The bright lights of Wiscasset Speedway illuminated the track at the first evening race of the season. Despite the cool weather, fans lined the grandstands to watch group one division racing which included Super Streets, Thunder Four Mini’s, ServePro of Biddeford Saco Prostocks, New England Four Cylinder Prostocks, and the flex race of the week, Wicked Good Vintage Racers.
The Spotlighted race of the evening was a twenty-five lap Super Street presentation. Starting on the pole was the #27 of Barry Poulin. To his right was the #38 of Cody Buzzell. Starting in third was Bernie Dinsmore of the #3. When green flag racing began, Tasha Dyer of the #32 advanced quickly from fifth, passing Dinsmore for third by lap two. Ahead, Poulin was setting a fast pace for the pack, but Buzzell was tailing him looking for his chance to pass. His chance came during lap fifteen when Poulin went high, opening the door for Buzzell. During lap sixteen, Buzzell and Poulin raced head to head, until Buzzell accelerated and passed Poulin on the inside coming out of turn two for the lead. Dyer, sticking close to Buzzell, also passed Poulin for second.
Local Stars Looking to Make Noise at Thunder Road on Sunday. (Alan Ward Photo)
Barre, VT—With the 18th running of the Merchants Bank 150 rescheduled for Sunday May 8, there are plenty of local race teams with hopes of carrying the checkered flag around the high banked ¼ mile oval. The American Canadian Tour (ACT) race is expecting well over 40 Late Models trying to qualify for just 26 starting spots at the “Nation’s Site of Excitement”.
Hinesburg, VT’s Bobby Therrien currently holds the top spot in the ACT Points Championship race, with defending three-time Champion Wayne Helliwell, Jr. just 2 points behind. Barre’s Nick Sweet, Emily Packard of Berlin, VT and Jimmy Hebert of Williamstown, VT are all regular Competitors on the ACT Tour who started their racing careers at Thunder Road. Of this group, Sweet has had the most success earning the “King of the Road“ title in 2010, 2012, and finishing as the runner-up in 2015, to go along with his four feature victories last season. The 21 year-old Hebert has also won a track Championship on the high banks, claiming the Flying Tiger Sportsman Division in 2009, and the 19 year-old Packard who finished fourth in the ACT Points Championship last season would love to get her first ACT win at her home track.
LUCAS TOPS NAPA MODS IN BUSY OPENER AT WISCASSET SPEEDWAY
By Lisa and Rich Maguire
It was a beautiful Spring day last Saturday, and fans flocked to Wiscasset Speedway for Group two opening day. On the schedule were the Strictly Streets, Late Model Sportsman, Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Mini’s, Amsoil Nelcar Legends, and the Spotlighted race of the week, Napa Modifieds.
A forty lap Napa Modified feature race started off the action. Starting at the pole was 2015 Modified champion, Mark Lucas. Lucas set a grueling pace for the pack, running speeds in excess of 85 miles per hour. The #1 of Adam Chadbourne dogged Lucas’s heels throughout the beginning of the race, presenting a constant challenge for Lucas. Nick Reno of the #7 ran a close third, looking for his opportunity to pass. Reno’s chance came in lap fifteen. A race caution resulted in a restart. Reno started on the inside, and sped under Chadbourne, taking second. There was another caution during lap twenty-three. Reno tried to get a jump on Lucas at the start, but Lucas was able to power ahead and put a five car length lead between them within five laps. Lucas took the win. Reno placed second. Chadbourne finished in third. (more…)
Oxford, Maine — Shawn Martin of Turner charged around the outside of his Budweiser Super Late Model rivals, including reigning champion Timmy Brackett of Buckfield at the scheduled halfway point, and five laps later crossed under yellow and checkered flags to claim victory in a 30-lap headline race at Oxford Plains Speedway on Sunday afternoon.
Martin, who started sixth, was pulling away from all rivals when the race was cut short. Brackett and fellow Buckfield competitor Kyle Treadwell were second and third-place finishers, respectively. Rookie Super Late Model driver Josh Childs of Oxford posted an impressive fourth-place finish, and was gaining on frontrunners when the race was cut short.
Opening Day Budweiser Championship Series Super Late Model winner Glen Luce of Turner rounded out the top five after lining up behind three-quarters of his rivals on the starting grid for the 30-lapper. Dennis Spencer, Jr., of Oxford, led much of the early half of the race before finishing seventh.
By Lisa and Rich Maguire
WISCASSET SPEEDWAY PRESS RELEASE APRIL 30, 2016
Oxford, Maine — Shawn Martin of Turner charged around the outside of his Budweiser Super Late Model rivals, including reigning champion Timmy Brackett of Buckfield at the scheduled halfway point, and five laps later crossed under yellow and checkered flags to claim victory in a 30-lap headline race at Oxford Plains Speedway