Underdogs Visit Busy Victory Lane at Devil’s Bowl Speedway Warren, Piper among 13 winners at Mid-Season Championships

WEST HAVEN, Vt. – Brent Warren and Adam Piper led the charge of the underdogs at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Saturday, July 8, splitting a pair of wins in a jam-packed Mid-Season Championship event. The duo was just two of a brim-busting 13 drivers to win during the double-feature format. Of those 13 winners, 11 were in victory lane for the first time in 2023, and seven earned their career-first win within their division at Devil’s Bowl.

Salisbury, Vt.’s Warren – a former champion in the intermediate Limited Sportsman class – put together a great drive in the first 25-lap race for the headline Sunoco Sportsman Modified division Piper led the first 10 laps before Josh Masterson took over, and then Warren capitalized on a restart with four laps to go to engage in an entertaining battle with Masterson. The pair raced inches apart in the final four laps, with Warren squeaking out the win by a half-car length, just 0.064-seconds at the finish line.

The victory was Warren’s first since his rookie season in 2019. Masterson finished second for his best showing of the year, with Jimmy Ryan third, Brian Whittemore fourth, and former champion Tim LaDuc driving from 21^st starting position to finish fifth and earn the $100 Elmo’s Pit Stop Hard Charger Award.

Leicester, Vt., driver Piper was able to complete the drive for his first career Sportsman Modified win in the nightcap. James Hanson held serve for the opening 21 laps, but Piper stalked him most of the way and began to make a bid for the lead with five laps remaining. Piper nosed ahead to lead lap 22 by about a foot, just before the caution flag waved.

Piper chose the faster outside lane for the restart and was able to drive away for his first victory. Masterson came alive at the restart and passed Hanson to capture his second runner-up finish of the night. Hanson held on for third place ahead of Tanner Siemons and David Boisclair. LaDuc again got the Elmo’s Pit Stop Hard Charger bonus, coming from 25^th to finish 10^th.

The Sprint Cars of New England (SCoNE) tour made its third visit of the season with a single 25-lap feature, and Caleb Lamson stepped into the winner’s circle for the first time at Devil’s Bowl. Moretown, Vt.’s Lamson ran in second place for much of the event before tracking leader Doug McPhail down in heavy lapped traffic on lap 21. Just after the lead changed hands, McPhail tangled with a lapped car and spun off the track to bring out the yellow flag.

At the restart, Lamson was forced to contend with two of SCoNE’s hottest drivers, Chris Donnelly and Matt Tanner, and he was up for the challenge. Lamson beat Tanner by about a car length for his first win on the half-mile. Tanner’s streak of five consecutive Devil’s Bowl wins came to an end with a runner-up finish, and point leader Donnelly completed the podium. Floyd Billington and Jake Williams rounded out the top five.

The O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman division ran twin 20-lap features, and again two drivers scored their first wins of the year. Rookie Kamden Duffy, who turned 15 years old in June, led every lap of the caution-free race. The win was Duffy’s first in the Limited Sportsman class and his 13^th win overall across three divisions at Devil’s Bowl since his career started in 2020 at age 12.

On the other hand of the experience spectrum, veteran driver Freddie Little – a four-time champion of the former Pro Stock division who was dominant in the 1990s and early 2000s – scored his best finish in a Modified car with a runner-up showing. Gary English finished third ahead of Justin Lilly and William Lussier Jr.

Lilly earned his first win of the year in the second feature. The Castleton, Vt., runner battled with Katrina Bean most of the way; Bean led the first eight laps before Lilly took over, and then he had to fend off her charges in the final circuits for the win. Lilly’s win was the second of his career. Bean finished second, followed by Alex Layn, Randy Ryan, and Hunter Nutter.

The Hoosier Daddy Racing Novice Sportsman class crowned two first-time Modified winners in its 15-lap feature races. Mini Stock graduate Allen Hewitt of Rutland, Vt., started out front in the first race and stayed there every lap, fending off the field over a pair of quick restarts just before the halfway mark. Hewitt beat Eric Shaw, Donald Williams, Robert Gauthier, and Nick Austin-Neil for his inaugural win.

In the second feature, it was Ripton, Vt.’s Williams scoring his first open-wheel win, but not before a wild finish. Matt Wade led the first 7 laps before Russ Farr got out front, and then Farr and Williams engaged in an exciting battle. Williams nosed ahead at lap 10, only for Farr to regroup the next time by. Entering the final corner, the two made incidental contact and Farr slipped off the racing surface, allowing Williams to scoot by for the win.

The victory was the first in the division for Williams and his first at Devil’s Bowl since 2004 in the former Hobby Stock division. Tyler Travis came from 10^th starting position to grab the runner-up finish ahead of Wade, Tanner Coon, and Patrick Miner.

The Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprints pulled off two good 12-lap features, and it was “Team Grumpy Old Men” scoring again as 67-year-old Roger LaDuc of Castleton, Vt., notched his first win of the season. On his back bumper at the finish were teenagers Raelin Dunham, Gage Provencher, and Logan Denis, and fellow Grumpy Old Man, John Smith.

The second Mini Sprint race saw Eagle Bridge, N.Y.’s Chris Lennox score the first win of his career in impressive fashion, coming from 12^th on the 13-car field, as he beat Denis, Provencher, rookie John Carleton, and Chayton Young for the checkered flag.

A massive field of 33 Mini Stocks took to the track for two 15-lap features, but the first race got off to a bad start. A big pileup at the green flag left several cars damaged and lengthy red flag for cleanup. Upon resuming, the race distance was trimmed to eight laps, and that was just fine for Benson, Vt.’s Griff Mahoney, who drove to his first win of the year. Damian Olden ran a season-best second ahead of rookie Ryan Patch, T.J. Knight, and Jakobee Alger.

In the full-distance Mini Stock finale, Cornwall, Vt.’s Brian Blake posted his third win of the season after starting 19^th on the grid. Chase Allen took his best finish of the year as the runner-up, followed by Mark Mahoney, Craig Kirby, and Clemmy Bell.

The 9^th State Cannabis Crown Vic division saw increased participation as its numbers grow during its first year, and very competitive action with several lead changes in both races. A familiar face made it to the winner’s circle in the first 15-lapper as Bomoseen, Vt.’s Rob Steele grabbed his third win of the summer in the makeup feature that was rained out on Fair Haven/Poultney Auto Supply Night in June. He beat the son-father tandem of Zach Wood and Brett Wood, followed by Norman Morrill and Chad Merrill.

The roles were reversed in the second run as Georgia, Vt.’s Zach Wood beat Steele with a last-lap pass for his first win in the new division. Steele was the runner-up over Brett Wood, Morrill, and Jackson Ducharme.

Mike’s Fuels of Bridport, Vt., presents the racing action on Saturday, July 15 at 7:00 p.m., as the Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series makes its lone appearance of the season for the annual “Legends Night” program. All weekly divisions will be in action except for the Crown Vics. Special grandstand general admission is just $5 for adults and free for children aged 12 and under.

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 – Mid-Season Championships

Devil’s Bowl Speedway – West Haven, Vt.

Saturday, July 8, 2023

Sunoco Sportsman Modified Feature #1 (25 laps)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

# – denotes rookie

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

Sunoco Sportsman Modified Feature #2 (25 laps)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

# – denotes rookie

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

Sprint Cars of New England Feature (25 Laps)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

# – denotes rookie

(4) Caleb Lamson, Moretown, Vt.
(12) Matt Tanner, Stephentown, N.Y.
(11) Chris Donnelly, Piermont, N.H.
(8) Floyd Billington, South Glens Falls, N.Y.
(5) Jake Williams, Center Tuftonboro, N.H.
(7) Kadyn Berry, Goffstown, N.H.
(9) Will Hull, Plainfield, Vt.
(3) Lacey Hanson, Orwell, Vt.
(6) Troy Comeau, Rumney, N.H.
(10) Travis Billington, South Glens Falls, N.Y.
(1) # Jason Goff, Preston Hollow, N.Y.
(17) Jim Lowrey Jr., Tilton, N.H.
(13) Nick Comeau, Hebron, N.H.
(16) # Ron Davis Jr., Moultonborough, N.H.
(14) Dylan Menditto, Brooklyn, Conn.
(15) # Mia Koponen, Ludlow, Vt.
(2) Doug McPhail, Tilton, N.H.

Heat Winners: Jason Goff, Lacey Hanson

O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman Feature #1 (20 laps)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

# – denotes rookie

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

O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman Feature #2 (20 laps)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

# – denotes rookie

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

Hoosier Daddy Racing Novice Sportsman Feature #1 (15 laps)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

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

Hoosier Daddy Racing Novice Sportsman Feature #2 (15 laps)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

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

Did Not Start: Kolton Weiler, Knox, N.Y.; Ed Bell, Queensbury, N.Y.

Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint Feature #1 (12 laps)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

# – denotes rookie

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

Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint Feature #2 (12 laps)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

# – denotes rookie

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

Mini Stock A-Feature #1 (15 laps – shortened to 8 laps by time constraints)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

# – denotes rookie

(5) Griff Mahoney, Benson, Vt.
(3) Damian Olden, Rutland, Vt.
(7) # Ryan Patch, Rutland, Vt.
(4) T.J. Knight, Wells, Vt.
(14) Jakobee Alger, Orwell, Vt.
(9) Ronnie Alger, Orwell, Vt.
(6) Luke Fellows, Swanton, Vt.
(19) Mark Mahoney, Brandon, Vt.
(18) Austin McKirryher, Proctor, Vt.
(11) Nick Melotti, Mendon, Vt.
(12) Cody Dion, Rutland, Vt.
(17) Chase Allen, Fair Haven, Vt.
(22) Craig Kirby, St. Albans, Vt.
(25) Brian Blake, Cornwall, Vt.
(10) # Justin Cook, Peru, N.Y.
(21) Adam Mahoney, Whitehall, N.Y.
(13) Carl LaPoint, Wells, Vt.
(20) Jacob Demgard, Hubbardton, Vt.
(2) Tim Robinson, Center Rutland, Vt.
(23) Levi Cram, Leicester, Vt.
(28) Andrea Noble, Wells, Vt.
(15) Jake Barrows, Cornwall, Vt.
(8) Donald Olden, Poultney, Vt.
(1) Alton McCoy, Whitehall, N.Y.
(16) Clemmy Bell, Peru, N.Y.
(24) Tom Severance, Fair Haven, Vt.
(27) Jarrod Colburn, Rutland, Vt.
(26) Jake Mallory, Granville, N.Y.
(30) Scott Chandler, Pittsford, Vt.
(31) Freddy Burch, Middle Granville, N.Y.
(29) Derek Lachapelle, Queensbury, N.Y.

Did Not Start: Tyler Bell, Peru, N.Y.; Darren Williams, Granville, N.Y.

Mini Stock A-Feature #2 (15 laps)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

# – denotes rookie

(19) Brian Blake, Cornwall, Vt.
(6) Chase Allen, Fair Haven, Vt.
(13) Mark Mahoney, Brandon, Vt.
(16) Craig Kirby, St. Albans, Vt.
(9) Clemmy Bell, Peru, N.Y.
(11) Luke Fellows, Swanton, Vt.
(12) Jake Mallory, Granville, N.Y.
(24) Ronnie Alger, Orwell, Vt.
(20) Griff Mahoney, Benson, Vt.
(18) Austin McKirryher, Proctor, Vt.
(23) Cody Dion, Rutland, Vt.
(14) Nick Melotti, Mendon, Vt.
(21) # Ryan Patch, Rutland, Vt.
(22) T.J. Knight, Wells, Vt.
(3) Jacob Demgard, Hubbardton, Vt.
(10) # Justin Cook, Peru, N.Y.
(25) Andrea Noble, Wells, Vt.
(3) Derek Lachapelle, Queensbury, N.Y.
(17) Jakobee Alger, Orwell, Vt.
(2) Donald Olden, Poultney, Vt.
(7) Levi Cram, Leicester, Vt.
(5) Jake Barrows, Cornwall, Vt.
(8) Adam Mahoney, Whitehall, N.Y.
(1) Tim Robinson, Center Rutland, Vt.
(15) Damian Olden, Rutland, Vt.

Did Not Start: Jarrod Colburn, Rutland, Vt.; Carl LaPoint, Wells, Vt.; Alton McCoy, Whitehall, N.Y.; Tyler Bell, Peru, N.Y.; Darren Williams, Granville, N.Y.; Tom Severance, Fair Haven, Vt.; Scott Chandler, Pittsford, Vt.; Freddy Burch, Middle Granville, N.Y.

9^th State Cannabis Crown Vic Feature #1 (15 laps)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

(3) Rob Steele, Bomoseen, Vt.
(6) Zach Wood, Georgia, Vt.
(7) Brett Wood, Georgia, Vt.
(5) Norm Morrill, North Ferrisburgh, Vt.
(4) Chad Merrill, Londonderry, Vt.
(1) Derek St. George, Addison, Vt.
(2) Jackson Ducharme, Rutland, Vt.

9^th State Cannabis Crown Vic Feature #2 (15 laps)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

(6) Zach Wood, Georgia, Vt.
(4) Rob Steele, Bomoseen, Vt.
(7) Brett Wood, Georgia, Vt.
(3) Norm Morrill, North Ferrisburgh, Vt.
(2) Jackson Ducharme, Rutland, Vt.
(5) Chad Merrill, Londonderry, Vt.
(1) Derek St. George, Addison, Vt.

Did Not Start: Matt Monaghan, Colchester, Vt.

Sources: Devil’s Bowl Speedway