This past Saturday, the competition rolled on at Wiscasset Speedway as the track hosted their second NEMA Night of the 2022 season, featuring the NEMA Lites but also including all weekly Group #2 divisions.
The night kicked off with a 25-lap feature from the Portland Glass Strictly Streets. Practice and the heat races took out two heavy hitters in the division: Chaz Briggs (wrecked in practice) and Kurt Hewins (wrecked in the heat). Both drivers unfortunately took a big hit in the point standings as they were unable to start the race.
Ashton Burgess held onto the early lead in the feature, but Josh St. Clair was quickly picking off the competition, breaking the top 3 by lap 12 after starting in the rear of the field. Mac Hannan, Jr took brief control of the lead on lap 15 but Josh St. Clair was at his door the following lap. The two drivers made contact on lap 19, sending St. Clair for a slide through turn 4. St. Clair held strong, taking over the top spot. Josh St. Clair was able to further extend his hearty points lead and power to his fifth feature win in the division in 2022. Mac Hannan, Jr. and Ashton Burgess (first podium in the division) rounded out the top 3.
Following out of car driver introductions, 13 drivers took to the track for the spotlight 60-lap NEMA Lite feature. Tiana Kibbe took early command of the race but was overtaken by both Joey Bailey and Kyle Valeri on lap 7. A spin on lap 23 brought the field back together but Joey Bailey maintained his advantage on the restart, pulling away with a hearty lead. Bailey extended his lead to a full straightway by lap 45 but second-place driver Kyle Valeri was quickly biting down that gap. The two leaders began to approach lap traffic in the closing laps, which allowed Bailey to distance himself from Valeri. He held strong through the finish, picking up his first NEMA Lite win of the 2022 season. Randy Cabral rounded out the top 3.
Jonathon Emerson took off with the early lead in the 40-lap Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Model feature. Trouble was brewing early for rookies Jett Decker and Brett Osmond, who tangled on lap 5. This led to a slew of cautions in the opening laps of the feature, but Emerson maintained command of the race as the dust began to settle. Will Collins began to chop into Emerson’s lead, taking over the top spot on lap 15 as Dave Farrington, Jr. (started back in 20th place) followed. A late-race caution for a spin on lap 29 brought the field together one final time. Will Collins held steady on the restart as Daniel Harding and Josh St. Clair overtook Dave Farrington, Jr. for second and third. Will Collins powered into the victory while Daniel Harding held off the defending champion Josh St. Clair, picking up his second runner-up finish of the 2022 season in the division.
The 88.5FM Modifieds followed with a 30-lap feature. Scott Trask powered ahead with the early lead but the multi-time champion, Adam Chadbourne, was quickly powering through the field. Chadbourne was on the move in the closing laps of the race, breaking the top 3 on lap 20. He quickly stole second away from Ryan Hayes, swiftly moving onto race leader Scott Trask. Chadbourne completed the pass with one lap remaining in the feature and held onto it, collecting his 67th career win at Wiscasset Speedway. Ryan Hayes rounded out the podium with his best finish of the 2022 season.
The Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Mini feature was shortened to 15 laps with single file restarts due to some unfortunate driving in the heat race. Bryan Robbins took off with the early lead in the feature as Jason Kimball followed. Jimmy Childs was at Jason Kimball’s door early, challenging for the runner-up spot as Kyle Willette rode his coattails. A caution on lap 10 for a spin brought the field back together but Bryan Robbins held steady, picking up his first feature victory of the 2022 season as Jason Kimball and Jimmy Childs rounded out the podium.
The excitement continues this Saturday, August 27th as all Group #1 divisions and the T&L Automotive Enduro Series return to Wiscasset Speedway. Doors open at 4:00 pm and the green flag flies at 5:00 pm. As always, adult grandstand admission is just $5 with kids 6 & under free!
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See you next time!
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