Devil’s Bowl Speedway Is Just Made For Crate Racing
Column By: DYLAN FRIEBEL / RPW – WEST HAVEN, VT – When Mike Bruno took over Devils Bowl Speedway just a handful or years ago, he envisioned it like it used to be…popular and booming.
He made choices that benefited the track and the fans throughout this process. However, he seems to have struck gold with his latest move…putting dirt back on the 1/2-mile portion of the speedway.
The speedway did have a dirt track for the last several seasons, utilizing a 1/3-mile clay oval inside their asphalt track. But it was time for a change. After over 850+ loads of clay were spread, and five events into the 2018 season, the decision to make the bigger track dirt once again, in my eyes, was the right one.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I loved the third-mile. I watched Bobby Hackel beat 360 Sprints with a 305 there and saw him best Kenny Tremont on many occasions in some great battles. However, the racing that the new track has put on, along with the fans in stands, proves the move needed to be done.
The Bruno family and their staff have also found a gem with keeping the headline class powered by 602 Crate Engines. I know we all love horsepower and the sound of Modifieds, but give it a chance. I thought the same thing at first when I went up there three years ago for my first race, but quickly fell in love.
To that regard, for Bruno, the decision was simple.
“We’re located in a weird spot,” He told me. “There are not that many Big Blocks and 358-Modifieds out here. However, there are a lot of crates and we draw from New York, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts and, of course, Vermont. It works for us. We aim to put on great racing and make improvements every week.”
For some tracks, laying down a dirt surface over asphalt while making it wide and raceable has been tough in the recent years. A prime example of that was at Oswego for Super Dirt Week in 2016. However, Devil’s Bowl have gotten it right for the style of racing they want.
When you think of big tracks and the racing the crates put on weekly to the big blocks/small blocks, it isn’t always a barn burner. It can be slow and get strung out with the leader having a huge lead just because they got the clear air and momentum. That’s what you need in a crate car. At Devil’s Bowl. though, that’s not the case. Okay, Josh Sunn ran away in the last 10-15 laps this past Sunday, but to watch guys like Kenny Tremont, David Schilling, Marty Kelly III all battle it out side by side-by-side, sometimes four-wide, proves that you don’t need 800+ horsepower to put on a good show.
While the track surface is relatively new, being only five races in and a work in progress, the drivers who attend weekly are more than happy and willing to give it time. I had the chance to talk to Kenny, David and Marty, and they all said the same thing…this is fun. It’s a lot of fun and the track has a lot of potential. It’s getting better every week.
If you haven’t already, you need to get to Devil’s Bowl Speedway. They’ve struck gold with a wide multi-lane race track with the Crate racing combination. The sky’s the limit from here on out for Mike Bruno and his crew.
News & Notes from
86 cars were in the pits for all 5 divisions. 26 Sportsman Modifieds were on hand with 25 starting.
Josh Sunn makes it two on the season. Him and Kenny Tremont are locked in a battle that’s heating up.
Marty Kelly III, the former limited driver came home in 12th place, a career best for him.
Joey ‘Fireball’ Roberts, the former asphalt driver took home the win in the limited sportsman along with Chris Murray in Super Stocks, Mike Preston in Mini Stocks, Austin Chaves in 500cc Mini Sprints.
