The 2021 “Open Competition” series at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway concluded on Saturday night with triple 50-lap features from all three NASCAR Nite divisions. With Wiscasset Speedway having the night off, Jonathon Emerson, Mac Hannan and Dan Brown took the trek South to Scarborough, joining a stacked Wildcats field.
So far, Joe Morse has been an dominant force in 2021. But, with the official points season kicking off next week, the racing action is bound to get even hotter as the season rolls on.
The Wildcats competition kicked off with two 12-lap qualifying heats. Jonathon Emerson took off with the early lead as Mac Hannan and Ed Connolly battled it out for the runner-up spot behind him. Ed Connolly pulled ahead with the advantage on lap 3, then setting his sights on Emerson at the top of the leaderboard.
Cole Watson was on the move mid-race, going door to door with Mac Hannan for third on lap 6. Watson took over the spot on lap 8, but was unable to catch up to the leaders as Emerson took home his first checkered at Beech Ridge and Ed Connolly captured the runner-up spot.
Jason Gammon and Dave Cameron duked it out for the early lead in the second and final qualifying heat. Wade Kennedy was right on their tails, eventually advancing into the runner-up spot over Gammon on lap 3. He continued his pursuit just two laps later, pulling up to Dave Cameron’s door for the top spot. Kennedy pulled away with the advantage on lap 7.
Jason Gammon and Dave Cameron went door to door once again with just two laps to go, with Cameron beating Gammon to the line for the runner-up spot. Wade Kennedy scored the heat victory, which was his first of the 2021 season.
20 drivers took to the track for the 50-lap spotlight feature. Wade Kennedy took off with the early lead as Dave Cameron and Ed Connolly went door to door for third behind the leaders. Ed Connolly pulled away with the advantage as Dan Brown followed in succession. Brown continued his pursuit to the front on lap 5, challenging Ed Connolly for third. Dave Cameron’s early season woes continued as he came to a slow on lap 8, making the dreaded right-hand turn to the pits.
Dan Bernier was also plagued with troubles early, going up in smoke on lap 12 before heading to the pit area.
Jonathon Emerson tracked down Wade Kennedy on lap 15 and the two drivers ignited a head to head battle for the lead as Dan Brown advanced to third over Wade Kennedy. As Emerson and Kennedy continued to battle it out, Dan Brown had reeled them in by lap 20 and he was at their heels, hungry for the top spot.
Jonathon Emerson pulled ahead with a slight advantage over Wade Kennedy on lap 23. Dan Brown was still in hot pursuit, clearing Wade Kennedy for the runner-up spot on lap 27. Emerson maintained a slight lead over Dan Brown until Travis Lovejoy and Joe Morse tangled on lap 42 in turn 2, resulting in a late-race caution and bringing the field back together with just 8 laps to go.
Jonathon Emerson and Dan Brown remained deadlocked for the lead on the restart until Brown pulled ahead with just six laps to go. Brown maintained his edge over Emerson, sailing into his first career Wildcats victory at Beech Ridge. Wade Kennedy, Ed Connolly and Cole Watson rounded out the top five.
The Wiscasset drivers took no prisoners on Saturday night, with Brown and Connolly going 1-2 in the Wildcats and PJ Merrill taking home the Sport Series victory in his FIRST career start at the track. The addition of these drivers added to the excitement and provided some upsets that were spectacular to watch in person. It’ll be cool seeing which other drivers decide to try their hand at the Ridge in 2021!
You can catch the first week of the Beech Ridge points season next Saturday, June 5th. The racing action kicks off at 4:00 pm. Kids of ALL AGES are now allowed in the pits and grandstand admission is just $12 for adults and FREE for kids 12 and under.
Continue chasing the checkered and support your local short tracks! I hope to see you soon!
