“Fireball” Roberts Takes Topless Win on Hot Night at Devil’s Bowl Speedway

By admin June 19, 2016 Devil's Bowl, NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series

Masterson remains unbeaten in Late Models

WEST HAVEN, Vt. – Joey “Fireball” Roberts got a much-needed victory on a hot and sunny evening at the half-mile Asphalt Track at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Saturday, June 18. Roberts outdueled Bond Auto Parts Sportsman Modified point leader Jason Durgan in the final laps of a special “topless” race for his first NASCAR Whelen All-American Series win of the season. Other winners at the event were Josh Masterson, Scott FitzGerald, Brad Bertrand, Bill Kemp, and Angie Bullock.

The Modifieds had a different look and feel, racing without roofs in the “topless” event. After forgettable results in the first three races of the year, Roberts, of Fletcher, Vt., found the altered body style to his liking and his No. 50x Friend Construction/Body LeBronze-sponsored Bicknell chassis ran up front for most of the 30-lap feature race. Several caution periods slowed the race after some spins and a multi-car fracas, and Roberts was forced to contend in the final laps with Morrisonville, N.Y., racer Durgan.

Durgan tried to find a way past Roberts on both the inside and the outside lanes as the laps ticked away, but fell just short and settled for the runner-up finish; the result was his fourth podium finish in as many races. Ron Proctor of Charlton, N.Y., was involved at no less than two of the caution periods but persevered for a third-place run. Vince Quenneville Jr., who was penalized for his involvement in one crash, came from the back of the pack to finish fourth, with Travis Bruno fifth.

Josh Masterson of Bristol, Vt., ran to his third consecutive win to open the season for the Central Vermont Motorcycles Late Model division. Masterson swept both halves of a two-segment, cumulatively scored race, despite being tangled up in three incidents in the second leg; he scored a perfect two-point low total tally. Seth Bridge of Mendon, Vt., scored a career-best runner-up finish in the overall rundown; Bridge finished third in both segments for a total of six race points. Robert Bryant Jr. ran fifth and second in the segments for seven points and third place overall. Matt White and Jamie Aube rounded out the top five finishers overall.

Scott FitzGerald of West Rutland, Vt., fought a loose racecar and held off Matt Monaghan for his second win of the season in the 20-lap Rosen & Berger Auto Recyclers Renegade race. Monaghan, of Colchester, Vt., finished a season-best second, with rookie Austin McKiernan of Moriah Center, N.Y., beating his father, Jim McKiernan, for a career-best third-place finish. R.J. Germain finished fifth.

Brad Bertrand of Ferrisburgh, Vt., won the 15-lap Portland Glass Mini Stock race for a career-first victory. Bertrand, the division’s 2015 Rookie of the Year, took the lead from Chris LaVair just after the halfway mark and drove off to the win. Garrett Given of Cornwall, Vt., took the runner-up position with Andrew FitzGerald, the Renegade winner’s son, a career-best third. Mike Whalen Jr. and John McCarron were next in line.

The New England Antique Racers club was also on hand for its annual exhibition event, crowning teammates Bill Kemp and Angie Bullock as the co-winners of the 12-lap race; Kemp was scored the winner among the Modified cars, and Bullock took Sportsman honors.

The Dirt Track at Devil’s Bowl Speedway is in action on Sunday, June 19 at 6:00 p.m. for its own “topless” Sportsman Modified event, sponsored by Central Vermont Motorcycles. Also on the card are the winged Sprint Cars of New England and the Renegades. Regular general admission is $12 for adults and $10 for seniors (62+) and students (13-17). Kids age 12 and under are always admitted for free.

The Asphalt Track’s next race is on Saturday, June 25 at 6:00 p.m. with the annual “Hometown Heroes” Night presented by Rutland Regional Medical Center and Whelen Engineering. All first responders, military, veterans, and corrections officers receive free admission with proper I.D. or if in uniform.

Devil’s Bowl Speedway is located on Route 22A in West Haven, Vt., four miles north of Exit 2 off of U.S. Route 4 and just 20 minutes from Rutland, Vt. For more information, visit www.DevilsBowlSpeedwayVT.com or call (802) 265-3112. Devil’s Bowl Speedway is on Facebook at facebook.com/DevilsBowlSpeedway and on Twitter and Instagram at @DevilsBowlSpeed; follow the action using the #DevilsBowl hashtag.

OFFICIAL RESULTS – Topless Modified Night

Devil’s Bowl Speedway Asphalt Track – West Haven, VT

NASCAR Whelen All-American Series

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Bond Auto Parts Sportsman Modified Feature (30 laps)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

# – denotes rookie

(3) Joey Roberts, Fletcher, Vt.
(9) Jason Durgan, Morrisonville, N.Y.
(8) Ron Proctor, Charlton, N.Y.
(7) Vince Quenneville Jr., Brandon, Vt.
(10) Travis Bruno, Morrisonville, N.Y.
(11) Bob Kilburn, Fair Haven, Vt.
(1) Dave Snow, Brandon, Vt.
(5) Jimmy Ryan, Whiting, Vt.
(2) # Chuck Bradford, Addison, Vt.
(6) Jackie Brown Jr., Hurley, N.Y.
(4) Billy Lussier, Fair Haven, Vt.

Heat Winners: Bill Lussier, Dave Snow

Shiley Fabrication Hard Charger Award: Jason Durgan

Shiley Fabrication Hard Luck Award: Billy Lussier

Central Vermont Motorcycles Late Model Feature (20 laps x2)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown – Segment Points

# – denotes rookie

(7) Josh Masterson, Bristol, Vt. – 2 points
(4) Seth Bridge, Mendon, Vt. – 6 points
(6) Robert Bryant Jr., Brooklyn, Conn. – 7 points
(8) Matt White, Northfield, Vt. – 8 points
(3) Jamie Aube, North Ferrisburgh, Vt. – 10 points
(5) Steve Miller, Vergennes, Vt. – 11 points
(1) Jesse Carris, Rutland, Vt. – 14 points
(2) Mark Norris, Benson, Vt. – 14 points

Heat Winners: Josh Masterson, Matt White

Segment Winners: Josh Masterson (2)

Crazy Horse Racing Winners Circle Challenge: Josh Masterson

Rosen & Berger Auto Recyclers Renegade Feature (20 laps)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

# – denotes rookie

(4) Scott FitzGerald, West Rutland, Vt.
(3) Matt Monaghan, Colchester, Vt.
(1) # Austin McKiernan, Moriah Center, N.Y.
(5) Jim McKiernan, Moriah Center, N.Y.
(2) Ray Germain Jr., Bristol, Vt.
(7) Tony Salerno, Mineville, N.Y.
(6) # Bill Burlingame, Gansevoort, N.Y.

Heat Winner: Austin McKiernan

Bond Auto Parts Hard Charger Award: Scott FitzGerald

Portland Glass Mini Stock Feature (15 laps)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

# – denotes rookie

(6) Brad Bertrand, Ferrisburgh, Vt.
(4) Garrett Given Sr., Cornwall, Vt.
(3) Andrew FitzGerald, West Rutland, Vt.
(14) Mike Whalen Jr., Peru, N.Y.
(10) John McCarron, Rensselaer, N.Y.
(1) Roger LaBounty, Morrisonville, N.Y.
(11) # Roo Forrest, West Rutland, Vt.
(5) Chris LaVair, Saranac Lake, N.Y.
(12) Tanner Crary, Saranac Lake, N.Y.
(13) Cameron Kennedy, Rochester, Vt.
(9) # Zach Wood, Georgia, Vt.
(2) # Brett Wood, Georgia, Vt.
(8) Harold LaVair Jr., Gabriels, N.Y.
(7) # Eric Messier, Hinesburg, Vt.

Heat Winners: Eric Messier, Zach Wood

Bond Auto Parts Hard Charger Award: Mike Whalen Jr.

New England Antique Racers Feature (12 laps)

Pos.-(Car No.)-Driver-Hometown

(199) Bill Kemp, Greenfield, N.H.
(176) Lloyd Hutchins Jr., Barre, Vt.
(69B) Bob Seward, Lee, Mass.
(088) Angie Bullock, Greenfield, N.H.
(15) Spanky Bancroft, East Windsor, Conn.
(68) John Adams, Moscow, Vt.

Did Not Start: Joe Keefner, Housatonic, Mass.

Sources: Justin St. Louis/Devil’s Bowl Speedway PR