Woodard, Bertrand score wins; McKiernan, Messier claim championships 

–by T.J. Ingerson (@TJIngerson)
VMM Editor

WEST HAVEN – Bobby Therrien held off all challengers to win the 100-lap Central Vermont Motorcycles Late Model feature on Sunday afternoon at Devil’s Bowl Speedway.

The Hinesburg driver took the lead on lap 41 when Robert Bryant Jr. suffered a broken rear end during a caution period and then held off Josh Masterson following a lap 80 restart.

Therrien and Masterson traded the lead back-and-forth while simultaneously leaning on each other until Therrien pulled ahead for the final time on lap 86.

“Running with Josh (Masterson) was an absolute blast,” Therrien said. “To be able to run door-to-door like that and trade some paint and not have to worry about it, it’s a lot of fun.”

Therrien dedicated his win to the family of Leon Gonyo and those affected by September 11, 2001.

“I just want to give a shout out to the Gonyo family,” Therrien said in victory lane. “This is for them. And 9/11 – there’s a lot of people that sacrificed a lot for that.

“It feels good to win tonight.”

Josh Masterson and his family celebrate their second straight Late Model championship at Devil's Bowl Speedway. (T.J. Ingerson/VMM photo)Masterson, of Bristol, finished second to secure his second straight championship in the Late Models.

“This is a big accomplishment,” Masterson said. “After last year, it was put our nose to the ground and try to get the back-to-back. I got a great group of guys and they put in a lot of work and a lot of effort.

“We had some ups and downs this year, but that’s part of racing. We have a great crew, a great family, and great fans. It takes every aspect of it. It’s a team deal.”

Masterson went through some early race struggles and saw Bryant take the lead, putting pressure on Masterson for the championship.

“In the beginning, I was just riding around,” Masterson said. “When I saw (Therrien) come up through, I knew if I was going to stay with him I had to get after it a little harder. I didn’t want to use my tires up.

“We fought a freeness through the corners and the cautions helped us quite a bit. And here we are in second place.”

Jamie Aube of North Ferrisburgh came on strong following the final restart of the race to finish third. Former Late Model champion Chris Bergeron of Claremont, N.H. and Steve Miller of Vergennes completed the top-five finishers with Luke Hinkley, Dallas Trombley, Rich Lowery, Dylan Payea, and Seth Bridge sixth through tenth.

Thunder Road Tiger Sportsman regular Jason Woodard claims the win in the 50-lap Rosen & Berger Renegade feature.

The Waterbury Center driver first took the lead on lap 37 from championship contender Jim McKiernan before McKiernan took it back following a lap 43 restart. McKiernan, however, would slip up in turn one on entry and give the lead back to Woodard for keeps on lap 45.

“The guys gave me a great car,” Woodard said in victory lane. “This is my daughter’s car and she let me drive it this weekend.

“This car was sitting for four years and (the crew) put it together. It’s a pretty good hot rod.”

McKiernan, of Moriah Center, N.Y., settled for second to claim the division’s championship.

“I couldn’t to (this) without my crew and all the help I get,” McKiernan said. “(Scott FitzGerald) and me battled back-and-forth all year long. (They’re) a great group of guys.

“We had our ups and downs throughout the season, but never meant to take him out and he never meant to take me out.”

Scott FitzGerald of West Rutland finished third, but fell short of the championship by just two points.

“You hate to lose anything by two points, but (McKiernan’s) a good competitor,” FitzGerald said. “He’s a fierce competitor. I think he and I proved all year long how dedicated we were.”

Alexis Aiken of Claremont, N.H. and Matt Monaghan of Colchester completed the top-five finishers.

Brad Bertrand ran away to his third Portland Glass Mini Stock feature in their 25-lap event.

The Ferrisburgh driver took the lead early and easily retained the lead through a midrace restart to claim the win.

“It was good, the car was great,” Bertrand said in victory lane. “I can’t complain how that went.”

Eric Messier of Hinesburg clinched the 2016 Mini Stock championship with a second place finish.

“The whole crew put it together this year,” Messier said in victory lane. “We stayed consistent all year and put this thing to rest.”

Brett Wood of Georgia came out on top of a three-way battle for the final spot on the podium with Garrett Given Sr. of Cornwall fourth. Airborne Park Speedway regular Dale O’Neil of Mooers, N.Y. completed the top-five finishers.

Zach Wood, Kaleb Shepard, Roo Forrest, Kodi Sabins, and Cooper Bouchard finished sixth through tenth, respectively.

Devil’s Bowl’s asphalt season is complete, but the track’s dirt track continues its season on Sunday, September 18.

UNOFFICIAL RESULTS – Vermont 100
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
Devil’s Bowl Speedway, West Haven, Vt.
Sunday, September 11, 2016

Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
(# — denotes rookie)

Central Vermont Motorcycles Late Models (100 laps)
1. (8) Bobby Therrien, Hinesburg
2. (4) Josh Masterson, Bristol
3. (5) Jamie Aube, North Ferrisburgh
4. (6) Chris Bergerson, Claremont, N.H.
5. (11) Steve Miller, Vergennes
6. (9) Luke Hinkley, Claremont, N.H.
7. (1) Dallas Trombley, Rutland
8. (12) Rich Lowery III, Charlotte
9. (14) Dylan Payea, Keene, N.H.
10. (2) Seth Bridge, Mendon
11. (10) Jesse Carris, Rutland
12. (13) Trampas Demers, South Burlington
13. (7) Todd Stone, Middlebury
14. (3) Robert Bryant Jr., Brooklyn, Conn.

Rosen & Berger Auto Recyclers Renegades (50 laps)
1. Jason Woodard, Waterbury Center
2. Jim McKiernan, Moriah Center, N.Y.
3. Scott FitzGerald, West Rutland
4. # Alexis Aiken, Claremont, N.H.
5. Matt Monaghan, Colchester

Portland Glass Mini Stocks (25 laps)
1. Brad Bertrand, Ferrisburgh
2. Eric Messier, Hinesburg
3. Brett Wood, Georgia
4. Garrett Given Sr., Cornwall
5. Dale O’Neil, Mooers, N.Y.
6. Zach Wood, Georgia
7. Kaleb Shepard, New Haven
8. Roo Forrest, West Rutland
9. Kodi Sabins, Windsor
10. Cooper Bouchard, Hinesburg

PHOTOS:
1 – Bobby Therrien celebrates the win in the 100-lap Central Vermont Motorcycles Late Model event on Sunday afternoon at Devil’s Bowl Speedway. (T.J. Ingerson/VMM photo)
2 – Josh Masterson and his family celebrate their second straight Late Model championship at Devil’s Bowl Speedway. (T.J. Ingerson/VMM photo)