KIMBALL GOES OUT WITH A WIN AT WISCASSET

by Ken Minott

     Maine’s fastest track, Wiscasset Speedway, was back in action Saturday night with Group 2 divisions plus the Wicked Good Vintage Racers. The show turned out a pair of first-time winners plus a pair of drivers grabbing their first wins since opening day.

     Augusta’s Shawn Kimball made his final race a special one, leading the 25 lap Outlaw Mini feature wire to wire for the win. It was his 2nd victory of the season for the Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Minis. Kimball had announced that Saturday’s race would be the last for the former 2-time champion. In victory lane he said winning in his final race was special and a great way to wrap up a 20-year racing career; but he stopped short of confirming he was truly hanging it up for good. He did say that pending knee surgery and plans to concentrate on family life were driving forces in his decision. Fellow former champs Rob Greenleaf of West Bath and Jimmy Childs of Leeds joined him to claim the 2nd and 3rd place trophies respectively.

     Adam Chadbourne of Woolwich led wire in the 30 lap spotlight feature for the Mid Coast Region Napa Modifieds, making it his 2nd win of the season and first since opening day. Reigning Mod champ Mark Lucas of Harpswell. Point leader Allan Moeller recovered from an early collision with Joe Williams and raced his way to the 3rd place finish. Earlier in the evening, Moeller was honored as the track’s Four Season Synthetic July Driver of the Month. #21 Tom Young and pole sitter Dan Brown #27 rounded out the top 5.

     Brian Whitney picked up an impressive win in the 35 lap feature for the Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Model Sportsman division. The veteran racer from Etna drove his #41 ride from 18th starting position up to grab the lead from Waldoboro’s Will Collins with 6 laps to go and nailed down his first Wiscasset victory. Defending LMS champ Chris Thorne spent much of the race battling Collins for the lead. He would settle for the runner-up trophy. Point leader Nick Hinkley got the nose of his car knocked in following a lap 6 skirmish in turn four. He settled down and worked the traffic nicely to grab the final spot in victory lane. Brothers Ryan and Josh St Clair completed the top 5 in the 20 car field.

     In the 25 lap feature for the Norms Used Cars Strictly Streets, Zach Emerson of Sabattus not only grabbed the win but took control of the division in the process. Emerson took the lead from Brian Caswell and then held off challenges on a pair of restarts to become the 7th different winner in the division this season. Kim Knight of Chesterville matched her career-best with the 2nd place finish while Bryan Robbins backed up his win from the previous race with a 3rd place trophy. The top 5 was filled by two-time winner Glen Reynolds of Turner and Jonathan Emerson of Sabattus.

     The Wicked Good Vintage Racers made their 2nd appearance of the season with action in the Early Late Models and Outlaw divisions. Keith Smalley of Warren took the win in the 20 lap feature for the Early Late Models in his 1955 Chevy. He was joined in victory lane by David West of Appleton and Norris Willette of Winslow. The 20 lap Outlaw feature went to Sid Smith of Mt Vernon. 2nd went to Scott Tucker of Winthrop followed by Arthur Hannaford of Hollis in 3rd.

     Wiscasset Speedway returns to action Saturday August 26th with Group 1 in action plus a 100 lap enduro. Super Streets will have a 35 lap spotlight feature, along with regular features in the ServPro of Biddeford-Saco Prostocks, Thunder 4 Minis, and N.E.4-cyl Pros. Pit gates will open at 2:00pm, Grandstand gate at 4:00pm and green flag flies at 6:00pm. For race day schedule and information go to the track website at www.wiscassetspeedway.com or call (207) 491-3720.