Super-sub Conroy gets Mini Stock victory
WEST HAVEN, Vt. – Justin Stone added a piece to his family’s motorsports history on Saturday, June 26 at Devil’s Bowl Speedway. The third-generation Middlebury, Vt., driver picked up his first Sportsman Modified victory at the annual Brown’s Quarried Slate/Brown’s Orchard & Farm Stand Night event, highlighting a program that included feature winners Cody O’Brien, Chuck Bradford, Chris Conroy, and Kamden Duffy.
Stone was the star, but only in the final 10 circuits of the 30-lap main event. Josh Masterson, who had suffered through three straight races with electrical problems, started on the pole position and led the first 20 laps in front of a great battle for second between Adam Piper, Mike Fisher, Tim LaDuc, and Stone. At the third of four restarts, though, Stone was able to get in front and he sailed away; a final restart with three laps left was not enough to slow him down, despite a late charge by Adam Pierson.
Stone’s first Devil’s Bowl victory puts him in the record book with his father, Todd – who ranks fourth on the track’s all-time win list with 42 – and his grandfather, Gardner – who also won a feature in 1994. Pierson was the runner-up for the second week in a row, while Masterson held on for third place. Justin Comes rebounded from hitting the wall at the botched initial start of the race to finish fourth, and Mike Fisher continued a solid recent string in fifth place. Jimmy Ryan was next in line, followed by Mike Palmer, Vince Quenneville, Piper, and Brian Whittemore.
Qualifying heats were won by Masterson, Anthony Warren, and Whittemore, and the consolation race was won by Elmo Reckner. Unofficially, Quenneville edged ahead of Demetrios Drellos in the championship point standings, and leads by nine markers, 420-411.
The O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman feature was totally turned on its ear with 10 of 25 laps completed, as five of the top six drivers were wiped out in a crash when Bryon Linendoll and Bob Kilburn came together in the face of the field. The restart put Craig Wholey and Cody O’Brien on the front row, and 16-year-old Springfield, Vt., racer O’Brien rocketed out front and drove away for the second win of his first season in a Modified.
Jason Quenneville impressed with a late drive forward, and he caught O’Brien in the final moments, but was unable to mount a serious challenge; Quenneville had qualified for only previous race and entered the event 34th in points prior to his runner-up finish. Wholey landed on the podium for the second race in a row with his third-place finish ahead of Anthony Ryan and Troy Audet.
Bill Duprey was sixth, followed by Joe Venditti, Beau Reeves, point leader Austin Comes, and Justin Lilly. Heats were won by Duprey, Dakota Green, and Randy Ryan. Evan Roberts took the consi, and Scott FitzGerald won the last-chance B-Main qualifier; FitzGerald was one of five drivers eliminated in a huge pileup coming to the initial green flag in the feature race. Comes has a 41-point lead on Roberts, 407-366.
Rookie Chuck Bradford scored his first-ever win on dirt in the 20-lap Super Stock feature. The Addison, Vt., racer – a Mini Stock champion and Modified driver on the former asphalt track at Devil’s Bowl – passed fellow freshman Andy Botala on the third lap to take the lead, and then held off the repeated challenges of four-time winner Chris Murray during the balance of the race.
Murray settled for second place ahead of Mark Norris, Paul Braymer, and Andrew FitzGerald. The balance of the top 10 was completed in order by Josh Bussino, Botala, Ronnie Alger, Tony Salerno, and Mike Bussino. Murray has a 24-point lead on Braymer in the title chase.
The Summit Up Construction Mini Stock division had an interesting outcome to its 15-lap feature race, as defending champion Chris Conroy of Newport, N.H., won for the first time in 2021. Conroy was driving the car of Rutland, Vt., rookie Adam Mahoney under the track’s once-per-year driver substitution rule, however; Conroy will receive credit for the win in the record book, but Mahoney gets the 50 championship points tied to it.
Conroy benefitted from the race’s third and final caution with two laps left after leader Chris Sumner’s car shut down. Conroy was able to pass rookie Daryl Gebo at the restart and win the race; Gebo finished second ahead of Griff Mahoney, brother of the winning car owner. Derrick Counter and rookie Jakobee Alger were fourth and fifth, respectively, followed by Willie Rice, Jake Barrows, Brian Blake, Kaydan Rice, and Austin McKirryher.
Gebo, McKirryher, and Sumner won the qualifying heats. Sumner and Gebo are tied atop the standings at 376 points apiece, with 2019 champion Craig Kirby just 12 markers back at 364.
Thirteen-year-old Kamden Duffy came out on top of the Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint division’s 15-lap feature race for the second time in 2021. The Richmond, N.H., driver got ahead of Kaidin White on the second lap and then was able to hold off point leader Ray Hanson after a restart at the halfway mark for the victory.
Hanson settled for second place, followed by White, John Smith, and rookie Vern Woodard. The rest of the top 10 were Kevin Smith, Gage Provencher, John McPhee Jr., Roger LaDuc, and Tommy Kasuba. Hanson has a big 65-point cushion on White, 492-427.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway has a huge holiday fireworks show and racing event on tap for Saturday, July 3, with the first-ever “Independence Day Sprint Car Spectacular” for the Sprint Cars of New England and CRSA Sprint Car tours. All five weekly classes will be on the card including a 50-lap Sportsman Modified race, and the Enduro Series will hold its third race of the season as well. Racing starts one hour early at 6:00 p.m., and rain dates are planned for Sunday and Monday if needed.
Saturday’s special event grandstand admission is $20 for adults and $5 for children (12 and under). Tickets will be available online at https://buytickets.at/devilsbowlspeedway and at the speedway on race day. Infield drive-in parking will be $25 for adults and free for kids, with tickets available at the speedway; infield parking is open from 4:30 p.m. to 5:50 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 Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat at @DevilsBowlSpeed; follow the action using the #DevilsBowl hashtag.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
Devil’s Bowl Speedway – West Haven, Vt.
Saturday, June 26, 2021
Sportsman Modified Feature (30 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (8) Justin Stone, Middlebury, Vt.
2. (11) Adam Pierson, East Corinth, Vt.
3. (1) Josh Masterson, Bristol, Vt.
4. (20) Justin Comes, Middlebury, Vt.
5. (6) Mike Fisher, Castleton, Vt.
6. (12) Jimmy Ryan, Shoreham, Vt.
7. (9) Mike Palmer, Salisbury, Vt.
8. (19) Vince Quenneville, Brandon, Vt.
9. (4) Adam Piper, Leicester, Vt.
10. (5) Brian Whittemore, Pittsford, Vt.
11. (22) Elmo Reckner, Ballston Lake, N.Y.
12. (21) Demetrios Drellos, Queensbury, N.Y.
13. (16) Joey Scarborough, Brandon, Vt.
14. (23) Scott Duell, Bennington, Vt. (substitute for Billy Lussier)
15. (24) Alex Bell, Cambridge, N.Y.
16. (14) Marty Kelly III, North Bennington, Vt.
17. (15) # Johnny Bruno, Castleton, Vt.
18. (7) # Anthony Warren, Shoreham, Vt.
19. (18) Don Mattison, Wells, Vt.
20. (2) Brent Warren, Salisbury, Vt.
21. (25) Jason Bruno, Morrisonville, N.Y.
22. (10) Tim LaDuc, Orwell, Vt.
23. (13) Frank Hoard III, Manchester Center, Vt.
24. (3) Gene Pierson Jr., East Corinth, Vt.
25. (17) Tanner Siemons, Orford, N.H.
Did Not Start (1 driver): # Shawn McPhee, Rutland, Vt.
Lap Leaders: Josh Masterson, 1-20; Justin Stone, 21-30. (1 lead change among 2 drivers)
Cautions (5): Laps 0, 14, 15, 20, 27.
Heat Winners: Josh Masterson, Anthony Warren, Brian Whittemore
Consi Winner: Elmo Reckner
O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman Feature (25 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
1. (7) Cody O’Brien, Springfield, Vt.
2. (6) Jason Quenneville, Quechee, Vt.
3. (5) Craig Wholey, Bolton Landing, N.Y.
4. (12) Anthony Ryan, Benson, Vt.
5. (14) Troy Audet, Bridport, Vt.
6. (8) Bill Duprey, Hydeville, Vt.
7. (16) Joe Venditti, Scotia, N.Y.
8. (11) Beau Reeves, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
9. (13) Austin Comes, Middlebury, Vt.
10. (10) Justin Lilly, Castleton, Vt.
11. (3) Randy Ryan, Orwell, Vt.
12. (19) Evan Roberts, Fletcher, Vt.
13. (4) Bob Kilburn, Fair Haven, Vt.
14. (17) Alex Layn, New Haven, Vt.
15. (9) John Gosselin, Shoreham, Vt.
16. (22) Kyle Huntington, Bradford, Vt.
17. (15) Melvin Pierson, East Corinth, Vt.
18. (2) Dakota Green, Cambridge, N.Y.
19. (1) Bryon Linendoll, West Pawlet, Vt.
20. (20) Steve Pope, Shoreham, Vt.
21. (18) Josh Paige, Orwell, Vt.
22. (21) Gary English, Salisbury, Vt.
23. (24) Scott FitzGerald, West Rutland, Vt.
24. (23) Timmy Aldrighetti, Bethel, Vt.
Did Not Qualify (10 drivers): Samantha Mulready, Cambridge, N.Y.; Kyle Kerr, Shoreham, Vt.; Russ Farr, Granville, N.Y.; Hunter Nutter, Orford, N.H.; Matt Jordan, Cambridge, N.Y.; Brent Bouplon, Eagle Bridge, N.Y.; Mike McGinn, Elizabethtown, N.Y.; Alayne Bruno, Castleton, Vt. (substitute for Katrina Bean); A.J. Munger, Benson, Vt.; Josh Nelson, Bristol, Vt.
Lap Leaders: Bryon Linendoll, 1-10; Cody O’Brien, 11-25. (1 lead change among 2 drivers)
Cautions (4): Laps 0, 10, 10, 12.
Heat Winners: Bill Duprey, Dakota Green, Randy Ryan
Consi Winner: Evan Roberts
B-Main Winner: Scott FitzGerald
Super Stock Feature (20 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (4) # Chuck Bradford, Addison, Vt.
2. (7) Chris Murray, Fair Haven, Vt.
3. (8) Mark Norris, Benson, Vt.
4. (6) Paul Braymer, Granville, N.Y.
5. (10) Andrew FitzGerald, West Rutland, Vt.
6. (5) Josh Bussino, Fair Haven, Vt.
7. (2) Andy Botala, Grand Isle, Vt.
8. (1) Ronnie Alger, Orwell, Vt.
9. (11) Tony Salerno, Mineville, N.Y.
10. (9) Mike Bussino, Mount Holly, Vt.
11. (3) # Chris Brown, Shrewsbury, Vt.
Lap Leaders: Ronnie Alger, pole; Andy Botala, 1-2; Chuck Bradford, 3-20. (2 lead changes among 3 drivers)
Cautions (1): Lap 12.
Heat Winners: n/a
Summit Up Construction Mini Stock Feature (15 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (18) Chris Conroy, Newport, N.H. (substitute for Adam Mahoney)
2. (4) # Daryl Gebo, Orwell, Vt.
3. (7) Griff Mahoney, Bristol, Vt.
4. (3) Derrick Counter, Leicester, Vt.
5. (13) # Jakobee Alger, Orwell, Vt.
6. (6) Willie Rice, Poultney, Vt.
7. (5) Jake Barrows, Middlebury, Vt.
8. (8) Brian Blake, Cornwall, Vt.
9. (12) # Kaydan Rice, Poultney, Vt.
10. (2) # Austin McKirryher, Proctor, Vt.
11. (10) Craig Kirby, St. Albans, Vt.
12. (21) # Chase Allen, Fair Haven, Vt.
13. (14) Josh Ostertag, Deering, N.H.
14. (23) Tom Severance, Fair Haven, Vt.
15. (19) Scott Layton, Fair Haven, Vt.
16. (15) Freddy Burch, Middle Granville, N.Y.
17. (1) Mary Gardner, Middle Granville, N.Y.
18. (24) Damian Olden, Poultney, Vt.
19. (11) Chris Sumner, Ripton, Vt.
20. (9) Tim Simonds, North Clarendon, Vt.
21. (16) # Jake Mallory, Granville, N.Y.
22. (22) # Hunter Clark, Salisbury, Vt.
23. (17) Jarrod Colburn, Rutland, Vt.
24. (25) Brittany Ladd, South Glens Falls, N.Y.
25. (20) Cody Dion, Rutland, Vt.
Did Not Start (3 drivers): Lynn Denton, Milton, Vt.; T.J. Knight, Wells, Vt.; # Scott Chandler, Pittsford, Vt.
Lap Leaders: Daryl Gebo, 1-10; Chris Sumner, 11-13; Chris Conroy, 14-15. (2 lead changes among 3 drivers)
Cautions (3): Laps 5, 10, 13.
Heat Winners: Daryl Gebo, Austin McKirryher, Chris Sumner
Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint Feature (15 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (7) Kamden Duffy, Richmond, N.H.
2. (9) Ray Hanson, Orwell, Vt.
3. (5) Kaidin White, Monkton, Vt.
4. (4) John Smith, Poultney, Vt.
5. (8) # Vern Woodard, Fair Haven, Vt.
6. (2) Kevin Smith, Brandon, Vt.
7. (3) # Gage Provencher, Bridport, Vt.
8. (6) John McPhee Jr., Rutland, Vt.
9. (13) Roger LaDuc, Orwell, Vt.
10. (11) # Tommy Kasuba, Castleton, Vt.
11. (12) # Lynn Sumner, Fair Haven, Vt.
12. (10) # Kyle Bruno, Pittsford, Vt.
13. (1) # Kris Severance, Fair Haven, Vt.
Lap Leaders: Kris Severance, pole; Kaidin White, 1; Kamden Duffy, 2-15. (2 lead changes among 3 drivers)
Cautions (1): Lap 8.
Heat Winners: n/a
