NEMA Thrills large crowd at Wiscassetby Ken Minott

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     What do you get when you put the world’s fastest asphalt sprint cars on Maine’s fastest track? You get a jaw-dropping display of speed and skill and a constant assault on track records. After missing their visit during the shortened 2020 season, the stars and cars of the North Eastern Midget Association (NEMA) returned to Wiscasset Speedway and one of their favorite stops on their tour for “Ames True Value NEMA Night”. The threat of inclement weather didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the large contingent of fans packing the coastal Maine track. Brief bouts of light sprinkles throughout the evening kept race officials on edge, but thanks to the great work of the race teams and track staff, the show went on uninterrupted. A trio of Group 2 divisions added to the show, with Late Model Sportsman, Strictly Streets, and Modifieds also in action. 


     As expected, the NEMA Midgets did not disappoint. Avery Stoehr of Assonet, Ma kicked off the show with a bang, claiming the checkers in the opening 10 lap heat race. On the final lap of the race, he posted a record-breaking lap of 12.875 seconds around the 3/8 mile banked track. The previous record of 12.924 was set by Alby Ovit in 2019. In the 30 lap spotlight feature, former champ John Zych charged to the front from mid-pack and then withheld a late-race challenge from Stoehr to claim the victory, his 3rd career win at Wiscasset. Stoehr settled for a second-place finish to go with his new track record. Nascar Modified star Ronnie Williams of Ellington, CT made his NEMA debut driving the Bertrand Motorsports Team car and turned in an impressive third-place finish. 
     The NEMA Lite 25 lap feature saw some great 3-wide action throughout the field as they jockeyed for position and a shot at the win. Multi-time NEMA Midget champ Randy Cabral of Kingston, Ma got out to an early lead and then withstood late-race challenges from Paul Scally and Jake Trainor to take the win in his #35 Cabral Family-owned ride. Trainor of Medway, Ma continues to be one of the top drivers in the NEMA Lite ranks. He chased Cabral across the line for second place. They were joined in victory lane by Jim Santa Maria of Burlington, CT. Scally was chasing down Cabral as they approached the final five laps, only to develop engine problems. He wound up 14th. 
     In the support division action, Liberty’s Josh St Clair continued his amazing season with a  victory in the 20 lap feature for the Portland Glass Strictly Streets. To date, the third-generation racer now has 6 wins total (2 Pro Stock, 2 Late Model, and 2 Strictly Street). In Saturday’s Strictly Street feature, he was joined in victory lane by his teammate Kurt Hewins of Turner, and point leader Jonathon Emerson of Sabattus. Ryan Ripley took home the first place trophy in the 30 lap feature for the 88.5FM Modifieds. Point leader and reigning champ Adam Chadbourne of Woolwich took second, followed by Hope’s Mike Brown. The 40 lap feature for the Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Model Sportsman saw 21 cars take the green flag. The race was slowed by just a pair of cautions. Matt Bourgoine of Stetson started 7th and picked his way to the front to grab an emotional victory. Over the final 10 laps he held off 5-time champ Chris Thorne and previous winners Josh St Clair and Tiger Colby to take his first career Late Model win. Thorne took the second place trophy and Colby beat out St Clair for the final spot in victory lane. 
     Wiscasset Speedway returns to action Saturday, July 3rd with Group 1 Fan Appreciation Night. The special program will also be the track’s annual Independence Day weekend celebration with appearances by the Wreath’s Across America Mobile Education Exhibit along with the Augusta and Brunswick chapters of the Patriot Riders Motorcycle Club. The festivities begin at 4:00 pm with an on-track driver autograph session with all of the Group 1 race teams. Following that there will be kids’ bike races in three different age groups (3-5, 5-7, and 8-12), where the youngsters will get to race their bikes against some of the drivers on the track. The Ward & Son’s Construction Kids Club will also have fun activities including a red-white-and-blue parade in front of the grandstands. The racing action will commence shortly after 5:00 pm followed by fireworks. As always, admission is just $5, with kids 6&under free. More information can be found at www.wiscassetspeedway.com
     The Wreath’s Across America Mobile Education exhibit will be set up in the parking lot of the speedway from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm just outside the main entrance. The exhibit is open and free to the public. The interactive exhibit offers patrons the opportunity to learn about the mission of the organization which honors the commitment and sacrifice of our veterans. WAA will also hold a special ceremony in Wiscasset’s victory lane during intermission. For more information, go to www.wreathsacrossamerica.org

WISCASSET SPEEDWAY OFFICIAL FINISH 6/26/21GROUP 2 PLUS NEMA MIDGETS & NEMA LITES
NEMA MIDGETS (30 laps – spotlight)* John Zych 3rd Wiscasset victory 

PosNo.NameHometownStateLapsDiffGapBest TmBest SpeedIn Lap
19John ZychMendonMA30??13.382100.88216
239Avery StoehrAssonetMA300.8300.83013.352101.10810
317Ronnie Williams EllingtonCT306.1055.27513.55899.57212
469Matt MerryPlaistowNH307.0150.91013.75398.16013
530Paul ScallyRaynhamMA3011.4064.39113.74498.22515
674Randy CabralKingstonMA3011.8990.49313.52099.8529
716Matt O’BrienWilmingtonMA291 Lap1 Lap14.10995.6845
887Doug ClevelandSudburyMA291 Lap1.40114.05796.0384
918Andy LuntMarionMA291 Lap4.13813.99796.4495
107Alan ChambersAtkinson NH624 Laps23 Laps14.18995.1445

..NEMA LITES (25 laps)

PosNo.NameHometownStateLapsDiffGapBest TmBest SpeedIn Lap
135Randy CabralKingstonMA25??14.53492.8867
229Jake TrainorMedwayMA250.4530.45314.44193.4847
397Jim Santa MariaBurlingtonCT251.5941.14114.39493.7898
43Chris VoseGloversvilleNY255.0413.44714.75391.5075
528Mike PernisiglioRonkonkomaNY255.2780.23714.77091.4016
621Avery StoehrAssonetMA258.5883.31014.55592.75214
717Kyle ValeriMonument BeachMA258.7130.12514.70191.83015
819Richie CoyHaskellNJ259.9311.21814.75891.47614
92Connor Souzan/a?2513.6733.74215.02289.86815
1094Tiana KibbeFairfieldCT241 Lap1 Lap15.18688.89815
1153Dylan CoutuHopevilleCT241 Lap4.68315.28888.30517
128Ethan DionOakdaleCT241 Lap6.62115.59786.5554
1316Dennis O’BrienDeerfieldNH214 Laps3 Laps15.19988.82219
1430Paul ScallyRaynhamMA196 Laps2 Laps14.37893.89313

..PORTLAND GLASS STRICTLY STREETS (25 laps)* St Clair 2nd Strictly Street win of 2021

PosNo.NameHometownStateLapsDiffGapBest TmBest SpeedIn Lap
151Josh St ClairLibertyMe25??17.41177.53712
214HKurt HewinsTurnerMe250.9120.91217.42477.47911
324Jonathan EmersonSabattusMe253.4002.48817.74576.07814
414Ashton ReynoldsLibertyMe253.8420.44217.60476.6878
508Mac Hannan JrWashingtonMe25n/a??0
623Zach EmersonSabattusMe259.1655.32317.89675.4362
767Mike HaynesLivermore FallsMe259.6870.52217.96275.15913
874Keith DrostEtnaMe259.9790.29217.73176.13818
978Brady RomanoLivermore FallsMe2510.3150.33617.82775.72817
1083Dan BrownPeruME2512.5812.26617.96775.13816
113Bernie DinsmoreHopeMe196 Laps6 Laps17.96875.1344
125Brett OsmondWiscassetMe196 Laps7.43017.97575.1043
1364Dean RiceNobleboroMe169 Laps3 Laps18.01174.95413
1400Chad WillsOxfordMe817 Laps8 Laps18.23974.017