This past weekend, the 350 SMAC Tour made its return to Maine’s fastest track for the highly anticipated Bentley Warren Classic. The 350 SMAC Tour brings the thrill of Super Modifieds to tracks across New England and Wiscasset Speedway was the home of excitement on Saturday night with an action-packed program that included both the touring series and all weekly Group 1 divisions. The race, entitled the “Bentley Warren Classic”, was the sixth event of the season and paid homage to the almighty Maine and Super Modified racing legend, Bentley Warren.
The racing action kicked off with a 25-lap feature from the Brackett’s Market 4-Cylinder Pro division. Andy Kaherl took off with the early lead in the feature and led the charge until lap 7, where he was overtaken by Sylas Ripley. Reed Reno, making his first start as a fourth generation driver at Wiscasset Speedway, took a spin on lap 20 in addition to Josh Hall. This resulted in a late-race caution. Sylas Ripley powered ahead on the restart, but chaos was erupting behind the leader as Ben Burgess made hard contact with Callahan Cox. The race ended under yellow-checkered conditions as Sylas Ripley took the checkered flag. Ben Burgess was penalized due to the late-race contact and Daniel Harding and Taylor Lane rounded out the official lap 3.
Following driver introductions, sixteen Super Modified drivers took to the track for their 45-lap main event. Kenny White took off with a hearty lead early, extending his lead to half a straightaway by lap 3. White began to approach lap traffic on lap 11 and while attempting to put Matt Merry a lap down, the two drivers made hard contact in turn 3. This resulted in a red flag and both drivers were lucky to walk away under their own power. The unfortunate incident catapulted Bobby Timmons into the top spot, who began pulling away from his competitors.
A red flag for a 4-car pile-up on lap 14 brought the field back together, but Bobby Timmons was able to maintain his advantage on the restart. He extended his lead to a full straightaway by lap 25 and began to approach heavy lap traffic with ten laps to go. Timmons held strong through the finish, picking up his second 350 SMAC Tour victory of the season and his first career win at Wiscasset Speedway. Dave Helliwell and Ben Tinker rounded out the top 3.
Bill Pinkham held the early command in the 30-lap Market 27 Super Streets feature. A pile-up at the tail end of the pack brought the field back together early, but Bill Pinkham held onto his lead following the restart. Bubba Pelton was also on the move early, overtaking Matt Beers for the runner-up spot on lap 7 before taking over the top spot on lap 10. Pelton held a full straightaway lead by lap 20 but began approaching heavy lap traffic in the closing laps of the feature. Pelton was able to maneuver through the pack, picking up his second feature victory of the season. Matt Beers and Bill Pinkham rounded out the podium.
Gunner Josselyn took off with the early lead in the 25-lap Sweatt’s Concrete Thunder 4 Mini feature. Zach Audet and Derek Cook tangled on lap 4, resulting in an early caution. Cook retired to the pits following the incident while Audet was forced to restart at the tail-end of the field. Zach Audet cut the field in half following the restart while Jeff Farrington powered to the lead over Gunner Josselyn. Zach Audet was still on the move and riding Jeff Farrington’s heels, quickly overtaking the top spot. Audet held off a hard-charging Shane Webber in the closing laps of the feature, scoring his third feature victory of the season in the division. Jeff Farrington rounded out the top 3.
The Norm’s Used Cars Pro Stocks rounded out the night with a final 40-lap feature. Logan Melcher took off with the early lead over Steve Chicoine, but Kevin Douglass was on the move early. Douglass began to blister through the field, taking over the runner-up spot on lap 9. He continued his pursuit in the coming laps, pulling to the lead over Logan Melcher on lap 12. Douglass extended his lead to a full straightaway by the halfway point of the race and never looked back, securing his fourth feature victory of the 2022 season. Logan Melcher and Kelly Moore followed, rounding out the top 3.
The 350 SMAC Tour was a wonderful addition to the racing program on Saturday, but the add-ons keep coming as the Wicked Good Vintage racers join the Group #2 program this coming Saturday, August 6th. Grandstands open at 4:00 pm and racing will commence at 5:00 pm. As always, grandstand admission is just $5 for adults and free for kids 6 & under.
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See you next time!
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Cover Photo Credit goes to the 350 SMAC Tour – Facebook.
