The 88.5FM WHCF Modifieds returned to Wiscasset Speedway on Saturday with a talented 10-car field. Week 1 winner, Ryan Ripley, was back in the field in addition to last year’s champion, Adam Chadbourne, who experienced some trouble in the season opener two weeks ago with a broken rear end.
Chadbourne began his rebound early, jumping to the lead in the qualifying heat. Tyler Robbins and Brandon Williams were battling it out behind the leader, making contact on lap 2 which sent Williams back through the field.
Ryan Ripley made his way to Bobby Mesimer’s outside door on lap 7, challenging for the runner-up spot before overtaking the position the following lap. Ripley tried to mow down Adam Chadbourne in the closing laps, but Chadbourne held him off for the heat victory. Bobby Mesimer rounded out the top 3.
Adam Chadbourne held strong through the start of the 30-lap feature, pulling away with the early lead. While battling for position, Allan Moeller, Sr. and Brandon Williams made contact on lap 2. This sent Williams sliding through turn 1, but he was able to save it and even moved up to third in the process.
Faith Cleaves took a spin on the front stretch on lap 18, resulting in a caution.
Adam Chadbourne held his own on the restart as Brandon Williams catapulted himself into the runner-up spot. Ryan Ripley was on the move, making his way to Williams’ inside door on lap 22 before promptly overtaking him for the spot. Ripley’s machine began smoking shortly after, but he didn’t skip a beat.
Ryan Hayes took a spin on lap 27, bringing the field back together for a 3 lap shootout.
Ryan Ripley took off too soon on the restart, resulting in the start being called off by race control. Due to a long-standing Wiscasset rule regarding restarts, rows 1 and 2 were swapped following the maneuver. This left two rookies, Brandon Williams and Bobby Mesimer, on the front row for the restart.
Bobby Mesimer jumped out to the lead as Brandon Williams and Ryan Ripley battled it out for the runner-up spot behind him. Ripley pulled ahead with the advantage on the final lap, then setting his eyes on Mesimer for the top spot.
It was a drag race to the line for Ripley and Mesimer, who remained door-to-door through the last turn. The finish was too close to call from an eye’s view, but race control deemed Ryan Ripley as the race winner. Margin of victory? .009 seconds. Brandon Williams (first career podium in his second ever start in a Modified), Adam Chadbourne and Brian Treadwell rounded out the top five.
Ripley pulled into Victory Lane in his still-smoking #09 machine following the exciting finish, celebrating his second victory in a row with a large group of family and friends. Rookies, Bobby Mesimer and Brandon Williams did the same, celebrating their first podium finishes in the division.
As the season rolls on for the Modified division, the competition continues to heat up! Who will top the podium next? Stay tuned to find out!
You can catch the Modified division again on Coastal 200 day – Sunday, May 29th. Until then, join us for more Group 1 racing action next Saturday, May 21st. As always, adult admission is just $5 and kids 6 and under are FREE. Grandstands open at 4:00 pm and green flag flies at 5:00 pm.
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