photo by Peter Taylor
Saturday’s inclement rainy weather did not bode well for Wiscasset Speedway race time, but by 3:00 PM the skies had cleared and the track had dried. Despite the cooler temperatures and the rain of the morning, diehard fans were there at the track ready to watch some racing action. On the agenda at the Speedway was the group one division; Prostock, Napa Super Street, Outlaw Mini’s, and New England 4 Cylinder Prostocks. The flex race of the week was a fifty lap Enduro feature.
First on the track was the spotlighted race of the week, a thirty five lap Napa Super Street feature. Starting at the pole was the #51 of Bryan Robbins. Behind him were the # 06 of Zach Poland and the #48 of Dan Nessmith. Robbins roared off the start taking a three car lead. The #05 of James Osmond passed Nessmith during lap one to take third. During lap two, the #1 of Adam Chadbourne moved from behind and passed both Osmond and Poland on the inside of the front stretch for second,
There was a caution called during lap two, and on the restart Osmond passed Poland for third. Lap three saw Chadbourne pass Robbins on the inside of turn three for first place. Osmond then moved up the track and headed to the outside and passed Robbins for second.
The #61 of Shawn Austin moved to third during lap seven when Osmond and Robbins made contact on the track. The #2 of Josh Bailey passed Austin on the outside of turn three during lap eight for third. Bailey then gained ground on Robbins, and caught him during lap ten, when he passed for second place.
Chadbourne sped his Stone Surface Cabinets and Countertops car under the checkered taking first. Chadbourne said, “I had a lot of fun tonight. There was some racing competition. The car was running fast. I hope to keep bring home first place trophies for my sponsors. I would like to thank all my sponsors because I would not be here without them. I would also like to give special thanks to my crew.”
Chadbourne came into the race as point leader in his division, with 114 points. Josh Bailey and James Osmond were tied for second, each with 110 points.
Bailey took second. Rounding out the top three was Bryan Robbins.
A twenty five lap Outlaw Mini feature was action packed. Shawn Kimball of the #20 was at the pole. Nate Tribbet of the #13 and Jimmy Childs of the #10 were behind him. Tribbet passed Kimball off the start for first, but Kimball reclaimed his first place start during the same starting lap. Childs dropped back and the #06 of Ryan Glover slid into third during lap one. Glover pressed his advance and passed Tribbet for second on the outside of turn three during lap one. There was a caution during lap six. When racing action resumed Childs passed Tribbet on the outside for third.
The #18 of Justin Larson passed Childs on the inside of the front stretch taking third during lap nine. Childs and Larson raced furiously for third place, but Larson held onto his lead keeping the position. Childs was points champion heading into the race, with 110 points. Childs placed fourth.
Kimball placed first. Kimball said, “It feels great to have won tonight. The car was very fast. We had some troubles at the beginning of the season, but that has all been resolved and it all came together tonight. I would like to thank my sponsors for their support. They include Business Solutions of Maine and Soules Auto Supply.”
Kimball came into Saturday’s race in fifth place in point championship, with 82 points. Saturday’s win will raise his point standing.
Glover placed second. Larson came in third place.
Ten New England 4 Cylinder Prostocks cars hit the track for a twenty five lap race. Starting at the pole was the #14 of Bob Patten. Behind him were the #12 of Dave Patten and the #35 of Nate McWilliams.
When the green flag waved there was a jumble as cars jockeyed for position. The #24 of Jeff Prindall moved to the outside from his eighth starting place, passed four cars, and then passed McWilliams for third.
Dave Patten passed Bob Patten on the outside of turn two during lap one for first. Prindall followed suit and passed Bob Patten on the outside of the backstretch for second.
Prindall looked for his opportunity to take first place. His chance came during lap five when he moved to the inside of turn four and passed Dave Patten for first.
During lap eight, the #98 of Kamren Knowles passed Bob Patten on the inside of turn one for third.
The cars flew under the checkered in the same racing order. Prindall’s Mike Kibbin & Sons Construction car placed first. Dave Patten took second. Kamren Knowles finished in third.
This was Prindall’s third win of the season. Prindall came into Saturday’s race as point leader with 118 points. His closest competitor is the #8 of Craig Dunn, with a 12 point difference between them coming into the race.
Prindall said, “It feels awesome to have won three in a row. The car was on a rail. Car was fast. We had an issue in the heat when we lost our right front tire, but that was quickly resolved and we overcame it!”
A quick, straightforward thirty lap Prostock feature was next. Starting at the pole was the #07 of Bill Penfold. Behind him were the #32 of Mike Orr and the #15 of Nick Hinkley.
The cars were well matched on the field. Penfold, Orr, and Hinkley vied for position. Penfold pulled ahead and was able to keep the racing field in his rear view mirror for the entire race. Orr challenged Penfold numerous times, but Penfold held onto his lead.
Orr was point leader coming into Saturday’s race. Orr had 110 points. Tied for second were Nick Hinkley and Bill Penfold, each with 108 points. This close race kept the point leaders in the top three.
Penfold took the win. Orr placed second. Hinkley came in third.
Prior to race time, Penfold said, “This car has never failed me yet! We have our work cut out for us though because I just rolled this out of the garage last night. It is an older car but I made some changes. I am getting this #07 ready for my son. He is in the service, serving in Afghanistan. He is a racer too. I sent him some pictures and he can’t wait to come home and race this car. I am getting it ready for him.”
The flex race of the week was a one hundred lap Enduro. Due to some heavy fog, the race length was changed to fifty laps. Starting at the pole was the #777 of Mike St Germain. Behind him were the #8 of Ron Whitcomb and the #77 of Vernon Hodgkins III.
The #11 of Donald Nashawaky moved from behind and passed Hodgkins for third. The 55X of Mike Marshall was an early contender, but a pit stop put him back in laps.
Germain was not passed once during the entire race, and placed first. Coming in second was Nashawaky. In third was Whitcomb.
Wiscasset Speedway resumes racing action, May 25, 2014 with its group two lineup of divisions: Late Model Sportsman, Strictly Street, Thunder 4’s and Mini Trucks. The flex race of the week are Nelcar Legends. This week the Late Model division will be racing the “Coastal 200” presented by Jordan Lumber and Jordan Excavation. The total purse is $18, 700. Pays $3,000 to win. Plus there is an extra $25 for each lap led during the race. Additionally there is a $500 Halfway Bonus. AR Bodies is also doing a Hard Charger Award. The prize is a $500 certificate for the driver who advances the most places from their starting point. It is going to be a large show for fans of all ages.
Pit gates open at 9:00 AM. Grandstand gates open at 12:00 PM. Racing begins at 2:00 PM. Admission is $5.00 for adults and children aged seven and older. In honor of Memorial Day Weekend, Vets and active military receive free grandstand admission. Kids six and under are free. Pit admission is $20.00. Wiscasset Speedway is located on West Alna Road in Wiscasset. For more information, head to the Wiscasset Speedway website at: http:www.wiscassetspeedway.com.
WISCASSET SPEEDWAY UNOFFICIAL FINISH MAY 17, 2014 *
NAPA SUPER STREET (35 LAPS)
1. #1 Adam Chadbourne, Woolwich
2. #2 Josh Bailey, Wiscasset
3. #51 Bryan Robbins, Montville
4. #61 Shawn Austin, Norridgewock
5. #06 Zach Poland, Woolwich
6. #8 Kevin Morse, Woolwich
7. #05 James Osmond, Wiscasset
8. #02 Paul Hopkins, Camden
9. #48 Dan Nessmith, Wiscasset
OUTLAW MINI (25 LAPS)
1. #20 Shawn Kimball, Augusta
2. #06 Ryan Glover, Mexico
3. #18 Justin Larson, Farmingdale
4. #10 Jimmy Childs, Leeds
5. #13 Nate Tribett, Richmond
6. #13X Chris Blanchard, Clinton
7. #14 Matt Moore, Mechanic Falls
NEW ENGLAND 4 CYLINDER PROSTOCK (25 LAPS)
1. #24 Jeff Prindall, Lisbon Falls
2. #12 Dave Patten, Westbrook
3. #98 Kamren Knowles, West Gardiner
4. #14 Bob Patten, Westbrook
5. #7 Chuck Harris, Newcastle
6. #8 Craig Dunn, Strong
7. #35 Nathan McWilliams, Lewiston
8. #2 James Bailey, Alna
9. #55 John Shorey, Alna
10. #99 Cameron Folsom, Augusta
PROSTOCK (30 LAPS)
1. #07 Bill Penfold, Oxford
2. #32 Mike Orr, Wiscasset
3. #15 Nick Hinkley, Wiscasset
4. #77 Maggie Ferland, Auburn
5. #64 Matt Sanborn, Westbrook
ENDURO (50 LAPS)
1. #777 Mike St Germain
2. #11 Donald Nashawaky
3. #8 Ron Whitcomb
4. #4J Joe Katula
5. #117 Dan Wade
6. #1 Shawn Rines
7. #42 Roy Glidden
8. #55X Mike Marshall
9. #19JR Paul Lyons
10. #77 Vernon Hodgkins III
11. #69 Jarrett Byrnes
*For official race results please visit www.wiscassetspeedway.com