Mother Nature attempted to impose her will on the racing card on Saturday night, but the management, staff, drivers and fans at Devil’s Bowl Speedway refused to lose. After a brief storm rolled through West Haven right before intermission, the track crew’s determined effort, followed by the modified driver’s help working the racing surface in, allowed the kids’ race car rides and the remainder of the Inspired Minds Childcare night’s events to be completed. With the track’s characteristics vastly different after the rain shower concluded, drivers were challenged to adjust, making for an entertaining show.
In the 30-lap Sunoco Sportsman Modified feature, Scott Towslee, usually known as a “High Plains Drifter,” suddenly became a “Bottom Feeder,” as he hugged the inside line for a convincing victory, ending a two-year drought. Adam Piper set the early pace, but a mechanical issue ended his night on lap eight. Towslee took control on the ensuing restart and never gave it back. Last week’s winner, Randy Ryan, appeared to be primed to contend for another win, but he also suffered a mechanical issue. Frank Hoard III charged from ninth on the grid to take over the second spot and challenge Towslee. After failing to be able to overtake the leader on a trio of restarts, Hoard III fashioned a last-ditch effort to steal the top spot from Towslee out of turn four, coming to the white flag, and clipped the outside retaining wall, sending him back to ninth. Towslee held on to collect the victory, followed by Brent Warren, A.J. Munger, Joey Scarborough, and Josh Sunn. Scarborough earned the Elmo’s Pit Stop Hard Charger Award after advancing from the 14th starting position to fourth.
The Xtreme Dirt Midgets made the first of their two appearances at “The Bowl” this season, with Matt Tanner adding to his win total at the speedway by capturing the 15-lap feature. Weekly modified driver Justin Comes, who was handed the opportunity to wheel the No. 2 Seal-It car for the first time, jumped to the point early and led the first few circuits. Breathing down the neck of Comes were three of the best open wheel drivers in the Northeast, in Tanner, Chris Murray, and Will Hull, all with multiple wins at the track. Tanner’s experience paid off as he wrestled the lead from Comes and fought him off for the win. Comes, Hull, Murray and Daniel Piastka rounded out the top five.
In the O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman Modified main event, Logan Denis roared through the pack from the eighth starting position to earn the top step on the podium for the second time this season. The young campaigner from Whiting, VT, who will graduate from Otter Valley High School this weekend, slipped around William Duprey in the closing segment of the race to park his machine in victory lane. Duprey and Anthony Ryan led the field to the green flag. Duprey grabbed the lead from Ryan off turn two on the opening circuit. Duprey held the point until Denis swept around him on the outside of turn four on lap 20 and held on the rest of the way. Duprey crossed the line second, followed by Ryan, “Santa Bob” Kilburn, and Boomer Patterson. Denis also earned the Next Play Performance Hard Charger Award for gaining seven spots.
A week ago, Matt Little looked like he had the Northern Refrigeration Novice Sportsman Modified feature in his back pocket until he spun in turn two after taking the white flag, allowing rookie Christopher Pierce to pick up his first win in the division. This week, Little got a little redemption as he dominated the 20-lap event. The front row pairing of Mark McGinnis and Rob Steele took turns on the point in the first third of the race, but Little took the lead on lap seven and cruised to a decisive win. Steele fought off a challenge from Pierce to place second. Pierce, James McLellan, and McGinnis completed the top five.
Veteran racer Scott Bachand added to his ever-growing win total, capturing the checkered flag in the Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint 15-lap feature. Levi Cram, who was searching for his third consecutive win, sprang to the lead from his starting spot outside the front row to lead the early laps. Tyler Whittemore came up to challenge Cram, and the pair made contact and spun exiting turn three. Whittemore continued, but the damage to his car ended Cram’s night. Bachand took advantage of the situation and hustled off to seize the victory. Ray Hansen, who was filling in for an ailing Quinn Quenneville, stormed from the shotgun spot on the grid to finish second, followed by Alex Reed, Whittemore, and Carm Isabella. Ron Alger went to victory lane for the second time this season in the Mini Stock Low Handicap 15-lap feature. Adam Stewart started on the pole and led some laps early. Gerard Jordan Jr. in the Jordans’ Chevy Shed entry, was also in contention early, but Alger proved just too hard to handle as his ride remains dialed in this season. Following Alger under the checkers were Jordan Jr., Stewart, David LaBarge, and Quinton Bishop.
The Mini Stock High Handicap 15-lap main event was a thriller as Jeremy Brownell Jr. outlasted his father, Jeremy Brownell, for the win. The race was a family affair all the way through as Bob Wood led the early laps before giving way to his son Shane Wood. Weekly hot shoes Tyler Bell and Kaleb Shepard made their presence felt as well, before fading back. Bob Wood’s night ended when his car went off the backstretch off of turn two and rolled over. The younger Wood tried his best to complete the win for his dad, but the Brownells were too strong. Wood held onto third behind the Brownell family feud. Jake Barrows was fourth and Chris Charbonneau fifth.
The evening concluded with a wild and wacky 50-lap Enduro. James Norton flexed his muscles once again, nearly lapping the entire field in a lopsided win. It was the second victory in a row for Norton. Trevor Jaques finished second, Brent Wilbur third, Kody Vermilyea fourth, and Walter Scram fifth.
The action continues at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Saturday, June 13th, for Heritage Family Credit Union Member Night featuring a kid’s bicycle giveaway. All weekly divisions will be on the card. Grandstands open at 5:30 p.m. Racing is at 7 p.m. Grandstand admission is $15. Infield admission is $25. Kids 12 and under are free. Pit admission is $30 for members and $40 for non-members.
Official Results-Inspired Minds Childcare Night
Saturday, June 6th
Sunoco Sportsman Modified Feature (30 laps)
Pos. (Start) Driver Hometown
1. (3) Scott Towslee Manchester, VT
2. (7) Brent Warren Salisbury, VT
3. (12) A.J. Munger Benson, VT
4. (14) Joey Scarborough Brandon, VT
5. (10) Josh Sunn White River Junction, VT
6. (9) Frankie Hoard III Manchester Center, VT
7. (13) Tanner Siemons Orford, NH
8. (2) Eric Shaw Wells, VT
9. (11) Justin Comes Fair Haven, VT
10. (5) Marty Kelly III Bennington, VT
11. (15) Vince Quenneville Brandon, VT
12. (18) Johnny Bruno Orlando, FL
13. (17) Jim Ryan Whiting, VT
14. (16) Alex Palmer-Sawyer Cambridge, NY
15. (20) Marty Hutchins Poultney, VT
16. (8) Dave Camara Poultney, VT
17. (4) Randy Ryan Orwell, VT
18. (6) Billy Lussier Fair Haven, VT
19. (1) Adam Piper Leicester, VT
20. (19) Kevin Chaffee Bradford, VT
DNS Bruce Loomis
Xtreme Dirt Midget Feature (15 laps)
Pos. (Start) Driver Hometown
1. (4) Matt Tanner Stephentown, NY
2. (1) Justin Comes Fair Haven, VT
3. (3) Will Hull East Montpelier, VT
4. (5) Chris Murray Fair Haven, VT
5. (2) Daniel Piastka West Suffield, CT
6. (7) Brandon Piastka New Haven, VT
7. (9) John Forlano E Hampton, CT
8. (6) Nick Fretto Ballston Lake, NY
9. (8) Keith Brown Hardwick, MA
O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman Modified Feature (25 laps)
Pos. (Start) Driver Hometown
1. (8) Logan Denis Whiting, VT
2. (1) William Duprey Hydeville, VT
3. (2) Anthony Ryan Benson, VT
4. (5) Bob Kilburn Fair Haven, VT
5. (6) Joshua Patterson Milton, VT
6. (3) Matthew Wade Fair Haven, VT
7. (4) Bobbi Hults Castleton, VT
8. (9) William Lussier Jr Fair Haven, VT
9. (10) Freddie Little Salisbury, VT
10. (16) Tyler Travis Hartland, VT
11. (7) Gary English Salisbury, VT
12. (12) Cody O’Brien Peru, NY
13. (13) Adam Lafountain Starksboro, VT
14. (19) Trevor Hurlburt Bomoseen, VT
15. (18) Kyle Kerr Shoreham, VT
16. (15) Aiden Benoure Bristol, VT
17. (14) Don Williams Ripton, VT
18. (20) Charlotte Morin Saint-Césaire, QC
19. (11) Kamden Duffy Richmond, NH
20. (17) Russell Farr III Middle Granville, NY
Northern Refrigeration Novice Sportsman Modified Feature (20 laps)
Pos. (Start) Driver Hometown
1. (4) Matt Little Salisbury, VT
2. (2) Rob Steele Bomoseen, VT
3. (5) Christopher Pierce Orford, NH
4. (3) James McLellan Wells, VT
5. (1) Mark McGinnis Rutland, VT
6. (6) Gavin Fleury Ticonderoga, NY
7. (8) Corey Landry Hudson, NY
8. (13) Rob Steves Orwell, VT
9. (12) Eric Dingman Corinth, NY
10. (7) Gage Provencher Bridport, VT
11. (11) Roger Laduc Castleton, VT
12. (9) Ben Williams Brandon, VT
13. (10) Jakobee Alger Orwell, VT
Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint Feature (15 laps)
Pos. (Start) Driver Hometown
1. (5) Scott Bachand St Albans, VT
2. (10) Quinn Quenneville Brandon, VT
3. (3) Alex Reed Proctor, VT
4. (6) Tyler Whittemore Pttsford, VT
5. (8) Carm Isabella Ballston Spa, NY
6. (7) Aiden Wade Clarendon, VT
7. (1) Tommy Kasuba Castleton, VT
8. (2) Levi Cram Leicester, VT
DNS John Smith Poultney, VT
DNS Kevin Smith Brandon, VT
DNS Josh Rickson Ballston Spa, NY
Mni Stock Low Handicap Feature (15 laps)
Pos. (Start) Driver Hometown
1. (7) Ron Alger Orwell, VT
2. (2) Gerard Jordan Jr Benson, VT
3. (1) Adam Stewart Benson, VT
4. (3) David Labarge South Glens Falls, NY
5. (5) Quinton Bishop Whiting, VT
6. (8) Christopher Hewitt Pittsford, VT
7. (12) Jerry Jordan Sr Benson, VT
8. (10) Vincent Kendall Rutland, VT
9. (4) Chandler Sumner Ripton, VT
10. (6) Jayde Pope Fair Haven, VT
11. (11) Brandon Ellis Benson, VT
12. (9) William Hewitt Castleton, VT
Mini Stock High Handicap Feature 15 laps)
Pos. (Start) Driver Hometown
1. (7) Jeremy Brownell Jr Greenwich, NY
2. (6) Jeremy Brownell Greenwich, NY
3. (3) Shane Wood West Haven, VT
4. (13) Jake Barrows Middlebury, VT
5. (9) Chris Charbonneau Rutland, VT
6. (8) Kaleb Shepard Vergennes, VT
7. (11) Jon Jordan Benson, VT
8. (4) Tyler Bell Peru, NY
9. (2) Cody Dion Rutland, VT
10. (1) Bob Wood Whiting, VT
11. (12) Kyle Jordan Benson, VT
12. (5) Brian Blake Cornwall, VT
DNS Jacob Mallory Granville, NY
Enduro Series (50 laps)
Pos. (Start) Driver Hometown
1. (21) James Norton Essex, VT
2. (25) Trevor Jaques Milton, VT
3. (22) Brent Wilbur West Haven, VT
4. (6) Kody Vermilyea West Haven, VT
5. (11) Walter Scram Berne, NY
6. (18) George Wanner West Haven, VT
7. (19) Dayton Blake Lyndonville, VT
8. (12) Cody Seaver Fair Haven, VT
9. (7) Ryan Custonguay West Haven, VT
10. (2) John Mattison Granville, NY
11. (8) Neale Davis-Sicard Sheldon, VT
12. (3) Bruce Poirier West Haven, VT
13. (15) Coby Delage West Haven, VT
14. (17) Jeremiah Thomas Petersburg, NY
15. (4) Andrew Lopes Swanton, VT
16. (5) Jay Lanza West Haven, VT
17. (14) Zeb Provost Plattsburgh, NY
18. (20) Cory Kendall Poultney, VT
19. (26) Tim LaDuc Orwell, VT
20. (10) Maverick Mitchell Benson, VT
21. (24) Cam Gadue Highgate, VT
22. (9) Rylee Norton Essex, VT
23. (23) Craig Baptie West Haven, VT
24. (1) Dan Desforges West Haven, VT
25. (16) Ryan Megna Salem, NY
DNS Bob Bathalon West Haven, VT
