Official Photography: Pete & Mary Taylor / Website: www.petespicks.smugmug.com
BY SOPHIE GABRION, RACE MEDIA REP
WISCASSET, MAINE – Next time you head to work in your sensible sedan or make a quick trip to the store in your humdrum hybrid, consider this: humans have a need for speed. It is the reason you can wake up in California and fall asleep in Maine the same day; what generates millions of dollars in movie ticket sales each year; and keeps the grandstands at Wiscasset Speedway packed week after week – filled with fans on their feet who dream about being fast and furious.
Sponsored by Four Season Synthetic, the Driver of the Month Award goes to an individual who excels on and off the track. On Saturday, Nathan Tribbett of Richmond, driving the #13 car for the Prostock Division, received May’s Driver of the Month Award in front of friends, family and fans. Holding third place for points so far this season, Tribbett has demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship behind the wheel and earned the respect of countless fans, described as “cool under fire.”
In the spotlight 30-lap feature, the Thunder Minis rev their engines to the delight of spectators, who know this division is small but mighty. Taking an immediate lead was the #19 car, driven by Travis Poulliot of Skowhegan, with Michael Golding of Pownal in the #26 car chasing in hot pursuit. After a 10-minute caution that sent Jeff Davis of Woolwich and his #1 car into the tires at the top of turn one, the action restarted with Joe Katula of the #4J car fought to close the gap between himself and the two pack leaders. Seeing Katula coming, Golding refused to give up second, but could not quite take first with only ten laps remaining. As the white flag waved indicating one lap to go, Poulliot flies first across the finish line victorious. Golding battled until the bitterend, ultimately taking second, with the previous points leader, Joe Katula, taking third.
Switching from inside to outside voices, the Super Street Division roar on to the track next, rocking the ground beneath fan’s feet. The #27 car, driven by Barry Poulin of Benton, set himself apart from the herd early on, but could not shake David Doherty of Palmyra, who followed less than one turn behind in the #13 car. Not one to be left out, Sean Johnston, hailing from Oakland, bore down on Doherty in his #9 car, with Tasha Dyer’s neon orange #32 cutting through the pack to fouth position in the first fifteen laps. As Dohrety fell behind for a slight moment, Harpswell resident Mark Lucas in the #5 grabbed his window and moved up hard on Dyer’s rear bumper. After completely dominating the outer lane, Lucas refused to back down as he passed Dyer, Johnson and set his sights on Poulin. The white flag waved its ominous last call and Lucas plowed past Poulin in a Hail Mary on turn three. With both drivers racing at top speed over the finish line, a slight drift in Poulin’s rear end sent him into the path of oncoming cars, achieving the only post-checked flag collision of the evening. Lucas achieved his third consecutive win in a row, with Poulin settling for second place despite leading the group lap after lap. Johnson claimed third place, taking home his first trophy from Wiscasset Speedway’s victory lane.
As the sun fades over the tree line behind the track, the bright colors of the New England 4-Cyl. Pro Division paraded past grandstands, proving once and for all the size does not matter. These smaller machines pack quite the punch, as demonstrated in a caution before the end of the first lap at the top of turn 3, that sent Kameren Knowles’ #98 car over the back edge of the track. Before reaching lap 5, car #55 is sent off into the infield but recovers without needing a caution. After a few more casualty-free cautions, the #24 car, driven by Jeff Prindall of Lisbon, took the lead as the drivers rolled lap ten, with Brooke Knowles of West Gardiner in the #9x close behind, ready to show that championships run in the family. Spencer Vaughan in the #7 from Canton kept close, holding the third position, with remaining cars clumping like flour in water, slowly working out a pecking order as they pass the halfway mark. After an action packed race, Brooke made a final play for first from the outer lane, but was ultimately held off by Prindall, who claimed victory by mere feet. Jamie Wright of Woolwich placed third for his performance in the #84 car.
Up next were the Outlaw Super Series, who strut up to their 35-lap flex feature proud as peacocks. Sporting the familiar front hood shape fans are used to and fully tricked out, open ended read bumpers, these fierce machines are as classic as a mullet in Northern Maine: all business up front with a party in the rear. Although bright colors and near misses kept fans eyes trained on the 3-car fight for second position at the halfway mark, it was impossible to ignore the easy glide of Lance Chapman’s #64 from Benton, as he effortlessly took turn after turn, a full half lap in front of his competitors. Chapman maintained his hold on first all the way into victory lane, with Ricky Burgess of the #43 car taking second home to Waterville and a festively-clad #34 driven by DJ Moody of Prospect earning third.
Sponsored by Servpro of Biddeford/Saco, thirteen Prostocks begin their 40-lap feature race, quickly falling into an easy single file line, headed up by the #72 driven by Charlie Colby of Newcastle. Ajay Picard of Palmyra in the #99 and Andy Saunders, driving the #01 from Ellsworth, keep a tight hold on second and third, as the leading point drivers for the division. Saunders battled to find a way around Picard, finally getting past him only when an upset sent Picard up to the edge of the track at the top of turn three. Saunders set sights on Colby, weaving in and out of lap traffic. Colby, who showed no signs of giving up his claim on first, was forced to dominate from the outer lane as Saunders battles from an intimate distance on the inside. On a quest to regain his former glory, Picard continued to pass car after car as the white flag flew but fell short on time. With Colby hot on his tail, Saunders claimed a clean first place win and the #05R, driven by Phil Richardson Jr of Hermon, placed third after proving that slow and steady doesn’t necessarily win the race, but it certainly earns you a spot in victory lane.
Regret going to that barbeque last weekend? Wish you had come to the track instead of sweating it out on a beach? Don’t be too hard on yourself – just head over to Wiscasset Speedway next Saturday, June 25th as the NELCAR Legends take the track, as well as the five other action-packed divisions. Grandstand gates open to fans at 2:00pm and the green flag kicks off the day at 6:00pm. Individual admission is $5 – less than the cost of a movie ticket! Bring the whole family – grandstand fees waived for kids under 6. For the 2016 Race Schedule and more, visit www.wiscassetspeedway.com. Be part of the action by following Wiscasset Speedway on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
· SPONSORSHIPS: Grow your business this year by joining the Wiscasset Speedway family as a Premier Division Sponsor. To reach thousands of race fans each week, contact Ken Minott at kmwiscspeedway@yahoo.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.
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Contact: Sophie D. Gabrion, Race Media Rep / Wiscasset Speedway
Phone: (207) 624-2518 / Email: wiscassetspeedwaymedia@gmail.