Palmer, Hoard Top Double Feature Night at Devil’s Bowl Speedway

Lilly takes first Limited Sportsman win

WEST HAVEN, Vt. – The hot and humid weather turned into a hot night of dirt track racing action at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Saturday, August 21 as new sponsor 2nd Amendment Shooting Supplies of Brandon, Vt., presented the event. Spats of rain delayed the start of the event by nearly an hour and left the track surface fast and sticky, and the busy night saw nine different drivers visit victory lane.

Salisbury, Vt.’s Mike Palmer scored a popular win in the first round of the 25-lap Sportsman Modified double features. The former Pro Stock champion started seventh on the grid and worked past leader Frank Hoard III following a restart to take command at lap 8, and he then held through two more restarts including a green-white-checkered with just two laps left. Palmer’s victory was his first in three years.

Rookie Anthony Warren had his most impressive outing to date, charging from 18th starting position to score the runner-up finish. Hoard held on for third place ahead of Jimmy Ryan and championship point leader Demetrios Drellos, who started 24th. Kevin Chaffee was sixth in a rare Devil’s Bowl appearance, followed by Justin Stone, Justin Comes, rookie Shawn McPhee, and Billy Lussier.

Hoard was quick in the second 25-lapper as well, but he had his work cut out for him. The race was a rough one, with 10 caution flags and a red for a nasty flip by James Hanson. Vince Quenneville led the opening dozen circuits before Hoard, who started ninth, worked his way past and into the lead. The Manchester Center, Vt., racer ran away and hid at the front for his second win of the year.

Quenneville took the runner-up spot after a torrid fight with Don Mattison and Tim LaDuc. Mattison finished third, Drellos snuck in for fourth, and LaDuc completed the top five runners. Comes was sixth ahead of Todd Stone, Justin Stone, Marty Kelly III, and Lussier.

While four divisions ran double features, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman division’s high car count forced a traditional format with three rounds of qualifying and a single 25-lap feature. Castleton, Vt.’s Justin Lilly didn’t mind one bit, as the first-year Modified racer was the best of the 34 entrants and walked off with his first victory. Mike McGinn led the first 14 laps before Lilly tracked him down in a long green-flag run to take over.

Matt Jordan continued his recent strong run and blew away his career-best effort with a second-place finish. Championship rivals Austin Comes and Troy Audet chased each other through heavy traffic to finish third and fourth, respectively, and Melvin Pierson overcame engine troubles the week before to finish fifth. Bob Kilburn was sixth, followed by McGinn, Anthony Ryan, Steve Pope, and Craig Wholey. Qualifying heats were won by McGinn, Jordan, and Wholey; Audet won the consolation, and Katrina Bean took the B-Main.

The Super Stock division’s twin 15-lap features went to the dogs, as “Bulldog” Josh Bussino and Mark “The Chihuahua” Norris were on top all night long. Each race also had the same surprise, as point leader Chris Murray was not a factor in the finish of either. As Murray’s suspension broke in the first race, Benson, Vt.’s Norris outdueled Bussino in a great back-and-forth battle for his third win of the season. Bussino was second ahead of Paul Braymer, Jim McKiernan, and rookie Chuck Bradford.

Murray appeared to be the man to beat in the second race as he stormed into the lead early, but Bussino beat him on the lone restart at lap 10 to take over, shortly before Murray’s car broke again. Bussino’s win was his first of 2021 at Devil’s Bowl; he was followed across the line McKiernan, Braymer, Norris, and former champion Mike Clark.

The Mini Stock division was its typical crazy self, with 31 cars running twin 15-lap features. Ripton, Vt.’s Chris Sumner regained the point lead by running from 19th to the win in the first race, which was cut short one lap by a 15-minute time limit. Jarrod Colburn’s lonesome Ford Mustang led nine laps before he finished a season-best second. Craig Kirby, rookie Damian Olden, and Derrick Counter rounded out the top five.

Brandon, Vt.’s Mark Mahoney pulled off a shocker in the second Mini Stock feature, winning in his fifth start. A cousin to Mini Stock mainstays Griff and Adam Mahoney, the rookie took over at lap 4 and was never seriously challenged. Kirby completed a great night as the runner-up, followed by Sumner, Daryl Gebo, and T.J. Knight.

The Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint division ran two of its best races of the summer with a pair of 12-lap features. Thirteen-year-old Kamden Duffy of Richmond, N.H., and Monkton, Vt.’s Kaidin White, 12, were the stars of the first show, and Duffy’s late move to grab the lead gave him his fourth win of the season. White was second ahead of John Smith, Kevin Smith, and point leader Ray Hanson – who, despite finishing fifth, had his worst showing of an incredible season.

Hanson didn’t settle in the nightcap, and he brought his track-leading ninth win home to Orwell, Vt., in convincing fashion. Duffy finished second ahead of White, Kevin Smith, and rookie Gage Provencher. John Smith was uninjured in a tip-over while running in a tight pack of cars that battled for positions 2-8 for the majority of the race.

Devil’s Bowl Speedway returns to action on Saturday, August 28 at 7:00 p.m. as The Stove Depot presents the annual “Win & You’re In!” event for the Sportsman Modifieds, which guarantees the winner a starting spot in the Fabian Earth Moving Vermont 200 on Sunday, September 5. All weekly divisions are on the card along with a 50-lap Enduro Series race.

Grandstand admission on Saturday, August 28 is $12 for adults and $5 for children (12 and under). Tickets will be available online at https://buytickets.at/devilsbowlspeedway and at the speedway on race day.

Infield drive-in parking will be limited to pit pass holders only, as the Infield will be used as a “hot pit” for the Enduro division. Pit passes are available at the speedway or on the “Pit Pay” Mobile App; the minimum age in the pit area is 10 years old, with proof of age required for minors, per Vermont State Law. Pit passes are $25 for members, $35 for non-members, and $50 for Enduro drivers (including registration).

Devil’s Bowl Speedway is located on Route 22A in West Haven, Vt., four miles north of U.S. Route 4, Exit 2, 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 Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat at @DevilsBowlSpeed; follow the action using the #DevilsBowl hashtag.

UNOFFICIAL RESULTS – 2nd Amendment Shooting Supplies Night
Devil’s Bowl Speedway – West Haven, Vt.
Saturday, August 21, 2021

Sportsman Modified Feature #1 (25 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (7) Mike Palmer, Salisbury, Vt.
2. (18) # Anthony Warren, Shoreham, Vt.
3. (2) Frank Hoard III, Manchester Center, Vt.
4. (9) Jimmy Ryan, Shoreham, Vt.
5. (24) Demetrios Drellos, Queensbury, N.Y.
6. (20) Kevin Chaffee, Bradford, Vt.
7. (13) Justin Stone, Middlebury, Vt.
8. (23) Justin Comes, Middlebury, Vt.
9. (3) # Shawn McPhee, Rutland, Vt.
10. (11) Billy Lussier, Fair Haven, Vt.
11. (22) Tim LaDuc, Orwell, Vt.
12. (14) Tanner Siemons, Orford, N.H.
13. (21) Jim Nagle, Rotterdam, N.Y.
14. (12) Jimmy Davis, Amsterdam, N.Y.
15. (8) Jason Bruno, Morrisonville, N.Y.
16. (15) James Hanson, Orwell, Vt.
17. (16) Josh Masterson, Bristol, Vt.
18. (4) Adam Piper, Leicester, Vt.
19. (17) Mike Fisher, Castleton, Vt.
20. (5) Brian Whittemore, Pittsford, Vt.
21. (25) Todd Stone, Middlebury, Vt.
22. (21) Don Mattison, Wells, Vt.
23. (27) Pat Jones, Altamont, N.Y.
24. (10) Marty Kelly III, North Bennington, Vt.
25. (1) Gene Pierson Jr., East Corinth, Vt.
26. (6) Vince Quenneville, Brandon, Vt.
27. (19) Elmo Reckner, Ballston Lake, N.Y.
28. (26) Michael Wagner-Fitzgerald, Gansevoort, N.Y.
29. (28) Jeffrey Gallup, Agawam, Mass.
Lap Leaders: Gene Pierson Jr., pole; Frank Hoard III, 1-7; Mike Palmer, 8-25. (2 lead changes among 3 drivers)
Cautions (5): Laps 5, 7, 7, 14, 23.
Heat Winners: n/a
Elmo’s Pit Stop 9th Place Bonus ($100): Shawn McPhee

Sportsman Modified Feature #2 (25 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (9) Frank Hoard III, Manchester Center, Vt.
2. (2) Vince Quenneville, Brandon, Vt.
3. (10) Don Mattison, Wells, Vt.
4. (22) Demetrios Drellos, Queensbury, N.Y.
5. (18) Tim LaDuc, Orwell, Vt.
6. (21) Justin Comes, Middlebury, Vt.
7. (26) Todd Stone, Middlebury, Vt. (substitute for Johnny Bruno)
8. (14) Justin Stone, Middlebury, Vt.
9. (8) Marty Kelly III, North Bennington, Vt.
10. (13) Billy Lussier, Fair Haven, Vt.
11. (23) Mike Palmer, Salisbury, Vt.
12. (19) # Anthony Warren, Shoreham, Vt.
13. (25) Jeffrey Gallup, Agawam, Mass.
14. (11) Jason Bruno, Morrisonville, N.Y.
15. (3) Brian Whittemore, Pittsford, Vt.
16. (16) Elmo Reckner, Ballston Lake, N.Y.
17. (17) Josh Masterson, Bristol, Vt.
18. (1) Adam Piper, Leicester, Vt.
19. (4) # Shawn McPhee, Rutland, Vt.
20. (6) Jimmy Ryan, Shoreham, Vt.
21. (12) Tanner Siemons, Orford, N.H.
22. (20) Kevin Chaffee, Bradford, Vt.
23. (24) Gene Pierson Jr., East Corinth, Vt.
24. (7) James Hanson, Orwell, Vt.
25. (15) Mike Fisher, Castleton, Vt.
Did Not Start (4 drivers): Jimmy Davis, Amsterdam, N.Y.; Jim Nagle, Rotterdam, N.Y.; Pat Jones, Altamont, N.Y.; Michael Wagner-Fitzgerald, Gansevoort, N.Y.
Lap Leaders: Adam Piper, pole; Vince Quenneville, 1-12; Frank Hoard III, 13-25. (2 lead changes among 3 drivers)
Cautions (10): Laps 0, 0, 1, 4, 7, 8, 8, 12, 19 [red], 21.
Heat Winners: n/a
Elmo’s Pit Stop 9th Place Bonus ($100): Marty Kelly III

O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman Feature (25 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
1. (4) Justin Lilly, Castleton, Vt.
2. (2) Matt Jordan, Cambridge, N.Y.
3. (15) Austin Comes, Middlebury, Vt.
4. (19) Troy Audet, Bridport, Vt.
5. (14) Melvin Pierson, East Corinth, Vt.
6. (16) Bob Kilburn, Fair Haven, Vt.
7. (1) Mike McGinn, Elizabethtown, N.Y.
8. (10) Anthony Ryan, Benson, Vt.
9. (12) Steve Pope, Shoreham, Vt.
10. (3) Craig Wholey, Bolton Landing, N.Y.
11. (20) Randy Ryan, Orwell, Vt.
12. (17) Evan Roberts, Fletcher, Vt.
13. (22) Gary English, Salisbury, Vt.
14. (11) Josh LeClaire, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
15. (13) Beau Reeves, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
16. (18) John McPhee Jr., Rutland, Vt.
17. (21) Kyle Kerr, Shoreham, Vt.
18. (6) Wesley Sutliff, South Glens Falls, N.Y.
19. (24) Katrina Bean, Benson, Vt.
20. (5) Timmy Aldrighetti, Bethel, Vt.
21. (9) Dakota Green, Cambridge, N.Y.
22. (23) William Lussier Jr., Fair Haven, Vt.
23. (7) Scott FitzGerald, West Rutland, Vt.
24. (8) Bryon Linendoll, West Pawlet, Vt.
Did Not Start (10 drivers): Josh Nelson, Bristol, Vt.; John Gosselin, Shoreham, Vt.; Wade Acker, Bristol, Vt.; Hunter Nutter, Orford, N.H.; Bill Duprey, Hydeville, Vt.; Dylan Madsen, Stephentown, N.Y.; A.J. Munger, Benson Landing, Vt.; Cody O’Brien, Springfield, Vt.; Alex Layn, New Haven, Vt.; Russ Farr, Granville, N.Y.
Lap Leaders: Mike McGinn, 1-14; Justin Lilly, 15-25. (1 lead change among 2 drivers)
Cautions (1): Lap 2.
Heat Winners: Mike McGinn, Matt Jordan, Craig Wholey
Consi Winners: Troy Audet
B-Main Winner: Katrina Bean

Super Stock Feature #1 (15 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (4) Mark Norris, Benson, Vt.
2. (3) Josh Bussino, Fair Haven, Vt.
3. (8) Paul Braymer, Granville, N.Y.
4. (6) Jim McKiernan, Moriah Center, N.Y.
5. (7) # Chuck Bradford, Addison, Vt.
6. (5) Mike Bussino, Mount Holly, Vt.
7. (9) Andrew FitzGerald, West Rutland, Vt.
8. (2) Wayne Gaige, Fultonville, N.Y.
9. (13) Don Williams, Ripton, Vt.
10. (1) Tony Salerno, Mineville, N.Y.
11. (15) Michael Clark Jr., Salisbury, Vt.
12. (14) # Chris Brown, Shrewsbury, Vt.
13. (12) Jessie Rule, Middlebury, Vt.
14. (10) Chris Murray, Fair Haven, Vt.
Did Not Start (1 driver): Tim Simonds, North Clarendon, Vt.
Lap Leaders: Tony Salerno, pole; Josh Bussino, 1-7; Mark Norris, 8-9; Bussino, 10-12; Norris, 13-15. (4 lead changes among 3 drivers)
Cautions (3): Laps 1, 9, 10.
Heat Winners: n/a

Super Stock Feature #2 (15 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (6) Josh Bussino, Fair Haven, Vt.
2. (5) Jim McKiernan, Moriah Center, N.Y.
3. (9) Paul Braymer, Granville, N.Y.
4. (11) Mark Norris, Benson, Vt.
5. (3) Michael Clark Jr., Salisbury, Vt.
6. (4) Chris Murray, Fair Haven, Vt.
7. (7) Andrew FitzGerald, West Rutland, Vt.
8. (13) # Chris Brown, Shrewsbury, Vt.
9. (10) Tony Salerno, Mineville, N.Y.
10. (12) Jessie Rule, Middlebury, Vt.
11. (2) Mike Bussino, Mount Holly, Vt.
12. (1) Wayne Gaige, Fultonville, N.Y.
13. (8) # Chuck Bradford, Addison, Vt.
Did Not Start (1 driver): Don Williams, Ripton, Vt.; Tim Simonds, North Clarendon, Vt.
Lap Leaders: Wayne Gaige, pole; Chris Murray, 1-10; Josh Bussino, 11-15. (2 lead changes among 3 drivers)
Cautions (1): Lap 10.
Heat Winners: n/a

Mini Stock Feature #1 (15 laps – shortened to 14 laps by time limit)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (19) Chris Sumner, Ripton, Vt.
2. (2) Jarrod Colburn, Rutland, Vt.
3. (15) Craig Kirby, St. Albans, Vt.
4. (11) # Damian Olden, Poultney, Vt.
5. (24) Derrick Counter, Leicester, Vt.
6. (1) # Cody Dion, Rutland, Vt.
7. (27) Freddy Burch, Middle Granville, N.Y.
8. (3) # Hunter Clark, Salisbury, Vt.
9. (27) Joe Malzac, East Middlebury, Vt.
10. (12) Willie Rice, Poultney, Vt.
11. (16) Brian Blake, Cornwall, Vt.
12. (13) Lynn Denton, Milton, Vt.
13. (5) Tom Severance, Fair Haven, Vt.
14. (7) Mark Mahoney, Brandon, Vt.
15. (22) # Chase Allen, Fair Haven, Vt.
16. (6) # Donald Olden, Poultney, Vt.
17. (17) Jake Barrows, Middlebury, Vt.
18. (18) Griff Mahoney, Bristol, Vt.
19. (8) # Jake Mallory, Granville, N.Y.
20. (9) # Jason Kerr, Shoreham, Vt.
21. (29) Brittany Ladd, South Glens Falls, N.Y.
22. (4) # Jakobee Alger, Orwell, Vt.
23. (30) Carol Moss, Fair Haven, Vt.
24. (23) # Adam Mahoney, Rutland, Vt.
25. (25) # Daryl Gebo, Orwell, Vt.
26. (10) # Kaydan Rice, Poultney, Vt.
27. (28) Scott Layton, Poultney, Vt.
28. (14) # Austin McKirryher, Proctor, Vt.
29. (21) T.J. Knight, Wells, Vt.
30. (20) # Scott Chandler, Pittsford, Vt.
Did Not Start (1 driver): # Chris Hewitt, Pittsford, Vt.
Lap Leaders: Cody Dion, 1; Jarrod Colburn, 2-10; Chris Sumner, 11-14. (2 lead changes among 3 drivers)
Cautions (2): Laps 8, 14.
Heat Winners: n/a

Mini Stock Feature #1 (15 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (5) Mark Mahoney, Brandon, Vt.
2. (22) Craig Kirby, St. Albans, Vt.
3. (25) Chris Sumner, Ripton, Vt.
4. (24) # Daryl Gebo, Orwell, Vt.
5. (10) T.J. Knight, Wells, Vt.
6. (20) Joe Malzac, East Middlebury, Vt.
7. (15) # Damian Olden, Poultney, Vt.
8. (1) # Austin McKirryher, Proctor, Vt.
9. (23) Derrick Counter, Leicester, Vt.
10. (9) Jake Barrows, Middlebury, Vt.
11. (18) Brian Blake, Cornwall, Vt.
12. (16) Scott Layton, Poultney, Vt.
13. (6) Lynn Denton, Milton, Vt.
14. (19) Willie Rice, Poultney, Vt.
15. (21) # Chase Allen, Fair Haven, Vt.
16. (28) Freddy Burch, Middle Granville, N.Y.
17. (3) # Jake Mallory, Granville, N.Y.
18. (27) Carol Moss, Fair Haven, Vt.
19. (2) # Jakobee Alger, Orwell, Vt.
20. (26) Brittany Ladd, South Glens Falls, N.Y.
21. (13) # Adam Mahoney, Rutland, Vt.
22. (12) # Cody Dion, Rutland, Vt.
23. (17) Griff Mahoney, Bristol, Vt.
24. (11) # Hunter Clark, Salisbury, Vt.
25. (4) # Donald Olden, Poultney, Vt.
26. (7) # Kaydan Rice, Poultney, Vt.
27. (8) # Jason Kerr, Shoreham, Vt.
28. (14) # Scott Chandler, Pittsford, Vt.
Did Not Start (3 drivers): Jarrod Colburn, Rutland, Vt.; Tom Severance, Fair Haven, Vt.; # Chris Hewitt, Pittsford, Vt.
Lap Leaders: Austin McKirryher, 1-3; Mark Mahoney, 4-15. (1 lead change among 2 drivers)
Cautions (3): Laps 0, 1, 6.
Heat Winners: n/a

Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint Feature #1 (12 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (9) Kamden Duffy, Richmond, N.H.
2. (6) Kaidin White, Monkton, Vt.
3. (8) John Smith, Poultney, Vt.
4. (4) Kevin Smith, Brandon, Vt.
5. (7) Ray Hanson, Orwell, Vt.
6. (3) Roger LaDuc, Orwell, Vt.
7. (5) # Gage Provencher, Bridport, Vt.
8. (1) Scott Bachand, St. Albans, Vt.
9. (2) # Vern Woodard, Fair Haven, Vt.
10. (12) # Kris Severance, Fair Haven, Vt.
11. (11) # Tommy Kasuba, Castleton, Vt.
12. (10) # Kyle Bruno, Proctor, Vt.
Lap Leaders: Scott Bachand, 1; Kaidin White, 2-8, Kamden Duffy, 9-12. (2 lead changes among 3 drivers)
Cautions: None
Heat Winners: n/a

Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint Feature #2 (12 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie
1. (6) Ray Hanson, Orwell, Vt.
2. (9) Kamden Duffy, Richmond, N.H.
3. (7) Kaidin White, Monkton, Vt.
4. (5) Kevin Smith, Brandon, Vt.
5. (3) # Gage Provencher, Bridport, Vt.
6. (4) Roger LaDuc, Orwell, Vt.
7. (2) Scott Bachand, St. Albans, Vt.
8. (10) # Kris Severance, Fair Haven, Vt.
9. (8) John Smith, Poultney, Vt.
10. (1) # Vern Woodard, Fair Haven, Vt.
Did Not Start (2 drivers): # Tommy Kasuba, Castleton, Vt.; # Kyle Bruno, Proctor, Vt.
Lap Leaders: Scott Bachand, 1; Gage Provencher, 2-4; Ray Hanson, 5-12. (2 lead changes among 3 drivers)
Cautions (1): Lap 10 [red].
Heat Winners: n/a

Sources: Devil’s Bowl Speedway

(Photos by Barry Snelling)

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