3,000 fans flocked to Wiscasset Speedway on Sunday for their biggest Pro Stock race of the year – the Boss Hogg 150. The annual race, which made its debut back in 1991, is named after Hall of Fame driver and owner “Boss Hogg” Dave St. Clair. The winner’s purse for the race is traditionally $5,000, but it was announced on September 3rd that it had doubled to $10,000. The track also “sold” laps at $25 a piece, which would go toward the overall total purse for the race. These sold out nearly a week in advance and sweetened the pot for all 30 competitors.
The Boss Hogg 150 was the second part of a doubleheader race weekend at the speedway, hosted by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works. The first day of competition featured a partial group #2 program which included the Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Models, 88.5FM Modifieds, T&L Automotive Roadrunners and the Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Minis.
Will Collins powered from sixteenth to first to win the caution plagued 40-lap Late Model feature over Dave Farrington, Jr. and Frank Moulton. Ryan Ripley quickly maneuvered through the field in the 40-lap Modified feature, picking up his fifth victory of the 2022 season. Nicole Brown took over the lead on lap 11 of the T&L Automotive Roadrunners feature and never looked back, securing her second win of the year. Kyle Willette powered ahead in the 25-lap Outlaw Mini feature, scooping up another victory.
The night concluded with a 20-lap non-winner’s Late Model “Dash for Cash” event, featuring all non-winners in the division that have raced 3+ races over the course of the 2022 season. Dave Getchell took command of the race on lap 5 after he and Chris Burgess took race leader Patrick Murphy 3-wide for the top spot. Two consecutive cautions on lap 5 brought the field back together and this time around, Chris Burgess came out on top. Burgess continued to hold off Daniel Harding and Jonathon Emerson, scoring the win and a hearty $600 check.
Sunday’s race program included the Portland Glass Strictly Streets, 88.5FM Modifieds, Sweatt’s Concrete Thunder 4 Minis and of course the Norm’s Used Cars Pro Stocks for the coveted Boss Hogg 150.
35 drivers showed up to compete in the main event including 2022 Wiscasset Speedway regulars Kevin Douglass, Josh St. Clair, Kelly Moore, Nick Hinkley, Nick Reno and Logan Melcher, among others. Visiting drivers included former Boss Hogg 150 winners Ben Ashline, Mike Hopkins and Trevor Sanborn. Other notable drivers competing on Sunday included Joey Pole, Max Cookson and Dave Farrington, Jr.
The day started out with Keith Drost picking up his first career victory in the 30-lap Street Stock feature over Kurt Hewins and Josh St. Clair. Zach Audet continued to lead the charge in the Thunder 4 Minis, picking up his fifth (this one a non-points) win of the 2022 season in the division. Adam Chadbourne rounded out the non-points program with another win in the Modifieds over his fiercest competitor, Ryan Ripley.
Boss Hogg 150 qualifying started out with four heat races, where the 6 top drivers from each heat would advance into the main event. JR Robinson, Kevin Douglass, Ryan Ripley and Garrett Hall won these heat races. This put JR Robinson on the pole for the main event. A consolation race followed, where the top 4 drivers would advance into the big show.
Devastation came on lap 3 of the consolation race as Miller Buzzell got hit from behind, sending him for a spin through turn 1. Logan Melcher had nowhere to go and was caught up in the accident, as well as Ryan Deane. Ryan Deane’s machine immediately ignited in flames following the impact, causing a frightening blaze. While the track safety crews made their way to the scene, track worker Mike Carlton quickly sprung into action, extinguishing the flames with help from Logan Melcher, who had safely exited his car. Once the fire was out, Ryan Deane emerged from the wreckage with assistance but was clearly shaken. Deane exited the track via ambulance and was quickly life flighted to Maine Med due to burns and smoke inhalation. Ryan is currently on oxygen and mending serious burns but stable according to an update from Elizabeth Deane. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Ryan Deane and his family as he enters his road to recovery.
Following the consolation race incident, the track announced that all drivers from the consolation race would be able to start the feature if their cars were ready for the drop of the green flag. Kevin Douglass maintained command throughout a heavily caution-plagued first half of the race that roughed up multiple heavy hitters including Josh St. Clair, Kelly Moore and Ben Ashline, among others. Kevin Douglass began navigating lap traffic on lap 92 but the race took a complete turn the following lap as Justin Larsen and Evan Beaulieu tangled in front of the leader, sending both drivers into the turn 1 wall. This crippled the dominant race leader Kevin Douglass, who was unable to avoid the fluids on the track and slid directly into the wreckage. All 3 drivers were fortunate enough to walk away from the incident but were left with heavily battered race cars. This shifted the race completely as Mike Hopkins took over the top spot.
Ben Ashline also met an unfortunate fate on lap 126 after climbing back into the top five. Ashline lost his right front wheel, sending him hard into the backstretch wall. This ended Ashline’s day prematurely, sadly ruining his chances of another Coastal 200/Boss Hogg 150 sweep.
Mike Hopkins was able to fend off Trevor Sanborn on the restart, taking full command of the race. Hopkins took off from there, extending his lead to a full straightaway with ten laps to go. Hopkins held steady, picking up his second career Boss Hogg 150 victory and a big $10,000 paycheck. After facing devastation in last week’s Oxford 250, the feature victory was the perfect pick-me-up for Hopkins and the #15 team.
Trevor Sanborn, Jamie Wright, Dave Farrington, Jr. and Joey Pole rounded out the top five.
The 2022 Boss Hogg 150 has now come and gone, but the excitement continues to roll on at Wiscasset Speedway. The track will host all group #1 divisions and the NELCAR Legends on Saturday, September 10th. Grandstands open at 4:00 pm and racing will commence at 5:00 pm. As always, admission is just $5 for adults and free for kids 6 and under!
Please remember to support your local short tracks and help them thrive for years to come!
See you next time!
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