Week two of the 59th consecutive season of racing at the Ridge provided some wild action for the fans. Rob Williams gets his first win in the Wells River Chevrolet DIRTcar Sportsman Coupes, and Nick Fretto does the same in the Xtreme DIRTcar DMA Midgets.
The feature winners of the 59th consecutive season week two were Cody Gregoropoulos in the Sabil & Sons DIRTcar Sportsman Modifieds; Rob Williams in the Wells River Chevrolet DIRTcar Sportsman Coupes; Shawn King in the Dad’s 4 By Tool & Supply Sportsman Modifieds Limited; Nick Fretto in the Xtreme DIRTcar DMA Midgets; Ryan Christian in the High Country Dispensary Late Models; Andrew Fitzgerald in the LaValley Building Supply Dirt Stocks; and Ryan Sayers in the Woodsville Power Equipment Bobcat Ridge Runners. For the visiting R.E. Hinkley Granite State Mini Sprints, Josh Ball is your winner in the 600cc and Jake Wolf in the 500cc.
The Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprints took center stage Saturday night at Devil’s Bowl Speedway with a “Mini Sprint Special,” on a picture-perfect evening for dirt track racing in the Green Mountain State. The competition was tightly contested in every division, making it a thrilling night for the fans.
The Mini Sprints raced three 10-lap segments, with the driver accumulating the best overall average earning the first-place trophy. Pittsford, Vermont’s Tyler Whittemore enjoyed the best night of his career as he claimed the checkered flag in two of the three segments to capture the top spot on the podium. Veteran Scott Bachand dominated the first segment with Carm Isabella second, John Smith third, Quinn Quenneville fourth, and Levi Cram fifth. A sixth-place run by Whittemore put him behind the eight ball, but he was not to be denied. Wins by Whittemore in segments two and three sparked his rally for the overall victory. Rounding out the event standings were Scott Bachand, Alex Reed, John Smith, and Trevor Jaques.
The Matt Bilodeau Memorial Race, also known as the “Matty B 32,” was held at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Sunday, May 10th, despite previous postponements due to inclement weather. Twenty-five of the top sportsman modified drivers in the Northeast signed in to vie for the $3,200 winner’s purse on Mother’s Day, putting on a show that won’t soon be forgotten. The track was in pristine condition with multiple grooves that made the competition in all six divisions thrilling for the fans.
In the main event, a 32-lap affair for the Sunoco Sportsman Modifieds, presented by Black Diamond Builders, veteran invader Brian Calabrese and rising local star AJ Munger battled tooth and nail over the final 12 laps, with the Brandon, Vermont campaigner using a dramatic late-race pass to collect the biggest win of his career.
Due to Saturday’s weather, officials at Devil’s Bowl Speedway have postponed the Matt Bilodeau Memorial Race and Fireworks to Sunday evening, with racing now set for 5:00 PM.
The Mother’s Day special event will honor the memory of Matt Bilodeau with the Sunoco Sportsman Modifieds battling in a 32-lap, $3,200-to-win feature event. The program will also include all weekly divisions, Crown Vics, and a fireworks show during the racing action.
Pit gates will open at 2:00 PM, with Grandstand and Infield gates opening at 4:00 PM.
Admission prices are: Grandstands $15, Infield $25, and Kids 12 & Under FREE.
Fans are encouraged to come early and be part of one of the most meaningful and exciting nights of the 2026 season. Track officials felt Sunday’s forecast gives teams and fans the best opportunity for a full night of racing and entertainment.
The 59th opening night at the Ridge is officially in the record books after two weeks.
Todd Buckwold wins in the Wells River Chevrolet DIRTcar Sportsman Modifieds, and Keith Mansur holds on to win in the LaValley Building Supply Dirt Stocks.
It took two weeks to get it in, and mother nature almost won them both, but after a half time rebound on week two the home team charged hard and came home the winner. The afternoon rains made for a fast track and plenty of racing excitement for the die-hard fans who ventured out in the cold to be a part of the opening day of our 59th consecutive season of racing sponsored by FMS Auto Parts NAPA of Bradford.
The 59th season of racing is getting off to a rough start at the Ridge with opening day festivities canceled for bad weather. A wet spring was capped with persistent showers scheduled for all day on May 2nd, forcing promoter C.V. Elms to make the decision to pull the plug.
The wet weather did settle in the area, and despite a few breaks did not move out until Sunday. It is always a tough decision for Elms who prides himself on doing everything possible to put on the show for the competitors and the fans. This decision proved a wise one, and now the Elms will set their sights on May 9th as opening night of their 59th consecutive season of racing.
