The 88.5FM Modified division continues to grow substantially at Wiscasset Speedway. 14 drivers joined the field on Saturday for the 30-lap Spotlight feature.
Going into the night, Ryan Ripley had dominated the season, winning all 3 races in the division to date. He was hoping to pick up another on Saturday, as it marked the start of his birthday weekend. Yet, other veteran drivers like Adam Chadbourne, Allen Moeller, Sr. and Brian Treadwell were looking to knock him off his throne.
The competition kicked off with two 10-lap heat races. There was a 3-way battle for the early lead in the first heat. Wayne Whitten won the battle, securing the early advantage.
Brian Treadwell wasn’t giving up without a fight, challenging for the lead again on lap 4. The two drivers made contact that lap, resulting in both drivers going around in turn 4. The incident led to a mid-race caution and both drivers were sent to the rear for the restart.
Following a false start, the top two rows were swapped for the restart per Wiscasset rules. Mike Brown pulled ahead as Brian Treadwell and Tyler Robbins battled it out for the runner-up spot behind him. The two drivers duked it out for a handful of laps before Treadwell powered ahead on lap 9. Mike Brown held off Treadwell in the final lap of the heat, picking up the victory. Allan Moeller, Sr. rounded out the top 3.
Adam Chadbourne took off with the early lead in the second and final qualifying heat. Ryan Ripley was also on the move early, going from the rear to third in just 3 laps. He continued his pursuit in the coming laps, clearing Jeff Burgess for the runner-up spot on lap 5.
Ripley began to reel in Chadbourne in the closing laps of the race, but Chadbourne was too far gone at the front of the field. Chadbourne secured the heat victory as Ryan Ripley and Jeff Burgess followed, completing the top 3.
Brian Treadwell hopped out to the early lead in the 30-lap spotlight feature. Adam Chadbourne began slowly reeling him in, maneuvering his way to Treadwell’s outside door on lap 11. Chadbourne promptly took over the spot as Treadwell began to slowly descend through the field. Treadwell came to a stop at the pit entrance on lap 16, resulting in a caution.
Adam Chadbourne pulled ahead with the slight advantage on the restart as Allan Moeller, Sr. and Tyler Robbins went head-to-head for the runner-up spot behind him. The two drivers remained side by side until Moeller, Sr. powered ahead on lap 18.
Ryan Ripley’s day was cut short on lap 19 as he took a spin in turn 2, collecting both Mike Brown and Bobby Mesimer. The incident resulted in a late race caution and Ripley did not return for the restart.
Adam Chadbourne powered ahead once again on the restart. Matty Sanborn was on the move in the second half of the race, breaking the top 5 on lap 22 after missing the heat and starting at the tail-end for the feature. He pulled to Brandon Williams’ door on lap 24, challenging for fourth. The drivers made contact, resulting in Williams going for a spin. The incident led to another late race caution and both drivers were sent to the tail end of the field for the restart.
Adam Chadbourne held strong on the restart, pulling away from the competition. He sailed into the victory, snapping the uncharacteristic bad luck streak that kicked off his season. The win may be Chadbourne’s first of the season, but it’s the 65th career victory for the defending division champion.
Allan Moeller, Sr., Tyler Robbins, Ryan Hayes and Jeff Burgess rounded out the top five.
Will Adam Chadbourne’s good luck continue, or will Ryan Ripley come back with vengeance and reclaim his throne? Stay tuned to find out!
You can catch the Modifieds again on Saturday, June 25th. Until then, please join the track for a full Group #1 program and the NEMA Lites/Midgets on Saturday, June 18th. Grandstands open at 4:00 pm and green flag flies at 5:00 pm. As always, admission is just $5 for adults and free for kids 6 and under.
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See you next time!
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