Wiscasset Speedway

Mon, 08/10/2015 - 09:22

Lisa Maguire

Fans thronged the grandstands at Wiscasset Speedway to see the annual Boss Hogg 100 Prostock race. The day was warm and sunny, and turned into a balmy evening under the bright lights of Wiscasset. There were 21 Prostocks that competed for a purse that was nearly $8,000. The group one division of racing action was also on the schedule, including New England Four Cylinder Prostock, Napa Super Street, and Thunder Four Mini’s.

The Boss Hogg 100 lap Prostock race was the highlight of the evening. Starting on the pole was the #01 of Andy Saunders. To his right was the #47 of Kelly Moore. Behind in third was the #96 of Wyatt Alexander. When green flag racing began, the cars roared across the start line to the cheering of the gathered fans.

There was an early caution during lap four when the #14 of Josh St. Clair spun on the track and collected the #13 of Nathan Tribbet. Tribbet was towed off the track, but Josh St. Clair was able to return to racing action. On the restart, Alexander was able to pass Moore for second. During lap six, the #15X of Scott Chubbuck passed Moore for third.

A red flag caution was called during lap eight when the #5 of Joe Morrey lost fuel. Alexander swerved up the track to avoid it on turn two, causing cars behind him to check up. The #1 of Jeff Burgess and the #19 of John Rideout went into the wall and the #05R of Phillip Richardson got tire damage. The #15 of Nick Hinkley also got some damage. Burgess never made it back onto the track, but after a trip to the pits, Hinkley, Rideout, and Richardson were back on the track.

On the lap of the restart, the #29 of Kevin Morse and the #14X of Dave St. Clair got together on turn two, bringing out the yellow. When action resumed on the track, Alexander did not have a good start and Chubbuck passed him for second. The #51 of John Peters also passed Alexander and took third. The three early cautions behind them, the cars had a long period of green flag racing. Despite the cautions, Saunders was able to keep ahead and not lose position.

There was a lot of action in the pack, but there was no top three leader change until lap 30, when Moore passed Peters for third. Peters fell back over the next few laps, and headed to the pit during lap fifty-one. Chubbuck attempted to pass Saunders for the lead, but couldn’t complete a pass, and once again fell in behind him.

Everything changed during lap 70. There were only seven cars on the lead lap at this point of the race. The race for sixth place became heated, the #56 of Evan Beaulieu and the #16 of Vinnie Miller got into a tangle on turn one bringing out a caution. On the restart, Chubbuck shot ahead, but a determined Saunders didn’t give up easily. Door to door racing ensued, and contact was made between the pair coming out of turn three. Chubbuck went into a spin, causing Saunders to spin out of the way to avoid him. That was the final caution of the race. Chubbuck headed to the pits, but was soon back on the track.

There was a new running order because Moore and the #05 of James Osmond, both in the top five, headed to the pits during the caution. Alexander took the lead. Miller advanced to second. Saunders moved to third. Chubbuck moved to fourth. Beaulieu, who had come back onto the track, was in fifth. The green flag saw a lot of action, with all cars vying to get ahead. Chubbuck pulled to the side of Saunders on lap 90, and was able to complete the pass during lap 92 for third. The battle for second and third, and the position of lapped traffic allowed Alexander to gain a commanding lead. Alexander made his first career Prostock win at the age of 15, taking the checkered. Miller placed second. Rounding out the top three was Chubbuck.

The Hard Charger award, given to the driver who advanced the most positions during the race went to Vinnie Miller, who advanced 12 positions from his 14th place start. He won an A&R Bodies gift certificate valued at $500. The half-way leader, Andy Saunders, won a $300 gift certificate from Kennebec Equipment Rentals, and a graphics package from Code 99 Designs. Cash was awarded to all who competed in the race. There was an additional $25 given to the race leader for each lap led during the race. The first place winner also received an additional $500.

“It was pretty spectacular to win, one of those hard to describe moments,” Alexander said. “When I was riding in fifth, I didn’t think I had it for Saunders or any of the other guys. But, I knew if I kept my head on straight and was patient, something might come my way.”

In other racing action were the New England Four Cylinder Prostock division, competing in a 25 lap feature; a 25-lap NAPA Super Street feature that was action packed; and a 20-lap Thunder Four Mini feature was the next crowd-pleaser.

Wiscasset Speedway resumes racing action Sunday, June 20. Pit gates open at 2 p.m. Grandstand gates open at 4 p.m. Racing begins at 6 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, go to www.wiscassetspeedway.com.