Redemption for Stearns, Ryan on “Topless” Night at Devil’s Bowl, Holden Bass, Gage Provencher, Mark Mahoney, Justin Cook, and Brett Wood also picked up Checkered Flags

WEST HAVEN, Vt. – Wayne Stearns and Anthony Ryan needed to win, and they certainly got the job done. The duo was among a host of winners at the annual “Topless Night” event at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Saturday, June 10, joined in victory lane during the night by Holden Bass, Gage Provencher, Mark Mahoney, Justin Cook, and Brett Wood. Cars in the Sportsman Modified, Limited Sportsman, and Novice Sportsman classes ran without roofs to give drivers a different feel and to give fans an “inside” look.

For Stearns, the win in the 30-lap Sunoco Sportsman Modified feature was his first in nearly seven full years at Devil’s Bowl. The longtime Bradford, Vt., racer’s most recent victory came on September 11, 2016, on the former infield short track, and his 2023 season had been anything but successful prior to Saturday.

Stearns started on the pole position but lost the lead on the opening lap to Brent Warren. There were three quick cautions in the first four laps, but the fast, tacky surface threw off a clean race from that point on and Stearns chased Warren throughout most of the remaining laps. The race harkened back to Warren’s first career win in 2019, when Stearns finished second, but that moment would not be repeated, as Stearns caught Warren in lapped traffic and made a pass for the lead with four laps left.

Warren gave Stearns chase, but his car suffered a broken shock shortly after and he began to lose ground. Stearns sped off to the win, and Allan Hammond and Anthony Warren were able to squeak by Brent Warren to complete the podium finishers. Brent Warren and Mike Fisher rounded out the top five. For Hammond, the runner-up finish completed a strong night that included a win in his qualifying heat and the Lilly’s Auto Sales Dash – just one week after a hard wreck destroyed his car and forced him to prepare a new chassis.

Justin Comes collected the Elmo’s Pit Stop Hard Charger bonus with a drive from 17^th to sixth. Marty Kelly III finished seventh ahead of Walt Hammond Jr., Vince Quenneville, and Tanner Siemons. Fisher and Anthony Warren joined Allan Hammond as heat winners.

Benson, Vt.’s Anthony Ryan received redemption himself in the 25-lap race for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman division. Ryan was robbed of a win in the division’s biggest race one week earlier after a crash while leading with three laps left, but he picked up where he left off on Saturday but pacing the field every step of the way and scoring the victory.

William Duprey was the runner-up, followed by Justin Lilly, A.J. Munger, and Jason Quenneville. The balance of the top 10 included Randy Ryan, Alex Layn, Timmy Aldrighetti, Freddie Little, and Hunter Nutter in order. Heat wins went to Anthony Ryan, Duprey, and rookie Kamden Duffy.

Benson, Vt., scored a second win in the Hoosier Daddy Racing Novice Sportsman class, as Holden Bass became a first-time winner after a 20-lapper. Bass started on the pole and was never headed, outrunning Donald Williams, Aaron Clark, Tanner Coon, and Tyler Travis; Coon’s run from 19^th starting position was impressive, and came in his first start of the season.

Matt Wade was sixth ahead of Mike Clark, Adam LaFountain, Randy Edson, and Nick Austin-Neil. Heat wins went to Allen Hewitt, Williams, and Wade.

Gage Provencher picked up his first win of the season in the 15-lap feature for the Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint division. The 13-year-old from Bridport, Vt., got out front on the first lap and stayed there without a serious challenger during the caution-free race.

Rookie John Carleton was the runner-up, followed by John Smith, Chris Lennox, and Logan Denis. Ray Hanson was next in line, with Roger LaDuc, Joe Kemp, Kevin Smith, and Raelin Dunham in tow. Provencher and John Smith won the heats.

The Mini Stock A-Main checkers went home with the Mahoney clan again, but this time it was “Cousinbrother” Mark Mahoney of Brandon, Vt., with the win. Mahoney started 10^th and Chase Allen came from 14^th to finish 1-2, with Jarrod Colburn third, Tom Severance fourth, and Jake Mallory fifth. Jakobee Alger led the second half of the top 10 ahead of Jake Barrows, Craig Kirby, Brian Blake, and Clemmy Bell. Alger, Scott Chandler, and Chris Sumner were the heat winners.

Peru, N.Y.’s Justin Cook was a first-time winner in the Mini Stock B-Main for non-qualifiers, outlasting T.J. Knight, rookie Ryan Patch, Ronnie Alger, and Carl LaPoint.

Georgia, Vt.’s Brett Wood made a triumphant return to the Enduro Series with a victory in the rock-‘em-sock-‘em 50-lap go; the win was the sixth Enduro win of his career at Devil’s Bowl. Robertas Nielsen was the runner-up, followed by Andrew Lopes, Brent Wilbur, and Kenny Torrey.

Devil’s Bowl Speedway hosts a major event on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 18, at 6:00 p.m., as the Short Track Super Series Modifieds come to Vermont for their only appearance in 2023. The “Slate Valley 50” will feature the nation’s best dirt Modified drivers racing for $10,000 to win. The weekly Sportsman Modified, Limited Sportsman, and Mini Stock classes will also be in action. There will be no racing on Saturday night, replaced instead by an open practice session starting at 6:00 p.m.

Sunday’s grandstand general admission is $30 for adults and free for children aged 12 and under. Infield drive-in parking is $35 for adults and free for kids. Pit area passes are $45.

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.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Devil’s Bowl Speedway – West Haven, Vt.

Saturday, June 10, 2023

Sunoco Sportsman Modified Feature (30 laps)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

# – denotes rookie

(1) Wayne Stearns, Bradford, Vt.
(3) Allan Hammond, Canaan, N.H.
(8) Anthony Warren, Shoreham, Vt.
(2) Brent Warren, Salisbury, Vt.
(4) Mike Fisher, Castleton, Vt.
(17) Justin Comes, Fair Haven, Vt.
(10) Marty Kelly III, Shaftsbury, Vt.
(6) Walt Hammond Jr., Canaan, N.H.
(5) Vince Quenneville, Brandon, Vt.
(18) Tanner Siemons, Orford, N.H.
(12) David Boisclair, Watervliet, N.Y.
(11) Adam Piper, Leicester, Vt.
(16) Jimmy Ryan, Shoreham, Vt.
(13) Billy Lussier, Fair Haven, Vt.
(22) Tim LaDuc, Orwell, Vt.
(24) Josh Sunn, White River Junction, Vt.
(14) Frank Hoard III, Manchester Center, Vt.
(20) Austin Comes, South Burlington, Vt.
(23) Michael Wagner-Fitzgerald, Gansevoort, N.Y.
(7) # Evan Roberts, Fletcher, Vt.
(25) Josh Masterson, Bristol, Vt.
(26) James Hanson, Orwell, Vt.
(19) Kevin Chaffee, Bradford, Vt.
(21) # Josh LeClaire, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
(27) Bubba McPhee, Rutland, Vt.
(9) Brian Whittemore, Pittsford, Vt.
(15) Walter J. Hammond, Canaan, N.H.

Heat Winners: Mike Fisher, Anthony Warren, Allan Hammond

Lilly’s Auto Sales Dash Winner: Allan Hammond

O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman Feature (25 laps)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

# – denotes rookie

(1) Anthony Ryan, Benson, Vt.
(2) William Duprey, Hydeville, Vt.
(3) Justin Lilly, Castleton, Vt.
(8) A.J. Munger, Benson Landing, Vt.
(6) Jason Quenneville, Quechee, Vt.
(13) Randy Ryan, Orwell, Vt.
(5) Alex Layn, New Haven, Vt.
(9) Timmy Aldrighetti, Bethel, Vt,
(10) Freddie Little, Salisbury, Vt.
(15) Hunter Nutter, Orford, N.H.
(14) Gary English, Salisbury, Vt.
(11) Bob Kilburn, Fair Haven, Vt.
(16) Scott Towslee, Manchester, Vt.
(17) Katrina Bean, Benson, Vt.
(12) # William Lussier Jr., Fair Haven, Vt.
(7) # Daryl Gebo, Orwell, Vt.
(4) # Kamden Duffy, Richmond, N.H.

Heat Winners: Anthony Ryan, William Duprey, Kamden Duffy

Hoosier Daddy Racing Novice Sportsman Feature (20 laps)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

(1) Holden Bass, Benson, Vt.
(8) Donald Williams, Ripton, Vt.
(6) Aaron Clark, Bristol, Vt.
(19) Tanner Coon, Hoosick Falls, N.Y.
(12) Tyler Travis, Hartland, Vt.
(4) Matt Wade, Fair Haven, Vt.
(14) Michael Clark Jr., Salisbury, Vt.
(17) Adam LaFountain, Starksboro, Vt.
(9) Randy Edson, Orwell, Vt.
(10) Nick Austin-Neil, Salisbury, Vt.
(20) Ed Thompson, Castleton, Vt.
(16) Derrick Counter, Salisbury, Vt.
(7) Boomer Patterson, Milton, Vt.
(15) Ed Bell, Queensbury, N.Y.
(18) Jason Kerr, Shoreham, Vt.
(5) Eric Shaw, Wells, Vt.
(11) Robert Gauthier, Williston, Vt.
(13) Bobbi Jo Hults, Benson, Vt.
(3) Allen Hewitt, Rutland, Vt.
(2) Russ Farr, Granville, N.Y.

Heat Winners: Allen Hewitt, Donald Williams, Matt Wade

Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint Feature (15 laps)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

# – denotes rookie

(1) Gage Provencher, Bridport, Vt.
(2) # John Carleton, Chittenden, Vt.
(4) John Smith, Poultney, Vt.
(3) Chris Lennox, Eagle Bridge, N.Y.
(9) Logan Denis, Whiting, Vt.
(7) Ray Hanson, Orwell, Vt.
(6) Roger LaDuc, Castleton, Vt.
(8) Joe Kemp, West Rutland, Vt.
(11) Kevin Smith, Brandon, Vt.
(10) Raelin Dunham, Queensbury, N.Y.
(5) Chayton Young, Wynantskill, N.Y.
(13) Tommie Kasuba, Castleton, Vt.
(12) # Quinn Quenneville, Brandon, Vt.

Heat Winners: Gage Provencher, John Smith

Mini Stock A-Feature (15 laps)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

# – denotes rookie

(10) Mark Mahoney, Brandon, Vt.
(14) Chase Allen, Fair Haven, Vt.
(6) Jarrod Colburn, Rutland, Vt.
(4) Tom Severance, Fair Haven, Vt.
(8) Jake Mallory, Granville, N.Y.
(7) Jakobee Alger, Orwell, Vt.
(11) Jake Barrows, Cornwall, Vt.
(18) Craig Kirby, St. Albans, Vt.
(17) Brian Blake, Cornwall, Vt.
(9) Clemmy Bell, Peru, N.Y.
(16) Levi Cram, Leicester, Vt.
(13) Austin McKirryher, Proctor, Vt.
(5) Scott Chandler, Pittsford, Vt.
(20) Travis King, Corinth, Vt.
(21) Adam Mahoney, Whitehall, N.Y.
(3) Nick Melotti, Mendon, Vt.
(15) Griff Mahoney, Bristol, Vt.
(19) Chris Sumner, Ripton, Vt.
(2) Adam Stewart, Benson, Vt.
(1) Alton McCoy, Whitehall, N.Y.
(12) Cody Dion, Rutland, Vt.

Heat Winners: Jakobee Alger, Scott Chandler, Chris Sumner

Mini Stock B-Feature (8 laps)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

# – denotes rookie

(2) # Justin Cook, Peru, N.Y.
(1) T.J. Knight, Wells, Vt.
(3) # Ryan Patch, Rutland, Vt.
(4) Ronnie Alger, Orwell, Vt.
(7) Carl LaPoint, Wells, Vt.
(5) Damian Olden, Rutland, Vt.
(8) Luke Fellows, Swanton, Vt.
(10) Tim Robinson, Center Rutland, Vt.
(6) Andrea Noble, Wells, Vt.
(14) Darren Williams, Granville, N.Y.
(9) Mary Gardner, Middle Granville, N.Y.
(11) Chris Hewitt, Pittsford, Vt.

Did Not Start: Tyler Bell, Peru, N.Y.; Michael Jerome, Cornwall, Vt.

Enduro Series Feature (50 laps) UNOFFICIAL

Pos.-(Car No.)-Driver

(29) Brett Wood
(21R) Robertas Nielsen
(33X) Andrew Lopes
(00B) Brent Wilbur
(188) Kenny Torrey
(069) Jason Vezina
(74) Ryan Benoit
(312) Brad Cram
(40) Charlie Smith
(5) Walter Miller
(00E) Eric Leno
(C8) Rich Rose
(58) Nate Gaissert
(91) Eric Friend
(23) Bob Bathalon
(20VT) Zach Wood
(88X) Aiden Putnam
(9) Tyler Bell
(11) Andy Botala
(21) Scott Richner
(55) Kyle Botala
(30) Trevor Mears
(13) Tim Dunster
(54) Tim LaDuc
(911) Artie Forrest
(827) Bruce Poirier
(19) Owen Ball
(70) Anthony Johnson
(199) Madison Botala
(802) Shane Wood
(114) Abby Botala
(98) Landon Lathrop
(15A) Chris Allen
(4) Erwin Pinney
(71) Brady Hamel
(10X) Kevin Pearsall
(73) ???
(2) Chase Cram
(88X) Eric Messier
(331) George Wanner
(30) Dan Desforges
(MPW) Ryan Castonguay
(17) Xander Stillwell
(11S) Nathan Sweet

Did Not Start: (11) Aaron Johnson; (36) Kaleb Lyman

Sources: Devil’s Bowl Speedway