Despite a shortened show, racers provide plenty of action
There was little doubt that the rain was coming last Saturday evening. The question was if Wiscasset Speedway's race program would go on as planned or if it would happen at all. The answer ended up somewhere in the middle as track management called an audible and shortened the show to fit in the anticipated window of opportunity. Starting racing action a half hour early and running features only for the 5 Group 2 divisions proved to be the right call as the rain began to fall just 20 minutes after the final checkered flag flew. Despite the shortened show, fans were treated to some of the best action of the season.
Wyatt Oakes of Boothbay took the lead halfway through the GoKart exhibition race and cruised to the win to start the show. Two-time winner Spencer Wenners held the early lead, but slipped to 2nd and then spun out on the final lap, giving the spot over to Madison Moody. Moody took home the 2nd place trophy while Wenners recovered to finish 3rd.
The 35-lap spotlight feature for the Norms Used Cars Strictly Street was slowed by just one caution. Sophomore driver Brett Osmond of Wiscasset held the lead through the first 18 laps until the caution flew for a minor spin. From there Montville's Bryan Robbins took advantage on the restart and grabbed the lead on his way to his 2nd win of 2017. Tiger Colby of Wiscasset turned in another strong performance, starting deep in the field to finish 2nd. Jonathan Emerson of Sabattus picked up his third trophy of the season with his 3rd place finish. Osmond faded late to finish 6th.
The Midcoast Region Napa Modifieds rolled out next for their 30 lap feature. The group went green to checkers without a caution. Point leader Allan Moeller Sr. of Dresden grabbed the lead from Adam Chadbourne on lap 10 and drove on to the win, his first victory of the season, and first Mod win since his 2003 championship season. Chadbourne held off defending champ Mark Lucas over the final laps to claim 2nd. Lucas settled for 3rd. Behind the lead trio was a great race long battle between Tom Young and previous race winner Nick Reno. Young finished 4th and Reno 5th.
The Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Minis 25-lap feature turned out a somewhat unexpected winner and the closest finish of the night. Point leader Brent Roy had his day start with his motor seizing up just 6 laps into practice. Rather than throw in the towel, he decided to rush home to Vassalboro and change the engine. He rolled back through the gates at the track just in time to unload his car and go to line up with no practice. He lined up on the front row for the 25 lap feature and held the lead on his way to his 2nd win of the season. The win didn't come without a frantic challenge from former champ Jimmy Childs. He pressured Roy over the final laps making 2 attempts to pass him on the outside. The two were separated by just .033 seconds at the line, with Childs claiming the runner-up trophy. 4-time champ Rob Greenleaf of West Bath followed them across the stripe for 3rd Tim Collins of Farmingdale and Jake Hendsbee of Whitefield completed the top 5.
As the sky darkened the final race of the evening brought 20 cars out for the Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Model Sportsman 35-lap feature. Four cautions slowed the action, but Fairfield's Ben Erskine was up to the challenge, withstanding each restart and racing his way to his first checkered flag in over two years. The final two laps were some of the most exciting racing of the day as brothers Josh and Ryan St. Clair of Liberty joined defending champ Chris Thorne of Sidney in a battle for the final two spots in victory lane. Josh actually had the lead on the outside of Erskine with just 3 laps to go but faded back to finish 3rd while his younger brother Ryan notched his best finish of the season in 2nd. Thorne finished 4th while Wiscasset' Brandon Bailey rounded out the top 5. The top 4 cars were separated by just a half second.
Wiscasset Speedway returns to action on Saturday, Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. with action in Group 1 divisions, with a 35-lap spotlight feature for the 4-cylinder Pros, plus an appearance from the Amsoil Nelcar Legends. For more information go to the track website www.wiscassetspeedway.com or call (207) 491-3720.
Official results for Aug. 5 races
NORMS USED CARS STRICTLY STREETS (35 laps)
Pos | No. | Name | Home Town | Laps | Diff |
1 | 51x | Bryan Robbins | Montville | 35 | |
2 | 78 | Tiger Colby | Newcastle | 35 | 0.264 |
3 | 24 | Jonathon Emerson | Sabattus | 35 | 2.327 |
4 | 67 | Michael Haynes | Livermore Falls | 35 | 3.066 |
5 | 05R | Glenn Reynolds | Turner | 35 | 3.93 |
6 | 05 | Brett Osmond | Wiscasset | 35 | 4.671 |
7 | 23 | Zachary Emerson | Sabattus | 35 | 5.157 |
8 | 45 | Cole Watson | Naples | 35 | 5.425 |
9 | 00 | Kimberly Knight | Chesterville | 35 | 8.295 |
10 | 13 | Shawn Emery | Limington | 22 | 13 Laps |
11 | 66x | James Grover Jr | Newcastle | 16 | 19 Laps |
Pos | No. | Name | Home Town | Laps | Diff |
1 | 04 | Allan Moeller | Dresden | 30 | |
2 | 1 | Adam Chadbourne | Wiscasset | 30 | 1.964 |
3 | 5 | Mark Lucas | Harpswell | 30 | 2.334 |
4 | 21 | Tom Young | Freeport | 30 | 6.545 |
5 | 7 | Nick Reno | West Bath | 30 | 6.901 |
6 | 33 | Ron Bryant | Livermore | 29 | 1 Lap |
7 | 27 | Dan Brown | Peru | 29 | 1 Lap |
8 | 8 | Richard Jordan | Kingfield | 29 | 1 Lap |
9 | 4C | Nik Coates | Turner | 6 | 24 Laps |
Pos | No. | Name | Home Town | Laps | Diff |
1 | 26 | Brent Roy | Vassalboro | 25 | |
2 | 10 | Jimmy Childs | Leeds | 25 | 0.033 |
3 | 2x | Rob Greenleaf | Bath | 25 | 1.427 |
4 | 18 | Tim Collins | Farmingdale | 25 | 1.66 |
5 | 27 | Jake Hendsbee | Whitefield | 25 | 2.505 |
6 | 8 | Scott Trask | Richmond | 25 | 13.76 |
7 | 72 | Mike Delano | Brunswick | 24 | 1 Lap |
8 | 36 | Megan Frost | Montville | 24 | 1 Lap |
9 | 20 | Shawn Kimball | Augusta | 16 | 9 Laps |
10 | 41 | Shane Smith | Augusta | 8 | 17 Laps |
Pos | No. | Name | Home Town | Laps | Diff |
1 | 29 | Ben Erskine | Farmington | 35 | |
2 | 30 | Ryan St. Clair | Liberty | 35 | 0.232 |
3 | 33 | Josh St.Clair | Liberty | 35 | 0.381 |
4 | 17 | Chris Thorne | Sidney | 35 | 0.554 |
5 | 47 | Brandon Bailey | Woolwich | 35 | 1.4 |
6 | 15 | Nick Hinkley | Wiscasset | 35 | 1.793 |
7 | 21 | Shane Clark | Winterport | 35 | 1.8 |
8 | 00 | Alex Waltz | Walpole | 35 | 2.134 |
9 | 25 | Will Collins | Waldoboro | 35 | 3.577 |
10 | 22 | Brandon Fowler | Rome | 35 | 4.893 |
11 | 19 | Shane Kaherl | Jay | 35 | 4.968 |
12 | 7 | Tyler Bailey | Wiscasset | 34 | 1 Lap |
13 | 30S | Dylan Street | Old Town | 33 | 2 Laps |
14 | 55 | Steve Barker | Turner | 33 | 2 Laps |
15 | 36 | Tyler Robbins | Montville | 29 | 6 Laps |
16 | 26 | Andrew McLaughlin | Harrington | 29 | 6 Laps |
17 | 11 | Cody Verrill | Richmond | 28 | 7 Laps |
18 | 8 | Luke Romanoski | Freeman | 27 | 8 Laps |
19 | 28 | Steve Minott | Windham | 17 | 18 Laps |
20 | 88x | Wes Turner | Freedom | 2 | 33 Lap |
Event Date
Address
United States