Redemption Comes for Comes in Devil’s Bowl Speedway Sportsman Win
Ryan adds name to first-time winner’s list in Limiteds
WEST HAVEN, Vt. – Justin Comes needed good some news at Devil’s Bowl Speedway, and he got it in a big way. The Middlebury, Vt., driver won the Pepsi Sportsman Modified feature on Friend Construction Night on Sunday, August 4, to turn a bad run of luck around, highlighting an event that also saw Anthony Ryan, Chris Murray, David Sartwell-Cornell, and Evan Roberts make trips to Victory Lane.
Comes was a bona fide championship contender before things fell apart in mid-July: In a string of three races to end the month, Comes crashed twice and blew an engine, getting dropkicked to ninth place in the standings. With a new (used) powerplant for Sunday’s 30-lap race, Comes lived up to his “High Side Hustler” nickname and ran the top groove all night long. Underdog racer Jeff Washburn gave Comes a scare on a late restart but Comes was able to slip away with the lead and breathe a sigh of relief with his first win of the season.
Benson, Vt.’s Washburn was solid all night and took the runner-up position for his career-best finish. Adam Pierson came alive late to finish third, followed by Mike Palmer and point leader Kenny Tremont Jr. Billy Lussier was sixth, followed by Jimmy Ryan, Walt Hammond Jr., Vince Quenneville, and Cody Ochs. Tremont built upon his lead in the point standings and now has an unofficial cushion of 92 points (506-414) over Pierson.
Another Benson driver, Anthony Ryan, whooped it up in Victory Lane with his first win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman division. In the longest event of the year for the second-tier division, Ryan strolled home by leading all 30 laps in a dominating performance; the race was only his 10th start in a racecar. Ryan is the seventh different driver to score his first-ever win in the Limited Sportsman division in 2019 and earned $300 for the win.
Adam Piper took second with Austin Comes – the younger brother of the Sportsman winner – a career-best third. Johnny Bruno was fourth ahead of Anthony Warren, and Travis Witbeck impressed in his first Devil’s Bowl start for sixth. David Boisclair, point leader James Hanson, Austin Chaves, and Dave Snow completed the top 10.
Fair Haven, Vt.’s Chris Murray scored again in the Super Stock division, taking his third win of the season in a 25-lapper. Murray came from 11th starting position and blasted into the lead on the outside at lap 9, then ran away uncontested. Josh Bussino finished second with Bill Duprey third – each repeating his finish from the previous week. Rookie Kaleb Shepard finished fourth and point leader Scott FitzGerald rebounded from a rough race to run fifth.
Rookie David Sartwell-Cornell inherited his first Mini Stock win following post-race inspection. Hailing from the Canadian border town of Highgate Springs, Vt., original runner-up Sartwell-Cornell was given the victory when apparent winner P.J. Bleau’s car was disqualified for an unapproved computer module. Craig Kirby was second with rookie Scott Cowdrey third in the official rundown. Jarrod Colburn took fourth after pounding the wall at the checkered flag, and Shawn Moquin, who was penalized two positions for rough-riding Colburn, was scored fifth.
Fletcher, Vt., rookie Evan Roberts continued his utter dominance of the Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint division, taking his fourth consecutive victory and his sixth overall. The 13-year-old’s win was especially sweet as his car, the division, and the event all carried sponsorship from roofing company Friend Construction. Shawn McPhee finished second ahead of Cody O’Brien, Samantha Mulready, and John McPhee Jr.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway is ready for a huge event on Sunday, August 11 with an early starting time of 6:00 p.m., with inaugural “Battle at the Bowl” Big Block/Small Block Modified Challenge. Star drivers Stewart Friesen, Brett Hearn, Tim Fuller, and many more are expected to contend for the $10,000 top prize in a unique, three-feature format. The King of Dirt Racing Crate Modified Series will also be on hand for the Leon Gonyo Memorial race. Admission is $30 for adults and free for kids 12 and under. For more information, visitwww.BBSBChallenge.com.
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, visitwww.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 – Friend Construction Night
Devil’s Bowl Speedway – West Haven, Vt.
Sunday, August 4, 2019
Pepsi Sportsman Modified Feature – (30 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (2) Justin Comes, Middlebury, Vt.
2. (1) Jeff Washburn, Benson, Vt.
3. (8) Adam Pierson, East Corinth, Vt.
4. (7) Mike Palmer, Salisbury, Vt.
5. (18) Kenny Tremont Jr., West Sand Lake, N.Y.
6. (4) Billy Lussier, Fair Haven, Vt.
7. (20) Jimmy Ryan, Shoreham, Vt.
8. (3) Walt Hammond Jr., Canaan, N.H.
9. (12) Vince Quenneville, Brandon, Vt.
10. (6) Cody Ochs, East Greenbush, N.Y.
11. (22) Hector Stratton, Bennington, Vt.
12. (9) # Joey Roberts, Fletcher, Vt.
13. (24) Walter J. Hammond, Canaan, N.H.
14. (23) Tanner Siemons, Orford, N.H.
15. (17) Frank Hoard III, Manchester Center, Vt.
16. (13) Marty Kelly III, North Bennington, Vt.
17. (10) Allan Hammond, Orange, N.H.
18. (25) # Brent Warren, Salisbury, Vt.
19. (27) Mike Fisher, Castleton, Vt.
20. (26) Floyd Billington (substitute for Travis Billington)
21. (19) Jack Speshock, Malta, N.Y.
22. (11) Wayne Stearns, Bradford, Vt.
23. (5) Bruce Loomis, Queensbury, N.Y.
24. (14) Tim LaDuc, Orwell, Vt.
25. (21) Ron Proctor, Charlton, N.Y.
26. (15) Bobby Hackel, Rensselaer, N.Y.
27. (16) Josh Sunn, White River Junction, Vt.
Did Not Start: Joey Scarborough, Brandon, Vt.
Heat Winners: Walt Hammond Jr., Billy Lussier, Adam Pierson
Shiley Fabrication Hard Charger Award: Kenny Tremont Jr. (+13 positions)
Shiley Fabrication Hard Luck Award: Joey Scarborough
AMSOIL Award: Justin Comes
O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman Feature (30 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
1. (1) Anthony Ryan, Benson, Vt.
2. (6) Adam Piper, Leicester, Vt.
3. (5) Austin Comes, Middlebury, Vt.
4. (9) Johnny Bruno, Castleton, Vt.
5. (11) Anthony Warren, Shoreham, Vt.
6. (12) Travis Witbeck, Pittstown, N.Y.
7. (8) David Boisclair, Watervliet, N.Y.
8. (10) James Hanson, Orwell, Vt.
9. (14) Austin Chaves, Chester, Vt.
10. (7) Dave Snow, Brandon, Vt.
11. (13) Mike McGinn, Elizabethtown, N.Y.
12. (18) Matt Rich, Schenectady, N.Y.
13. (15) Shawn Phelps, Richmond, Vt.
14. (3) Larry Gallipo, West Rutland, Vt.
15. (17) Bobby Schmidt, Gansevoort, N.Y.
16. (16) Mike Parodi, South Glens Falls, N.Y.
17. (2) Matt Bilodeau, Brandon, Vt.
18. (5) Marty Hutchins, Poultney, Vt.
Heat Winners: Larry Gallipo, Anthony Ryan
Shiley Fabrication Hard Charger Award: Anthony Warren (+6 positions)
Shiley Fabrication Hard Luck Award: Marty Hutchins
Super Stock Feature (25 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (11) Chris Murray, Fair Haven, Vt.
2. (7) Josh Bussino, Belmont, Vt.
3. (4) Bill Duprey, Hydeville, Vt.
4. (8) # Kaleb Shepard, Vergennes, Vt.
5. (12) Scott FitzGerald, West Rutland, Vt.
6. (3) # Cam Gadue, Highgate, Vt.
7. (6) Andrew FitzGerald, West Rutland, Vt.
8. (13) # Mark Norris, Benson, Vt.
9. (1) # Roo Forrest, West Rutland, Vt.
10. (10) Curtis Condon, Queensbury, N.Y.
11. (5) Trevor Hurlburt, Bomoseen, Vt.
12. (15) Kevin Elliott, Rutland, Vt.
13. (9) Garrett Given, Orwell, Vt.
14. (2) Ronnie Alger, Orwell, Vt.
15. (14) Russ Farr, Middle Granville, N.Y.
Heat Winners: None
Mini Stock Feature (20 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (5) # David Sartwell-Cornell, Highgate Springs, Vt.
2. (11) Craig Kirby, Winooski, Vt.
3. (6) # Scott Cowdrey, Leicester, Vt.
4. (15) Jarrod Colburn, Rutland, Vt.
5. (9) Shawn Moquin, Milton, Vt.
6. (8) Joe Malzac, Salisbury, Vt.
7. (10) Tim Simonds, Clarendon, Vt.
8. (2) # Katrina Bean, Benson, Vt.
9. (4) # T.J. Knight, Fair Haven, Vt.
10. (13) Kevin Withington, West Rutland, Vt.
11. (1) # Mary Gardner, Granville, N.Y.
12. (17) Adam Stewart, Benson, Vt.
13. (3) # Kendra Walden, Poultney, Vt.
14. (7) Willie Rice, Poultney, Vt.
15. (12) Jake Barrows, Middlebury, Vt.
16. (14) Shawn Rogers, Fair Haven, Vt.
Disqualified: (16) P.J. Bleau, Latham, N.Y. (Computer module)
Heat Winners: None
Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint Feature (20 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (10) # Evan Roberts, Fletcher, Vt.
2. (8) Shawn McPhee, Rutland, Vt.
3. (1) Cody O’Brien, Springfield, Vt.
4. (5) Samantha Mulready, Cambridge, N.Y.
5. (7) John McPhee Jr., Rutland, Vt.
6. (2) Kevin Smith, Brandon, Vt.
7. (9) # Kamden Duffy, Richmond, N.H.
8. (4) Joel Belanger, Washington, N.H.
9. (6) Dakota Green, Cambridge, N.Y.
10. (3) # Jack Koponen, Mount Holly, Vt.
11. (13) # Eric Wade, Rutland, Vt.
12. (12) # Alyza McKeighan, Brandon, Vt.
13. (14) Kaidin White, Vergennes, Vt.
14. (11) # Mia Koponen, Ludlow, Vt.
Heat Winners: John McPhee Jr., Shawn McPhee
