Photos: Mary and Peter Taylor petespicks.smugmug.com
BY SOPHIE D. GABRION, RACE MEDIA REP ? Saturday, June 4, 2016 50
WISCASSET, MAINE – Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. Most people know these infamous words of iconic professional boxer, Muhammad Ali. Not as common is the second half of this quote, often forgotten, “His hands can’t hit what his eyes can’t see. Now you see me, now you don’t.” Wyatt Alexander of Ellsworth was clearly channeling the words of this recently passed American legend, as he claimed first place in the Prostock 50-lap feature after a tremendous display of patience and sportsmanship. As spectators witnessed a pattern emerge of the 96 car holding a healthy lead, it became clear that speed was on Alexander’s side – now you can see him, now you can’t.
Sponsored by ServPro of Biddeford/Saco, the Prostock division is the most advanced class of auto racing run in the state. To say that the seventeen seasoned drivers who stepped up in this event are competitive would be the understatement of the century. Immediately after the green flag flew, Alexander wasted no time putting distance between himself and the ensuing pack. Not one to be left behind, the #15 car of Nick Hinkley engaged Alexander in a rivalry for first that would last long into the race, only ending when a caution in lap 37 left Hinkley of Wiscasset immobile midtrack.
Across the field, this division played an intense game of follow-the-leader behind Alexander. Engines raged into gear after each caution was lifted, operated by drivers hungry for a taste of glory in victory lane. In a close call that left Nate Tribbett’s #13 car grinding on rims down pit road, the short stretch between turn one and two proved to be the Prostock’s kryptonite. With three cautions on top of each other, the sixteen cars that remained were clearly ready to move into the second half of this feature.
In an epic outer lane pass, Hinkley showed what drivers from Wiscasset are made of, when he relieved Alexander of the first position. Battling to keep the upper hand, Hinkley went Hollywood on the crowd with a drift coming out of turn three, leaving the drivers in his wake scrambling to find a path around him. With twenty laps left, some of the powerful machines in this division finished out the work day in business casual attire, hinting that driving hood-less is ‘in’ this season. James Osmond of Wiscasset and his #05 car won the unofficial prize for most daring outfit, coming back – lap after lap – determined to race, despite a missing hood, front bumper and barely-there rear bumper.
The dust flew as the action came back at the double the intensity, with Scott Chubbuck making his move in the #15x to second position behind Alexander and Kelly Moore’s #47 car close behind. At ten laps to go, Alexander goes head to head with Chubbuck, prevailing as the lead car if only for a moment, as Andy Saunders from Ellsworth moves in as Chubbuck’s replacement.
Despite driver after driver making their move to claim the number one position, Alexander would not back down. With two laps to go, Saunders goes all in and plays the only hand that he has left – coming in hard and fast on the outer lane. Although proving himself as a force to be reckoned with, Saunders’ hail Mary fell just short and Alexander cruised into victory lane as the winner of a 50-lap race that had begun almost an hour before. Saunders more than earned his second place spot, with Kelly Moore of the #47 car taking third place home to Scarborough.
“To win one over those guys, is pretty special,” Alexander said about his competition and the heat that they brought. As modest as he is talented, Alexander used his time in victory lane to thank Wiscasset Speedway, Servpro of Biddeford/Saco and his own sponsors, as well as his parents, girlfriend, little sister and everybody else he knows for helping him succeed. The win earned this 16-year-old rockstar a provisional qualifier at The U.S. Prostock/Super Late Model National Championship Race at Seekonk Speedway in Massachusetts. For more information about this event and the more than $47,000 in purse money up for grabs, visit www.seekonkspeedway.com.
Still to race were the remaining divisions in Group 1, including the New England Cyl Pros, where Kamren Knowles of West Gardiner took home his fourth straight win for his performance driving car #98, followed by the #4 car driven by Conner Wenners of Edgcomb taking second and the #84 driven Jamie Wright of Woolwich in third. The caution-filled feature run by the NELCAR Legends reminded drivers and fans alike how seriously safety must be taken in this sport, when Matt Grant in the #84 car became hooked on another car, sending him across the track into Austin Teras in the #29 from Windham, who became airborne. After the prompt and efficient response of Wiscasset Fire & Rescue, as well as the Wiscasset Speedway crew, Austin walked out of the car and will be back to race again. Winning the Legends feature was Kevin Girard, Jr in the #19 car from Old Orchard, followed by Bobby Weymouth in the #399 of Topsham and Chris Burgess in the #47 from Buckfield.
In the 25-lap Super Streets, the #5 car driven by Mark Lucas of Harpswell took first, followed by Tasha Dyer of Arrowsic in the #32 and Jason Curtis of Hollis in the #02. Last but certainly not least, with fans loyally remaining in the grandstands to cheer on their favorites, the Thunder 4 Minis kept the action going until the very end, with the #4J car driven by Joe Katula of Lisbon taking first, after Jason Trundy in the #10 from Winterport was disqualified during post-race inspection. Second place was earned by Michael Harrison of Pownal in the #48 car, followed by Devan Robinson in the #20 from Warren.
Bring the family to be part of the action next Saturday, June 11th when the green flag flies at 6:00pm as Wiscasset Speedway welcomes back the Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA)! Watch the track heat up under the tires of the NEMA Midgets and NEMA Lights, as well as the four divisions in Group 2. Grandstand gates open to fans at 4:00pm with an exclusive NEMA Driver Meet & Greet at 5:00pm. Admission is only $5 with entry fees waived for kids under 7-years-old. See you next week at Wiscassett Speedway – Maine’s largest and fastest track!
For the 2016 Race Schedule and much more, visit www.wiscassetspeedway.com.
WISCASSET SPEEDWAY
Since 1969, Wiscasset Speedway has offered a family-friendly racetrack in heart of Lincoln County where fans and athletes can feel like they’ve come home. Every year, thousands of people gather from miles around at the Speedway’s 35-acre facility to enjoy exciting, affordable entertainment. Built on healthy competition and sportsmanship, Wiscasset Speedway is committed to excellence and integrity, maintaining respect for environmental impact.