WISCASSET SPEEDWAY PRESS RELEASE JULY 25, 2015
WISCASSET SPEEDWAY CELBRATES ITS 46TH BIRTHDAY
By Lisa Maguire
Wiscasset Speedway celebrated its forty-sixth birthday last Saturday night. The evening was presented by Maine State Bureau of Highway Safety. Drivers from past and present had gathered to help celebrate the day and participated in a driver recognition ceremony during intermission. Champions’ Night drivers included Ed Pierpont, Steve Pierpont, Vern Hodgkins, Dale Chadbourne, Adam Chadbourne, Dan Trask, Scott Chubbuck, Mike Delaney, Nick Hinkley, Brett Mank, Gave Gabrey, Mike Moody, Alan Moeller Sr, Jeff Burgess, Steve Reny, Kamren Knowles, Maurice Young, Daryl Cook, Scott Delano, Jeff Jackson, Eddie Bellows, Casey Nash, Neil Reny, and Chester Rice.
The Four Season Synthetic Driver for the month for June was also announced as driver Michael Harrison, of Durham. The Maine Vintage Racing Association Mobile Museum was on hand for fans to visit. Cupcakes were passed out to a multitude of fans who had filled the grandstands for the event. The finale of the evening, presented after four racing features, was a fireworks display. The group one division of racing was on the agenda Saturday, including NAPA Super Streets, New England Four Cylinder Prostocks, Thunder Four Mini’s, and Prostock.
Starting out the racing action was a spotlighted thirty-five lap NAPA Super Street event. The event was filled with action and began with the #88 of Jamie Norton at the pole. To his right was Brandon Sprague of the #23. Behind the pair was the #06 of Zac Poland. The opening lap saw the #02 of Jason Curtis advance to second. Poland moved to first. The #38 of Dan Trask moved from seventh to third. Norton, who had fallen off the pace, went to the back of the pack.
During lap four Curtis took the lead, and the #1 of Adam Chadbourne passed both Trask and Poland for second. Mark Lucas, of the #5 followed Chadbourne up the track and moved into third. There was a caution during lap six. When green flag racing began once again, Lucas passed Chadbourne on the inside of turn two and took second. Trask passed Chadbourne for third on the inside track during lap seven, for third.
Lucas headed to the outside during lap eleven and began to race door to door with Curtis for the lead. The duo raced for four laps, with each briefly taking the lead. It was not until lap fifteen that Lucas was able to complete a pass to become new race leader. The #2 of Josh Bailey, who started in ninth position, had been moving up through the ranks. During lap twenty-four Bailey passed Trask for third on the outside of turn four. Despite a race caution for debris on the track, race leaders remained constant until the finish.
Lucas, who was current Modified point leader, claimed his first NAPA Super Street win. Curtis finished in second. Placing third was Bailey. Bailey entered Saturday’s race as point leader, with 358 points. Second in points was Adam Chadbourne, thirty-two points below Bailey. Curtis was third in points with 236.
Post-race Lucas said, “We are very glad to get a win tonight because we have been three years with different cars trying to get to the front. I really didn’t think we were going to get there today because we have kept changing the set-up. It really wasn’t cooperating, but I guess I have to have faith in my crew, because they got it done. I want to thank Rob, first and foremost, because it’s his car and he puts in a lot of hours in with it. I need to thank all the guys from the shop: Roger, John, Ken, Adam, and also Erin. I want to thank my sponsors: Burke’s Masonry and Roofing, Gerry Merrill Carpentry, DAB Used Cars, and Casco Bay Marine. I also want to thank Ken and Roxie Farley.”
A New England Four Cylinder Prostock was action packed through the finish. Starting at the pole was the #5 of Cody Billings in this twenty-five lap feature event. In second starting position was Brooke Knowles of the #9X. Behind was Mike Kibbin of the #42. It was a speedy start, and there was a top three leader change when Kibbin spun on the back stretch, allowing the #55 of John Shorey to advance to third. Proving himself to be a force on the track, was the #0 of Alex Waltz. Waltz started near the back of the pack in ninth, but by lap three had worked his way up into the top five. Waltz passed Shorey on the outside of turn two for third during lap three, then passed Brooke Knowles on turn four for second.
During lap five there was a red flag caution when five cars from the middle of the pack got caught in a jumble coming out of turn one. After the debris was cleared, and green flag racing began once again, there was another caution. This caution involved race leaders Brooke Knowles, Shorey, and Billings. All went to the back of the pack.
There was a new race order after the caution, with Waltz in the lead, the #98 of Kamren Knowles in second, and the #24 of Jeff Prindall in third. Prindall passed Kamren Knowles during the lap five restart for second. The #27 of Jacob Hendsbee passed Kamren Knowles during lap six for third. There was then a third caution when Kibbin spun on the track. On the ensuing restart, Hendsbee passed Prindall for second. Hendsbee looked ahead for an opportunity to pass Waltz, but Waltz gave him no opening to complete a pass, and Hendsbee can’t complete an outside passing attempt during lap sixteen.
There was a battle for third brewing. Prindall, in third, was holding off Kamren Knowles, but after several laps of Kamren Knowles attempting to bump Prindall out of the way, Prindall went into a spin after contact. Prindall went to the back of the pack, and Kamren Knowles advanced to third.
In an exciting finish, Waltz and Hendsbee raced door to door, each briefly taking the lead. Fans were cheering and on the edge of their seats. When the checkered came out, Waltz was 2/1000’s of a second ahead of Hendsbee over the finish, taking the win.
Hendsbee placed second. Rounding out the top three was Kamren Knowles, who was current point leader in the division, in third. Hendsbee was second in points, forty points below Kamren Knowles, in the division. Prindall was third in points coming into the race on Saturday, with 256 points.
Waltz said after the race, “We got off to a good start, and there were a few cautions, but we were able to get up through. It was just a good race. It was a close race. I didn’t know if I was going to hold him (Hendsbee) off. I didn’t know if I had won or not, and I don’t think he did either! I want to thank Richard and Vanessa (Jordan) for letting me drive the car. I want to thank Paul Bezell for his last-minute, race- winning call. He made some last minute changes and that is what did it.”
A caution free twenty lap Thunder Four Mini feature was quick, but filled with plenty of action. On the pole was the #68 of Jeff Minchin Jr. To his side was Michael Harrison of the #48. Starting in third was Michael Golding of the #26. Harrison shot to the lead at the start. Minchin moved to second. The #04 of Curtis Anderson went inside and passed Golding on the back stretch for third during lap four.
Staring in tenth was Ryan Chadwick of the #5. Chadwick was coming up from behind, and during lap six, passed Anderson for third on the outside of turn two. During lap twelve, Chadwick once again headed to the outside, and passed Minchin for second. Chadwick looked for his chance to take the lead. His opportunity came during lap fifteen, and Chadwick passed Harrison for the lead. Behind there was a race for third, and when Minchin went up high on the track, Anderson took the inside groove and passed for third. Race leaders remained constant until the finish. However, Chadwick failed post-race inspection. Harrison took the win. Anderson placed second. Coming in third was the #113 of Cody Tribbet.
Post-race, Harrison said, “This feels great. I was surprised when I got June’s driver of the month, but this win tops it off. Once the #68 (Minchin) missed his shift, I knew I was in the clear. I saw him gain on me, but I was able to lose him. I saw the #5 (Chadwick) coming, and I was hoping the race was going to end quicker! I want to thank my father (Kenny Harrison). He has helped me all year. He has worked on the car for me every night. I want to thank my sponsors: Troy Morse Concrete, Sunrise Café, Curtis Lawn Yard care, Copp Excavating, Ken and Roxie Farley, Durham Get and Go, and Todd Harrison Builders.”
A forty-lap Prostock race wrapped up the evening’s races. The race was marked by two cautions which significantly affected race outcome. Starting at the pole was Maggie Ferland of the #77. To her right was the #96 of Wyatt Alexander. In third was Evan Beaulieu of the #56.
It was a close-quarter race, with most all in a tight pack, except for race leader Alexander, who was a quarter lap ahead of Ferland. During lap seven, Ferland and Beaulieu made contact and Ferland spun sideways on the front stretch. The #72 of Scott Fowler got caught up and went into the front stretch wall and ended up in front the pit row entrance with the #15 of Nick Hinkley, whom also got caught up, wedged between Fowler and the wall. The #15X of Scott Chubbuck swerved to the left to avoid Ferland; however, the entire right side of the car was ripped off, sending Ferland to the right. All drivers were able to walk away from the crashes with no significant injury, a testament to the safety equipment all cars have installed in them. All of the involved cars were towed to the pits with none able to resume racing.
The new racing order was Alexander in the lead with the #01 of Andy Saunders in second. In third was the #13 of Nate Tribbet. When the green flag came down over the track, Saunders shot like a rocket to the forefront, leaving his competitors behind. The #05 of James Osmond advanced to second, and the #1M of Mike Moody moved to third. Alexander was left behind, and Tribbet moved to forth.
Moody was searching for an opening to advance to second, but a determined Osmond was able to hold him off until lap thirty-seven. Moody came up under the rear of Osmond on the front stretch and Osmond spun up into the turn one wall. The caution was thrown, but the #01X of Joe Decker came up from behind and broadsided Osmond in a significant accident. All drivers came to a stop while the track was being cleared. Both Osmond and Decker were able to walk away from the wreckage, but both cars needed to be towed from the track.
The new running order was Saunders in the lead. Jeff Burgess of the #1 in second, and Beaulieu in third. When racing was once again underway, Burgess and Beaulieu made some contact on the backstretch. Burgess had some trouble getting the car handling well again, and fell back in position. Beaulieu advanced to second, and the #29 of Kevin Morse moved to third. Saunders claimed his first Prostock win of the season. Saunders was third in points coming into Saturday’s race, with 296 points. First in points was Burgess with 326. Osmond, twenty-six points below Burgess was in second.
Saunders said, “We have been very hungry for a win, so I was being quite aggressive on trying to get to the front. Unfortunately, they tore up a lot of equipment tonight. Some of those helped us get to the front a little quicker, but it is going to be a costly night for quite a few people. Luckily, everyone is all right. There is a long list to thank: I want to thank the fans first, Ace Tire and Auto, Downeast Auto body, Andy’s Painting, JB Builders, K&B Automotive, and my crew including Allen Perkins, Donnie Coughin, Dickie Sprague, and Gavin Perkins. I also want to thank my wife Gail for putting up with my madness over the years, and my lovely mother.”
Wiscasset Speedway resumes racing action, Saturday, August 1, 2015 with its group two lineup of divisions: Late Model Sportsman, Strictly Street, Outlaw Mini, and Modfieds. Next week the flex race of the week is the Amsoil Nelcar Legends. If you missed the racing action, or simply want to see it again, track videographer, Brandon Simmons, posts race footage on YouTube. It can be found by searching “Wiscasset Speedway”. Pit gates open at 2:00 PM. Grandstand gates open at 4:00 PM. Racing begins at 6:00 PM. Admission is $5.00 for adults and children aged seven and older. 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 www.wiscassetspeedway.com. The Wiscasset Speedway website is packed with information, including schedule of events, division rosters and rules, race results, and driver profiles. Head on over to take a look.
WISCASSET SPEEDWAY TOP FIVE UNOFFICIAL FINISH JULY 25, 2015
NAPA SUPER STREET (35 LAPS)
1. #5 Mark Lucas, Harpswell
2. #02 Jason Curtis, Hollis
3. #2 Josh Bailey, Wiscasset
4. #38 Dan Trask, Chelsea
5. #32 Tasha Dyer, Arrowsic
6. #23 Brandon Sprague, Edgecomb
7. #1 Adam Chadbourne, Wiscasset
8. #06 Zac Poland, Woolwich
9. #25 Brad Bellows, China
10. #88 Jamie Norton, Farmingdale
NEW ENGLAND FOUR CYLINDER PROSTOCK (25 LAPS)
1. #0 Alex Waltz, Walpole
2. #27 Jacob Hendsbee, Whitefield
3. #98 Kamren Knowles, West Gardiner
4. #55 John Shorey, Alna
5. #15 Tyler Bailey, Wiscasset
6. #24 Jeff Prindall, Lisbon Falls
7. #9X Brooke Knowles, West Gardiner
8. #5 Cody Billings, Hartford
9. #42 Mike Kibbin, South China
10. #99 Cameron Folsom, Augusta
11. #14 Tim Jeski, Drakut, MA
12. #4 Connor Wenners, Edgecomb
THUNDER FOUR MINI’S (20 LAPS)
1. #48 Michael Harrison, Durham
2. #04 Curtis Anderson, Richmond
3. #113 Cody Tribbet, Richmond
4. #54 Noah Haggett, Wiscasset
5. #31 Leandra Martin, Richmond
6. #25 Michael Golding, Pownal
7. #58 David Greenleaf, Brunswick
8. #68 Jeff Minchin Jr, Pittston
9. #74 Aaron Sevigny, Windsor
10. #14 Robert McDonald, Smithfield
11. #1 Jeff Davis, Woolwich
DQ Ryan Chadwick, Wiscasset
PROSTOCK (40 LAPS)
1. #01 Andy Saunders, Ellsworth
2. #56 Evan Beaulieu, Durham
3. #29 Kevin Morse, Woolwich
4. #13 Nathan Tribbet, Richmond
5. #1 Jeff Burgess, Fairfield
6. #05 James Osmond, Wiscasset
7. #1M Mike Moody, Topsham
8. #01X Joe Decker, Chesterville
9. #19 John Rideout, Washington
10. #96 Wyatt Alexander, Ellsworth
11. #6 Travis Dunbar, Auburn
12. #28 Ken Beasley, Richmond
13. #77 Maggie Ferland, Auburn
14. #72 Scott Fowler, Sidney
15. #15 Nick Hinkley, Wiscasset
16. #15X Scott Chubbuck, Bowdoin