LaDuc Hangs Tough for Devil’s Bowl Speedway Championship Hoard wins feature with dramatic final corner pass

By admin September 26, 2023 Devil's Bowl

WEST HAVEN, Vt. – Tim LaDuc has found a flair for the dramatic when the championship is on the line at Devil’s Bowl Speedway the last handful of years, and he continued that theme at The Stove Depot Championship Night on Saturday, September 23. At the halfway mark of the 50-lap season finale, the “Orwell Express” had squandered a 16-point lead over Justin Comes to give away the Sunoco Sportsman Modified title, but by the end of the race, he clawed his way back to the top of the heap.

LaDuc’s championship led the way for fellow title winners Randy Ryan, Tyler Travis, Logan Denis, Brian Blake, Rob Steele, and Kevin Pearsall, while season-ending feature races were won by Ryan, Denis, Frank Hoard III, Bobbi Jo Hults, Jakobee Alger, Norm Morrill, and Kenny Torrey.

The LaDuc-Comes saga has played out twice in the last three seasons, and LaDuc has found a way to come out as the champion both times. He entered the feature race with a 16-point cushion on Comes, but a slow first half to the 50-lapper by LaDuc and a strong drive forward by Comes saw the pair tied on points – with Comes holding the tiebreaker advantage – at the race’s midway mark.

As Billy Lussier and Frank Hoard III diced for the race lead in an exciting, non-stop duel, just ahead of third-place runner Comes, LaDuc hit the gas and started to pick his way through traffic. He dug his way from 11th to sixth, while Comes gave up the third spot coming to the checkered flag to a surging Vince Quenneville. The final point tally left LaDuc with just 12 points – the equivalent of only six on-track positions – more than Comes over the course of the 21-race season, giving him the $5,000 track championship.

In the race, Lussier and Hoard ran side-by-side up front as each was looking for his first victory of the season. Lussier led all but one of the first 37 laps and survived both of the race’s two restarts, but Hoard chipped away at Lussier’s advantage until drawing even with him. Hoard nosed ahead at lap 38 but Lussier took control again – if only by inches – for the next 11 circuits. Lussier held the lead on the backstretch on the final lap, but Hoard saw a hole open in the final corner and he went for it.

The two beat and banged coming to the finish line, with Hoard out-dragging Lussier for the win. Hoard, from Manchester Center, Vt., became the final winner in the most competitive season in Devil’s Bowl Speedway history, which saw 19 different drivers win in 21 races.

The finish order in the race was Hoard, Lussier, Quenneville, Comes, and Marty Kelly III in the top five, followed by LaDuc, Chris Donnelly (substituting for Kevin Chaffee), Anthony Warren, Tanner Siemons, and Brian Whittemore. Quenneville scored the $100 Elmo’s Pit Stop “Hard Charger” bonus by gaining 12 positions. Qualifying heats were won by Lussier, LaDuc, and Hoard.

LaDuc, ironically, was not one of the 19 feature winners in 2023, though he totaled five runner-up finishes. Plattsburgh, N.Y., native Josh LeClaire earned the Rookie of the Year honors for the season, topping Evan Roberts.

Orwell, Vt., saw a second champion in Randy Ryan, who did not leave anything for suspense in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman division. Ryan clinched the title one week early, and so with no pressure, he drove to his fourth victory of the season on Saturday night.

Alex Layn appeared to be headed for his first win of the year, but the race’s lone caution flag waved with just three laps left. After driving from 10th at the start of the 25-lap race, Ryan got out ahead of both Layn and Gary English at the restart and drove away to seal up his first championship with a win. Layn settled for the runner-up finish for the second week in a row, and Fred Little continued his strong finish to the season in third place.

English was fourth and Kyle Kerr was fifth. Katrina LeClaire was next in line, followed by Kamden Duffy, Bob Kilburn, Scott Towslee, and Jason Quenneville. Heat wins went to English and Little. Ryan and Layn also finished 1-2 in the point standings, with Ryan winning by a wide, 119-point margin. Manchester, Vt.’s Towslee won the Rookie of the Year title.

Hartland, Vt.’s Tyler Travis had a rough finish to the year but won the Hoosier Daddy Racing Novice Sportsman championship, nonetheless. Travis was involved in a mid-race spin during that division’s 20-lap finale, but he recovered to finish 10th and wrap up the title over Adam LaFountain.

With Travis out of the picture for the race win, all eyes were on Castleton, Vt.’s Bobbi Jo Hults and Randy Edson at the front of the field. Hults darted out to the lead on the first lap, but she never had a large advantage as Edson was able to stay with her. With three caution flags in the second half of the race, Hults had her hands full, and Edson briefly took the lead on lap 13, but she was able to track him back down and hold him and the rest of the field off for a popular win.

For Hults, who is the mother of Limited Sportsman driver Katrina LeClaire, it was her first-ever victory in an open-wheel Modified car and her first feature win of any kind in 19 years since a Mini Stock feature on June 13, 2004.

Pat Miner, who started 12th on the field, was the beneficiary of the three late restarts, and he threaded his way through traffic in the final laps to not only steal second place from Edson at the finish, but very nearly take the win from Hults. Edson settled for third after a good run, followed by Boomer Patterson and Eric Shaw. The balance of the top 10 was completed by Donald Williams, LaFountain, Matt Wade, Ed Bell, and Travis. Shaw and LaFountain won the heats, and Shaw also clinched the Rookie of the Year crown.

Fifteen-year-old Logan Denis only needed to have a trouble-free race to earn his second consecutive championship in the Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint division, but he went for – and took – his fourth feature win of the season to put a stamp on the title. The Whiting, Vt., youngster came from eighth at the start to pass John Smith and take the lead on lap 7 of the 15-lapper, and he cruised to the win over championship runner-up Ray Hanson.

Denis not only won his second-straight title, but his car won its fourth consecutive crown, after Hanson drove the same chassis to the 2021 championship and Cody O’Brien did so in 2020.

Smith finished third in the race ahead of Gage Provencher and Roger LaDuc. Denis and Hanson won heat races. Chittenden, Vt.’s John Carleton – who is some 53 years older than champion Denis – walked away uninjured after a nasty flip early in the race and was named the division’s Rookie of the Year.

Another Orwell driver, Jakobee Alger, stormed to his fourth win of the year in the Mini Stock division as Cornwall, Vt.’s Brian Blake celebrated his first championship. Alger was busy, coming from 18th at the start to lead only the final circuit of the 15-lap race. T.J. Knight and Levi Cram put on a show before that, with Cram taking the lead on lap 12, only for Alger to steal the victory.

Cram took second with Knight third, followed by Blake and Rookie of the Year Ryan Patch, of Rutland, Vermont. Craig Kirby, Jarrod Colburn, Chase Allen, Austin McKirryher, and Kris Clark rounded out the top 10. Heat wins were taken by McKirryher, Alger, and Adam Mahoney. Plattsburgh, N.Y.’s Jamey “Speedy” Bresette won the 8-lap “B” feature for non-qualifiers.

North Ferrisburgh, Vt.’s Norm Morrill put in his best effort to steal the championship away in the 9th State Cannabis Crown Vic division by winning the 15-lap feature, but Bomoseen, Vt.’s Rob Steele – who had his worst finish of the season in sixth place – held on for the title. Chad Merrill, who is a co-owner of event sponsor The Stove Depot, had his best race of the year by leading early and finishing second in the race. Jackson Ducharme finished third ahead of Shawn Moquin and Matt Monaghan.

Kevin Pearsall came from behind to win the championship in the 5 Star Roofing Enduro Series. The Bristol, Vt., driver entered the 100-lap finale trailing Brent Wilbur, but when Wilbur’s car stumbled just past the halfway mark, Pearsall found himself in the catbird seat. Orwell, Vt.’s Kenny Torrey dominated the race for his first win, followed by Sportsman Modified champion Tim LaDuc, Eric Leno, Scott Richner, and Dan Desforges.

Leicester, Vt.’s Andrew Piper drove his brother Adam’s car to the win in the Sportsman Modified Mechanics Race.

Devil’s Bowl Speedway’s 2023 stock car racing season is now complete. The annual Banquet of Champions will be held on Saturday, December 2, with details to be announced in the coming weeks.

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 – The Stove Depot Championship Night
Devil’s Bowl Speedway – West Haven, Vt.
Saturday, September 23, 2023

Sunoco Sportsman Modified Feature (50 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie

  1. (3) Frank Hoard III, Manchester Center, Vt.
  2. (2) Billy Lussier, Fair Haven, Vt.
  3. (15) Vince Quenneville, Brandon, Vt.
  4. (10) Justin Comes, Fair Haven, Vt.
  5. (4) Marty Kelly III, Shaftsbury, Vt.
  6. (14) Tim LaDuc, Orwell, Vt.
  7. (18) Chris Donnelly, Piermont, N.H. (substitute for Kevin Chaffee)
  8. (16) Anthony Warren, Shoreham, Vt.
  9. (13) Tanner Siemons, Orford, N.H.
  10. (6) Brian Whittemore, Pittsford, Vt.
  11. (8) Brent Warren, Salisbury, Vt.
  12. (12) Allan Hammond, Canaan, N.H.
  13. (7) # Evan Roberts, Fletcher, Vt.
  14. (5) Walt Hammond Jr., Canaan, N.H.
  15. (9) Adam Piper, Leicester, Vt.
  16. (19) Randy Ryan, Orwell, Vt.
  17. (11) Walter J. Hammond, Canaan, N.H.
  18. (17) # Josh LeClaire, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
  19. (1) Jimmy Ryan, Shoreham, Vt.

Heat Winners: Billy Lussier, Tim LaDuc, Frank Hoard III

Elmo’s Pit Stop Hard Charger Award: Vince Quenneville (+12 Positions)

TRACK CHAMPION: Tim LaDuc

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Josh LeClaire

O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman Feature (25 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie

 

  1. (10) Randy Ryan, Orwell, Vt.
  2. (2) Alex Layn, New Haven, Vt.
  3. (6) Fred Little, Salisbury, Vt.
  4. (4) Gary English, Salisbury, Vt.
  5. (1) Kyle Kerr, Shoreham, Vt.
  6. (3) Katrina LeClaire, Benson, Vt.
  7. (5) # Kamden Duffy, Richmond, N.H.
  8. (7) Bob Kilburn, Fair Haven, Vt.
  9. (12) # Scott Towslee, Manchester, Vt.
  10. (11) Jason Quenneville, Quechee, Vt.
  11. (13) Anthony Ryan, Benson, Vt.
  12. (9) Steve Miller, New Haven, Vt.
  13. (8) A.J. Munger, Benson Landing, Vt.
  14. (14) William Duprey, Hydeville, Vt.
  15. (15) # Daryl Gebo, Orwell, Vt.
  16. (16) Bobbi Jo Hults, Castleton, Vt.

Heat Winners: Gary English, Fred Little

TRACK CHAMPION: Randy Ryan

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Scott Towslee

Hoosier Daddy Racing Novice Sportsman Feature (20 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie

  1. (2) Bobbi Jo Hults, Castleton, Vt.
  2. (12) # Pat Miner, Monkton, Vt.
  3. (5) Randy Edson, Orwell, Vt.
  4. (6) Boomer Patterson, Milton, Vt.
  5. (8) # Eric Shaw, Wells, Vt.
  6. (10) Donald Williams, Ripton, Vt.
  7. (9) Adam LaFountain, Starksboro, Vt.
  8. (3) # Matt Wade, Fair Haven, Vt.
  9. (7) Ed Bell, Queensbury, N.Y.
  10. (11) Tyler Travis, Hartland, Vt.
  11. (15) Raelin Dunham, Queensbury, N.Y.
  12. (14) Jason Kerr, Shoreham, Vt.
  13. (4) Derrick Counter, Salisbury, Vt.
  14. (13) # Allen Hewitt, Rutland, Vt.
  15. (1) Russ Farr III, Granville, N.Y.

Did Not Start: William Bushee, Rutland, Vt.

Heat Winners: Eric Shaw, Adam LaFountain

TRACK CHAMPION: Tyler Travis

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Eric Shaw

Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint Feature (15 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie

  1. (8) Logan Denis, Whiting, Vt.
  2. (7) Ray Hanson, Orwell, Vt.
  3. (6) John Smith, Poultney, Vt.
  4. (9) Gage Provencher, Bridport, Vt.
  5. (5) Roger LaDuc, Castleton, Vt.
  6. (2) Tommie Kasuba, Castleton, Vt.
  7. (1) Aiden Benoure, Salisbury, Vt.
  8. (3) Ashleigh Kulzer, Johnstown, N.Y.
  9. (11) Jenna Zak, Schuylerville, N.Y.
  10. (4) Kevin Smith, Brandon, Vt.
  11. (10) # John Carleton, Chittenden, Vt.

Heat Winners: Logan Denis, Ray Hanson

TRACK CHAMPION: Logan Denis

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: John Carleton

Mini Stock A-Feature (15 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie

 

  1. (18) Jakobee Alger, Orwell, Vt.
  2. (13) Levi Cram, Leicester, Vt.
  3. (2) T.J. Knight, Wells, Vt.
  4. (17) Brian Blake, Cornwall, Vt.
  5. (4) # Ryan Patch, Rutland, Vt.
  6. (14) Craig Kirby, St. Albans, Vt.
  7. (5) Jarrod Colburn, Rutland, Vt.
  8. (10) Chase Allen, Fair Haven, Vt.
  9. (11) Austin McKirryher, Proctor, Vt.
  10. (21) Kris Clark, Keeseville, N.Y.
  11. (16) Jake Barrows, Cornwall, Vt.
  12. (8) Cody Dion, Rutland, Vt.
  13. (9) Mark Mahoney, Brandon, Vt.
  14. (7) Griff Mahoney, Benson, Vt.
  15. (15) Ronnie Alger, Orwell, Vt.
  16. (1) Tim Robinson, Center Rutland, Vt.
  17. (12) Adam Mahoney, Whitehall, N.Y.
  18. (19) # Jacob Demgard, Hubbardton, Vt.
  19. (3) Nick Melotti, Mendon, Vt.
  20. (6) Damian Olden, Rutland, Vt.
  21. (20) Willie Rice, Poultney, Vt.

Heat Winners: Austin McKirryher, Jakobee Alger, Adam Mahoney

TRACK CHAMPION: Brian Blake

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Ryan Patch

Mini Stock B-Feature (6 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
# – denotes rookie

  1. (8) Speedy Bresette, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
  2. (1) Donald Olden, Poultney, Vt.
  3. (3) Adam Stewart, Benson, Vt.
  4. (9) Richard Fleury, Poultney, Vt.
  5. (7) Scott Chandler, Pittsford, Vt.
  6. (2) Brendan Lauzon, Putnam Station, N.Y.
  7. (6) Nick Stark, Pawlet, Vt.
  8. (5) Derek Lachapelle, Queensbury, N.Y.
  9. (4) Jake Mallory, Granville, N.Y.

Did Not Start: Stephanie Maille, Lake Luzerne, N.Y.

9th State Cannabis Crown Vic Feature (15 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

  1. (4) Norm Morrill, North Ferrisburgh, Vt.
  2. (2) Chad Merrill, Londonderry, Vt.
  3. (3) Jackson Ducharme, Rutland, Vt.
  4. (1) Shawn Moquin, Milton, Vt.
  5. (6) Matt Monaghan, Colchester, Vt.
  6. (5) Rob Steele, Bomoseen, Vt.
  7. (7) Zach Wood, Georgia, Vt.

TRACK CHAMPION: Rob Steele

5 Star Roofing Enduro Series Feature (100 laps)
Pos.-(Car No.)-Driver

  1. (188) Kenny Torrey
  2. (54) Tim LaDuc
  3. (00E) Eric Leno
  4. (21) Scott Richner
  5. (30X) Dan Desforges
  6. (13) Tim Dunster
  7. (11) Andy Botala
  8. (79) Jeremy Brownell
  9. (17) Xander Stillwell
  10. (10X) Kevin Pearsall
  11. (9) Tyler Bell
  12. (119) Chris Sumner
  13. (98) Landon Lathrop
  14. (74) Ryan Benoit
  15. (55) Kyle Botala
  16. (23) Bob Bathalon
  17. (51X) Lukas Longtin
  18. (00B) Brent Wilbur
  19. (57VT) Trevor Jaques
  20. (4) Erwin Pinney
  21. (71) Brody Hamel
  22. (231) Jay Lanza
  23. (199) Madison Botala
  24. (88X) Eric Messier
  25. (C8) Rich Rose
  26. (MPW) Ryan Castonguay
  27. (20VT) Zach Wood

TRACK CHAMPION: Kevin Pearsall

Sources: Devil’s Bowl Speedway