Kids bike races, Modified 50-lappers, tribute to ’67 champ Hulbert highlight two nights of racing
Story By: JUSTIN ST. LOUIS / DEVIL’S BOWL SPEEDWAY MEDIA Photos By: DAVE DALESANDRO / RACERSGUIDE.COM
WEST HAVEN, VT- May 18, 2016- The wait is over for local stock car racing fans, as Devil’s Bowl Speedway opens its 50th season of action this weekend, May 21-22, with a two-night schedule jammed with action. The Rutland County track’s landmark golden anniversary will be the first full season of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing on both the half-mile Asphalt Track and the 3/10-mile Dirt Track.
Each night will feature a 50-lap Sportsman Modified race and lots of other action, along with kids bicycle races, and Sunday’s event will also honor inaugural Devil’s Bowl track champion Mert Hulbert. It appears that Mother Nature is prepared to cooperate as well, with spectacular weather forecasted for the weekend.
The Devil’s Bowl season kicks off on Saturday, May 21, at 6:00 p.m. with a full four-division card on the Asphalt Track, featuring the Bond Auto Parts Sportsman Modifieds, the Central Vermont Motorcycles Late Models, the Rosen & Berger Renegades, and the Portland Glass Mini Stocks. Vince Quenneville Jr., Josh Masterson, and Chris LaVair will be back to defend their 2015 titles in their respective Modified, Late Model, and Mini Stock divisions, while the Renegade chase is wide open.
On Sunday, May 22, at 6:00 p.m., the Dirt Track is in action with Sportsman Modifieds, Renegades, and Mini Stocks. Kenny Tremont Jr. chases his eighth Devil’s Bowl Modified title, and Renegade champion Darrell Older will have to contend with Mini Stock champion Brian Bishop, who will compete as a Renegade rookie.
Sunday’s Dirt Track event will open the 50th season’s “Tribute Series” by honoring inaugural Devil’s Bowl Speedway track champion Mert “Socks” Hulbert. The Oak Hill, N.Y., native, now 79, was the first Devil’s Bowl title winner in 1967. Hulbert, who earned his nickname because he often raced in his stocking feet, will be in attendance at the event and will display one of his former racecars.
The Thomas Diary Kids Club hosts bicycle races on both nights, and kids of all ages are encouraged to bring their bikes to the track. Races will be divided into three age groups, and – like all Kids Club activities at Devil’s Bowl – are free to enter. The ever-popular Interstate Batteries “Fun Bus” will also be in action both nights.
Special general admission for the Asphalt Track event on Saturday, May 21 is $15 for adults and $13 for seniors (62+) and students (13-17). Regular general admission for the Dirt Track on Sunday, May 22 is $12 for adults and $10 for seniors (62+) and students (13-17). Kids age 12 and under are always admitted for free.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway is located on Route 22A in West Haven, Vt., four miles north of Exit 2 off of U.S. Route 4 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 Twitter and Instagram at @DevilsBowlSpeed; follow the action using the #DevilsBowl hashtag.
