The 2022 season rolls on at Wiscasset Speedway as the racing action continues to heat up! The excitement continued on Saturday as nearly 100 competitors rolled into the pit area for a full Group #1 program which included the T&L Automotive Enduros.
Among the Group #1 divisions were the Brackett’s Market 4-Cylinder Pros. Josh Hall has dominated the early season, as he entered Saturday as the only feature winner in the series so far. Both Ben Burgess and Daniel Harding were inching closer to their first win of the season, as both drivers also rounded out the podium in the first 2 races of the year.
The 4-Cylinder Pro competition kicked off with one 10-lap heat race. Garrit McKee, Jr. took off with the early lead in the heat as drivers went 3-wide for the runner-up spot behind him. Andy Kaherl won the battle for second, but Daniel Harding was quick to overthrow him before swiftly stealing the top spot away from McKee, Jr. Daniel Harding ultimately scored the heat victory, followed by Garrit McKee, Jr. and Andy Kaherl.
The 4-Cylinder Pros then rounded out the points racing portion of the night with a final 25-lap feature race. Garritt McKee, Jr. took off with the early lead in the feature, pulling away from his competitors.
Drivers were once again 3-wide for the runner-up spot early, with Sylas Ripley overtaking the spot. Ripley was all over McKee’s back bumper on lap 10, hungry for the top spot. Ripley maintained persistent, taking over the top spot the following lap.
While battling for position, Garrit McKee, Jr., Josh Hall and Callahan Cox all tangled on lap 13 in turn 1, resulting in a mid-race caution.
Sylas Ripley held a slight advantage over Ben Burgess on the restart. Garrit McKee, Jr. was also on the move once again, advancing to third on lap 17 after being involved in the earlier caution.
Ben Burgess began reeling in Sylas Ripley in the closing laps of the feature, finally reaching his door on the final lap. The two drivers remained side-by-side until Ben Burgess lost control on the backstretch, going for an untimely (and heartbreaking) spin.
Sylas Ripley remained resilient, emerging through the final turn with a healthy lead over his competitors. Ripley rolled through the finish line, picking up his first career victory at the speedway at just 12 years old. When he emerged from his car in Victory Lane following his win, he was greeted by a large group of family and friends celebrating the special moment with him. The group included one of his biggest cheerleaders, his dad, Daren Ripley. The Ripley family is synonymous with Wiscasset Speedway and Sylas Ripley sure is doing his family justice at such a young age!
Garrit McKee, Jr. (1st career podium!), Josh Hall, Andy Kaherl and Taylor Lane rounded out the top five.
You can catch more of the Ripley family as Ryan Ripley takes the wheel in the 88.5FM WHCF Modifieds next Sunday, May 29th. The race day action will include the Modifieds, Strictly Streets, Roadrunners and the Late Models for the infamous Coastal 200! Grandstands open at noon and green flag flies at 2:00 pm. As always, grandstand admission is just $5 for adults and free for kids 6 & under!
Please remember to support your local short tracks and help them thrive for years to come!
Until next time!
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