Wiscasset Speedway Press Release 5/10/21
Group 1 returned to action Saturday evening at Wiscasset Speedway for their second race of the season. The Norms Used Cars Pro Stocks had center stage with a 50 lap spotlight feature, along with racing in the Super Streets, Thunder 4 Minis, and 4-cylinder Pros. The special guest for the evening was the Wicked Good Vintage Racers Hobby class. 2-time reigning Pro Stock champ Nick Hinkley took advantage of a rare front-row starting spot and rebounded from a wrecked opening day ride to capture a dominant victory in the main event. Other winners on the night included Sean Johnson, Ryan Hayes, David Cook, and Addison Bowie.
Wiscasset’s Speedway’s handicap system, which typically puts the top drivers in the back of the field, sometimes offers the division’s top-dogs an early-season chance to start up front. Wiscasset’s Nick Hinkley got the opportunity thanks to a mishap on opening day that put his fast #15 into the turn 3 wall. He was the fastest car on the track at the time of his wreck, and it didn’t take long for him to show that speed once again Saturday night. Shane Lane of North Anson started the 50-lap spotlight feature for the Norms Used Cars Pro Stocks with Hinkley alongside. At the drop of the green flag, Hinkley took off, quickly disposing of Lane and never relinquishing the lead. Just one caution would bunch up the field for a lap 17 restart, but the result was the same. Hinkley cruised to a “statement:” win, besting the 11-car field by nearly a third of the track. Behind him, the class produced some exciting side by side racing with several driver drivers vying for the final two spots in victory lane. A late-race charge by Sidney’s Kevin Douglass brought to the runner-up finish. Nick Reno of West Bath held the spot for most of the second half of the race and settled for 3rd. Thomaston’s Ryan Ripley rebounded from the lap 17 caution and drove back up through the field to finish 4th just ahead of opening day winner Josh St Clair of Liberty.
In support action, the Brackett’s Market 4-Cylinder Pro division had a regular-length 25 lap feature race. While the class has begun to showcase some great up-and-coming young talent, there are still a couple of veterans ready to show the kids the way to victory lane. Much the same as Nick Hinkley’s opening day troubles and week two dominance, Jefferson’s Ryan Hayes also took advantage of a front-row starting spot to cruise to an easy win. Point leader Jet Decker started the race back in 9th and steadily picked his way up settle into second. He would finish the race as the runner-up. Ben Burgess of Hartford put together one of his best races. He started alongside Hayes on the front row and stayed steady in the top 3. He took home the 3rd place trophy. Just a pair of midrace cautions slowed the action. 11-year-old rookie Daniel Harding had another solid race, running top 3 for most of the race and slipping back to finish 4th. Opening Day winner Nicole Benincasa rounded out the top 5.
The 30 lap feature for the Maxwell’s Market Super Streets saw 15 of 16 cars take the green flag, and once again it was full of non-stop action. Oakland’s Sean Johnson led the freight train of cars from the pole position all the way to victory lane. Opening Day winner James Osmond had a much larger task on his hands. He took advantage of three restarts and a strong race car to move up from his 13th starting position to finish 2nd. The same situation unveiled for Famingdale’s Matt Beers, who backed up his week 1 podium finish with a strong drive from 11th up to 2nd, only to give it up to Osmond with just a few laps remaining. He would settle for 3rd. Former champ Michael Harrison took 4th followed by Devin Curit of Saco.
The Schooner Bay Taxi Thunder 4 Mini’s turned out another frantic and action-packed 25 lap feature. David Cook of Jay, who won on opening day followed it up with another victory. He raced his way from the back of the pack and around teammate Shane Webber to grab the checkers. Webber joined him in as the runner-up. Michael Golding of Pownal took the final spot in victory lane. Doug Degroat and Hunter Dodge complete the top 5. In the 20 lap race for the Wicked Good Vintage Racers Hobby Class, Auburn’s Addison Bowie took the win, with Bub Dow and Dean Grant alongside in victory lane.
Wiscasset Speedway returns to action Saturday, May 15th with Group 2 back in action. The 88.5FM Modifieds will be the spotlight division, with support action in Late Model Sportsman, Strictly Streets, Outlaw Minis and Roadrunners. Pit gates will open at 1:00 pm, grandstand gate at 4:00 pm, and racing begins at 5:00 pm. For information, go to www.wiscassetspeedway.com
NORMS USED CARS PRO STOCKS (50 laps – spotlight)*Hinkley 2-time PS champ (started 2nd)
| Pos | No. | Name | Hometown | State | Laps | Diff | Gap | Best Tm | In Lap |
| 1 | 15 | Nick Hinkley | Wiscasset | Me | 50 | 14.852 | 18 | ||
| 2 | 18 | Kevin Douglass | Sidney | Me | 50 | 4.250 | 4.250 | 14.857 | 11 |
| 3 | 77 | Nick Reno | West Bath | Me | 50 | 6.116 | 1.866 | 14.864 | 6 |
| 4 | 17 | Ryan Ripley | Jefferson | Me | 50 | 6.286 | 0.170 | 14.992 | 20 |
| 5 | 14 | Josh St Clair | Liberty | Me | 50 | 6.579 | 0.293 | 14.959 | 9 |
| 6 | 12 | Rodney Brooks | Warren | Me | 50 | 6.918 | 0.339 | 15.195 | 14 |
| 7 | 29 | Kevin Morse | Woolwich | Me | 50 | 6.939 | 0.021 | 15.162 | 25 |
| 8 | 38 | Joey Doyon | Frankfort | Me | 50 | 10.390 | 3.451 | 15.158 | 4 |
| 9 | 41 | Logan Melcher | Fayette | Me | 50 | 15.015 | 4.625 | 15.242 | 12 |
| 10 | 02 | Shane Lane | N. Anson | Me | 49 | 1 Lap | 1 Lap | 15.285 | 21 |
| 11 | 84 | Jamie Wright | Woolwich | Me | 43 | 7 Laps | 6 Laps | 14.832 | 9 |
..BRACKETT’S MARKET 4-CYLINDER PRO (25 laps)* Hayes led green to checkers
| Pos | No. | Name | Hometown | State | Laps | Diff | Gap | Best Tm | In Lap |
| 1 | 17 | Ryan Hayes | Jefferson | Me | 25 | 17.209 | 5 | ||
| 2 | 01 | Jett Decker | Chesterville | Me | 25 | 0.704 | 0.704 | 17.233 | 4 |
| 3 | 7b | Ben Burgess | Hartford | Me | 25 | 1.230 | 0.526 | 17.207 | 10 |
| 4 | 38 | Daniel Harding | Fairfield | Me | 25 | 2.061 | 0.831 | 17.191 | 6 |
| 5 | 41 | Nicole Benincasa | Buxton | Me | 25 | 4.649 | 2.588 | 17.291 | 3 |
| 6 | 45 | Kayden Neptune | Mt Vernon | Me | 25 | 4.924 | 0.275 | 17.252 | 7 |
| 7 | 19 | Andy Kaherl | Saco | Me | 25 | 5.539 | 0.615 | 17.365 | 24 |
| 8 | 117 | Josh Hall | Mt Vernon | Me | 25 | 5.797 | 0.258 | 17.247 | 25 |
| 9 | 70 | Taylor Lane | Phillips | Me | 25 | 7.237 | 1.440 | 17.681 | 10 |
| 10 | 96 | Cole Binnette | Lyman | Me | 22 | 3 Laps | 3 Laps | 17.609 | 6 |
| 11 | 26me | Garritt McKee | Dixmont | Me | 13 | 12 Laps | 9 Laps | 17.593 | 11 |
| 12 | 8 | Callahan Cox | Strong | Me | 7 | 18 Laps | 6 Laps | 18.518 | 4 |
..MAXWELL’S MARKET SUPER STREETS (30 laps)
| Pos | No. | Name | Hometown | State | Laps | Diff | Gap | Best Tm | In Lap |
| 1 | 9 | Sean Johnson | Oakland | Me | 30 | 16.430 | 3 | ||
| 2 | 05 | James Osmond | Wiscasset | Me | 30 | 0.155 | 0.155 | 16.570 | 25 |
| 3 | 11b | Matt Beers | Farmingdale | Me | 30 | 0.336 | 0.181 | 16.532 | 9 |
| 4 | 85 | Michael Harrison | Durham | Me | 30 | 1.541 | 1.205 | 16.631 | 6 |
| 5 | 44 | Devin Curit | Saco | Me | 30 | 2.288 | 0.747 | 16.651 | 2 |
| 6 | 00 | PJ Merrill | Canton | Me | 30 | 2.686 | 0.398 | 16.734 | 6 |
| 7 | 5 | Dominic Curit | Saco | Me | 30 | 3.860 | 1.174 | 16.606 | 3 |
| 8 | 3 | Bobby Mesimer | Wiscasset | Me | 30 | 4.984 | 1.124 | 16.750 | 6 |
| 9 | 26 | Colby Peacock | Yarmouth | Me | 30 | 5.640 | 0.656 | 16.892 | 5 |
| 10 | 58 | David Greenleaf | Westport | Me | 30 | 7.311 | 1.671 | 17.260 | 24 |
| 11 | 05r | Glen Reynolds | Turner | Me | 29 | 1 Lap | 1 Lap | 17.304 | 23 |
| 12 | 23x | Mike Hodgkin | Jefferson | Me | 21 | 9 Laps | 8 Laps | 16.605 | 3 |
| 13 | 55 | Darick Barker | Durham | Me | 20 | 10 Laps | 1 Lap | 17.564 | 18 |
| 14 | 04 | Zach Bowie | Lewiston | Me | 14 | 16 Laps | 6 Laps | 16.625 | 8 |
| 15 | 35 | Mike Wallace | Wiscasset | Me | 0 | 30 Laps | 14 Laps | 0 | |
| dns | 85h | Kenny Harrison | Durham | Me | dns |
..SCHOONER BAY TAXI THUNDER 4 MINI (25 laps)* Cook won on opening day 4/24 * Cook started 12th
| Pos | No. | Name | Hometown | State | Laps | Diff | Gap | Best Tm | In Lap |
| 1 | 77 | David Cook | Jay | Me | 25 | 18.714 | 10 | ||
| 2 | 7 | Shane Webber | New Vinyard | Me | 25 | 0.250 | 0.250 | 18.749 | 9 |
| 3 | 26 | Michael Golding | Pownal | Me | 25 | 0.515 | 0.265 | 18.723 | 9 |
| 4 | 84x | Doug Degroat | Oxford | Me | 25 | 0.839 | 0.324 | 18.690 | 11 |
| 5 | 53 | Hunter Dodge | Freeport | Me | 25 | 2.672 | 1.833 | 19.044 | 3 |
| 6 | 46 | Ches Williams | Hope | Me | 25 | 3.161 | 0.489 | 19.097 | 22 |
| 7 | 1 | Jeff Davis | Woolwich | Me | 25 | 3.824 | 0.663 | 19.011 | 12 |
| 8 | 0x | Jeff Farrington | Alna | Me | 25 | 3.851 | 0.027 | 19.036 | 16 |
| 9 | 8X | Michael Duffy | Camden | Me | 25 | 7.240 | 3.389 | 19.671 | 21 |
| 10 | 07 | Doug Churchill | Bristol | Me | 25 | 11.220 | 3.980 | 19.495 | 13 |
| 11 | 02 | Paul Hopkins | Camden | Me | 20 | 5 Laps | 5 Laps | 19.614 | 17 |
| 12 | 35 | Adreonna Dodge | Freeport | Me | 15 | 10 Laps | 5 Laps | 21.428 | 11 |
| 13 | 44 | Dillon Cook | Jay | Me | 6 | 19 Laps | 9 Laps | 19.890 | 5 |
..WICKED GOOD VINTAGE RACERS – HOBBY (20 laps)TOP 31. #38 Adison Bowie – Auburn2. #2 Bub Dow – West Paris3. #44 Dean Grant – Detroit