It was Kids’ Poster Night at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Saturday evening, and the youngsters in attendance were treated to an exciting card of dirt track action. A pair of drivers earned their second wins of the season, and two others visited victory lane for the first time in their careers.
In the 30-lap Sunoco Sportsman Modified feature, veteran wheelman Randy Ryan cruised to a seemingly easy win. It was an emotional bounce-back win for Ryan, who saw one of his cars destroyed in a turn-one rollover in his last start. The outcome of this one was never in doubt as Ryan pounced to the lead from the pole at the drop of the green flag and led every lap. Brent Warren, who was lightning fast in his heat race, quickly moved from his fourth spot on the grid to second by passing Marty Hutchins and Eric Shaw, but Ryan had already checked out. Ryan crossed the finish line half a track in front of the rest of the pack. Warren held on for second, Vince Quenneville was third, Josh Sunn fourth, and Tanner Siemons, who moved up 10 spots from his 15th starting position, was fifth.
The O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman Modifieds ran two features, the first of which was a makeup event from last weekend. In the opener, Gary English opened up a sizeable lead in the early stages and looked to be on his way to a decisive victory, but Cody O’Brien had other plans. English led the first 18 circuits and appeared to have the car to beat, but O’Brien was able to slip around him on lap 19. O’Brien had to stave off English and the rest of the contenders after a lap 24 restart and drove away for his second win of the season. Tyler Travis got around English late in the race to earn the second spot. English, Matt Wade, and Bobbi Hults completed the top five.
In the second main event, English was not to be denied. After seeing the win in the first feature slip through his hands, English got redemption in the regularly scheduled 25-lap race. English and Anthony Ryan brought the field to the green flag. English took control right from the start and was never challenged. The best racing was going on behind English as Boomer Patterson, Ryan, Logan Denis, and “Santa Bob” Kilburn battled for the second through fifth spots. Patterson eventually overcame the others to finish second. Denis was third, Ryan fourth, and Kilburn fifth.
The Northern Refrigeration Novice Sportsman Modified 20-lap feature will be one that Christopher Pierce will never forget. The Orford, New Hampshire, driver captured his first career modified win after moving up from the 500cc Mini Sprint division this season. Pierce fired from the seventh position on the grid, but it was obvious right away he was sitting in a fast hot rod. Matt Little set the early pace and looked as though he had a win in his back pocket. Pierce was closing fast after taking over the second spot on lap 14, but time was getting short. Little spun out in turn two on lap 19, and Pierce was there to take advantage of his misfortune. Chris Sumner completed a solid run for a second-place finish. Little recovered to finish third, Rob Steves fourth, and James McLellan fifth.
Levi Cram continued his recent hot streak, rolling to his second consecutive feature win in the Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint 20-lap feature. Cram sprang from outside the front row to stake the early advantage and led from green to checkers. Tyler Whittemore also had a fast piece, but didn’t have quite enough to hang with the X9 machine. Whittemore held off a charging Scott Bachand for the second spot. Bachand finished third, followed by Alex Reed and Quinn Quenneville.
Trevor Jaques flexed his muscles in the Stove Depot Crown Vic feature. Jaques started on the second row but didn’t waste any time disposing of the front-row cars of Gordon Dimick and Scott Richner. After assuming the point, Jaques navigated the outside groove to collect a decisive victory. Norm Morrill tried to run down Jaques late, but had to settle for the runner-up spot as Jaques was just too strong. Following the top two across the finish line were Chad Merrill, Ryan Patch, and Richner.
The Mini Stocks once again ran two separate main events. In the Mini Stock High Handicap feature, Kaleb Shepard parked his car in victory lane for the third time this season. Shepard began in the sixth spot in the lineup and patiently worked his way through the pack. Bob Wood led some laps early. Chris Charbonneau soon came to the front, and he and Shepard went toe to toe for the win before Shepard took charge to earn the top position on the podium. Charbonneau held on for second. Kyle Jordan roared from the 13th to finish third. Jon Jordan was fourth and Jeremy Brownell fifth.
In the low handicap Mini Stock feature, Jayde Pope picked up his first career win. Pope had a strong run a couple of weeks ago and was leading when his motor went sour, but this time around, he was too stout for the rest of the field. Pope quickly rose from the seventh starting spot to grab the lead on lap four. Bert Ouellette, who took over the 25B ride of Damian Olden, tore through the pack from the 13th position to place second, but despite his best effort, could not steal the lead from Pope. Ron Alger finished third, Caden Stearns fourth, and Chandler Sumner, also in a new ride, was fifth.
The racing continues at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Saturday, June 6th, with Inspired Minds Child Care Night featuring “Kids Race Car Rides,” plus a Wild and Crazy 50-lap Enduro. Grandstand gates open at 5:30 p.m. Racing at 7 p.m. Grandstand admission is $15. Infield parking is $25. Kids 12 and under are free. Pit admission is $30 for members and $40 for non-members.
Official Results-Kids’ Poster Contest Night
Saturday, May 30th
Sunoco Sportsman Modified Feature (30 laps)
Pos. (Start) Driver Hometown
1. (1) Randy Ryan Orwell, VT
2. (4) Brent Warren Salisbury, VT
3. (8) Vince Quenneville Brandon, VT
4. (9) Josh Sunn White River Junction, VT
5. (15) Tanner Siemons Orford, NH
6. (12) Joey Scarborough Brandon, VT
7. (10) Kevin Chaffee Bradford, VT
8. (13) A.J. Munger Benson, VT
9. (3) Eric Shaw Wells, VT
10. (5) Billy Lussier Fair Haven, VT
11. (14) Justin Comes Fair Haven, VT
12. (2) Marty Hutchins Poultney, VT
13. (11) Frankie Hoard III Manchester Center, VT
14. (18) Dave Camara Poultney, VT
15. (17) Marty Kelly III Bennington, VT
16. (21) Johnny Bruno Orlando, FL
17. (20) Jim Ryan Whiting, VT
18. (16) Alex Palmer-Sawyer Cambridge, NY
19. (19) Adam Piper Leicester, VT
20. (6) Josh Masterson Bristol, VT
21. (7) Scott Towslee Manchester, VT
DNS Bruce Loomis
O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman Modified 5/23 Feature (30 laps)
Pos. (Start) Driver Hometown
1. Cody O’Brien Peru, NY
2. Tyler Travis Hartland, VT
3. Gary English Salisbury, VT
4. Matthew Wade Fair Haven, VT
5. Bobbi Hults Castleton, VT
6. Freddie Little Salisbury, VT
7. Alex Layn New Haven, VT
8. Bob Kilburn Fair Haven, VT
9. Anthony Ryan Benson, VT
10. Logan Denis Whiting, VT
11. William Lussier Jr Fair Haven, VT
12. Trevor Hurlburt Bomoseen, VT
13. Don Williams Ripton, VT
14. Joshua Patterson Milton, VT
15. Adam Lafountain Starksboro, VT
16. Russell Farr III Middle Granville, NY
17. Derrick Counter Leicester, VT
18. William Duprey Hydeville, VT
19. Aiden Benoure Bristol, VT
O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman Modified Feature (25 laps)
Pos. (Start) Driver Hometown
1. (1) Gary English Salisbury, VT
2. (3) Joshua Patterson Milton, VT
3. (7) Logan Denis Whiting, VT
4. (2) Anthony Ryan Benson, VT
5. (4) Bob Kilburn Fair Haven, VT
6. (9) Cody O’Brien Peru, NY
7. (11) Tyler Travis Hartland, VT
8. (10) William Lussier Jr Fair Haven, VT
9. (13) Trevor Hurlburt Bomoseen, VT
10. (5) Adam Lafountain Starksboro, VT
11. (14) William Duprey Hydeville, VT
12. (6) Freddie Little Salisbury, VT
13. (18) Matthew Wade Fair Haven, VT
14. (15) Aiden Benoure Bristol, VT
15. (12) Alex Layn New Haven, VT
16. (17) Don Williams Ripton, VT
17. (8) Bobbi Hults Castleton, VT
18. (16) Russell Farr III Middle Granville, NY
Northern Refrigeration Novice Sportsman Modified Feature (20 laps)
Pos. (Start) Driver Hometown
1. (7) Christopher Pierce Orford, NH
2. (1) Chris Sumner East Middlebury, VT
3. (2) Matt Little Salisbury, VT
4. (3) Rob Steves Orwell, VT
5. (5) James McLellan Wells, VT
6. (11) Jim Mattison Queensbury, NY
7. (6) Rob Steele Bomoseen, VT
8. (9) Jakobee Alger Orwell, VT
9. (12) Eric Dingman Corinth, NY
10. (4) Mark McGinnis Rutland, VT
11. (8) Gage Provencher Bridport, VT
12. (10) Ben Williams Brandon, VT
Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint Feature (20 laps)
Pos. (Start) Driver Hometown
1. (2) Levi Cram Leicester, VT
2. (6) Tyler Whittemore Pttsford, VT
3. (5) Scott Bachand St Albans, VT
4. (4) Alex Reed Proctor, VT
5. (3) Quinn Quenneville Brandon, VT
6. (8) Trevor Jaques Milton, VT
7. (9) Aiden Wade Clarendon, VT
8. (7) Kevin Smith Brandon, VT
9. (1) Tommy Kasuba Castleton, VT
Stove Deport Crown Vic Feature (15 laps)
Pos. (Start) Driver Hometown
1. (4) Trevor Jaques Milton, VT
2. (6) Norm Morrill North Ferrisburgh, VT
3. (7) Chad Merrill Shelburne, VT
4. (8) Ryan Patch Rutland, VT
5. (2) Scott Richner Rouses Point, NY
6. (1) Gordon Dimick North Clarendon, VT
7. (3) Eric Friend Middlebury, VT
8. (11) James Norton Essex, VT
9. (9) Levi Benoure Salisbury, VT
10. (5) Bradford Cram Rutland, VT
11. (10) Josh Muir Enosburg Falls, VT
Mini Stock High Handicap Feature (20 laps)
Pos. (Start) Driver Hometown
1. ( 6) Kaleb Shepard Vergennes, VT
2. (8) Chris Charbonneau Rutland, VT
3. (13) Kyle Jordan Benson, VT
4. (10) Jon Jordan Benson, VT
5. (5) Jeremy Brownell Greenwich, NY
6. (4) Brian Blake Cornwall, VT
7. (9) Joe Warren Plattsburgh, NY
8. (12) Tyler Bell Peru, NY
9. (1) Bob Wood Whiting, VT
10. (7) Jeremy Brownell Jr Greenwich, NY
11. (2) Cody Dion Rutland, VT
12. (3) Shane Wood West Haven, VT
DNS Jacob Mallory
Mini Stock Low Handicap Feature (20 laps)
Pos. (Start) Driver Hometown
1. (7) Jayde Pope Fair Haven, VT
2. (13) Bert Ouellette Ellington, CT
3. (8) Ron Alger Orwell, VT
4. (12) Caden Stearns Shoreham, VT
5. (5) Chandler Sumner Ripton, VT
6. (9) Vincent Kendall Rutland, VT
7. (6) Richard Fleury Poultney, VT
8. (1) Adam Stewart Wells, VT
9. (4) David Labarge South Glens Falls, NY
10. (10) Christopher Hewitt Pittsford, VT
11. (3) Quinton Bishop Whiting, VT
12. (2) Gerard Jordan Jr Benson, VT
13. (14) Carl Lapoint Clemons, NY
DQ Jerry Jordan Sr Benson, VT
