RPW Column: The Strong Woman Behind The Promoters: Devil’s Bowl’s Co-Owner Alayne Bruno

RPW Column By: LAURIE FALLIS / RPW – WEST HAVEN, VT – Many times when you mention a race track, the promoter’s name usually comes up along with it. They are the ones that gets the acknowledgement and most of the credit. However, sometimes behind a good man is usually a good women.

We have the privilege of getting up close and personal with these special women that are behind the scenes of the race track. You could say they are the strong force and supporters of some of the most successful promoters of the Northeast. You could even say they’re the backbone.

We’ll take a look at their paths to how they became involved in the sport and what what their responsibilities are at the racetrack…and maybe a little bit more.

Part one of this series is with Alayne Bruno, the wife of Devil’s Bowl Speedway’s Mike Bruno. The two own the former CVRA facility in West Haven, VT.

Lets meet this strong and energetic lady.

Alayne’s racing adventure started off when she would go with her friends in middle and high school to the track, just for something to do. They went to the Catamount Stadium in Milton, VT. This is where she fell in love with the sport.

Later on in years, 1991 to be exact, was when something very important happened. It was after the World Of Outlaw Sprint Car event at Lebanon Valley. On the way home, Alayne and her friends needed to use the restroom. The lights were on at Mikes Bruno’s race garage, and being there were racecars, they figured this was as good a place to stop.

After taking care of business, Alana and Mike got to talking about racing for a bit before she and her friends headed down the road.

Ironically, their path would meet again three years later. A friend of Alayne’s drove Mike’s back-up car at Devils Bowl. They remembered each other and Mike said the right things, according to Alayne.

“That was it,” she said.

Mike was heavy into racing, and Alayne was all in. They traveled and raced five to six nights a week. Her roles in the sport started that year when she become Mike’s spotter and recorded lap times, while Mike ran on the NASCAR Busch North Tour and with his Late Model.

In those days, it was almost unheard of to have a woman spotter. It was predominately all men that did that. However, she stood strong and proud, holding her ground.

Over the years, the two felt it was time to get married and start a family. They tied the knot in 1999 and now have two children, a daughter, Austin and son, Johnny.

A major turning point for their family came in 2011 when they were asked if they’d be interested in buying Devils Bowl from CJ Richards. There was a family meeting and, after much discussion, the decision was made to go ahead with it.

One thing for the Bruno’s is that they knew it was also very important that they had Justin St. Louis on board as part of the team with them.

In 2012, Alayne’s role took a big leap in being co-owner of a dirt track. However, when they took it over, it was asphalt. A dirt track was built on the inside of the asphalt track. A few years later, however, they put dirt down over the asphalt track, and that is how you see it today.

What role does Alayne hold at Devil’s Bowl, besides being an owner?

“I’m in charge of the employees at the gates,” she said. “I make sure they have right color tickets. I also handle sign in at the pit gate, order souvenirs and apparel and make sure everything is set for victory lane.

She also orders food for her sister-in-law, Helen Alexander, who is in charge of concessions.

“I make sure the VIP booth and their tickets are all set,” she said. “Basically, I’m in charge of the money.”

Running from race control to wish her son good luck is also important to her. Johnny races at the speedway, carrying on the family racing tradition.

“I go to the Ambulance if need be,” she said. “I’m there to make sure things run as smoothly as possible, you could say I’m the ‘go to’ person.”

Has she ever wanted to get on the track and race?

“I have,” she said as you could hear the excitement in her voice. “In 2017, we had a Powder Puff Series here and I would drive my son’s 4-cylinder car. That was a blast and I even captured some wins, but that was it for me. I didn’t want something happen to the car because it was the same one that my son raced those nights.”

Does she have a job outside of the race track?

“Yes, I’m the accountant for our family business, Bruno’s Auto Repair & Towing,” she said.

Does she get a chance to enjoy other things away from the track?

“I enjoy Ski Racing,” she said. “Hunting is also a big family thing that we all enjoy.”

From how women, at one time, were not allowed to even be in the pits, what does she think of the importance a woman can have in this sport?

“It’s just tremendous,” she said. “I believe it has softened the sport, It’s elevated racing in a good way.”

What does she see when she walks from pit area to pit area?

“I see a lot of women working on the cars,” she said. It’s no big deal these days. It’s actually a plus to many teams. The pit area is now more family oriented.

She’s also a very proud mom when it comes to the track, not only for her son, but also her daughter.

It’s great seeing Austin involved at the speedway,” she said. “She’s been the assistant scorer for a few years now.”

“What’s been the best thing about running the Devil’s Bowl Speedway over the years?

“The excitement of racing,” she said. “I enjoy seeing the excited fans coming through the gates each week, seeing the same passion and love for the sport as we do. We get to share this with the community, the racers and the fans.”

What’s the worst?

“Seeing wrecked cars,” she said. “I know how much hard work goes into the cars and the cost. It’s devastating to see wrecks.”

How has she and the family been dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and the current stoppage to the 2020 racing season?

“It’s unfortunate, but we keep moving forward as if we’re racing,” she said. “The track is in great shape. We’re ready but not really sure when we can open. We’re planning for what we can do to race with any possible restrictions Once we’re given the green light, we’ll be ready. We’re keeping our spirits up.”

Even with racing at a halt, the speedway has kept their social media platforms very active.

“We have the Facebook Live show we do every Tuesday night at 7pm with Mike and Justin,” she said. “We have guests on the show and it keeps the fans in tune with what’s going on at the Bowl. We are trying everything possible to get the cars on the track, but until then, we are keeping our fans informed.”

Alayne wanted to add that they have a great staff at Devil’s Bowl and that they’re the ones that make this a truly great team.

“We could never do it alone,” she said. “Everyone know their jobs, both during the week and on race night. Our decisions are made together as a unit which includes our children and Justin. It’s about the love of the sport we enjoy.”