The Norm’s Used Cars Pro Stocks returned to Wiscasset Speedway on Saturday with a few new faces in the field. While series regulars like Josh St. Clair, Kevin Douglass, Logan Melcher and Nick Reno returned to the track, other drivers decided to make their first appearances of the 2022 season. Those drivers included Garrett Hall, Wayne Helliwell, Jr. and 2021 Beech Ridge track champion, Gary Smith.
The Pro Stock competition kicked off with two 10-lap heat races. David Getchell pulled away with the early advantage over Chasing the Checkered driver, Logan Melcher, in the first qualifying heat. Nick Reno was also on the move early, pulling to Melcher’s outside on lap 5.
Reno took over the runner-up spot on lap 6 before quickly overtaking David Getchell for the lead. Meanwhile, Scott Chubbuck was quickly maneuvering through the field, advancing into the runner-up spot on lap 7. Nick Reno maintained his advantage throughout the remainder of the heat, picking up the victory over Scott Chubbuck and Logan Melcher.
Kevin Douglass and Jamie Wright went head-to-head for the early lead in the second and final heat. The two drivers remained glued to each other until Douglass pulled ahead with the advantage on lap 6. Douglass took off from there, scoring the heat victory as Jamie Wright and Josh St. Clair followed.
The Pro Stocks rounded out the night with a final 40-lap feature. Nick Reno powered to the early lead over Scott Chubbuck in the feature and the top 4 drivers broke away early.
Steve Chicoine took a hard spin on the front stretch on lap 6. Chicoine miraculously kept going as the field remained green. Trouble was also on the horizon for Jamie Wright, who made contact with Garrett Hall on lap 9 while battling for position. Wayne Helliwell, Jr., Kevin Douglass and Josh St. Clair all caught a piece of the carnage.
During the incident, Steven Chicoine wound up hugging the backstretch grass in attempt to dodge a spinning Wayne Helliwell, Jr. He sharply maneuvered back onto the track surface under yellow, making hard contact with Gary Smith. Chicoine was black flagged following the altercation. Gary Smith briefly returned to the track following the incident, but later retired to the pits.
Nick Reno pulled ahead with the advantage on the restart as Logan Melcher quickly powered into the runner-up spot over Scott Chubbuck. Garrett Hall followed closely behind, pulling to Melcher’s inside door on lap 14 before overtaking the runner-up spot the following lap.
Nick Reno held a half straightaway lead at the halfway mark and extended his lead to a full straightaway with ten laps remaining. He held onto this advantage through the remainder of the feature, picking up his first Pro Stock victory of the 2022 season. Garrett Hall, Logan Melcher, Scott Chubbuck and Josh St. Clair rounded out the top five.
Nick Reno was all smiles in Victory Lane, celebrating his win with a group of friends and family.
Reno snapped his bad luck streak this week, but who will be next to top the podium? Will Logan Melcher finally pick up the victory? Will Kevin Douglass claw his way back to the top? Stay tuned to find out!
You can catch the Pro Stocks 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 $5 and free for kids 6 and under.
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See you next time!
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