DEVIL'S BOWL SPEEDWAY 

Vermont’s Fastest Half Mile, Devil’s Bowl Speedway in West Haven, Vermont was the site for the Senior Tour Auto Racers on May 31^st.  As you entered the track you could see the United States Armed Forces colors flying proudly.  For those who know their racing history, they may remember when C.J. Richards founder paved the track in 1970, returning to dirt two years later.  Now in 2010 once more Devil’s Bowl Speedway returned to asphalt racing. Star was proud to be part of the opening of the newly asphalt track back in 2010 and now has returned to Devil’s Bowl in 2011. 

On hand to represent Star were some of the finest restored vintage stockcars.  Cars came from all over New England, VT, ME, NH, MA, CT, RI, and NY. To begin the day Star had practice for both the Sportsmen division and then the modified division.  Then it was time to go racing. Star’s Sportsmen rolled out on to the track first for their 8-lap heat race. Positions changed from lap to lap and it was anyone’s win.  Robert Harless from Fishkill NY in his #8 Ford sedan made his way through the pack to take down the first victory for the 2011 season.  Then it was time for the modifieds to hit the track for their 8-lap heat. It was a tight race as the modifieds ran side by side lap after lap. Then out of no where Stan Woyt know as the “Polish Prince” from Fishkill, NY in his #26  Gremlin shot to the front to take down the second victory for the tour.  It was a winning day for the New York members of Star that afternoon.  Then it was feature time.   First the Sportsmen rolled out onto the track for their 15 lap feature.  Skip Stearns from NH in his #7X coupe held down the pack until it was 5 laps to go.  Then John Dipetro from Ma in his #7 coupe took over the lead leaving Stearns on his bumper. Dipetro took to the lower groove leaving Stearns to take the outer groove with the pack closing in on them.  No room to spare here as Joe Keefner from Ma in his #99 Gremlin and Charlie Wilcox from CT in his #111 Oldsmobile closed in on the leaders. The checkered came down on Dipetro to take the win with Stearns only a half of bumper away to pull a second.  Keefner and Wilcox were so close to the third spot that if you were not standing at the start finish line you would have called it a tie but Keefner took the third spot only by inches. Dipetro then took his victory lap and an out of car interview and presented with a trophy for the Sportsmen Feature.  The Modifieds were ready to go for their 15 lap feature.  The green came down and it was off to racing for the modifieds.  Bob Bateman from RI in his #17 Pinto shot out to take the lead with the Ferlands, Danny and Jamie following very closely.  On the half way mark Jamie Ferland for NH in his #194 Pinto took the inner groove and slid into first place while Dad Danny Ferland shot to the outer groove to ride along side of the 194.  But mean while Bob Bateman from RI in his #17 Pinto and Charlie Lima from Ma in his #10 Pinto were waiting for a move but the Ferland had the pack locked.  Then with 3 laps to go Danny Ferland in the #21 lost it for a second and it was all but the shouting as Bateman and Lima pulled into second and third position. Now with only 3 laps to go Jamie Ferland lead the pack. The checkered came down on Jamie Ferland from NH in his #194 Pinto to take the 4^th win for the afternoon and the modified feature win. Bateman in his #17 trailed very close for a second and Lima in his #10 Pinto breathing down Bateman to pick up a third. Jamie Ferland took his victory lap and then brought to trackside for an out of car interview and presented with a trophy for the Modifed Feature.  Star would like to thank Devil’s Bowl Speedway for a great day of racing and all their hospitality.