Gravel Dominates, Then Hangs on for Opening Night Victory
Barre, VT – Wolcott’s Marcel J. Gravel overcame both a late challenge from the defending champion and a very tired pair of arms to take the opening-night Maplewood/Irving Oil Late Model win at Barre’s Thunder Road on Thursday, June 18. Gravel pulled out to a big lead before holding off a late bid by Jason Corliss for his second career victory in the 50-lap feature as seen on Northeast Sports Network.
After starting on the outside pole, Gravel quickly darted to the lead over Westford’s Darrell Morin. As Morin and Christopher Pelkey engaged in a lengthy battle for second, Gravel left both in the dust, eventually pulling out to nearly a quarter-track lead.
But even as he walked away, it quickly became a challenging night of a different kind for Gravel. Around the 15-lap mark, the leader’s power steering began to malfunction, and eventually quit altogether. With the feature going caution-free, it became a race against fatigue for Gravel as much as it was a race against the field.
Barre, VT – Thunder Road teams, fans, and officials are now in overdrive getting ready for the start of the 61st season of competition this Thursday, June 18. Although the offseason has lasted far longer than anyone would like, and cast the season opener in an unusual light, racers of all stripes are ready to finally hit the high banks with full-scale, door-to-door competition.
All four Thunder Road divisions are on the card for Thursday’s opener. In many ways, it will look like a normal action-packed Thursday night of racing, with the Maplewood/Irving Oil Late Models, Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers, Allen Lumber Street Stocks, and Burnett Scrap Metals Road Warriors all looking forward to a season of racing.
The only thing that will be missing is fans in the stands. Due to state health and safety restrictions related to the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak, spectator attendance at Vermont racing events is not permitted for the time being.
Pierson Dominates Monday Night “COVID Crusher” to Open Devil’s Bowl Season
Bruno opens title defense with Limited Sportsman win
WEST HAVEN, Vt. – Adam Pierson left little doubt at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Monday, June 15, beginning the delayed 2020 stock car racing season in Vermont with a dominant, flag-to-flag run in the “COVID Crusher” event. The East Corinth, Vt., veteran highlighted a winners list that included Johnny Bruno, Andrew FitzGerald, Chris Conroy, and Dakota Green at Devil’s Bowl Speedway’s 54th annual season opener.
Though spectators were not permitted for the event due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, a positive vibe was felt throughout the night and more than 600 viewers watched some of the action through Facebook Live video.
ARE YOU READY TO RUMBBBBBLLLLLEEEEEE??? The Dirt will fly at the famed Bear Ridge Speedway Saturday June 20th!!!
With some restrictions in place
Bear Ridge Speedway
Saturday June 20th will see some of the best cars and stars in New England taking the first green flag of the COVID-19 season. Restrictions continue to be eased and with it comes the ability to have racing at the Ridge once again. Unfortunately, we can have NO general admission grandstands at this time. As we continue thru the summer, we are anticipating more easements, and eventual opportunity to have you all back at the track. With no general admission grandstands no one under the age of 10 will be allowed on the property. If you are unable to attend you can watch your driver’s progress on RACE Monitor. Saturday June 20th will be sponsored by one of our many long-time sponsors Wells Rive Savings Bank. During these difficult times we cannot thank all of our sponsors enough for their continued support. Without them and all of you we would not be able to make racing happen.
N. Woodstock, NH – Williamstown, VT’s Jimmy Hebert showed that fortune favors the bold by capturing the 45th Spring Green 120 at White Mountain Motorsports Park on Saturday, June 13. Hebert made a three-wide move to swipe the lead following a lap-93 restart before holding off American-Canadian Tour ACT) champions Wayne Helliwell Jr. and Joey Polewarczyk Jr. down the stretch in the ACT season opener presented by C&S NAPA Auto Parts of Littleton/Whitefield and Sanel NAPA.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway Opening With “COVID Crusher” Event on Monday Night
State approves plan for June 15 competition under strict guidelines
WEST HAVEN, Vt. – Dirt track racing is coming back to Vermont on Monday night. After working diligently with government officials in the State of Vermont throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, officials from Devil’s Bowl Speedway in West Haven, Vt., have received approval to begin competition without general admission spectators, under multiple restrictions in accordance and compliance with guidelines set by the State of Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) and the Vermont Secretary of State Office of Professional Regulation (OPR).
