The reverberation of engines in the air, the scent of exhaust, and the palpable excitement of both fans and drivers alike marked Wiscasset Speedway’s opening day, April 18.

Starting the racing action was a 50-lap Prostock feature. The #05 of James Osmond dominated the heat and started the feature at the pole. Osmond powered to the lead, and for over 30 laps led the pack. It looked like it was Osmond’s race to win. Behind him were the #01 of Andy Saunders and the #15 of Nick Hinkley. 

Moving up from fifth was the #1 of Jeff Burgess. Burgess slowly worked his way through the pack, eventually battling the #01 of Saunders, who had briefly taken the lead from Osmond on a lap-25 caution, for second. Burgess used cautions to his advantage and looked for his opportunity to take the lead. His chance came during lap 34 when he was able to take the inside track and get under Osmond. The pair battled for first, but by lap 35, Burgess had taken the lead and did not relinquish it for the remainder of the race. Burgess took the checkered and Osmond placed second. This was Osmond’s career best Prostock finish for the 2013 Driver of the Year. Rounding out the top three was Saunders.

“Well, we were patient at the beginning of the race and waited,” Burgess said after the race. “We picked our way up through and followed James Osmond. He made one mistake and I was able to get underneath him. I’d like to dedicate this race to my father-in-law, Gary French. He is suffering from terminal cancer but he was able to be at the race today. I’d also like to thank my sponsors Ed Trask Drywall, ProKnee, and Burgess Racing and Fabrication.”

The Outlaw Super Series Tour visited Wiscasset Speedway for a 50-lap event.

“This will give the fans something new to watch,” Tour promoter Derek Mingo said. “You can race what you bring, and using tires and weighting, the playing field is leveled. This is the second year of the series.”

Starting at the pole was the #81 of Kris Watson. Behind him were the #38 of Joey Doyon and the #17 of Chris Matchet. Watson took the lead and although Doyon was hot on heels, he developed mechanical problems which took him out of the running.

Matchet was able to get a brief lead on a lap 13 restart, but Watson quickly reclaimed his lead. Waston gained a several car length lead and for the remainder of the race, despite cautions, kept ahead of the pack. Watson placed first, Matchet took second, and Dan McKeage of the #43 placed third.

The next crowd pleaser was a 20-lap Thunder 4 feature. Starting at the pole was Gerard Cote of the #05. The #5 of Ryan Chadwick and the #04 of Curtis Anderson were behind him. Cote was quick off the start and led the race to start. Coming from behind was the #28X of David Stone Jr.

Stone passed Anderson for third during lap one. 

Chadwick challenged Cote for the lead during lap three and the duo raced door-to-door with Chadwick ultimately passing for first place. In a caution free race, the trio maintained track running order, leading the rest of the pack around the track. Chadwick clinched the win with Cote placing second. In third place was Stone. 

“I bought a new Harley, and I’m not sure I will run a full season,” Chadwick said after the race. “I might though. I do like to win, so we’ll see how it goes. I was glad to see the end of the race with the rain getting harder during the final laps. I’d like to thank Hammond Mechanical, D&S Excavation and K&A Property Services.”

The final two features, the Super Street Series and The New England Four Cylinder Prostock series, were rained out. Placing in the Super Street Heat were the #1 of Adam Chadbourne in first. In second, the #32 of Tasha Dyer. The #2 of Josh Bailey placed third. In the New England Four Cylinder Prostock series heat, the #24 of Jeff Prindall came in first. Jacob Hendsbee of the #27 placed second. In third was the #98 of Kamren Knowles. The heat finishes will be used to handicap and set heat order for the next race in those divisions.

Wiscasset Speedway resumes racing action on April 25 with its group two line up of divisions: Late Model Sportsman, Strictly Street, Outlaw Mini, and the new Modified division. The flex race of the week will be the super-fast Nelcar Legends Tour. Pit gates open at 10 a.m. Grandstand gates open at noon and racing begins at 2 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and children aged seven and older. Kids six and under are free. Pit admission is $20.

Wiscasset Speedway is located on West Alna Road in Wiscasset. For more information, visit www.wiscassetspeedway.com.

Official Results

PROSTOCK (50 LAPS)

1. #1 Jeff Burgess, East Madison

2. #05 James Osmond, Wiscasset

3. #01 Andy Saunders, Ellsworth

4. #99 AJ Picard, Palmyra

5. #15 Nick Hinkley, Wiscasset

6. #96 Wyatt Alexander, Ellsworth

7. #13 Nathan Tribbet, Richmond

8. #32 Mike Orr, Wiscasset

9. #9 Dylan Turner, Freedom

10. #5 Bill Pinkham, Wiscasset

DNS #77 Maggie Ferland, Auburn

THUNDER 4’S (20 LAPS)

1. #5 Ryan Chadwick, Wiscasset

2. #05 Girard Cote, Oxford

3. #28X David Stone Jr., Alfred

4. #48 Michael Harrison, Durham

5. #04 Curtis Anderson, Richmond

6. #11 Cam Childs, Leeds

7. #55 Craig Pyy, NA

8. #31 Leandra Martin, Richmond

9. #28M James Record, Oxford

10. #26 Michael Golding, Pownal

11. #74 Aaron Sevigny, Windsor

12. #54 Noah Haggett, Wiscasset

13. #58 David Greenleaf, Brunswick

14. #3 Alison Glasier, NA

OUTLAW SUPER SERIES (50 LAPS)

1. #81 Kris Watson, Hermon

2. #17 Chris Matchet, Skowhegan

3. #43 Dan McKeage, Gorham

4. #14 Dave St. Clair, Liberty

5. #19S Duane Seekins, Stockton Springs

6. #55 Shawn Hamel, Bangor

7. #33 Trey Brown, Winterport

8. #04X Zach Bowie, Poland Springs

9. #38 Joey Doyon, Winterport

10. #19 Zach Audet, Skowhegan

11. #17S Bobby Segar Jr., Winterport

12. #29 Kyle Moore, Frankfort

13. #30 Dylan Street, Old Town