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AJ Munger Scores Thrilling Victory in “Matty B 32”

West Haven, VT - It may have been postponed twice by inclement weather, but the Matt Bilodeau Memorial Race, also known as the “Matty B 32,” was worth the wait. 25 of the top sportsman modified drivers in the Northeast signed in to Devil’s Bowl Speedway to vie for the $3,200 winner’s purse on Mother’s Day, and they put on a show that won’t soon be forgotten. The track was in pristine condition with multiple grooves that made the competition in all six divisions thrilling for the fansIn the main event, a 32-lap affair for the Sunoco Sportsman Modifieds, presented by Black Diamond Builders, veteran invader Brian Calabrese and rising local star AJ Munger battled tooth and nail over the final 12 laps, with the Brandon, Vermont campaigner using a dramatic late-race pass to collect the biggest win of his career.
Calabrese and Johnny Bruno led the field to the green flag, with Calabrese dominating the first 20 laps. Bruno did his best to hang with Calabrese, but the Johnstown, New York driver was just too stout. As Calabrese tried to fight off the challenge of Bruno, Munger was weaving his way through the field from the eighth starting spot. Munger powered around Calabrese to take the lead for the first time on lap 25, but the advantage was short-lived as Calabrese slipped back around Munger two circuits later. Munger was not done. He muscled his way back to the point on lap 29, and used lapped traffic to keep Calabrese at arm’s length to take the checkered flag and score the big payday. Calabrese held on for second. Justin Comes completed the podium, with Jim Ryan and Joey Scarborough rounding out the top five. Josh Sunn claimed the Elmo’s Pit Stop Hard Charger Award, moving from the 18th position on the grid to a 6th-place finish.
The 25-lap O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman feature produced a first-time winner at “The Bowl,” as Corinth, Vermont’s Michael Danforth sprang from the sixth spot on the grid, took the lead by lap two, and roared to a convincing victory. Kamden Duffy jumped to the lead from pole, but it was apparent right away that Danforth was sitting on a rocket ship. He grabbed the lead on lap two and began to drive away. Logan Denis came up to challenge Danforth and was able to nose ahead briefly on several restarts. However, Danforth used the outstanding grip he was getting off of the high side of turn two to dispose of Denis time and time again. Danforth came underneath the checkers first, followed by Denis, Adam LaFountain, Duffy, and William Lussier. Nick Austin-Neal received the Next Play Performance Hard Charger Award, advancing from the 17th to 7th spot.
Former Crown Vic champion Rob Steele continued his ascension in the open-wheel ranks as he cruised to the win in the Northern Refrigeration Novice Sportsman Modified feature. Steele launched to the front of the pack from the moment the green flag waved and overcame several restarts to register his first win of the season. Steele started on the front row alongside James McLellan and quickly established himself as the car to beat. Rim-riding Gavin Fluery moved to the second spot and seemed poised to give Steele a run for his money, but Steele was not to be denied. The Bomoseen, Vermont driver held steady on the low line of the track, hitting his marks on every lap and fighting off a lap challenge from rookie Christopher Pierce to claim the trip to victory lane. Pierce, in just his second modified start and moving up from the Mini Sprint division, placed second, followed by Fleury, Mark McGinnis, and Corey Landry.
It was only fitting that the Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprint feature was won by Quinn Quenneville in the Black Diamond Builders-sponsored 9Q machine. Quenneville shot from the third starting position and immediately grabbed the lead. Levi Cram also had a fast car and briefly got back around Quenneville, but once Quenneville swept past Cram to take the lead back, he secured the point for the remaining laps. Veteran Scott Bachand, the winner on opening night, tried to run Quenneville down, but to no avail. Quenneville, Bachand, and Cram drove under the checkers to land on the podium. Carm Isabella and Alex Reed finished fourth and fifth.
The Stove Depot Crown Vic division is witnessing a rise in car count, making for more balanced competition. Trevor Jaques, who has raced in multiple divisions at the speedway over the past few seasons, finally captured the elusive win. Jaques, who has also driven an Enduro car and Mini Spint, may have found his niche in the Crown Vic. Jaques and Brad Cram put on a thrilling show for the fans for most of the event before Jaques imposed his will in the final stages. Josh Muir, who appears destined to be a strong contender in the division, navigated his way through the field for an impressive third-place finish. Norm Morrill and Chad Merrill completed the top five.
The Mini Stock division had two feature events on the night, split into high-handicap and low-handicap groupings. In the first 20-lap feature, Kaleb Shepard came from the seventh starting spot to earn his second win of the season in a pair of starts. Jacob Mallory led most of the opening segment while Shepard worked his way through the field. Tyler Bell sat on Shepard’s back bumper and followed him to the front. Behind the top two, Jeremy Brownell and Jeremy Brownell Jr. staged a “Family Feud” battle, and Damian Olden was digging his way from the last spot on the grid to the top five. Despite his best efforts, Bell was unable to find a way past Shepard, who held on for the win. Bell was second, Brownell third, Olden fourth, and Brownell Jr. fifth.
The second Mini Stock feature resulted in one of the most improbable finishes most people in attendance had ever seen. Joe Warren led the early laps, but soon Chris Charboneau came up to challenge. The duo exchanged the top spot on a couple of occasions, and the race came down to the last lap. The two raced door handle to door handle down the frontstretch on the white flag lap. Contact ensued at the entrance to turn one, and both cars disappeared off the racing surface, seemingly opening the door for Chandler Sumner. Incredibly, Charboneau emerged from beyond the turn two banking before Sumner could grab the point and somehow crossed the stripe first to score the remarkable win. Sumner finished second, followed by Jayde Pope, Jerry Jordan Sr., and David Labarge.
The action continues at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Saturday, May 16th, with a Mini Sprint Special scheduled and a 50-lap Enduro. The Sportsman Modifieds, Limited Sportsman Modifieds, Novice Sportsman Modifieds, and Mini Stocks will also be on the card. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Racing begins at 7:00 p.m. Grandstand Admission is $15. Infield parking is $25. Pit Admission is $30 for members and $40 non-members. Kids under 12 are free.

Official Results-Matt Bilodeau Memorial Race-Presented by Black Diamond Builders

Sunday, May 10th

Sunoco Sportsman Modified “Matty B. 32”-(32 laps)

Pos. (Start) Driver Hometown

1. (8) A.J. Munger Benson, VT
2. (1) Brian Calabrese Johnstown, NY
3. (5) Justin Comes Fair Haven, VT
4. (4) Jim Ryan Whiting, VT
5. (15) Joey Scarborough Brandon, VT 1
6. (18) Josh Sunn White River Junction, VT
7. (14) Tanner Siemons Orford, NH
8. (7) Josh Masterson Bristol, VT
9. (2) Johnny Bruno Orlando, FL
   10.(11) Scott Towslee Manchester, VT
10. (17) Dave Camara Poultney, VT
11. (6) Adam Piper Leicester, VT
12. (12) Frankie Hoard III Manchester Center, VT
13. (13) Derrick McGrew Jr. Ballston Spa, NY
    15(19) Kevin Chaffee Bradford, VT
14. (24) Taylor Doxtater Philadelphia, NY
15. (16) Marty Kelly III Bennington, VT
16. (9) Brent Warren Salisbury, VT
17. (10) Vince Quenneville Brandon, VT
18. (20) Eric Shaw Wells, VT
19. (22) Billy Lussier Fair Haven, VT
20. (21) Marty Hutchins Poultney, VT
21. (25) Jason McClatchie Plattsburgh, NY
22. (3) Alex Palmer-Sawyer Cambridge, NY
23. (23) Randy Ryan Orwell, VT

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

Pos. (Start) Driver Hometown

1. (6) Michael Danforth Jr. Corinth, VT
2. (3) Logan Denis Whiting, VT
3. (2) Adam Lafountain Starksboro, VT
4. (1) Kamden Duffy Richmond, NH
5. (9) William Lussier Jr Fair Haven, VT
6. (11) Bob Kilburn Fair Haven, VT
7. (17) Nick Austin-Neil Salisbury, VT
8. (16) Tyler Travis Hartland, VT
9. (5) Anthony Ryan Benson, VT
10. (4) Matthew Wade Fair Haven, VT
11. (18) William Duprey Hydeville, VT
12. (13) Bobbi Hults Castleton, VT
13. (12) Joshua Patterson Milton, VT
14. (14) Trevor Hurlburt Bomoseen, VT
15. (20) Aiden Benoure Bristol, VT
16. (15) Freddie Little Salisbury, VT
17. (8) Gary English Salisbury, VT
18. (21) Russell Farr III Middle Granville, NY
19. (10) Don Williams Ripton, VT
20. (19) Derrick Counter Leicester, VT
21. (7) Cody O'Brien Peru, NY

Northern Refrigeration Novice Sportsman Feature-(20 laps)

Pos. (Start) Driver Hometown

1. (1) Rob Steele Bomoseen, VT
2. (10) Christopher Pierce Orford, NH
3. (3) Gavin Fleury -
4. (7) Mark McGinnis Rutland, VT
5. (5) Corey Landry Hudson, NY
6. (2) James McLellan Wells, VT
7. (9) Rob Steves Orwell, VT
8. (6) Matt Little Salisbury, VT
9. (13) Ben Williams Brandon, VT
10. (11) Gage Provencher Bridport, VT
11. (8) Eric Dingman Corinth, NY
12. (12) Jakobee Alger Orwell, VT
13. (4) Chris Sumner East Middlebury, VT

Friend Construction Mini Sprint Feature (20 laps)

Pos. (Start) Driver Hometown

1. (3) Quinn Quenneville Brandon, VT
2. (5) Scott Bachand St Albans, VT
3. (1) Levi Cram Leicester, VT
4. (6) Carm Isabella Ballston Spa, NY
5. (2) Alex Reed Proctor, VT
6. (8) Tommy Kasuba Castleton, VT
7. (9) Trevor Jaques Milton, VT
8. (7) Jenna Zak Schuylerville, NY
   DNS Kevin Smith Brandon, VT

Stove Depot Crown Vic Feature-(15 laps)

Pos. (Start) Driver Hometown

1. (2) Trevor Jaques Milton, VT
2. (1) Bradford Cram Rutland, VT
3. (9) Josh Muir Enosburg Falls, VT
4. (3) Norm Morrill North Ferrisburgh, VT
5. (5) Chad Merrill Shelburne, VT
6. (6) Jp Corrow Peru, NY
7. (7) Scott Richner Rouses Point, NY
8. (4) Eric Friend Middlebury, VT
9. (13) Levi Benoure Salisbury, VT 4
10. (11) Ryan Patch Rutland, VT
11. (10) James Norton Eseex, VT
12. (8) Gordon Dimick North Clarendon, VT
13. (12) Tim Robinson Middlebury, VT

Mini Stock High Handicap Feature 1-(15 laps)

Pos. (Start) Driver Hometown

1. (7) Kaleb Shepard Vergennes, VT
2. (6) Tyler Bell Peru, NY
3. (9) Jeremy Brownell Greenwich, NY
4. (14) Damian Olden Rutland, VT
5. (12) Jeremy Brownell Jr Greenwich, NY
6. (2) Cody Dion Rutland, VT
7. (11) Bob Wood Whiting, VT
8. (13) Adam Stewart Benson, VT
9. (1) Jacob Mallory Granville, NY
10. (4) Shane Wood West Haven, VT
11. (10) Brian Blake Cornwall, VT
12. (5) Gerard Jordan Jr Benson, VT
13. (3) Richard Fleury Poultney, VT
14. (8) Jon Jordan Benson, VT

Mini Stock Low Handicap Feature-(15 laps)

Pos. (Start) Driver Hometown

1. (7) Chris Charboneau Rutland, VT
2. (12) Chandler Sumner Ripton, VT
3. (8) Jayde Pope Fair Haven, VT
4. (4) Jerry Jordan Sr Benson, VT
5. (3) David Labarge South Glens Falls, NY
6. (10) Christopher Hewitt Pittsford, VT
7. (6) Ron Alger Orwell, VT
8. (5) William Hewitt Castleton, VT
9. (13) Lucas Condon South Glens Falls, NY
10. (9) Nicholas Melotti Mendon, VT
11. (11) Vincent Kendall Rutland, VT
12. (1) Joe Warren Plattsburgh, NY
13. (2) Quinton Bishop Whiting, VT

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