Vermont Motorsports Magazine

Vermont Motorsports Magazine Announces 2012 Driver of the Year Candidates

Posted By Tj Ingerson On November 29, 2012

Vermont Motorsports Magazine 2012 Driver of the Year
BURLINGTON, VT -- The stock-car racing website Vermont Motorsports Magazine, found online at vtmotormag.com, has announced the nominations for its fourth annual “Driver of the Year” awards. The fan-voted awards will recognize stock car drivers from Vermont’s local tracks as well as the regional touring series for their efforts during the 2012 season across ten categories.

A diverse group of sixty-five drivers from asphalt, dirt, full-fender, and open-wheel disciplines make up the ballot.

Competitors are nominated for selection for “Driver of the Year” awards in the Open Wheel, Late Model/Limited/Sportsman, and Four Cylinder categories, as well as categories for Touring Series drivers, drivers competing at Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, N.Y., and those competing at Vermont’s three weekly race tracks: Bear Ridge Speedway in Bradford, Devil’s Bowl Speedway in West Haven, and Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl in Barre. There are also nominations for Breakout Driver of the Year and Rookie Driver of the Year.

Ten racers have been named to the overall Vermont Motorsports Magazine 2012 Stock Car Driver of the Year ballot. Airborne Speedway Limited Late Model champion Bucko Branham of Plattsburgh, NY, Devil’s Bowl Speedway Late Model champion Craig Bushey of Fairfax, VT, Sprint Cars of New England champion Chris Donnelly of Piermont, NH, Bear Ridge Speedway Limited Late Model champion Jordan Fornwalt of Bradford, VT,, American-Canadian Tour and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series New Hampshire state champion Wayne Helliwell, Jr., of Dover, NH, American-Canadian Tour runner-up Brian Hoar of Williston, VT, Bear Ridge Speedway DIRTcar Sportsman Modified champion Adam Pierson of Fairlee, VT, Devil’s Bowl Speedway Modified and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Vermont state champion Ron Proctor of Charlton, NY, Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl champion Nick Sweet of Barre, VT, and Airborne Speedway DIRTcar 358-Modified champion Todd Stone of Middlebury, VT are the nominees for the Driver of the Year.

Bear Ridge Speedway multi-division racer Kevin Chaffee was voted the 2011 Vermont Motorsports Magazine Driver of the Year. Bear Ridge Speedway driver Tom Placey and Devil’s Bowl Speedway driver Don Miller won the 2009 and 2010 awards, respectively.

“Vermont Motorsports Magazine continues to strive to keep fans informed and involved by providing the best coverage possible and give local drivers the recognition they deserve,” said VMM Editor T.J. Ingerson. “The nominees for every category represent the best of the best for the 2012 season. The fan-voted awards provide the fans an opportunity to help recognize their favorite drivers and honor them for their seasons.”

Voting for the Vermont Motorsports Magazine 2012 Driver of the Year Award opens on Friday, November 30 and will run for two weeks, concluding on Friday, December 14. Fans and competitors alike can vote on the awards at vtmotormag.com. The winners will be announced on Victory Lane Radio on Monday, December 17.

Driver of the Year Nominees
Wayne Helliwell, Jr., Dover, NH -- American-Canadian Tour Champion, NASCAR Whelen All-American Series New Hampshire State Champion, Ford Blue Oval Champion
Adam Pierson, Fairlee, VT -- Bear Ridge Speedway DIRTcar Sportsman Modified Champion
Ron Proctor, Charlton, NY -- Devil’s Bowl Speedway Modified Champion, NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Vermont State Champion
Nick Sweet, Barre, VT -- Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl Late Model Champion
Todd Stone, Middlebury, VT -- Airborne Speedway DIRTcar 358-Modified Champion
Chris Donnelly, Piermont, NH -- Sprint Cars of New England Champion, 5-time Bear Ridge Speedway Modified winner
Bucko Branham, Plattsburgh, NY -- Airborne Speedway Limited Late Model Champion
Brian Hoar, Williston, VT -- American-Canadian Tour runner-up, 4-time ACT winner
Craig Bushey, Fairfax, VT -- Devil’s Bowl Speedway Late Model Champion
Jordan Fornwalt, Bradford, VT -- Bear Ridge Speedway Limited Late Model Champion

Airborne Speedway Driver of the Year Nominees
Todd Stone, Middlebury, VT -- 358-Modified Champion -- 18 starts, 4 wins, 11 top-fives, 18 top-tens, 4.33 avg. finish
Bucko Branham, Plattsburgh, NY -- Limited Late Model Champion -- 15 starts, 8 wins, 13 top-fives, 14 top-tens, 2.87 avg. finish
Nick Heywood, Plattsburgh, NY -- Sportsman Modified Champion -- 18 starts, 7 wins, 16 top-fives, 17 top-tens, 3.0 avg. finish
Kevin Boutin, Swanton, VT -- Renegade Champion -- 18 starts, 4 wins, 12 top-fives, 17 top-tens, 4.28 avg. finish
Erick Sayles, Lake Clear, NY -- Mini-Mod Champion -- 18 starts, 5 wins, 16 top-fives, 16 top-tens, 3.11 avg. finish
Pat McGrail, Candiac, QC -- 358-Modified runner-up -- 18 starts, 5 wins, 14 top-fives, 15 top-tens, 5.72 avg. finish
Josh Terry, Essex, NY -- Renegade 8th place finisher -- 18 starts, 3 wins, 7 top-fives, 12 top-tens, 8.28 avg. finish
Joe Warren, West Chazy, NY -- Renegade runner-up -- 18 starts, 3 wins, 9 top-fives, 15 top-tens, 6.56 avg. finish
Jamy Begor, Mooers Forks, NY -- Limited Late Model 3rd place finisher -- 15 starts, 2 wins, 12 top-fives, 15 top-tens, 3.53 avg. finish
Robin Wood, Plattsburgh, NY -- Limited Late Model runner-up -- 15 starts, 3 wins, 13 top-fives, 14 top-tens, 3.4 avg. finish
Jason McClatchie, Plattsburgh, NY -- Renegade 3rd place finisher -- 18 starts, 4 wins, 9 top-fives, 15 top-tens, 6.33 avg. finish

Bear Ridge Speedway Driver of the Year Nominees
Adam Pierson, Fairlee, VT -- Sportsman Modified Champion -- 19 starts, 2 wins, 14 top-fives, 17 top-tens, 4.58 avg. finish
Josh Harrington, Topsham, VT -- Sportsman Coupe Champion -- 3 wins, 13 top-fives, 17 top-tens, 4.89 avg. finish
Jordan Fornwalt, Bradford, VT -- Limited Late Model Champion -- 19 starts, 13 wins, 16 top-fives, 2.21 avg. finish
Scott Holcomb, Granby, CT -- Midget Champion -- 9 starts, 2 wins, 7 top-fives, 9 top-tens, 3.44 avg. finish
Danny Doyle, Roxbury, VT -- Fast Four Champion -- 19 starts, 7 wins, 18 top-fives, 2.42 avg. finish
Eric Lang, Groton, VT -- Hornet Champion -- 19 starts, 13 wins, 18 top-fives, 1.89 avg. finish
Rich Crooker, Hudson, NH -- 600cc Mini Sprint Champion -- 7 starts, 4 wins, 3 runner-up finishes, 1.43 avg. finish
Chris Donnelly, Piermont, NH -- Modified Winner -- 12 starts, 5 wins, 7 top-fives, 10 top-tens, 4.58 avg. finish
Kevin Chaffee, Fairlee, VT -- USAC Midget Champion, Modified runner-up -- Modified (18 starts, 2 wins, 12 top-fives, 16 top-tens, 5.79 avg. finish), Midget (9 starts, 1 win, 8 top-fives, 8 top-tens, 3.44 avg. finish)
Josh Sunn, White River Junction, VT -- Modified 5th place finisher -- 18 starts, 3 wins, 5 top-fives, 14 top-tens, 7.44 avg. finish
Joe Krawiec, Bristol, CT -- USAC Midget runner-up -- 9 starts, 3 wins, 6 top-fives, 8 top-tens, 5.56 avg. finish
Jason Gray, East Thetford, VT -- Modified 6th place finisher -- 16 starts, 2 wins, 9 top-fives, 13 top-tens, 5.5 avg. finish

Devil's Bowl Speedway Speedway Driver of the Year Nominees
Ron Proctor, Charlton, NY -- Modified Champion -- 18 starts, 3 wins, 12 top-fives, 18 top-tens, 4.0 avg. finish
Craig Bushey, Fairfax, VT -- Late Model Champion -- 15 starts, 9 wins, 13 top-fives, 14 top-tens, 2.53 avg. finish
Robert Gordon, Milton, VT -- Renegade Champion -- 16 starts, 6 wins, 16 top-fives, 2.25 avg. finish
Josh Masterson, Bristol, VT -- Bomber Champion -- 17 starts, 7 wins, 12 top-fives, 15 top-tens, 3.65 avg. finish
Vince Quenneville, Jr., Brandon, VT -- Modified runner-up -- 18 starts, 5 wins, 11 top-fives, 15 top-tens, 5.06 avg. finish
Alex Bell, Cambridge, NY -- Modified 6th place finisher -- 17 starts, 3 wins, 8 top-fives, 13 top-tens, 6.47 avg. finish
Jessey Mueller, Olmstedville, NY -- Modified 3rd place finisher -- 18 starts, 2 wins, 10 top-fives, 15 top-tens, 5.83 avg. finish
Hunter Bates, Middlebury, VT -- Modified 7th place finisher -- 18 starts, 2 wins, 9 top-fives, 14 top-tens, 6.44 avg. finish
Ryan Keith, Pittsford, VT -- Renegade runner-up -- 16 starts, 5 wins, 15 top-fives, 2.75 avg. finish
Bobby LaVair, Gabriels, NY -- Bomber runner-up -- 16 starts, 4 wins, 13 top-fives, 14 top-tens, 4.0 avg. finish

Thunder Road Int'l Speedbowl Driver of the Year Nominees
Nick Sweet, Barre, VT -- Late Model Champion -- 14 starts, 4 wins, 10 top-fives, 13 top-tens, 4.07 avg. finish
Bobby Therrien, Hinesburg, VT -- Tiger Sportsman Champion -- 16 starts, 2 wins, 6 top-fives, 12 top-tens, 7.5 avg. finish
Nick Pilotte, Jefferson, NH -- Street Stock Champion -- 18 starts, 3 wins, 11 top-fives, 17 top-tens, 5.66 avg. finish
Dave Pembroke, Middlesex, VT -- Late Model 3rd place finisher -- 14 starts, 1 win, 7 top-fives, 11 top-tens, 7.0 avg. finish
Phil Scott, Berlin, VT -- Late Model runner-up -- 14 starts, 6 top-fives, 10 top-tens, 7.64 avg. finish
Brendan Moodie, Wolcott, VT -- Tiger Sportsman runner-up -- 17 starts, 8 top-fives, 10 top-tens, 8.35 avg. finish
Shawn Fleury, Middlesex, VT -- Tiger Sportsman 3rd place finisher -- 17 starts, 1 win, 5 top-fives, 9 top-tens, 9.0 avg. finish
Dean Swister, Jr., Lyndonville, VT -- Street Stock runner-up -- 18 starts, 1 win, 6 top-fives, 12 top-tens, 9.39 avg. finish
Bunker Hodgdon, Hardwick, VT -- Street Stock 3rd place finisher -- 18 starts, 1 win, 6 top-fives, 10 top-tens, 9.39 avg. finish
Tommy Smith, Williamstown, VT -- Street Stock 4th place finisher -- 18 starts, 3 wins, 4 top-fives, 11 top-tens, 9.83 avg. finish

Touring Series Driver of the Year Nominees
Wayne Helliwell, Jr., Dover, NH -- ACT Champion -- 10 starts, 4 wins, 7 top-fives, 9 top-tens, 5.3 avg. finish
Chris Donnelly, Piermont, NH -- SCoNE Champion -- 12 starts, 2 wins, 9 top-fives, 12 top-tens, 3.33 avg. finish
Travis Benjamin, Morrill, ME -- PASS Champion -- 15 starts, 1 win, 10 top-fives, 11 top-tens, 6.47 avg. finish
Jon McKennedy, Chelmsford, MA -- VMRS Champion -- 15 starts, 3 wins, 12 top-fives, 14 top-tens, 4.6 avg. finish
Bobby Cabral, East Kingston, NH -- GSPSS Champion -- 6 starts, 1 win, 5 top-fives, 6 top-tens, 3.83 avg. finish
Brian Hoar, Williston, VT -- ACT runner-up -- 10 starts, 4 wins, 8 top-fives, 8 top-tens, 4.4 avg. finish
Austin Theriault, Fort Kent, ME -- ACT 3rd place -- 10 starts, 1 win, 8 top-fives, 10 top-tens, 4.1 avg. finish
Dan Douville, Bridgewater, NH -- SCoNE runner-up -- 12 starts, 1 win, 11 top-fives, 12 top-tens, 3.5 avg. finish
Tyler Rich, Lyme, NH -- SCoNE 4th place -- 12 starts, 2 wins, 7 top-fives, 10 top-tens, 6.83 avg. finish
Cassius Clark, Farmington, ME -- PASS runner-up -- 15 starts, 3 wins, 9 top-fives, 12 top-tens, 6.67 avg. finish

Open Wheel Driver of the Year Nominees
Todd Stone, Middlebury, VT -- Airborne Speedway DIRTcar 358-Modified Champion -- 18 starts, 4 wins, 11 top-fives, 18 top-tens, 4.33 avg. finish
Pat McGrail, Candiac, QC -- Airborne Speedway DIRTcar 358-Modified runner-up -- 18 starts, 5 wins, 14 top-fives, 15 top-tens, 5.72 avg. finish
Chris Donnelly, Piermont, NH -- SCoNE Champion/Modified Winner -- SCoNE (12 starts, 2 wins, 9 top-fives, 12 top-tens, 3.33 avg. finish), Modified (12 starts, 5 wins, 7 top-fives, 10 top-tens, 4.58 avg. finish)
Adam Pierson, Fairlee, VT -- Bear Ridge Speedway DIRTcar Sportsman Modified Champion -- 19 starts, 2 wins, 14 top-fives, 17 top-tens, 4.58 avg. finish
Ron Proctor, Charlton, NY -- Devil’s Bowl Speedway Modified Champion -- 18 starts, 3 wins, 12 top-fives, 18 top-tens, 4.0 avg. finish
Vince Quenneville, Jr., Brandon, VT -- Devil’s Bowl Speedway Modified runner-up -- 18 starts, 5 wins, 11 top-fives, 15 top-tens, 5.06 avg. finish
Josh Harrington, Topsham, VT -- Bear Ridge Speedway Sportsman Coupe Champion -- 3 wins, 13 top-fives, 17 top-tens, 4.89 avg. finish
Nick Heywood, Plattsburgh, NY -- Airborne Speedway Sportsman Modified Champion -- 18 starts, 7 wins, 16 top-fives, 17 top-tens, 3.0 avg. finish
Jon McKennedy, Chelmsford, MA -- VMRS Champion -- 15 starts, 3 wins, 12 top-fives, 14 top-tens, 4.6 avg. finish
Scott Holcomb, Granby, CT -- Bear Ridge Speedway Midget Champion -- 9 starts, 2 wins, 7 top-fives, 9 top-tens, 3.44 avg. finish
Kevin Chaffee, Fairlee, VT -- Bear Ridge Speedway USAC Midget Champion, Modified runner-up -- Modified (18 starts, 2 wins, 12 top-fives, 16 top-tens, 5.79 avg. finish), Midget (9 starts, 1 win, 8 top-fives, 8 top-tens, 3.44 avg. finish)
Rich Crooker, Hudson, NH -- Bear Ridge Speedway 600cc Mini Sprint Champion -- 7 starts, 4 wins, 3 runner-up finishes, 1.43 avg. finish
Joe Krawiec, Bristol, CT -- Bear Ridge Speedway USAC Midget runner-up -- 9 starts, 3 wins, 6 top-fives, 8 top-tens, 5.56 avg. finish

Late Model/Limited Late Model Driver of the Year Nominees
Wayne Helliwell, Jr., Dover, NH -- ACT Champion -- 10 starts, 4 wins, 7 top-fives, 9 top-tens, 5.3 avg. finish
Bucko Branham, Plattsburgh, NY -- Airborne Speedway Limited Late Model Champion -- 15 starts, 8 wins, 13 top-fives, 14 top-tens, 2.87 avg. finish
Nick Sweet, Barre, VT -- Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl Late Model Champion -- 14 starts, 4 wins, 10 top-fives, 13 top-tens, 4.07 avg. finish
Bobby Therrien, Hinesburg, VT -- Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl Tiger Sportsman Champion -- 16 starts, 2 wins, 6 top-fives, 12 top-tens, 7.5 avg. finish
Brian Hoar, Williston, VT -- ACT runner-up -- 10 starts, 4 wins, 8 top-fives, 8 top-tens, 4.4 avg. finish
Jordan Fornwalt, Bradford, VT -- Bear Ridge Speedway Limited Late Model Champion -- 19 starts, 13 wins, 16 top-fives, 2.21 avg. finish
Kevin Boutin, Swanton, VT -- Airborne Speedway Renegade Champion -- 18 starts, 4 wins, 12 top-fives, 17 top-tens, 4.28 avg. finish
Robert Gordon, Milton, VT -- Devil’s Bowl Speedway Renegade Champion -- 16 starts, 6 wins, 16 top-fives, 2.25 avg. finish
Austin Theriault, Fort Kent, ME -- ACT 3rd place -- 10 starts, 1 win, 8 top-fives, 10 top-tens, 4.1 avg. finish
Travis Benjamin, Morrill, ME -- PASS Champion -- 15 starts, 1 win, 10 top-fives, 11 top-tens, 6.47 avg. finish
Cassius Clark, Farmington, ME -- PASS runner-up -- 15 starts, 3 wins, 9 top-fives, 12 top-tens, 6.67 avg. finish
Bobby Cabral, East Kingston, NH -- GSPSS Champion -- 6 starts, 1 win, 5 top-fives, 6 top-tens, 3.83 avg. finish
Craig Bushey, Fairfax, VT -- Late Model Champion -- 15 starts, 9 wins, 13 top-fives, 14 top-tens, 2.53 avg. finish

Four Cylinder Driver of the Year Nominees
Eric Lang, Groton, VT -- Bear Ridge Speedway Hornet Champion -- 19 starts, 13 wins, 18 top-fives, 1.89 avg. finish
Josh Masterson, Bristol, VT -- Devil’s Bowl Speedway Bomber Champion -- 17 starts, 7 wins, 12 top-fives, 15 top-tens, 3.65 avg. finish
Erick Sayles, Lake Clear, NY -- Airborne Speedway Mini-Mod Champion -- 18 starts, 5 wins, 16 top-fives, 16 top-tens, 3.11 avg. finish
Nick Pilotte, Jefferson, NH -- Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl Street Stock Champion -- 18 starts, 3 wins, 11 top-fives, 17 top-tens, 5.66 avg. finish
Dean Swister, Jr., Lyndonville, VT -- Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl Street Stock runner-up -- 18 starts, 1 win, 6 top-fives, 12 top-tens, 9.39 avg. finish
Bobby LaVair, Gabriels, NY -- Devil’s Bowl Speedway Bomber runner-up -- 16 starts, 4 wins, 13 top-fives, 14 top-tens, 4.0 avg. finish
Danny Doyle, Roxbury, VT -- Bear Ridge Speedway Fast Four Champion -- 19 starts, 7 wins, 18 top-fives, 2.42 avg. finish
Tommy Smith, Williamstown, VT -- Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl Street Stock 4th place finisher -- 18 starts, 3 wins, 4 top-fives, 11 top-tens, 9.83 avg. finish
Bunker Hodgdon, Hardwick, VT -- Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl Street Stock 3rd place finisher -- 18 starts, 1 win, 6 top-fives, 10 top-tens, 9.39 avg. finish
Jayson Criss, Plattsburgh, NY -- Airborne Speedway Mini-Mod runner-up -- 16 starts, 4 wins, 10 top-fives, 14 top-tens, 5.31 avg. finish

Breakout Driver of the Year Nominees
Jordan Forwnwalt, Bradford, VT -- Bear Ridge Speedway Limited Late Model Champion, 13 wins
Josh Sunn, White River Junction, VT -- Bear Ridge Speedway Modified 5th place finisher, 3 wins, 14 top-tens
Josh Terry, Essex, NY -- Airborne Speedway Renegade 8th place finisher -- 18 starts, 3 wins, 7 top-fives, 12 top-tens, 8.28 avg. finish
Tommy Barrett, Jr., Millis, MA -- VMRS 6th place finisher -- 13 starts, 3 wins, 6 top-fives, 10.23 avg. finish
Ben Ashline, Pittston, ME -- ACT competitor -- First time ACT winner at Oxford Plains Speedway
Cody Blake, Barre, VT -- Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl Late Model competitor -- 14 starts, 7 top-fives, 9.43 avg. finish
Hunter Bates, Middlebury, VT -- Devil’s Bowl Speedway Modified competitor -- 18 starts, 2 wins, 9 top-fives, 14 top-tens, 6.44 avg. finish
Pat McGrail, Candiac, QC -- Airborne Speedway DIRTcar 358-Modified runner-up -- 18 starts, 5 wins, 14 top-fives, 15 top-tens, 5.72 avg. finish
Tim Hodge, Vershire, VT -- Bear Ridge Speedway Sportsman Coupe competitor -- 19 starts, 2 wins, 10 top-fives, 15 top-tens, 6.58 avg. finish
Jason McClatchie, Plattsburgh, NY -- Airborne Speedway Renegade 3rd place finisher -- 18 starts, 4 wins, 9 top-fives, 15 top-tens, 6.33 avg. finish

Rookie Driver of the Year Nominees
Brandon Gray, East Thetford, VT -- Bear Ridge Speedway Hornet competitor -- 19 starts, 2 wins, 16 top-fives, 18 top-tens, 3.74 avg. finish
Josh Masterson, Bristol, VT -- Devil’s Bowl Speedway Bomber Champion -- 17 starts, 7 wins, 12 top-fives, 15 top-tens, 3.65 avg. finish
Joey Roberts, Georgia, VT -- Devil’s Bowl Speedwa Modified 5th place finisher -- 18 starts, 1 win, 11 top-fives, 17 top-tens, 6.0 avg. finish
Jason Woodard, Waterbury Center, VT -- Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl Tiger Sportsman competitor -- 17 starts, 7 top-tens, 12.18 avg. finish
Jesse Smith, Topsham, VT -- Bear Ridge Speedway Sportsman Coupe competitor -- 19 starts, 1 win, 6 top-fives, 12 top-tens, 7.84 avg. finish
Josh Constantine, East Corinth, VT -- Bear Ridge Speedway Sportsman Coupe competitor -- 19 starts, 1 win, 5 top-fives, 12 top-tens, 8.36 avg. finish
Jimmy Hebert, Williamstown, VT -- American-Canadian Tour competitor -- 8 starts, 2 top-tens, 15.13 avg. finish
Dean Swister, Jr., Lyndonville, VT -- Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl Street Stock runner-up -- 18 starts, 1 win, 6 top-fives, 12 top-tens, 9.39 avg. finish
Emily Packard, East Montpelier, VT -- Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl Street Stock competitor -- 15 starts, 1 win, 4 top-fives, 6 top-tens, 11.0 avg. finish
Chris Roberts, Washington, VT -- Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl Tiger Sportsman competitor -- 17 starts, 1 win, 5 top-tens, 13.24 avg. finish