Discount season passes are now available just in time for the 46th season of stock car racing at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in West Haven, VT. The track is offering three types of year-long passes for spectators and competitors.
A General Admission season pass is available for all 18 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series events. The General Admission pass will be honored throughout the year, beginning with the prestigious “Spring Green 112” for the American-Canadian Tour Late Models and the season-opening championship event for Devil’s Bowl Speedway’s Bond Auto Parts Modified, Renegade, and Bomber divisions on Sunday, May 6.
Special events include the People’s United Bank Memorial Day Modified Special on Friday, May 25, the Vermont State Late Model Championship Series 100 on Friday, June 8, and the Firecracker Twin 44s on Wednesday, July 4. Also included are the Mid-Season Championships on Friday, July 13, Championship Night on Friday, August 31, and the Vermont 200 Weekend on Saturday, September 15 and Sunday, September 16.
The General Admission season pass is just $185, a savings of nearly 12% from the race-day ticket gate price. A Senior General Admission season pass is available for only $145 for race fans age 62 and up. As an added benefit, General Admission season pass holders will get a 15-minute head start in selecting their grandstand seats at every event.
New for 2012 is the Garage Area season pass, a program designed to help save racers money in the long-term. The Garage Area pass is available for a one-time fee of only $450 to NASCAR-licensed drivers, car owners, and crew members. Garage Area pass holders will enjoy a 20% discount for a year-long savings of $111, versus the total weekly price for non-licensed participants.
“We encourage all of our fans and competitors to take a look at the season pass programs we have in place,” said Devil’s Bowl Speedway owner/promoter Mike Bruno. “Times are tough, and we want our supporters to be able to enjoy their racing at an affordable price. The season passes are a nice alternative and really do save a substantial amount of money in the long run.”
Devil’s Bowl Speedway opens its 46th season of stock car racing on Sunday, May 6, with the Spring Green 112 for the American-Canadian Tour Late Models, along with the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Bond Auto Parts Modifieds, Renegades, and Bombers. For more information, call (802) 265-3112 or click www.devilsbowlspeedwayvt.com.
In 1986 Beaver Dragon from Milton, VT won the opening event at the newly restored Lee USA New Hampshire
speed plant. “Red” and Judy MacDonald had just purchased the facility and called on the newly created American Canadian Tour (ACT) to open the track in the Spring of 1986. Later that season, the seven-time ACT Champion Robbie Crouch from Tampa, FL would win the first New Hampshire Governor’s Cup. Crouch backed
that win up with a consecutive Governor’s Cup win in 1988.
Another ACT Champion, Russ Urlin, from London, Ontario won back-to-back at Lee in 1989 and 1990. Other notable winners at Lee during the ACT Pro Stock era were: Paul Richardson, Dave Dion, Kevin Lepage, and Ralph Nason.
When the present American Canadian Tour, featuring the Late Model teams throughout the Northeast took over the New Hampshire Governor’s Cup in 2003, Patrick Laperle from St Denis, Quebec won the Late Model renewal of the event. A surprise Canadian driver from Ontario, former CASCAR and present NASCAR Canadian Tire champion, DJ Kennington won the 2004 version in his only race ever contested on the ACT. Thunder Road three time champion Chris Michaud won in 2005.
A string of five more different drivers have won the New Hampshire Governors Cup 150 over the past five seasons including: Ben Rowe, Turner ME, Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. (Pole), Hudson, NH; two more New Hampshire natives, Brad Leighton, and when a Lee weekly racer surprised a huge crowd Miles Chipman won in 2009 and 2010 respectively. The defending champion is the all-time winningest driver of ACT events and tour championships, Brian Hoar of Williston, VT who finally won in 2011.
The 2012 edition of the New Hampshire Governor’s Cup has a very good chance to continue the first-time winner streak since 2003. Wayne Helliwell, Jr., runner-up to Hoar in 2011 is a multi-time track champion at Lee USA. In his first full season of competing on the ACT US he finished an impressive second for the season-long point championship. Most observers would tag Helliwell as the favorite to continue the ‘new winner streak’ at Lee in 2012. Helliwell led 89 laps of the event in 2011 and is coming off both another Lee track championship, and his outstanding 2011 season with ACT.
Austin Theriault, the sensational teenaged racer from Fort Kent, ME has raced down South during the off-season for Brad Keslowski Racing as a development driver. Strong top ten finishes, and a very successful second half on the American Canadian Tour in 2011, also make Theriault a good candidate to continue the first-time winner streak at the New Hampshire Governor’s Cup in 2012. ACT veteran Randy Potter of Groveton, NH, and Quinny Welch, multi-time White Mountain Motorsport Park champion hope to bring the Cup back to New Hampshire in 2012.
Along with Hoar, veteran Brent Dragon has never missed a Late Model start and will attempt to be the first-time winner, while returning the Cup to Vermont. Two Maine top contenders Ricky Rolfe and Glen Luce have also entered the season opener and will look for their first Lee USA wins.
The traditional ACT opening event expects over forty (40) teams to attempt to qualify for the New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150 which will take place on Sunday, April 15, 2012. A voluntary practice day is scheduled for all teams on Saturday, April 14, 2012 to give teams a chance to shake out new cars, new rules, and prepare for what is usually one of the most competitive and exciting races of the season.
Carrara Masonry & Concrete will have a major presence during the 2012 stock car racing season at Devil’s Bowl Speedway. The North Clarendon, VT concrete and construction products supplier will sponsor NASCAR Whelen All-American Series events on Friday, June 1 and Friday, July 20 at the West Haven half-mile.
Carrara Masonry & Concrete Night on Friday, June 1 will feature championship action for the Bond Auto Parts Modified, Late Model, Renegade, and Bomber divisions. The event will also see feature winners in all classes take home racing engine lubricants from Mobil 1.
On Friday, July 20, Devil’s Bowl Speedway will honor its late founder, C.J. Richards, at the first-ever “Carrara Masonry & Concrete C.J. Richards Memorial” event, which will include a special event for the Bond Auto Parts Modified division. “It’s an exciting time to be a race fan in our area, and Carrara Masonry & Concrete is happy to be on board at Devil’s Bowl Speedway,” Bob Carrara, Jr., said. “Our materials helped to build the new frontstretch wall at the race track, and we now have a lasting connection that we’re very proud of.”
Carrara Masonry & Concrete is a third-generation family owned and operated company that produces sand and stone aggregates, ready-mixed concrete, and precast/pre-stressed concrete products. Carrara is also a premier supplier of quality construction and masonry products including brick, cement block, chimney accessories, formwork accessories, retaining walls, pavers, and stucco products.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway opens its 46th season or stock car racing on Sunday, May 6 at 1:30pm, with the “Spring Green 112” for the American-Canadian Tour Late Models, plus the championship lid-lifter for the Modified, Renegade, and Bomber divisions in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Discount general admission and garage area season passes are now available for the 18-event Devil’s Bowl Speedway schedule.
Three years ago the American Canadian Tour (ACT) introduced a Ford crate engine option to their racing program. The goal was to give the Late Model teams some variety, and hopefully make the racing more exciting for the fans, many of whom are die hard Ford fans.
Many of the top teams in ACT elected to switch from the Chevrolet crate program, which had been the mainstay of ACT racing since it was developed in 1999. After a couple of years of ‘tweaking’ the rules, officials are hoping that the two major manufacturers’ engine programs have reached the ultimate goal of parity for which ACT racing is known. The goal of Late Model racing has always been to make it a ‘driver’s series’, not a cubic dollar series.
“When I was asked to test the original version of the Ford crate motor, I knew it would take some time to get things sorted out. There was no perfect science without actually competing with the engines in actual race conditions,” said Chris Michaud, the three-time Thunder Road Champion and original team elected to do the Ford testing.
“The most difficult part of getting the two engines in compliance has been the different needs for different sized tracks. Engine set back requirements for the Ford, different torque levels, particularly high end torque, have been a challenge. With the help of Butler & MacMaster Engines, and a lot of co-operation from teams, we think we have reached that goal for 2012. There are some adjustments we have made over the past couple seasons, and along with the rule changes we have made going into 2012, that should help make both engine more compatible. Now it is up to the drivers and team set ups, as it should be”, said Dean Gallison, the Director of Competition for ACT.
Some of the challenges will come from the following teams in 2012:
Chevy Ford
ACT US
#32 Jean-Paul Cyr, Milton, VT #37 Brian Hoar, Williston, VT
#02 Randy Potter, Groveton, NH #97 Joey Polewarczyk Jr., Hudson, NH
#78 Quinny Welch, Lancaster, NH #27 Wayne Helliwell, Jr. Dover, NH
#55 Brent Dragon, Milton, VT #57 Austin Theriault, Fort Kent, ME
#51 Ricky Rolfe, Albany Twp., ME # 7 Glen Luce, Turner, ME
#15 Ben Ashline, Pittston, ME #17 Ray Parent, Tiverton, RI
#16 Mark Lamberton, Mooers Forks, NY
ACT CASTROL SERIES
#80 Donald Theetge, Boischatel, QC #48 Karl Allard, Ste Felicien, QC
#21 JF Dery, Quebec, QC #91 Patrick Laperle, Ste Denis, QC
#19 Dany Trepanier, St- Edouard, QC
#40 David Michaud, St-Anne-de-Pin, QC
#51 Patrick Hamel, St-Edouard, QC
#11 Claude Leclerc, Lanoraire, QC
THUNDER ROAD
#14 Phil Scott, Middlesex, VT #44 David Pembroke, Montpelier, VT
#88 Nick Sweet, Barre, VT # 6 Chris Michaud, E. Montpelier, VT
#89 Scott Payea, Milton, VT #26 John Donahue, Graniteville, VT
#85 Trampas Demers, Shelburne, VT
#18 Jamie Fisher, Shelburne, VT
#68 Brooks Clark, Waitsfield, VT
#41 Jamie Aube, Bow, NH
#99 Cody Blake, Barre, VT
#00 Mike Bailey, E. Barre, VT
#58 Jamie Hebert, Williamstown, VT
The Chevy vs. Ford rivalry will begin on Sunday, April 15, 2012 at the Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH for the 22nd running of the New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150. The Merchants Bank 150 will open the Thunder Road season with the American Canadian Tour on Sunday, April 29, 2012.
After a 9 year absence, Speedway 95 will host the annual Spring Preview Mall Show at the Bangor Mall on Friday March 23 through Sunday March 25. Over 30 drivers and crews have already signed up to show off their new 2012 racing machines. The list includes 2011 Late Model champion Mike Hopkins of Hermon, 2011 Strictly Street champion Andrew McLaughlin of Harrington and 2011 Stars of Tomorrow champion Matt Kimball of Cornville.
Also on the list are Danielle and Travis Beale of Hampden with their Little Enduro and Ladies division entries, Kimball’s sister, Shelby, with her 2011 2nd place finishing Strictly Street Camaro, 14 year old Emma Libby of Glenburn, who has already been to shows in Augusta and Portland this winter where she has won awards for her car, and Late Model Rookie Ryan Modery of Hermon, who is moving up to the top division after capturing the 2011 championship in the Bomber division.
Cars from both the Saturday and Wednesday programs will be on display, along with contests for the Best Dressed Crew, People’s Choice from each division and an overall Best of Show winner. Voting will be made through ballots cast at mid court by fans and mall shoppers, and carry trophy or cash prizes for the winning drivers and teams.
Riverside Speedway comes to the aid of one of its own. Our own Diane Roy Sales Manager, 50/50 person and racer and her husband that handles the Riverside wrecker have loss their home to fire.
Thankfully the entire family was not home when the fire occured and they are all safe. The tragedy was that they lost both their dogs and both their cats due to the fire.
Riverside Speedway has put on sale 25 full season adult passes which includes all the races and the enduro’s for the bargain price of $100 each with 100% of the proceeds going to the Roy Family.
These passes normally sell for $150 each and if the tickets were bought separately would cost in excess of $200.
If you can help the Roy family and also get yourself a real great deal on a season pass, please do so now! The Speedway will leave this offer out there until March 30th. Please call the Speedway at 603-636-2005 or e-mail [email protected] This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to order your Roy family pass.
Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre, VT has announced a “Milk Bowl Memories” contest as part of the season-long celebration of this year’s 50th People’s United Bank Milk Bowl on Sunday, September 30. The winner of the contest will receive two (2) 2013 Thunder Road General Admission season passes. Memory submissions will be accepted until Tuesday, August 21.
Contestants must complete the contest form (which can be found at www.thunderroadspeedbowl.com) with a description of their favorite memory, including the year and their age at the time of the memory. Contestants may also send photos with their memories, but are asked to send copies only as photos will not be returned.
Each Wednesday from April 11 until August 22nd, a winner will be chosen and their memory will be displayed at www.thunderroadspeedbowl.com. Each weekly winner will receive two (2) tickets to the 2012 50th People’s United Bank Milk Bowl in September.
Following the final Thursday night event of the season (August 23) the 20 winners will be split into two groups and fans will vote for one (1) finalist from each group. Fans will then be able to vote for the grand prize winner between the two (2) finalists, who will be announced at the 50th People’s United Bank Milk Bowl on Sunday, September 30.
The grand prize winner will receive two (2) 2013 general admission season passes. When did you attend your first Milk Bowl? Who did you go with? How old were you? Did your favorite driver win? Do you still attend with the same group? How many of the 49 Milk Bowl’s to date have you attended? What is your favorite Milk Bowl moment? Let us know and you could win two (2) 2013 season passes or two (2) 2012 People’s United Bank Milk Bowl tickets.
Joey “Pole” Polewarczyk, Jr. of Hudson, NH entered the 2011 season as the favorite for knocking off eight-time ACT Champion Brian Hoar. While things didn’t work out last year, Polewarczyk and his Pole’s Automotive Ford team are refocused and ready to get back to their winning ways in 2012.
In 2010, Polewarczyk had one of the greatest runs in ACT history. He claimed five wins in the final three months of the season and claimed second in the final standings. He earned a win at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway and two at Waterford Speedbowl, including the season finale. But his biggest wins of the year came in the ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and the People’s United Bank Milk Bowl at Thunder Road. It looked like he was poised to make a serious run at the 2011 title after claiming the ACT Goodyear Speedweeks Cup at New Smyrna (FL) Speedway in February 2011.
“After we went on that streak at the end of 2010, we kind of just let our car sit and didn’t do much updating on it before 2011. Meanwhile, everybody else got better and we just got behind the eight ball,” said Pole. “We finally started getting on the right track at the Invitational and Airborne, but the season was over at that point. So to get back into victory lane this upcoming year, we have to work hard on the car, and I have to become more focused on what I have to do as a driver.”
Going into the 2012 season, after claiming a win in the ACT Airborne season finale in 2011, Polewarczyk is looking to get back to his 2010 winning ways and at the same time is refocused on the bigger goal of the ACT title.
“I really like our team’s chances at the 2012 championship. I can honestly say I have never in my career felt more ready to take that step and be a champion. We have worked on our car everyday of this off-season and we as a team have never been more prepared,” continued Polewarczyk.
“For me, being the 2012 ACT champion would be such an honor. You look at the names that have won championships on this Tour; it would be an honor to add my name to that list. I truly believe this is one of the best tours in the country with the toughest competitors. We have come close in the past, and I believe this could really be our year to win.
Plus, we want to be the team to beat Brian Hoar and the RPM team. They have been the best for a long time now, and any racer has to respect that. So to be the best, you have to beat the best, and that is what our team plans on doing this year.”
Polewarczyk will attempt to become the first-ever repeat ACT Late Model Tour winner at Lee USA Speedway when the 2012 season opens with the NH Governor’s Cup on Sunday, April 15.
