Busy Memorial Day Weekend ahead for Devil’s Bowl Racers
Fireworks and more on Friday, Thunder Road event on Sunday
WEST HAVEN, VT – Stock car drivers from Devil’s Bowl Speedway will be racking up the miles on Memorial Day Weekend. The track’s top two divisions – the ground-pounding, open-wheel Bond Auto Parts Modifieds and the sleek and racy Late Models – will see plenty of action between their NASCAR Whelen All-American Series home track at Devil’s Bowl in West Haven, VT, and in special events at Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre, VT.
People’s United Bank and Mobil 1 present a jam-packed event to kick off the summer Friday night weekly schedule at the Devil’s Bowl Speedway half-mile on Friday, May 24 at 7:00pm. Twin 25-lap feature races for the Modifieds and the Late Model championship opener will be accompanied by regular events for the Renegade and Central Vermont Motorcycles Mini Stock divisions, along with a major fireworks display to celebrate the Memorial Day holiday.
New York State veterans Ron Proctor and Leon Gonyo split victories in the twin features at the People’s United Bank Memorial Day Special in 2012. Proctor’s victory was his first of three on the year and helped propel him to the track championship. Drivers aiming to knock Proctor and Gonyo off the top on Friday, May 24 include Vince Quenneville, Jr., Jessey Mueller, Hunter Bates, Alex Bell, Joey Roberts, and Spring Green opening day winner Todd Stone of Middlebury, VT.
The Late Model division is expected to draw as many as 20 entries for its championship opener at the People’s United Bank Memorial Day Special, and with champion Craig Bushey running only a partial schedule in 2013, the race for the title is wide open. Top contenders Kevin Elliott, Dan Petronis, Robert Bryant, Jr., Hunter Bates, Chris Bergeron, and more will be aiming for victory lane and the overall crown.
On Sunday, May 26, drivers from both divisions will head to the high-banked quarter-mile at Thunder Road for the Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic. The event features a 100-lap season opener for the Vermont State Late Model Championship Series and a 50-lap race for the brand-new Northern Modified Challenge Series. Racing is scheduled to begin at 1:30pm.
The People’s United Bank Memorial Day Special presented by Mobil 1 begins at 7:00pm on Friday, May 24, and includes a special holiday fireworks show. General admission is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors (62+), and free for children 12 and under. Devil’s Bowl Speedway is located on Route 22A in West Haven, VT, four miles north of Exit 2 on U.S. Route 4. 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 at @DevilsBowlSpeed.
Sources: Devil’s Bowl Speedway
PHOTO: Leon Gonyo posted a victory in the Twin 25s at the People’s United Bank Memorial Day Special at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in 2012. (MemorEvents photo)