Darin Ripley Returns to Wiscasset Speedway and Triumphs

Apr 28, 2013 | Maine Race Tracks, Wiscasset Speedway

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WISCASSET SPEEDWAY PRESS RELEASE (APRIL 27, 2013)

Darin Ripley Returns to Wiscasset Speedway and Triumphs

By Lisa Maguire

It was a bright sunny day at the Wiscasset Speedway this past Saturday.  Race fans came out in force to enjoy the beautiful weather and cheer for their favorite drivers.  On the schedule this week was the division two racing group which included: Outlaw Mini’s, Mini Trucks, Late Model Sportsman, and Strictly Streets.  The flex race of the week was a 100 lap Enduro race.

When the Late Model Sportsmen came onto the track, there was plenty of action in the 35 lap feature.  No. 14, Bryan Robbins took the pole, and found himself in an immediate battle to retain his position.  Right behind him was Darin Ripley driving No. 09 and Steve Reno in the No. 8.  During heavy racing, Ripley watched for an opportunity to pass to Robbins.  During lap seven, his chance came when Robbins got loose on turn four.  Ripley roared up beside Robbins and passed on the outside, taking the lead.  Reno slipped to third and found himself holding off TJ Watson in the No. 04.

Watson, proving to be a force on the field, overtook Reno in lap 23, and continued to make his way up the track.  With four laps to go, Watson pulled ahead of Robbins in turn four. Watson went loose, but managed to pull it together for the outside pass and took second place. Robbins placed third.  Ripley, who had said he “hoped to get a top three win”, placed first.   After the race, Watson commented in the winner’s circle that “I’m happy with it, but second place is getting old.”  Watson has placed second in each Late Model Sportsman race at Wiscasset this year.

Nate Trippet, in the No. 13, started in the pole position for the 20 lap Outlaw Mini Feature.  On his tail was George Fortin, winner of the last Outlaw Mini race at Wiscasset.  The pair dueled for first from the start. Fortin’s No. 9 pressed ahead on the back stretch, only to be passed by Trippet again.  The two dogged each other until lap two.  Trippet faltered on turn three, and Fortin zipped by and claimed the lead.  Matt Moore in the No. 14 and Jimmy Childs in the No. 10 raced for third.  Childs, who had said prior to the race that he hoped for a top finish, was able to overtake Moore on turn two for third place midway through the race. Final finish was Fortin in first, Trippet in second, and Childs placed third.

Also on the roster was the Mini Truck feature.  No. 88, Kristopher Knox, was in the pole slot.  Jeff Schmidtt in the No. 22 made a bid for first. Knox was quick to pull away and was able to maintain a commanding lead throughout the race.  Coming up from behind was Ryan Farrar of Sumner and Kevin Oliver in the No. 28.  During lap two, Farrar scraped by Oliver in turn four on the inside for third position.  Farrar managed to keep the spot for the course of the race, and placed third.  Schmidtt placed second.  Knox, whose sponsors include Lance Fids Garage and Mal Pal’s Child Care, took first.   Knox said in the winner’s circle, “I have a blast here every time I show up!”  Knox was the winner in the last Mini Truck race at Wiscasset, making this his second first place finish of the season.

The spotlighted feature of the week was the Strictly Street 30 lap event.  On the pole was No. 26, Corey Morgan.  Morgan surged ahead, and despite a hungry pack of racecars trying to overtake him, he managed to hold onto his lead, and ultimately took first place.  This is Morgan’s second Strictly Street race at Wiscasset this year, placing second in the last Strictly Street event in his No. 78 car.

Chasing close behind Morgan was No. 5, Guy Childs.  Childs, a prior first place winner in Strictly Streets, was worried about the race.  He said before racing action began that he was, “thinking it was going to be a good day, but my flywheel has lost two teeth, and it might not be so good.”  Childs was able to hold onto second place, despite car trouble.  Starting from the back of the pack was Tasha Dyer in the No. 32.  During the heat to determine pole position, Dyer’s car took some damage when she was knocked off the track.  She was able to get it patched up in time for the feature.  Dyer wove up the track and eventually, with only three laps remaining, managed in turn one to pass car No. 39 driven by Jerry Freve, who finished fourth.  Dyer was the 2012 Champion in the Ladies Division at Oxford Plains Speedway.  Final result was Morgan in first, Childs in second, and Dyer rounding out the top three.

Finishing up the racing day was a 100 lap Enduro race.  Fourteen cars took to the track, determined to be the winner.  Early on, Ryan Chadwick in the No. 5 led the race.  He was followed by Randy Henderson and Amon Morse driving the No. 8.   Morse had engine trouble during lap 58, and he headed to the pits, bringing him out of contention.   During lap 60, Henderson, driving No. 3, got a flat.  He made it back onto the track, but was not able to recover his position again.   Moving up to second position was car 69 driven by Josh Bailey.  Lap 80 brought problems for the No. 5.  Chadwick lost his entire right front tire on turn four and went off the track.  Bailey moved to first.  Car No 1 driven by Jeff Davis moved to second, and Jacob Gagnon driving the No. 19 moved to third for the finish.

Wiscasset Speedway resumes racing action, May 4, 2013 with its group two lineup of divisions: Prostock, Superstock, New England 4-cylinder Prostock (formerly Allison Legacy cars), Thunder 4, and the flex race of the week will be a spectator drag.  The first 16 cars to register for the spectator drag will be able to compete in one lap races, with the winners facing off in a two lap challenge.  Pit gates open at 2:00 PM.  Grandstand gates open at 4:00 PM.  Racing begins at 6:00 PM.  Admission is $5.00 for adults and children aged seven and older.  Kids six and under are free.  Wiscasset Speedway is located on West Alna Road in Wiscasset.  For more information, head to the Wiscasset Speedway website at: http:www.wiscassetspeedway.com.

WISCASSET SPEEDWAY OFFICIAL FINISH April 27, 2013

 

STRICTLY STREET (30 LAPS)

  1. #26  Corey Morgan, Lewiston

  2. #5  Guy Childs Sr., Turner

  3. #32  Tasha Dyer, Arrowsic

  4. #39  Jerry Freve, Buckfield

  5. #13  Chuck Grey, Wiscasset

  6. #06  Zac Poland, Woolwich

  7. #66  Phil Main, Boothbay

  8. #56  Thomas Smith, Boothbay

 

LATE MODEL SPORTSMAN (35 LAPS)

  1. #09 Darin Ripley, Appleton

  2. #04 TJ Watson, Cundy’s Harbor

  3. #14  Bryan Robbins, Montville

  4. #8  Steve Reno, West Bath

  5. #5  Bill Pinkham, Wiscasset

  6. #7  Nick Reno, West Bath

  7. #27  Doug Coombs, Livermore

  8. #28  Steve Minott, Windham

  9. #03  Mike Orr, Wiscasset

  10. #33  Ed Tyler, Farmington

  11. #00  Alex Waltz, Walpole

  12. #34  Tyler Robbins, Montville

MINI TRUCKS (15 LAPS)

  1. #88  Kristopher Knox, Sanford

  2. #22  Jeff Schmidtt, Mechanic Falls

  3. # 14  Ryan Farrar, Sumner

  4. #28  Kevin Oliver, NA

OUTLAW MINI (20 LAPS)

  1. #9  George Fortin, Greene

  2. #13  Nate Trippet, NA

  3. #10  Jimmy Childs, Leeds

  4. #14  Matt Moore, Mechanic Falls

  5. #2  Greg Cummings, Augusta

  6. #44  Ozzie Cummings, Vassalboro

4 CYLINDER ENDURO (100 LAPS)

  1. #69  Josh Bailey, Wiscasset

  2. #1  Jeff Davis, Woolwich

  3. #19 Jacob Gagnon, Wiscasset

  4. # 3 Randy Henderson – West Paris  (-3)

  5. # 34 Cody Verrill – Woolwich  (-3)

  6. # 6 Brent Freve – Lewiston  (-15)

  7. # 74 Don Peavey – Woolwich  (-16)

  8. # 5 Ryan Chadwick – Wiscasset  (-20)

  9. # 17 Phil Main Jr – Trevett  (-40)

  10. # 8 Amon Morse – Northport  (-42)

  11. # 67 Chris Sweeney – West Bath  (-58)

  12. # 55 Kevin Sherman – Wiscasset  (-67)

  13. #21 Shawn Rines – Wiscasset (-81)

  14. #82 Chris Brawn – Wiscasset (-96)