News Director 
Story By: DEVIL’S BOWL SPEEDWAY – WEST HAVEN, VT – August’s late summer winds and mild temperatures have ushered in the stretch run of the 2023 racing season at New England’s Fastest Dirt Track and with a chill in the morning air Devil’s Bowl Speedway Management is turning up the heat—with help from Mike’s Fuels.
This weekend features two great days of racing action, Saturday and Sunday, including the much-anticipated return of open-wheel midget racing to the big half-mile for the first time in decades. The Dirtcar Xtreme Midgets have their first stop of the 2023 season at ‘The Bowl’ on Saturday evening, kicking off the racing at 6:00.
They’ll be joined by heats and dash races for the Limited and Novice Sportsman, as well as complete programs for the Mini Stocks and Crown Vics, with a Modified quick-time contest and dash for cash, and the first two segments of the weekend 500cc Mini Sprint racing.
Sunday’s card will begin at 5:00 with Modified time trials before the final Mini Sprint segment and features for the Limited and Novice divisions and end with the 67-lap, $5,000-to-win Sunoco Sportsman Modified feature, the winner of which will punch their ticket into the Vermont 200 next month.
Orwell, V.t.’s Tim LaDuc is one of a few prominent favorites to do just that. The 2021 Champion and current points leader was runner-up in the Memorial Day Weekend Crate Nationals event, being bested by Ontario, Canada driver Cody McPherson. LaDuc’s ability to shine in big races made him stand out in 2022, and a win Sunday would be the first step in securing a ‘200’ title for his mantle.
Recent winner Justin Comes, slick-track savant Kevin Chaffee and Crate Nationals Podium driver Frank Hoard, III complete a short list of top contenders from the Devil’s Bowl regular pool.
But the 67-lap affair isn’t the only race paying extra this weekend. Each division’s stakes have been raised thanks to Mike Bordeleau from Mike’s Fuels, a former driver and longtime supporter of Vermont racing.
Another fan-favorite treat returns to Devil’s Bowl this weekend—The Fun Bus. Track management was recently able to locate and purchase a large bus meeting all the criteria to once again give fans a great experience during intermission, taking kids on field trips throughout the pit area and speedway grounds just in time for school to start back up in a few weeks.
Racing begins at 6:00 p.m. this Saturday, August 5th and 5:00 p.m. Sunday. The pit gates will open at 3:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. The grandstands will open at 4:30 and 3:30. Across the fence, the Drivers’ Meeting is scheduled for those same times with practice to follow both days.
General admission is $20 and Infield Drive-In parking is available for $30, both prices good for both days of racing. Kids 12 and under are free. The Pit Pass fee is $45 for all, again good for both days.
