The Brackett’s Market 4-Cylinder Pro’s continue to be a highly competitive division at Wiscasset Speedway. Drivers from the small but mighty division continue to improve every week, proving that they could very well be the future superstars of our sport.
The competition kicked off on Saturday with a single 10-lap qualifying heat. Taylor Lane took off with the early advantage over Ben Burgess, but Burgess wasn’t giving up without a fight. Burgess made slight contact with Lane’s back bumper on lap 6 before going for a spin on the backstretch, resulting in a late race caution.
Callahan Cox was all over Taylor Lane on the restart, hungry for the top spot. Lane was able to hold him off, picking up the heat victory. Daniel Harding rounded out the top 3.
Taylor Lane took off with the early lead over Callahan Cox in the 25-lap feature. Ben Burgess was also powering through the field early, advancing into the runner-up spot over Callahan Cox on lap 5. He made his way to Taylor Lane’s door on lap 7, taking over the top spot on the same lap.
While battling for position on lap 13, Taylor Lane and Callahan Cox made contact, resulting in Lane going for a spin in turn 4. Callahan Cox was determined to be the cause of the caution and was sent to the tail-end of the field while Lane was able to get her spot back.
Ben Burgess maintained his advantage on the restart, pulling away as Garrit McKee, Jr. and Josh Hall filed in behind him. Hall made his way to McKee’s inside door on lap 15, taking over the position the following lap. Josh Hall tracked down Ben Burgess in the coming laps, pulling to his outside door on lap 21.
After a solid showing all day, Daniel Harding took a spin on lap 22, collecting both Callahan Cox and Taylor Lane. Following the incident, Taylor Lane’s car ignited in turn 4, resulting in a red flag. The fire went out after a brief period of time, and she was able to drive off of the track under her own power.
Ben Burgess and Josh Hall remained deadlocked for the lead on the restart. It was a drag race to the finish, where Burgess beat Hall to the line by a nose to pick up his first career victory at Wiscasset Speedway. Margin of victory? .017 seconds. Sylas Ripley, Daniel Harding and Taylor Lane rounded out the top five.
Ben Burgess happily celebrated with his friends and family in Victory Lane, including his father Chris Burgess, who picked up his first career Late Model podium finish in the Coastal 200 last week.
After being a bridesmaid time and time again, Ben Burgess was finally able to break through on Saturday to pick up his first victory. Who will top the podium next? Stay tuned to find out!
You can catch the 4-Cylinder Pros again on Saturday, June 18th. Until then, please join us for a full Group #2 program on Saturday, June 11th. Grandstands open at 4:00 pm and green flag flies at 5:00 pm. As always, adult grandstand admission is just $6 and free for kids 6 & under.
Please continue to support your local short tracks and help them thrive for years to come!
See you next time!
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