While most short tracks in New England took the weekend off from competition with NASCAR in town, Wiscasset Speedway kept the train rolling on Saturday, hosting a full Group 1 program featuring the T&L Automotive Pro Stocks, Davis Erector Group 207 Crate Modifieds, Maine Army National Guard Thunder 4 Minis, County Truss -Cylinder Pros and the Darling’s Brunswick Ford Super Streets. Rain plagued the coast all weekend and affected Saturday’s program somewhat, forcing a rain delay during practice and a delayed start time. Regardless of the weather and other events happening nearby, there was still a good crowd on hand for the second and final “backpack giveaway” night of the season, gearing young fans up for back-to-school. L-R: Nick Hinkley, Trent Reed, Brad Babb & Allan Moeller, Sr.
The racing action kicked off with the 207 Crate Modifieds. Unfortunately, there was a pile-up in the qualifying heat race that collected Ryan Phillips, Travis Buzzell and Doug Phillips, with Buzzell being the sole driver able to continue on. Brad Babb won the qualifier and stole the lead away from Allan Moeller, Sr. on lap 1 of the feature. Babb maintained command and sailed away with it, picking up the victory while Nick Hinkley (following a last-lap pass) and Allan Moeller, Sr. completed the podium. L-R: Doug Degroat, Derek Cook & Jeff Farrington.
After picking up multiple wins over the course of the month, Ricky Austin was named the July Pepsi “Driver of the Month” prior to the Thunder 4 Mini feature. Sadly, he was met with misfortune at the drop of the green flag as Jeff Farrington was bumper from behind, collecting Austin in turn 2 and ending his day prematurely. Derek Cook and Doug Degroat battled it out for the lead once the field settled, with Cook securing the top spot just before halfway. Derek Cook went on to secure his fourth win of the season, as well as the points lead, while Doug Degroat and Jeff Farrington rounded out the top 3. L-R: Andy Kaherl, Trent Reed, Kevin Douglass & Kevin Sherman.
After a bad wreck in turns 3 and 4 left the #43 machine heavily battered just weeks ago, Kevin Douglass returned to the Super Streets to give it another go on Saturday. Not only did he top the speed charts in first practice, but he also went on to win the qualifying heat race over Dan Nessmith. Douglass led the feature race wire-to-wire, scoring an impressive redemption victory while Andy Kaherl and Kevin Sherman (who raced door-to-door with Josh Hall for the better half of the race) completed the podium. L-R: Steve Chicoine, Trent Reed, Logan Melcher & Kelly Moore.
Defending Boss Hogg 150 winner Logan Melcher, another driver who had suffered heavily in recent weeks with a DNF two races ago and DNS in the last race, was also on the road to redemption on Saturday in the T&L Automotive Pro Stocks. He won the qualifying heat race and started on the point in the feature – yet another race that went green to checkered with no cautions. He was able to fend off Steve Chicoine for the win, who was the only driver seemingly able to keep up with Melcher at the front of the pack. Meanwhile, Hall of Famer Kelly Moore powered through the field after starting dead-last, securing a solid third-place finish. L-R: Chassidy Shorty, Trent Reed, Jay Plummer & Max Parlin.
The night concluded with a 25-lap feature for the 4-Cylinder Pros. Brody Picard took hold of the field early and held onto it for quite some time before Jay Plummer swooped in, securing the top spot just before halfway. Picard gave it all he had to stay within the top 3 but couldn’t hold off a late-race charge from multi-time winners Chassidy Shorty and Max Parlin, who finished second and third, while Picard matched his career-best finish of fourth. It marked the second career win for Jay Plummer, who scored his first just weeks ago in the division.
Like a scene straight out of a movie, rain started to fall gently just as the final race concluded and drivers pulled to Victory Lane, making for another win for Team Wiscasset against the weather. Wiscasset Speedway will host another Group 2 program this Saturday, August 29th, which will include the third 100-lap Enduro race of the season. The green flag flies at 5:00 pm and as always, adult grandstand admission is just $5 while kids 6 and under get in for free. For the official track schedule, race results, point standings and more, please visit http://www.wiscassetspeedway.com.
