WEST HAVEN, VT.— Legends’ Night has arrived at New England’s Fastest Dirt Track and it comes with an unbeatable price tag– $5.
Mike’s Fuels presents a great night of racing action with the stars and cars of yesteryear and former Devil’s Bowl Speedway legends in attendance for the annual visit to the Green Mountains for the Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified series, expected to bring more than 30 vintage modifieds and late models. Drivers to watch in the throwback classes include open wheelers Randy Delaney, Joe Rando and Merv Blackwell as well as full-fendered drivers Curtis Condon and Frank Hoard, Jr.
Joining the vintage cars will be all regular Devil’s Bowl Speedway divisions. In the Sunoco Modifieds, Tim LaDuc will look for his first victory of the 2023 season. The Orwell, V.t. racer and 2021 track champion earned two Elmo’s Pit Stop Hard Charger awards on July 8th and looks to have the momentum on his side to begin the 2nd half of the season. He will need to top one of the toughest fields around to do it. The headline class has not had a repeat winner yet in 2023.
In the O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman class, three-time winner Randy Ryan will go hunting for his 4th checkered flag of 2023, and he’ll have two chances to find it. The Limited Sportsman will have double features this Saturday, making up for a rained-out program from June 25th.
Hoosier Daddy Racing Novice Sportsman features were won on July 8th by Allen Hewitt and Donald Williams, both chasing boss Tyler Travis. Travis has yet to win a feature in 2023, but the Hartland, V.t. driver will look to become the division’s ninth winner this year Saturday Night.
Roger LaDuc won his first Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint feature of 2023 last Saturday as part of the features-only program. LaDuc sits third in the point standings, which are led by Logan Denis. The class has had nine feature winners so far in 2023 and championship hopes are much alive for those top five drivers with half the season remaining.
A major shakeup in the Mini Stock points occurred last week. Mark Mahoney of Brandon has catapulted himself into the 2nd position in the standings behind Craig Kirby. Mahoney is enjoying a career year and staying consistent, but Cornwall’s Brian Blake is red hot with two wins in the last month.
The 9th State Cannabis Crown Vics are off this week, but the growing division has nine cars in it now with more being prepared for competition. Rob Steele split the winning with Zach Wood on July 8th and extended his points lead to 14 markers over Norm Morrill. The racing is close and hard-nosed, and it is earning positive reviews from fans and drivers alike.
Saturday’s intermission will feature interviews with former Devil’s Bowl Speedway stars like Don Ronca, Ron Proctor, Gene Munger and more. Former track announcer Justin St. Louis will also be on hand working the 2nd chair with Jay Severson bringing fans through the racing action.
Racing begins at 7:00 p.m. this Saturday, July 15th. The pit gates will open at 4:00 p.m. and the grandstands at 5:30. The Drivers’ Meeting is scheduled for 5:30 with practice to follow at 6:00 p.m.
In the event of a rainout, racing will commence Sunday at 5:00.
General admission is just $5 this week and Infield Drive-In parking is available for $20. Kids 12 and under are free. Pit pass fees are $28 for members and $38 for non-members.
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.