions)
Shiley Fabrication Hard Luck Award: John St. Germain Jr.
Central Vermont Motorcycles Sportsman Modified Feature #2 (20 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (2) Jake Scarborough, Brandon, Vt.
2. (3) Josh Sunn, White River Junction, Vt.
3. (1) Billy Lussier, Fair Haven, Vt.
4. (5) Adam Pierson, East Corinth, Vt.
5. (7) Joey Scarborough, Brandon, Vt.
6. (9) Jimmy Ryan, Shoreham, Vt.
7. (11) Kenny Tremont Jr., West Sand Lake, N.Y.
8. (19) Tim LaDuc, Orwell, Vt.
9. (13) Vince Quenneville Jr., Brandon, Vt.
10. (10) # Tanner Siemons, Orford, N.H.
11. (14) Justin Comes, Middlebury, Vt.
12. (4) Gene Pierson Jr., East Corinth, Vt.
13. (12) # Marty Kelly III, North Bennington, Vt.
14. (15) # Jeff Washburn, Benson, Vt.
15. (16) Allan Hammond, Canaan, N.H.
16. (6) James Fadden, Plainfield, N.H.
17. (18) Mike Palmer, Salisbury, Vt.
18. (21) John St. Germain Jr., West Sand Lake, N.Y.
19. (17) Ron Proctor, Charlton, N.Y.
Did Not Start: Brian Whittemore, Pittsford, Vt.; Tomas Kimball, White River Junction, Vt.
Shiley Fabrication Hard Charger Award: Tim LaDuc (+11 positions)
Shiley Fabrication Hard Luck Award: Brian Whittemore
O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman Feature #1 (15 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
1. (6) Travis Billington, South Glens Falls, N.Y.
2. (2) Tanner Forbes, Jay, N.Y.
3. (9) Joey Roberts, Fletcher, Vt.
4. (3) Matt Bilodeau, Pittsford, Vt.
5. (8) Brent Warren, Salisbury, Vt.
6. (7) Paolo Pascarella, Troy, N.Y.
7. (10) Adam Piper, Leicester, Vt.
8. (13) James Hanson, Orwell, Vt.
9. (15) Jim Mattison, Hudson Falls, N.Y.
10. (17) Montgomery Tremont, West Sand Lake, N.Y.
11. (5) Mike Parodi, South Glens Falls, N.Y.
12. (1) Jason Baker, South Glens Falls, N.Y.
13. (14) Josh Payea, Georgia, Vt.
14. (11) Sean Broe, Middlebury, Vt.
15. (4) R.J. Germain, Bristol, Vt.
16. (18) Andy Badger, Enfield, N.H.
17. (12) Larry Gallipo, West Rutland, Vt.
18. (16) Dylan Jones, Fair Haven, Vt.
Did Not Start: Keith Wilcox, Queensbury, N.Y.
Shiley Fabrication Hard Charger Award: Montgomery Tremont (+7 positions)
Shiley Fabrication Hard Luck Award: R.J. Germain
O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman Feature #2 (15 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
1. (11) Joey Roberts, Fletcher, Vt.
2. (9) Brent Warren, Salisbury, Vt.
3. (7) Adam Piper, Leicester, Vt.
4. (13) Travis Billington, South Glens Falls, N.Y.
5. (10) Matt Bilodeau, Pittsford, Vt.
6. (3) Mike Parodi, South Glens Falls, N.Y.
7. (4) Montgomery Tremont, West Sand Lake, N.Y.
8. (12) Tanner Forbes, Jay, N.Y.
9. (5) Jim Mattison, Hudson Falls, N.Y.
10. (15) Larry Gallipo, West Rutland, Vt.
11. (6) James Hanson, Orwell, Vt.
12. (16) Sean Broe, Middlebury, Vt.
13. (1) Josh Payea, Georgia, Vt.
14. (8) Paolo Pascarella, Troy, N.Y.
15. (2) Jason Baker, South Glens Falls, N.Y.
16. (14) R.J. Germain, Bristol, Vt.
Did Not Start: Andy Badger, Enfield, N.H.; Dylan Jones, Fair Haven, Vt.; Keith Wilcox, Queensbury, N.Y.
Shiley Fabrication Hard Charger Award: Joey Roberts (+10 positions)
Shiley Fabrication Hard Luck Award: Paolo Pascarella
Super Stock Feature #1 (15 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (4) Chris Murray, Fair Haven, Vt.
2. (3) Scott FitzGerald, West Rutland, Vt.
3. (10) Joey Trudeau, Hague, N.Y.
4. (14) Jim McKiernan, Moriah Center, N.Y.
5. (2) Matt Mosher, Queensbury, N.Y.
6. (6) Lou Gancarz, North Adams, Mass.
7. (15) Randy Alger, Fair Haven, Vt.
8. (7) Garrett Given, Cornwall, Vt.
9. (8) Curtis Condon, Queensbury, N.Y.
10. (11) Kevin Elliott, Rutland, Vt.
11. (5) # Andrew FitzGerald, West Rutland, Vt.
12. (1) Ronnie Alger, Orwell, Vt.
13. (13) Trevor Hurlburt, Fair Haven, Vt.
14. (17) Larry Bristol, Rutland, Vt.
15. (9) Josh Bussino, Mount Holly, Vt.
16. (12) # Dustin Stevenson, Lake George, N.Y.
17. (16) Zack Daniels, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Super Stock Feature #2 (15 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (6) Garrett Given, Cornwall, Vt.
2. (5) Curtis Condon, Queensbury, N.Y.
3. (2) Ronnie Alger, Orwell, Vt.
4. (4) Kevin Elliott, Rutland, Vt.
5. (12) Scott FitzGerald, West Rutland, Vt.
6. (3) # Andrew FitzGerald, West Rutland, Vt.
7. (1) Trevor Hurlburt, Fair Haven, Vt.
8. (13) Chris Murray, Fair Haven, Vt.
9. (14) Larry Bristol, Rutland, Vt.
10. (8) Lou Gancarz, North Adams, Mass.
11. (9) Matt Mosher, Queensbury, N.Y.
12. (11) Joey Trudeau, Hague, N.Y.
13. (16) Zack Daniels, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
14. (15) Josh Bussino, Mount Holly, Vt.
15. (7) Randy Alger, Fair Haven, Vt.
16. (10) Jim McKiernan, Moriah Center, N.Y.
Did Not Start: # Dustin Stevenson, Lake George, N.Y.
Portland Glass Mini Stock Feature #1 (12 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (3) Mike Preston, Panton, Vt.
2. (8) Shawn Moquin, Milton, Vt.
3. (10) Johnny Bruno, Castleton, Vt.
4. (11) Kaleb Shepard, Vergennes, Vt.
5. (13) Brad Bertrand, Ferrisburgh, Vt.
6. (16) Tim Simonds, Clarendon, Vt.
7. (9) Jake Barrows, Cornwall, Vt.
8. (7) # Craig Kirby, Winooski, Vt.
9. (14) Matt Kimball, Bennington, N.H.
10. (15) Mike Lique, West Lebanon, N.H.
11. (12) # Tanner Lunt, Fort Ann, N.Y.
12. (4) Willie Rice, Poultney, Vt.
13. (2) # Shawn Rogers, Fair Haven, Vt.
14. (6) # Lynn Denton, Milton, Vt.
15. (1) Josh Kennedy, Rochester, Vt.
Did Not Start: # Chris Guyette, North Clarendon, Vt.
Portland Glass Mini Stock Feature #2 (12 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (10) Johnny Bruno, Castleton, Vt.
2. (3) Mike Lique, West Lebanon, N.H.
3. (8) Brad Bertrand, Ferrisburgh, Vt.
4. (9) Kaleb Shepard, Vergennes, Vt.
5. (7) Tim Simonds, Clarendon, Vt.
6. (12) Mike Preston, Panton, Vt.
7. (2) # Tanner Lunt, Fort Ann, N.Y.
8. (6) Jake Barrows, Cornwall, Vt.
9. (4) Matt Kimball, Bennington, N.H.
10. (1) Willie Rice, Poultney, Vt.
11. (14) # Lynn Denton, Milton, Vt.
12. (13) Cameron Kennedy, Rochester, Vt.
13. (15) # Chris Guyette, North Clarendon, Vt.
14. (11) Shawn Moquin, Milton, Vt.
15. (5) # Craig Kirby, Winooski, Vt.
Did Not Start: # Shawn Rogers, Fair Haven, Vt.
Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint Feature #1 (12 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (3) # Dakota Green, Eagle Bridge, N.Y.
2. (9) Colby Beinhaur, Shoreham, Vt.
3. (8) Austin Chaves, Chester, Vt.
4. (11) # Shawn McPhee, Rutland, Vt.
5. (10) Alex Bell, Cambridge, N.Y.
6. (5) Cody O’Brien, Springfield, Vt.
7. (2) # Samantha Mulready, Hoosick Falls, N.Y.
8. (6) # Joel Belanger, Washington, N.H.
9. (1) # Tye Vaillancourt, New Ipswich, N.H.
10. (12) Jason Sabourin, Vergennes, Vt.
11. (13) # Gordon Sheehan, West Rutland, Vt.
12. (7) # Kevin Smith, Brandon, Vt.
13. (4) # John McPhee Jr., Rutland, Vt.
Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint Feature #2 (12 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (7) Colby Beinhaur, Shoreham, Vt.
2. (12) # Kevin Smith, Brandon, Vt.
3. (8) # Dakota Green, Eagle Bridge, N.Y.
4. (5) # Shawn McPhee, Rutland, Vt.
5. (10) Jason Sabourin, Vergennes, Vt.
6. (11) # John McPhee Jr., Rutland, Vt.
7. (4) Cody O’Brien, Springfield, Vt.
8. (2) # Joel Belanger, Washington, N.H.
9. (1) # Tye Vaillancourt, New Ipswich, N.H.
10. (9) # Gordon Sheehan, West Rutland, Vt.
11. (6) Austin Chaves, Chester, Vt.
12. (3) # Samantha Mulready, Hoosick Falls, N.Y.
13. (13) Alex Bell, Cambridge, N.Y.
(Photos by Alan Ward and Josh Ryan)