Saturday marked one month since Group 2 divisions hit the track at Wiscasset Speedway due to unfavorable weather conditions but fortunately, it was the perfect night to get back in the groove of things. To make up for lost races, the program included makeup races for both the Late Models and Roadrunners in addition to the flex Carver’s Driving Academy Crown Vics.
L-R: Nick Morton, Jonathon Emerson & Will Collins. The night kicked off with the 40-lap makeup feature for the Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Models. It was a 3-way battle for the top spot early, with Will Collins pulling ahead with the advantage. Chaos ensued on lap 5 as Alex Waltz took a spin, Mark Lucas encountered mechanical trouble, and a pile-up collected multiple cars in turn 4. Will Collins and Jonathon Emerson went door-to-door on the restart, with Emerson pulling ahead with the upper hand. He maintained command through a mid-race restart, picking up the victory after blowing an engine in his last start. Nick Morton tracked down Will Collins in the closing laps of the race, securing a hard-fought second place finish.
L-R: Hayden Carver, Gavin Gerow & Nelsen Stevens. The 25-lap makeup feature for the Dale’s Cash Fuel Roadrunners followed, with Keegan Murray pulling ahead with the early lead. Gavin Gerow was quick to steal it away as Hayden Carver and Nelsen Stevens filed in behind him. With nearly 20 cars in the field, the leaders began navigating lap traffic just 10 laps into the race. Gavin Gerow held steady through the chaos, scoring the win over Hayden Carver and Nelsen Stevens. During the qualifying heat race for the Roadrunners second feature, a guest flagman appeared on the stand in Blake Bartlett – a dedicated race fan who you can catch at the race track every week, waving his personal flags in turn 1 and mirroring Chief Starter Dave Sturgis. Unfortunately, Hayden Carver was involved in a terrifying wreck in the qualifier, flipping in turn 1 before landing on his roof. Thankfully, the young driver was okay and walked away with minimal injuries. He even started the feature in a borrowed #99 car from the Glasier race camp, who showcased true sportsmanship during another competitor’s time of need.
Intermission brought the June Pepsi “Driver of the Month” honor as well as the Fisher Plows “Keep Grinding” award, which honors drivers that might not always be at the top of the leaderboard but always exhibit the racing spirit. Strictly Street competitor Chuck Wagstaff won Driver of the Month while Late Model and Pro Stock driver David Getchell was the recipient of the “Keep Grinding” award.
L-R: Leighton Marble, Shawn Emery, Mac Hannan, Jr. & Chris Burgess. Chris Burgess held the early advantage over Chuck Wagstaff in the 35-lap Pepsi Spotlight Feature for the Portland Glass Strictly Streets. A heated battle for third ensued in the opening laps of the race, with Mac Hannan, Jr. taking sole possession of the spot on lap 10. A multi-car pileup on lap 15 collected points leader Scott Eck, Dean Rice, Dan Trask and others. Chris Burgess pulled ahead on the restart while Mac Hannan, Jr. powered to second. Another caution on lap 17 resulted in Burgess and Hannan squaring up on the restart, with Hannan taking hold of the lead while Shawn Emery climbed to second. Mac Hannan, Jr. held off the competition in the closing laps of the race, becoming the first multi-time winner in the division this season. Shawn Emery and Chris Burgess followed, completing the podium.
L-R: Kevin Sherman, Wayne Ripley, Kolby Wescott & Leighton Marble. Kevin Sherman powered to the early lead in the 20-lap feature for the Carver’s Driving Academy Crown Vics, but Wayne Ripley was hard charging through the field, pulling to Sherman’s door. The two drivers swapped paint before Ripley took over on lap 6. Sherman took another stab at it as the laps wound down but Ripley maintained steadfast, becoming the fourth different winner in four total races for the Crown Vics. Kevin Sherman and Kolby Wescott rounded out the top 3.
L-R: Kyle Hewins, Leighton Marble, Adam Chadbourne & Faith Cleaves. There was another 3-wide battle for the lead in the opening laps of the 30-lap feature for the Creative Cleanouts Sport Modifieds. Kyle Hewins came out on top, but trouble was brewing behind the leaders as two back-to-back cautions created a pause in the racing action. Multi-time champion Adam Chadbourne remained glued to Hewins’ back bumper on the restart and made his big move on lap 7, powering to the lead on the inside. Chadbourne maintained his distance and rolled off into the sunset, picking up his 84th career victory at the speedway while Kyle Hewins and Faith Cleaves completed the top 3.
L-R: Gavin Gerow, Leighton Marble, Keegan Murray & Alyson Graffam. Keegan Murray pulled away with a measurable early lead in the second 25-lap feature for the Roadrunners. Jarody was under fire on lap 9 as a multi-car battle broke out for third. After battling it out for a handful of laps, Gavin Gerow took over the spot on lap 14. As Murray extended his lead at the front of the pack, Gerow continued his pursuit to the front, overtaking Jason Meservey for second on lap 19. Although Gavin Gerow began to cut into Keegan Murray’s lead, he simply ran out of time as the clock struck midnight. Murray took home the victory, his first at Wiscasset Speedway, as Gavin Gerow and Alyson Graffam rounded out the podium.
L-R: Jonathon Emerson, Frank Moulton & Chase Burgess. The night concluded with the second and final 40-lap feature for the Late Models. Although David Getchell pulled to the early lead, Brett Osmond was quick to steal it away as Chase Burgess followed in succession. Unfortunately, Nick Morton made hard contact with the turn 1 wall on lap 8, resulting in an immediate red flag. Chase Burgess took off with huge momentum on the restart, powering to the top of the leaderboard. Frank Moulton was also on the move, overtaking second from Brett Osmond before quickly moving onto Chase Burgess. Moulton made his way to Burgess’ door on lap 16, claiming the lead the following lap. Race #1 Jonathon Emerson was also on the prowl, stealing second away from Chase Burgess with just 10 laps to go. Moulton held off the competition in the closing laps of the race, scoring the win as Jonathon Emerson and Chase Burgess closed out the top 3.
Saturday night was jam packed with exciting racing action and twists and turns around every corner. Wiscasset Speedway will keep the momentum building as they host all Group 1 divisions plus the popular NEMA Lites and Midgets this Saturday, August 8th. The green flag flies at 5:00 pm and as always, adult admission is just $5 while kids 6 & under get in for free.
