Polewarczyk Carries Hot Streak to Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Sunday
ACT “International 500” winner looking for first win at Vermont track
WEST HAVEN, VT – One of America’s hottest short track stock car drivers is headed for Vermont’s Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Sunday, July 28. Joey Polewarczyk, Jr., the 24-year-old star from Hudson, NH, will try to continue building on his unprecedented string of success as the American-Canadian Tour Late Models return for the inaugural St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 150 presented by Cat Country 105.3.
The driver known as “Joey Pole” won the first-ever ACT International 500 at Airborne Speedway on Sunday, July 21, pocketing more than $30,000 for his win. The victory was his fourth in the last five ACT races dating back to June 15 – a streak that has garnered some national attention.
Polewarczyk has been solid in his three career starts at Devil’s Bowl, with a best finish of second in the 2012 Spring Green. Polewarczyk credited his fourth-place run in that same event this past May as the turning point for his ultra-successful summer stretch.
“I love Devil’s Bowl. It’s one of the nicest tracks around we’ve run well there,” Polewarczyk said. “The Spring Green really kicked-started our season with our first good run of the year, and I feel like that race started all the momentum we’ve had this year.”
The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 150 will be the longest race ever held at Devil’s Bowl Speedway since the track was paved in 2010. Polewarczyk thinks that the extra laps will give him and the rest of the ACT field more of a chance to beat defending ACT champion Wayne Helliwell, Jr., of Dover, NH, who has won the last two ACT events at the track.
“The longer distance will make this race all about tire management and conserving so there’s still some grip left at the end of the race,” Polewarczyk said. “Wayne is always tough no matter where we race – especially at Devil’s Bowl – but we’re going to do the same thing to our setup that has worked for us during these wins lately. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Other ACT drivers expected to challenge for the win include Vermonters Jimmy Hebert, Brent Dragon, and Bobby Therrien. They’ll face tough competition from a group of home-track Devil’s Bowl stars including rookie sensation Josh Masterson of Bristol, VT. In his first year of Late Model racing, Masterson leads the track championship standings and picked up the first win of his career at the Rutland Herald Mid-Season Championship event on July 12.
Rutland, VT-based radio station Cat Country 105.3 FM is the event’s presenting sponsor and will hold a benefit drive for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital charity as part of its annual fundraising efforts for the organization. On-air personalities Willie Clark and Judy Anderson will be on hand.
The St. Jude/Cat Country event will open the second half of the season for not only the American-Canadian Tour, but also for the weekly NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Modified, Renegade, and Mini Stocks divisions at Devil’s Bowl. Todd Stone of Middlebury, VT leads the Bond Auto Parts Modifieds on the strength of five feature wins, while defending champ Robert Gordon of Milton, VT holds a slim lead in the Renegades, and Jake Noble of Benson, VT tops the Central Vermont Motorcycles Mini Stocks.
Green flag qualifying action begins at 1:30pm on Sunday, July 28. Special general admission is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors (62+), and free for children 12 and under. Camping on speedway grounds is also free.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway is located on Route 22A in West Haven, VT, four miles north of Exit 2 on U.S. Route 4 and only 20 minutes from Rutland, VT. For more information, call (802) 265-3112 or visit www.devilsbowlspeedwayvt.com. Follow Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Twitter at @DevilsBowlSpeed and on Facebook at facebook.com/DevilsBowlSpeedway.
Sources: Devil’s Bowl Speedway PR
PHOTO: Fresh off a huge win in the ACT International 500, “Joey Pole” will try for his first Devil’s Bowl win in the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 150 presented by Cat Country 105.3 on Sunday, July 28 at 1:30pm. (Alan Ward photo)