Wiscasset Speedway was back in action Saturday night, Sept. 16 with Group 2 on the track plus the final appearance of the season for the Nelcar Legends. With just one more week of racing for the group in two weeks, the championship points chases came more into focus by the end of the night, while one division - the Strictly Streets - was locked up. 

The Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Model Sportsman was the spotlight division for the night with a 45-lap feature. Brandon Fowler #22 of Rome led the 15 car field to the green flag.But as usual, the heavy hitters were lurking deep in the field and with the extra 10 laps in their race, there was little doubt they would rise to the front. Heat 2 winner Will Collins #25 was the first to get there from his 7th starting position, grabbing the lead with relative ease from Fowler and pulling out to a comfortable advantage. #17 Chris Thorne and #33 Josh St Clair were next to arrive on the scene. While the pair were able to get to the lead pack, they were not able to mount much of a challenge to Collins. For Collins it was his first win of the season, making him the 8th different winner in the division's 11 races. St Clair, the division runner-up, tightened up the points chase with another strong 2nd place finish. Thorne settled for 3rd. The top 5 was filled by Rookie Brandon Bailey or Wiscasset and Cody Verrill of Richmond, The race went caution-free for the full 45 laps.

While all other Group 2 divisions have one more points race on Sept. 30 to determine their champion, the Norm’s Used Cars Strictly Streets held their points finale on Saturday night. The title hopes came down to a pair of veteran racers looking for their first career title. #23 Zach Emerson of Sabattus came into the 25-lap feature with a manageable 16 point lead over #67 Mike Haynes of Livermore. Emerson knew that all he had to do was keep Haynes within reach to maintain his position atop the class. His strategy paid off as he drove to a 4th place finish, good enough to claim the 2017 Strictly crown. Meanwhile, in the race, #05r of Glenn Reynolds held the lead much of the race over #24 Jonathan Emerson and #78 Tiger Colby of Wiscasset. However, Reynolds win didn't hold up long as he failed post-race inspection, The win would go to Jonathan Emerson; his 2nd victory of the season. Colby took home the 2nd place trophy and Zach Emerson was bumped up to 3rd. Kimberly Knight #00 of Chesterville took 4th. Haynes finished 5th. The Strictly Streets next race will be the 5th annual "Amsoil Dominator Strictly Shootout" on Saturday, Sept. 30 - a special non-point 40-lap race attracting many of the top Strictly / Wildcat drivers from the region.

In other action on the night, Adam Chadbourne #1 of Woolwich led the 30-lap Midcoast Region Napa Modifieds wire to wire for his 3rd win of the season. He was joined in victory lane by point leader Allan Moeller #04 of Dresden and #7 Nick Reno of West Bath. The 25-lap Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Mini feature went to #2 Rob Greenleaf of West Bath. It was the first win of the season for the 4-time champ. #27 Jake Hendsbee of Whitefield took over the point lead with one race to go thanks to his 2nd place finish. Matt Glidden #20 of Chelsea finished 3rd. The 25-lap Amsoil Nelcar Legends feature went to #29 Austin Teras of Windham. His win wrapped up the 2017 Nelcar title for the talented young driver. He was joined in victory lane by #18 Parker Varney of Windham and #19 Kevin Gerard Jr of Old Orchard Beach.

Wiscasset Speedway returns to action Saturday, Sept. 23 with Ames True Value NEMA Night. Besides season point finale for the Group 1 divisions, it will feature a special 65-lap race for the lightning-quick NEMA Lite asphalt sprint cars. Plus there will be a special 12-lap exhibition race for the Star Troopers, an entry-level kids division that runs regularly at Star Speedway in Epping, New Hampshire. Pit gates will open at 1 p.m.; grandstand gates at 3, and racing action begins promptly at 5. As always, grandstand admission is just $5, with kids 6 and under free. Pit admission is $20 for all. For more information, go to the track website at www.wiscassetspeedway.com or call (207) 491-3720.

September 16 results