Story By: DEVIL’S BOWL SPEEDWAY – WEST HAVEN, VT – Dave Camara will be a force in Devil’s Bowl’s headline class for the first time in over 20 years, continuing an already brilliant career in dirt modified racing.
New England’s Fastest Dirt Track hasn’t seen much of one of Vermont racing’s favorite sons since his return to the seat last year, ending a 13-year hiatus and driving the #24 for Wes Moody at Fonda. Camara managed two top-10 finishes, including a season-best 7th place run in June.
He also started the 2023 Slate Valley 50 at Devil’s Bowl, but was forced out on the opening circuit. He later attempted to qualify for the Vermont 200, driving for Gene Munger, but came up a few positions short in the late rounds of qualifying.
“It was decent. It was a lot different than I thought it was gonna be…I knew it was gonna be tough, especially going to Fonda…Everything was a challenge…We had more fun [at Devil’s Bowl] last year at the 200 racing for Gene and AJ [Munger],” Camara said of his 2023 season.
The one they called “The Flash,” Dave Camara began his racing career under the guidance and tutelage of the late Jack Johnson, the Schenectady, N.Y. racing legend and Hall of Famer who won over 400 features and numerous championships in his illustrious career.
Camara was clearly a good student, becoming the 2001 and 2002 Devil’s Bowl Small-Block Modified Champion and collecting titles at Fonda, Albany-Saratoga and Autodrome Granby. He has visited victory lane more than 60 times at 12 different racetracks in the United States and Canada.
Now 55 years old with all of those accolades behind him, Camara is looking forward to racing for fun, close to his friends and family, close to home.
“I just wanna race and have a little fun. We’re close to home here. My kids will be here, We’re here with people I’ve known for years…we’re coming to have some fun and maybe pick one off if it’s possible,” he said.
“It’s fantastic to see the amount of people and the amount of cars that are here every week. It really is a good thing,” he said.
Green Flag Drops on 2024 Season This Saturday
Devil’s Bowl Speedway returns to racing action this Saturday, May 4th at 5:00PM for its 58th season opener.
A brand-new season of racing began with teasers back on April 20th and 27th with practice sessions for all divisions where drivers had a chance to shake down their mounts for this coming Saturday.
Opening night will be presented by Black Diamond Builders & 32B Storage, and feature a special, 32-lap, $3,200-to-win feature for the Sunoco Sportsman Modifieds in memory of “Matty B” Matt Bilodeau. This race marks the beginning of a new championship trail for a few dozen heavyweight heroes in the headline class.
Tim LaDuc will look to collect his third championship title in four seasons and 4th overall as a headliner, while Justin Comes, who has finished 2nd in the standings three times in the last four years, looks to break through and collect his first ever track title with the mod squad. They will be tailed closely by Tanner Siemons and Frank Hoard, III, Vince Quenneville, Jr., Jimmy Ryan, Billy Lussier and a host of other talented veterans looking for a place in the history books.
Newcomers AJ Munger and Randy Ryan will look to make a splash as well, each contending for Rookie of the Year honors.
The O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Sportsman, Novice Sportsman, Friend Construction 500cc Mini Sprints, Fisher Auto Parts Mini Stocks and 9th State Cannabis Crown Vics will join the Sunoco Sportsman Modifieds on the opening night card.
General Admission is just $15 and Infield Drive-In parking is available for $20, weather dependent. Kids 12 and under are FREE. Pit pass fees are $28 for members and $38 for non-members.