Elmo Reckner Leads Parade Of Underdogs To Open Big Weekend At Devil’s Bowl Speedway

Story By: JUSTIN ST. LOUIS / DEVIL’S BOWL SPEEDWAY – WEST HAVEN, VT – Elmo Reckner won big on an exciting night of dirt track racing at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Saturday, August 14, winning the Rutland Regional Medical Center “Healthcare Heroes Night” feature for the headline Sportsman Modified division.

Other winners on the night included John Gosselin, Chris Murray, rookie Daryl Gebo, and Kamden Duffy. The Saturday night event set the stage for Sunday’s third annual “Battle at the Bowl” event for Big Block and Small Block Modifieds.

Sixty-year-old Reckner, who hails from Ballston Lake, N.Y., led the charge for a quintet of underdog dirt track racers who swept the top five places. Reckner started on the pole of the 30-lap feature and outlasted the field – Jason Bruno in particular – over three restarts to lead every lap and score his second victory of the season. Morrisonville, N.Y.’s Bruno ran the race of his life, rising and falling in a race-long fight inside the top five, before putting up a strong challenge to Reckner in the final laps.

Bruno’s runner-up showing was the best of his career, and Mike Fisher’s third-place result equaled his best effort. Billy Lussier earned his first top-five finish of the season in fourth place and hard-luck sophomore Josh Masterson ended a tough streak in fifth. Of the five, Reckner entered the event highest in the championship standings in 11th place; runner-up Bruno ranked 25th.

Justin Comes finished sixth to unofficially tighten the championship margin to 24 points behind leader Demetrios Drellos (618-594), who sat out the night with a one-race suspension. Tim LaDuc, Marty Kelly III, Justin Stone, and Tanner Siemons completed the top 10 finishers in order. Masterson, Fisher, and Adam Piper won the qualifying heats.

Shoreham, Vt.’s John Gosselin took a hard-fought first-ever win in the 25-lap feature for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman division, grabbing a special $500 winner’s purse in the process. Gosselin took the lead from Matt Jordan with a nifty pass on lap 5 and then built a big lead before seeing his advantage wiped away by a caution flag with just three laps left.

At the restart, Gary English was up to the task and hung tight to Gosselin. English nosed ahead on the inside lane to lead the white flag lap, but Gosselin buried his foot in the throttle coming off the final corner for a winning margin of just 0.176-seconds – about six feet – at the finish line. The runner-up result was a career-best for English.

Troy Audet had an impressive recovery after crashing in his qualifying heat to finish third, followed by Bill Duprey and Randy Ryan. Bryon Linendoll was a career-best sixth ahead of Bob Kilburn, Melvin Pierson, Dylan Madsen, and point leader Austin Comes. Forty cars were on hand to qualify for 24 starting positions; heats were won by Cody O’Brien, Kilburn, and Ryan, with Audet and Craig Wholey splitting the consolation races and Josh LeClaire taking the last-chance B-Main. Comes has an unofficial lead of 14 points over Audet (603-589).

Fair Haven, Vt.’s Chris Murray did it again in the Super Stock division, taking his eighth win of the year. This one did not come easy, though, as Murray was part of a big accident on the opening lap and went sailing off the backstretch. He recovered nicely to pass Andrew FitzGerald on the outside with eight laps left, and he cruised to the win from there.

FitzGerald was second ahead of Paul Braymer, rookie Chuck Bradford, and Josh Bussino. Wayne Gaige finished sixth, with Michael Clark Jr., Tony Salerno, Tim Simonds, and Don Williams rounding out the top 10.

The chaotic Summit Up Construction Mini Stock was up to its amusing old tricks, and rookie Daryl Gebo outlasted a field of 32 cars over a wild 20 laps for his third victory. Rookie Chase Allen had an impressive stint up front, leading 10 laps before Chris Sumner took over. Sumner and Gebo raced each other hard but clean in a lead-swapping fight to the end, and Gebo led only the last 100 feet of the race.

Sumner was the runner-up with Allen a career-best third. Craig Kirby debuted a new car for fourth place, with Derrick “Moneybags” Counter fifth. The balance of the top 10 was completed in order by Clemmy Bell, Griff Mahoney, Brian Blake, and rookies Adam Mahoney and Scott Chandler.

Thirteen-year-old Kamden Duffy of Richmond, N.H., won the typically wild scramble to the front, finding the lead on the first lap after starting in fifth. Ray Hanson maintained a comfortable edge in the championship standings with a runner-up finish over John Smith, Kaidin White, and Kevin Smith. Duffy and John Smith won the heats.

The biggest stars in dirt racing will be at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Sunday, August 15 at 5:00 p.m. for the third annual “Battle at the Bowl” event for Big Block and Small Block Modifieds. Twin 25-lap preliminary features each paying $1,500 to win will determine the starting field for the 50-lap Main Event, which pays $10,000 to the winner. The Sportsman Modified, Limited Sportsman, and Mini Stock divisions will also be in action. Grandstand admission is $30 for adults and $5 for kids; infield admission is $40 for adults and free for kids 12 and under. Pit passes are $45 for all persons aged 10 and up, with no one under 10 allowed in the pits, per Vermont State Law.

UNOFFICIAL RESULTS – Rutland Regional Medical Center “Healthcare Heroes Night”
Devil’s Bowl Speedway – West Haven, Vt.
Saturday, August 14, 2021

Sportsman Modified Feature (30 laps)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

# – denotes rookie

1. (1) Elmo Reckner, Ballston Lake, N.Y.
2. (2) Jason Bruno, Morrisonville, N.Y.
3. (5) Mike Fisher, Castleton, Vt.
4. (8) Billy Lussier, Fair Haven, Vt.
5. (4) Josh Masterson, Bristol, Vt.
6. (19) Justin Comes, Middlebury, Vt.
7. (20) Tim LaDuc, Orwell, Vt.
8. (10) Marty Kelly III, North Bennington, Vt.
9. (23) Justin Stone, Middlebury, Vt.
10. (17) Tanner Siemons, Orford, N.H.
11. (13) # Anthony Warren, Shoreham, Vt.
12. (12) Brian Whittemore, Pittsford, Vt.
13. (14) # Johnny Bruno, Castleton, Vt.
14. (21) Don Mattison, Wells, Vt.
15. (7) Vince Quenneville, Brandon, Vt.
16. (11) James Hanson, Orwell, Vt.
17. (15) Mike Palmer, Salisbury, Vt.
18. (3) Gene Pierson Jr., East Corinth, Vt.
19. (6) Adam Piper, Leicester, Vt.
20. (16) Adam Pierson, East Corinth, Vt.
21. (9) Frank Hoard III, Manchester Center, Vt.
22. (18) Jimmy Ryan, Shoreham, Vt.
23. (22) # Shawn McPhee, Rutland, Vt.

Did Not Start (1 driver): Jimmy Davis, Ballston Spa, N.Y.

Lap Leaders: Elmo Reckner, 1-30. (0 lead changes among 1 driver)

Cautions (3): Laps 10, 16, 21.

Heat Winners: Josh Masterson, Mike Fisher, Adam Piper

 

O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman Feature (25 laps)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

1. (5) John Gosselin, Shoreham, Vt.
2. (7) Gary English, Salisbury, Vt.
3. (19) Troy Audet, Bridport, Vt.
4. (9) Bill Duprey, Hydeville, Vt.
5. (8) Randy Ryan, Orwell, Vt.
6. (1) Bryon Linendoll, West Pawlet, Vt.
7. (11) Bob Kilburn, Fair Haven, Vt.
8. (13) Melvin Pierson, East Corinth, Vt.
9. (18) Dylan Madsen, Stephentown, N.Y.
10. (16) Austin Comes, Middlebury, Vt.
11. (24) Evan Roberts, Fletcher, Vt.
12. (20) Craig Wholey, Bolton Landing, N.Y.
13. (21) Joe Venditti, Scotia, N.Y.
14. (10) Kyle Huntington, Bradford, Vt.
15. (4) Katrina Bean, Benson, Vt.
16. (15) Alex Layn, New Haven, Vt.
17. (23) Josh LeClaire, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
18. (12) Dakota Green, Cambridge, N.Y.
19. (6) Hunter Nutter, Orford, N.H.
20. (2) Matt Jordan, Cambridge, N.Y.
21. (3) Cody O’Brien, Springfield, Vt.
22. (17) Beau Reeves, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
23. (14) Anthony Ryan, Benson, Vt.
24. (22) Steve Pope, Shoreham, Vt.

Did Not Qualify (16 drivers): Justin Lilly, Castleton, Vt.; Bryan Bigue, North Haverhill, N.H.; John McPhee Jr., Rutland, Vt.; William Lussier Jr., Fair Haven, Vt.; Josh Nelson, Bristol, Vt.; Brent Bouplon, Eagle Bridge, N.Y.; Wesley Sutliff, South Glens Falls, N.Y.; Wade Acker, Bristol, Vt.; Gus Kamburelis, Fort Ann, N.Y.; Scott FitzGerald, West Rutland, Vt.; Timmy Aldrighetti, Bethel, Vt.; Mike McGinn, Elizabethtown, N.Y.; Russ Farr, Granville, N.Y.; Kyle Kerr, Shoreham, Vt.; Stephen Taran Jr., Poultney, Vt.; A.J. Munger, Benson Landing, Vt.

Lap Leaders: Bryon Linendoll, pole; Matt Jordan, 1-4; John Gosselin, 5-23; Gary English, 24; Gosselin, 25. (4 lead changes among 4 drivers)

Cautions (3): Laps 1, 10, 22.

Heat Winners: Cody O’Brien, Bob Kilburn, Randy Ryan

Consi Winners: Troy Audet, Craig Wholey

B-Main Winner: Josh LeClaire

 

Super Stock Feature (25 laps)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

# – denotes rookie

1. (10) Chris Murray, Fair Haven, Vt.
2. (7) Andrew FitzGerald, West Rutland, Vt.
3. (5) Paul Braymer, Granville, N.Y.
4. (6) # Chuck Bradford, Addison, Vt.
5. (1) Josh Bussino, Fair Haven, Vt.
6. (2) Wayne Gaige, Fultonville, N.Y.
7. (12) Michael Clark Jr., Salisbury, Vt.
8. (3) Tony Salerno, Mineville, N.Y.
9. (10) Tim Simonds, North Clarendon, Vt.
10. (13) Don Williams, Ripton, Vt.
11. (11) Brett Wood, Georgia, Vt.
12. (4) Mike Bussino, Mount Holly, Vt.
13. (9) Mark Norris, Benson, Vt.

Lap Leaders: Josh Bussino, 1-2; Paul Braymer, 3; Andrew FitzGerald, 4-11; Chris Murray, 12-20. (3 lead changes among 4 drivers)

Cautions (4): Laps 0, 2, 7, 7.

Heat Winners: n/a

 

Summit Up Construction Mini Stock Feature (20 laps)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

# – denotes rookie

1. (23) # Daryl Gebo, Orwell, Vt.
2. (17) Chris Sumner, Ripton, Vt.
3. (5) # Chase Allen, Fair Haven, Vt.
4. (20) Craig Kirby, St. Albans, Vt.
5. (14) Derrick Counter, Leicester, Vt.
6. (24) Clemmy Bell, Peru, N.Y.
7. (6) Griff Mahoney, Bristol, Vt.
8. (21) Brian Blake, Cornwall, Vt.
9. (25) # Adam Mahoney, Rutland, Vt.
10. (22) # Scott Chandler, Pittsford, Vt.
11. (10) Troy Morin, Keeseville, N.Y.
12. (16) Willie Rice, Poultney, Vt.
13. (13) # Austin McKirryher, Proctor, Vt.
14. (8) T.J. Knight, Wells, Vt.
15. (2) # Kaydan Rice, Poultney, Vt.
16. (30) Joe Malzac, East Middlebury, Vt.
17. (28) Mark Mahoney, Brandon, Vt.
18. (19) # Damian Olden, Poultney, Vt.
19. (15) Lynn Denton, Milton, Vt.
20. (1) # Jason Kerr, Shoreham, Vt.
21. (7) # Jake Mallory, Granville, N.Y.
22. (3) # Jakobee Alger, Orwell, Vt.
23. (26) # Hunter Clark, Salisbury, Vt.
24. (9) Mary Gardner, Middle Granville, N.Y.
25. (29) # Chris Hewitt, Pittsford, Vt.
26. (16) Jake Barrows, Middlebury, Vt.
27. (4) # Cody Dion, Rutland, Vt.
28. (27) # Donald Olden, Poultney, Vt.
29. (18) Tom Severance, Fair Haven, Vt.
30. (31) Andrea Noble, Wells, Vt.
31. (11) Jarrod Colburn, Rutland, Vt.

Did Not Start (1 driver): Adam Stickle, Plattsburgh, N.Y.

Lap Leaders: Jason Kerr, pole; Kaydan Rice, 1; Chase Allen, 2-11; Chris Sumner, 12-19; Daryl Gebo, 20. (4 lead changes among 5 drivers)

Cautions (6): Laps 1, 4, 7, 7, 11, 17.

Heat Winners: n/a

 

Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint Feature (15 laps)

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown

# – denotes rookie

1. (5) Kamden Duffy, Richmond, N.H.
2. (6) Ray Hanson, Orwell, Vt.
3. (9) John Smith, Poultney, Vt.
4. (7) Kaidin White, Monkton, Vt.
5. (3) Kevin Smith, Brandon, Vt.
6. (2) # Vern Woodard, Fair Haven, Vt.
7. (4) Roger LaDuc, Orwell, Vt.
8. (1) Scott Bachand, St. Albans, Vt.
9. (8) # Gage Provencher, Bridport, Vt.
10. (12) # Kris Severance, Fair Haven, Vt.
11. (11) # Tommy Kasuba, Castleton, Vt.
12. (10) # Kyle Bruno, Proctor, Vt.

Lap Leaders: Scott Bachand, pole; Kamden Duffy, 1-15. (1 lead change among 2 drivers)

Cautions: None

Heat Winners: Kamden Duffy, John Smith