It may be hard to believe but the 2022 race season is already nearing a close at Wiscasset Speedway. The Group #1 divisions kicked off this season’s sendoff as they crowned their newest champions on Saturday night.
The action-packed program kicked off with a 25-lap feature from the Sweatt’s Concrete Thunder 4 Minis. Ricky Austin took early command of the race but two consecutive cautions on laps 5 and 7 brought the field back together and pulled multi-time champion Zach Audet back into the picture. Audet had made his way into the top 3 by the halfway point of the race but was hungry for more, making his way to the leader’s door on lap 13 before promptly taking over the top spot. Audet took off from there, extending his lead to a full straightaway by lap 20. He continued to lead the charge, picking up his sixth win of the 2022 season in the division. Bruce Hall, Jr. and Jeff Farrington rounded out the top 3. Wiscasset Speedway’s July driver of the month Shane Webber finished outside of the top 3 but was still able to maintain the point lead and pick up the championship in the division.
Kevin Douglass secured the championship in the Norm’s Used Cars Pro Stocks two weeks ago but still continued his dominance on Saturday as he won the heat race and led every lap of the feature. Douglass celebrated his six wins in Victory Lane with his friends and family while Josh St. Clair and Logan Melcher (runner-up in the points) rounded out the top 3.
Andy Kaherl took off with the early lead in the 25-lap Brackett’s Market 4-Cylinder Pro feature as rookie Reed Reno trailed closely behind. There was a two-car breakaway for the first half of the race, but Sylas Ripley closed the gap on lap 18, breaking the top 3 before moving onto Reed Reno for the runner-up spot. The two drivers made contact on lap 22, resulting in Reno taking a spin in turn 1. This led to a late-race caution and brought the field back together one final time. Sylas Ripley cleared Andy Kaherl for the top spot on the final lap and pulled away as Daniel Harding made his way to Andy Kaherl’s door, challenging for second. Once Ripley secured the win, it was a dogfight for the runner-up spot between Kaherl and Harding. Harding crossed the finish line with a .003 second advantage over Andy Kaherl, securing a second-place finish but more importantly, scoring the division championship.
At just twelve years old, Daniel Harding has cemented his rightful spot as Wiscasset Speedway’s youngest division champion in track history. He has a bright future ahead of him as he plans on competing in both the Late Model and Pro Stock divisions in 2023, growing and learning along the way.
The night concluded with the non-points $1,500 to win Super Street 100 featuring the Market 27 Super Streets. Matt Beers won heat race #2 and continued to impress in the feature, pulling away with the early lead over 2022 division champion Brett Osmond. Osmond laid back for the first 10 laps of the race before pulling the trigger on lap 11, pulling to Matt Beers’ door to challenge for the top spot. After a few bold crossover moves, Osmond took over the lead on lap 15. Brett Osmond continued to lead the charge as Kenny Harrison began to ascend through the field, breaking the top 3 on lap 35. Harrison continued his momentum for the next handful of laps, stealing the runner-up spot away from Matt Beers on lap 51. A mid-race pile-up brought the field back together on lap 56 but Brett Osmond held strong, pulling away from Kenny Harrison.
The leaders began to navigate heavy lap traffic with just five laps to go but Brett Osmond held his focus, fending off Kenny Harrison for the win. Bubba Pelton rounded out the top 3 and also took home an extra $100 in winnings thanks to Sue and Dan Walker, who gifted the prize money to the highest finisher (after technical inspection) in the race who also competed in last year’s 100-lap Beech Ridge/Wiscasset Super Street races.
Brett Osmond ended the 2022 season on a high note, following in his dad James’ footsteps as he picked up the division championship, Rookie of the Year honors and the biggest win of the season in the Super Streets. This definitely gives Osmond momentum going into the 2023 season, where he also plans on competing in the Late Model division.
The Group #1 division champions were crowned this week and it’s now time for the Group #2 drivers to shine as they wrap up their season on Championship night this coming Saturday, October 1st. The program will feature the Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Models, 88.5FM Modifieds, Kennebec Equipment Rentals and of course the Portland Glass Strictly Streets, whose night will be highlighted by the $500 to win Amsoil Dominator Strictly Shootout.
As always, grandstand admission is just $5 for adults and free for kids 6 and under. Grandstands open at 2:00pm and the green flag flies at 3:00pm. Come enjoy the program and help Wiscasset Speedway end out the 2022 points season on a high note!
Please remember to support your local short tracks and help them thrive for years to come!
See you next time!
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