Josh Sunn Rises to the Top, Michael Clark Earns Comeback Win

7/28/2025

Devil's Bowl Speedway

Josh Sunn Rises to the Top, Michael Clark Earns Comeback Win

Josh Sunn has been one of the most consistent runners at the Devil’s Bowl Speedway this summer. The White River Junction, Vermont campaigner entered the evening second in the point standings but was still searching for that elusive first win. Saturday night, Sunn finally got it done as he won the 38-lap Vince Quenneville Memorial race on Legend’s Night featuring the Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series sponsored by the Community College of Vermont.
The main event for the Sunoco Sportsman Modifieds honored the great “Flying Frenchman,” who made his mark for years on “Vermont’s Fastest Half Mile.” Frank Hoard III, another driver starving for a win, fired from the pole position and dominated the first 10 laps. Sunn was the first driver to brave the outside line, sweeping around Hoard on a lap 11 single-file restart and wasn’t challenged again as he dominated the final 27 laps to garner the victory and the $2,000 winner’s payday. Hoard held on for second, followed by Tanner Siemons, points leader Joey Scarborough, and Dave Camara. Marty Kelly III advanced 11 spots to earn the Elmo’s Pit Stop Hard Charger award.
In his second start after recovering from a back injury, Michael Clark Jr. was the clear class of the field as he rolled to victory in the 25-lap O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman feature. Jason Quenneville outdueled Boomer Patterson for the early lead, but Clark Jr. advanced from sixth to second in the first five laps. Caution flew on lap 10, and Clark Jr. took advantage. The driver of the 2x, powered around Quenneville on the restart and put a grip on the top spot for the next 15 laps. Quenneville reeled Clark Jr. back in late, but a last-ditch effort on the final corner came up short, and Clark Jr. captured the victory. Quenneville crossed the line second, just off the back bumper of the winner. Cody O’Brien, Gary English, and Patterson rounded out the top five. William Duprey may have been the biggest winner of the night, as despite an eighth-place finish, moving to the top of the point standings after former points leader Alex Layne had problems.
The rookie crop continues to have an impact on the Hoosier Tire Novice Sportsman division as Jaden Pierce became the second first-year driver in a row to park his machine in victory lane. Pierce was impressive, launching from the pole and leading all 15 laps of the contest. James McLellan attempted to stay with Pierce early, but the 74J was just too strong. While Pierce was having his way out front, each of the top drivers in the point standings faced struggles, as Aiden Benoure, Raelin Dunham, and Matt Cram were all involved in incidents that forced them to the back of the field. McLellan and Jim Mattison joined Pierce on the podium, with Winston Forbes and Rob Steele also finishing in the top five.
The competitors in Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprints are still trying to find a way to overcome Gage Provencher. The defending track champion won for the fifth time in the last six events to tighten his stronghold on the points lead. The win didn’t come easily for the drive known as “Pigboy,” as Alyssa Vanderpool put up a valiant fight. The long hauler from Sayre, Pennsylvania, led the initial nine circuits and seemed to be able to hold off Provencher by taking his preferred line way before a mechanical issue foiled her strong run. Quinn Quenneville put together a late surge to slip his front wheels underneath Provencher in the waning laps, but “Pigboy” mashed the gas and drove away to secure the checkers for the third time in a row. Quenneville placed second, followed by Levi Cram, Scott Bachand, and Tyler Whittemore.
The Fisher Auto Parts Mini Stocks once again had a stellar car count, resulting in split features. In the first foray, Kaleb Shepard held off a late bid from Jeremy Brownwell Jr. to collect his first win of his 2025 campaign. Shepard has had one of the fastest cars all season, but Lady Luck has not been on his side. On this night, he seized control on lap five and paced the field the rest of the way. Brownell Jr. pulled alongside Shepard in the closing laps, but the driver of the #0 refused to give away the top spot. Following the top two across the stripe were Brian Blake, Adam Stewart, and Josh Mallory.
In the nightcap, the dedicated fans who stayed around were treated to a fierce door-handle to door-handle battle between Tyler Bell and Jeremy Brownell. Both drivers are familiar with victory lane, but in the end, Brownell took home the first-place trophy for the fourth time of the season. Brownell overtook Bell for the lead after swapping some paint down the frontstretch on lap 10 after a restart. Bell continued to fight hard, but a late spin ended his chances. Brownell was chased to the checkered flag by Chris Charboneau, Mark Mahoney, Bob Wood, and Quinton Bishop.
The Mohawk Valley Vintage Modified Dirt Modified Series drivers competed in five different categories. Jimmy Fugel picked up the win in the Antique Division, Frank Hoard Jr. in the Late Model Division, Scot Straight in the Mystique Division, Merv Blackwell in the Sportsman Division, and Jack Miller in the Modified Division.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway is off for summer break on August 2nd. The action returns on Sunday, August 10th, for the “Prelude to the Vermont 200 and C.J. Richards Memorial 67” with $5000 to win for the Sunoco Sportsman Modifieds. The Sprint Cars of New England will also make their second appearance of the season, along with the Limited Sportsman, Novice Sportsman, 500cc Mini Sprints, and Mini Stocks. Grandstand admission is $20. Kids 12 and under are free. Pit entry is $45, with infield admission $30. Racing begins at 5 p.m.

July 26th, 2025

Sunoco Sportsman Modified Feature Vince Quenneville Memorial 38 (38 laps)

Pos. (start) Driver, Hometown

1. (4) Josh Sunn, White River Junction, VT
2, (1) Frankie Hoard III, Manchester Center, VT
3. (3) Tanner Siemons, Orford, NH
4. (7) Joey Scarborough, Brandon, VT
5. (5) Dave Camara, Poultney, VT
6. (2) Jim Ryan, Whiting, VT
7. (8) Derrick McGrew Jr., Ballston Spa, NY 1
8. (9) Justin Comes, Fair Haven, VT
9. (13) Kevin Chaffee, Bradford, VT
10. (16) Tim LaDuc Orwell, VT
11. (15) Vince Quenneville, Brandon, VT
12. (12) Adam Piper, Leicester, VT
13. (23) Troy Audet, Bridport, VT
14. (25) Marty Kelly III, Benington, VT 11
15. (21) Eric Shaw, Wells, VT
16. (20) Scott Towslee, Manchester, VT
17. (6) Josh Masterson, Bristol, VT
18. (19) Alex Palmer-Sawyer, Cambridge, NY
19. (17) Michael Wagner-Fitzgerald, Gansevoort, NY -
20. (10) Josh Leclaire, Bomoseen, VT
21. (11) Randy Ryan, Orwell, VT
22. (14) Brent Warren, Salisbury, VT
23. (18) A.J. Munger, Benson, VT
24. (22) Billy Lussier, Fair Haven, VT
25. (24) Mike Palmer, Salsbury, VT