Devil’s Bowl Speedway COVID-19 Update Friday, May 8, 2020
Dear Fans, Racers, and Friends,
We hope and trust that you all are staying safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. These are certainly unprecedented times that have affected, and will continue to affect, every aspect of our daily lives. While it is certainly frustrating to not always be allowed to enjoy things that we have sometimes taken for granted – like dirt track racing at Devil’s Bowl Speedway – the health and safety of everyone is far more important.
Some encouraging news: Governor Phil Scott on Wednesday, May 6, announced new guidance under Addendum 13 of Vermont’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order, which will allow outdoor recreational activities to resume, albeit under strict guidelines. With this new guidance, Governor Scott has granted permission for the state’s stock car tracks to open with limited practice sessions.
As COVID-19 progresses, and we continue to monitor the Vermont Governor’s softening of his executive orders we are starting to make those hard decisions on what we need to do with our regular schedule and special events.
Knowing that everyone’s safety is of the upmost importance it is still hard to have to pull the plug on opening night, and the second week of the season. Everyone is more than anxious to have things get back to the new normal (whatever that might be), but it is first and foremost more important to do everything we can to keep us all safe and healthy.
When the 53rd consecutive season finally opens it will not be under the banner of F.M.S. NAPA of Bradford, we have moved Mike Olsen and his team to our 4th of July Extravaganza night, which this year will also include the first ever DIRTcar Eastern Series Sportsman Modified Event. This event has been rescheduled from May 9th. F.M.S. NAPA in conjunction with VP Racing Fuels are excited to be sponsoring what is sure to be a history making evening. The DIRTcar Sabil and Sons Sportsman Modifieds Madness night has been moved to July 18th.
Barre, VT – Thunder Road and American-Canadian Tour (ACT) officials have officially postponed the Community Bank N.A. 150 that was scheduled for Sunday, May 3. The Annual Thunder Road Car Show that was set for Saturday, May 2 has also been postponed.
The decision to push back each event was made after the Vermont “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order was extended to May 15. This order limits gathering sizes and business operations to help combat the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak.
Make-up dates for the Community Bank N.A. 150 and Car Show have not been set at this time. Instead, Thunder Road and ACT will wait to reschedule them until a clearer picture emerges of when the 2020 racing season can begin. While no further event postponements have officially been determined, officials acknowledged that such actions may ultimately prove necessary if it is still not healthy and safe to hold racing events.
“These are uncertain times, and we’re working to make the best of them just like our teams and fans are,” Thunder Road managing partner Cris Michaud said. “At this point, we’re only sure of two things: we won’t be racing on the first weekend of May, and we’ll do everything we can to eventually get the full season in as long as it’s safe and prudent to do so. To that end, we’re taking guidance directly from state officials and health experts, and we’ll continue to monitor the situation and act accordingly.”
With the talk of the town being COVID-19, people are beginning to wonder if we will be able to race opening night May 2nd, and if tracks across New England will be ready to open. Have no fear Bear Ridge Speedway “the fastest DIRTcar track in Vermont” is moving full throttle ahead, as we finally are able to get into the track and start preparations for 2020 our 53rd consecutive season of racing.
The “99ROCK wfrd” Weekly Racing Series is taking shape as well with registrations coming in daily. If the number of applications already received is any indication of what they year holds in store for us, we can expect a banner year of competitors in all divisions. With a lot of drivers suddenly realizing they are out of time to get their cars ready, they often forget until practice day to get in those applications, so we are expecting a bumper crop of applications over the next few weeks. Drivers if you haven’t gotten your application in yet, why not take a break from getting your car ready and get your paperwork in, to save time and waiting in line on practice and opening days!
Devil’s Bowl Speedway Remains Optimistic for Season Opener May 17 date still targeted; opening event will be delayed if necessary
WEST HAVEN, Vt. – Devil’s Bowl Speedway remains optimistic for its 54th stock car racing season to open on time on Sunday, May 17. As the world combats the COVID-19 outbreak, management at the Vermont dirt track says that it will do whatever is necessary to ensure the safety of its spectators, competitors, and staff, but is currently working toward the planned May 17 start date.
Vermont Governor Phil Scott on Thursday released specific computer modeling that predicted the spread of the disease in the state to peak as soon as “late April or early May.” Devil’s Bowl promoter Mike Bruno said that he is encouraged by the recent news, though he understands that things may change at any instant.
