WEST HAVEN — Brandon’s Vince Quenneville Jr. won one of two 25-lap features on Sunday as dirt track racing finally got under way at Devil’s Bowl Speedway. The events were first held on the three-tenths-mile clay oval as part of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.
Quenneville and Bobby Hackel of Rensselaer, N.Y., split victories in the two 25-lap features in the Central Vermont Motorcycles Sportsman Modified division.
Hackel, mired in 12th place to start the first feature race, made quick work of traffic, however, and avoided early collisions to work his way into contention. After a physical pass of Orwell’s Tim LaDuc, Hackel took over the lead and cruised to the win.
LaDuc held on for second place. According to race organizers, he spent most of the month of April in a medically induced coma following a severe lung infection and was visibly fatigued following the race but pleased with his runner-up finish.
Quenneville — who fought a malfunctioning steering box in the first race — won the second feature in a tight battle. As sprinkles began to fall from the sky, Tim Hodge of Vershire nailed down the runner-up spot ahead of Derrick McGrew of Ballston Spa, N.Y.
Hydeville’s Bill Duprey saw traffic in the Rosen & Berger Auto Recyclers Renegade feature part like the Red Sea to take the lead and win the division’s 15-lap race. Curtis Condon of Queensbury, N.Y., led most of the race but settled for second. Josh Bussino of Belmont broke a driveshaft coming to the checkers but held on for third place.  
Wayland Childs of Chelsea won the 15-lap Portland Glass Mini Stock feature. An early battle with Mike Ryan came to an end when Ryan cut a tire while leading, handing the lead to Childs. He cruised to the win, followed by Josh Wood and Mike Lique. After pitting for a new tire, Ryan rebounded for fourth place.
The winners and local finishers in each event were:
•  Central Vermont Motorcycles Sportsman Modified Feature No. 1 (25 laps): 1. Hackel; 2. LaDuc; 4. Justin Comes, Middlebury; 11. Quenneville; 17. Wade Steele, Addison.
•  Central Vermont Motorcycles Sportsman Modified Feature No. 2 (25 laps): 1. Quenneville; 6. Comes; 7. LaDuc; 17. Steele.
•  Rosen & Berger Auto Recyclers Renegade Feature (15 laps): 1. Duprey; 6. Brian Bishop Jr., Bridport.
•  Portland Glass Mini Stock Feature (15 laps): 1. Childs; 10. Brian Bishop Sr., Bridport; 11. Justin Bishop, Ferrisburgh.