The Sweatt’s Concrete Thunder 4 Minis returned to Wiscasset Speedway on Saturday with a solid 23 car field. While David Cook was looking for a repeat, Dustin Salley was on the comeback trail, hoping for a win after being penalized 3 positions following the conclusion of the week 2 race. Zach and Adam Audet, two key players from week 1, were also back in the field on Saturday after sitting out from the second week of competition.
The Thunder 4 Mini competition kicked off with three 10-lap heat races. Gunner Josselyn and Ches Williams battled it out for the early lead in the first qualifying heat. Ches Williams took over the spot, but was quickly overtaken by another competitor, Jeff Davis.
Adreonna Dodge stole the runner-up spot away from Ches Williams in the closing laps and began to reel in Jeff Davis, but Davis was too far gone at the front of the pack. He ultimately took home the heat victory as Adreonna Dodge and Ches Williams rounded out the top 3.
Dustin Salley took off with the early lead over his Curt Dumais Racing teammate, Butch Keene, in the second qualifying heat. The two drivers quickly took off as the competition began to heat up behind them for third.
Drivers were 3-wide for third on lap 5, with Doug Degroat emerging victorious. By this point, Dustin Salley and Butch Keene held a full straightaway lead over all of their competitors. They took home the top 2 spots as Doug Degroat followed, completing the top 3.
Brandon Lizotte seemingly lost a shift on the initial start of the third and final heat, sending Shane Webber into the top spot as he lost a handful of spots. Meanwhile, Zach Audet was coming through the field, making his way to David Cook’s outside door on lap 4 as he challenged for the runner-up spot.
Zach Audet was giving it all he had, crossing over to David Cook’s outside before making his way back to Cook’s inside on lap 5. His son, Adam Audet, went for a spin on lap 6 after making contact with Josh Hall, resulting in a caution.
Zach Audet remained persistent, powering to the lead on the restart. This left Shane Webber and David Cook battling it out for the runner-up spot. The two drivers collided in turn 1 following the restart, but both were able to hold onto it without losing any track position.
Zach Audet held off his competitors over the remaining laps, picking up the heat victory as David Cook and Shane Webber rounded out the top 3.
Jeff Davis took off with the early lead in the 25-lap feature race. Dustin Salley made his way to Jeff Davis’ outside door on lap 3, promptly taking over the top spot. Trouble was brewing behind the leaders as David Cook made hard impact with the turn 3 wall on lap 4, resulting in an immediate red flag. Cook was thankfully able to walk away from the battered race car but reported that he was sore following the impact.
Dustin Salley regained control on the restart, but David Cook was hard charging through the field, going from 18th to second in just 5 laps. Cook dove to the inside of Salley on lap 6, quickly taking over the top spot.
Zach Audet made quick work of both Butch Keene and Michael Golding on lap 8, advancing to third. After a solid showing all day, Michael Golding retired to the pits on lap 12.
Zach Audet continued his pursuit in the coming laps, challenging Salley for third on lap 13 before overtaking him for the spot the following lap. Brandon Lizotte was also on the move in the second half of the race, breaking the top 5 on lap 15 after starting back in 15th. Lizotte began reeling in his teammate, Butch Keene, eventually taking over the spot on lap 22.
Adam Audet went hard into the turn 4 wall on the final lap of the feature, resulting in a yellow-checkered finish as David Cook crossed the finish line. Zach Audet, Dustin Salley (first official podium finish of the season), Brandon Lizotte and Butch Keene rounded out the top five.
David Cook continues to lead the charge in the Thunder 4 Minis, but Zach Audet and Dustin Salley continue to be heavy hitters with every passing week. Who will be next to top the leaderboard? Stay tuned to find out!
You can catch the Thunder 4 Mini division again on Saturday, June 4th. Until then, please join us for the infamous Coastal 200 next Sunday, May 29th! Don’t miss the biggest annual Late Model race in the Northeast! Grandstands open at noon and green flag flies at 2:00 pm. As always, adult admission is just $5 and kids 6 & under are free.
Please continue to support your local short tracks and help them thrive for years to come!
See you next time!
Please consider donating to Chasing the Checkered as the website and Chasing the Checkered community are not monetized! All money donated will go directly back into the website and will cover monthly website expenses, promotional materials, traveling/gas costs and more. Thank you for your support!
