The final weekend in August is widely known as the biggest racing weekend of the year in Maine. At Wiscasset Speedway, this weekend serves as a tune-up for one of their biggest races of the year – the Boss Hogg 150. Nearly 100 competitors rolled into the pit area on Saturday, anticipating a full night of exciting Group #1 racing action.
The program kicked off with a 35-lap spotlight feature from the Sweatt’s Concrete Thunder 4 Minis. Derek Cook carried the momentum over from his heat race win, pulling away with the early lead in the feature. Zach Audet was quickly maneuvering through the field, breaking the top five on lap five after starting outside the top ten. Audet cleared Ricky Austin for the runner-up spot on lap 12 and began cutting into Derek Cook’s measurable lead. With just 10 laps to go, Cook’s lead was sliced in half by Audet. By lap 30, Audet was at his back bumper. It was a drag race to the finish for the two drivers, but Derek Cook was able to fend off Zach Audet, picking up his first career feature victory at Wiscasset Speedway. Thunder 4 Mini point leader and July Driver of the Month, Shane Webber, rounded out the top 3.
The Market 27 Super Streets followed with a 30-lap feature. Nicole Benincasa, who picked up her first heat win in a Super Street earlier in the day, took off with the early lead in the feature. She held steady through lap 6 where she was eventually overtaken by both Bubba Pelton and Matt Beers. While Matt Beers thrived, point leader Brett Osmond struggled throughout the day, retiring from the heat race early and later taking a spin on lap 19 of the feature. This allowed Matt Beers to put a significant dent in Osmond’s point lead. Bubba Pelton maintained his advantage over Jason Oakes and Matt Beers following a late-race restart, picking up his third win of the 2022 season.
After announcing his plans to run a Pro Stock in 2023, Daniel Harding picked off a heat win in the Brackett’s Market 4-Cylinder division. This pushed Harding into the point lead over multi-time winner Josh Hall. Harding continued to capitalize in the 25-lap feature, stealing the top spot away from Andy Kaherl on lap 3. Harding took off, extending his lead to a full straightaway by lap 12. A late-race caution brought the field together on lap 22 but Daniel Harding held strong, scoring his second win of the season in the division. Josh Hall and Ben Burgess rounded out the top 3.
Logan Melcher kicked his day off with a heat win in the Norm’s Used Cars Pro Stocks. He carried this over to the 40-lap feature, powering into the early lead. Kevin Douglass was on a mission behind the leader, breaking the top 3 on lap 6. Douglass cleared Jamie Wright for the runner-up spot on lap 10 and immediately moved onto Logan Melcher, promptly taking over the top spot on lap 13. Scott Chubbuck, returning to the track after multiple weeks off, was also on the move in the second half of the race, catapulting himself into the runner-up spot on lap 24. A caution on lap 37 brought the field together for a 3-lap shootout but Kevin Douglass held steady, picking up his fifth win of the season. Scott Chubbuck and Jamie Wright followed, rounding out the top 3.
The night concluded with the third and final T&L Automotive Enduro Series event of the 2022 season. 48 competitors took to the track for the 100-lap race and Josh Page was able to hold off Shawn McMorrow, picking up the big win.
Wiscasset Speedway is serving up even more excitement this weekend as they host their Labor Day Weekend doubleheader event, sponsored by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works. The weekend kicks off on Saturday with a full Group #2 program which includes the highly anticipated non-winners Late Model “Dash for Cash” event. Green flag flies at 5:00 pm on Saturday.
The weekend will conclude with the coveted Boss Hogg 150, which is now a $10,000 to win event. 2022 weekly regulars Josh St. Clair, Kelly Moore, Kevin Douglass, Nick Hinkley, Nick Reno and Logan Melcher are all on the entry list but visitors Ben Ashline, Trevor Sanborn, Garrett Hall and Wayne Helliwell, Jr. are sure to give them a run for their money! Heat races kick off at 2:00 pm and grandstand admission is just $5 for adults and free for kids 6 & under.
Come on by and help pack the stands this weekend at Maine’s fastest track! I hope to see you there!
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