Wiscasset Speedway went under the lights for the first time this season on Saturday, hosting the second week of Group 1 competition. The loaded program included the Sweatt’s Concrete Thunder 4 Minis, Norm’s Used Car Pro Stocks, Brackett’s Market 4 Cylinder Pros, Gosline Insurance Super Streets and the Wicked Good Outlaws/Late Models.
The Thunder 4 Minis kicked off the program with their spotlight 35-lap feature. Michael Golding took off with the early lead but Zach Audet was on the charge early, breaking the top five on lap 3 after starting at the tail-end of the field. A couple of early-race cautions brought the field back together in the opening laps and Mickey Landry took advantage, taking over the top spot as Golding began to descend through the field. Zach Audet was all over Landry’s back bumper in the coming laps, waiting to strike. Audet took the reins on lap 11, leading a 4-car breakaway at the front of the field. He held off his competitors through the remainder of the feature, picking up his second consecutive win in the division. Mickey Landry, Jr. and Derek Cook rounded out the podium.
There was a frightening incident on lap 1 of the Wicked Good Outlaw feature which involved Marco Gilbert, Kevin Sherman and Doug Picard. The three drivers tangled in turn 1 and Sherman ultimately ended up on his roof. The race was immediately red flagged, and all 3 drivers miraculously walked away from the carnage. Following the accident, 2 drivers were left on the track. The race was then reduced to 10 laps and Paul Soquette and James Osmond put on a show for the fans. Soquette picked up the victory, scoring his first career win at Wiscasset Speedway.
After winning his qualifying heat race, Nick Calvert led the charge in the 40-lap Pro Stock feature. Logan Melcher was on his toes, pulling to Calvert’s door on lap 10 and ultimately taking over the top spot. Josh St. Clair was powering through the field behind the leaders, overtaking Matt Beers for third on lap 13 before stealing second away from Nick Calvert. David Getchell took a spin right behind the leaders on lap 25, collecting both Jamie Wright and Matt Beers. Getchell’s car subsequently began draining radiator fluid onto the track surface, resulting in a red flag.
Josh St. Clair took over on the restart, but trouble was brewing behind the leaders once again as Jamie Wright took a spin in turn 4 with five laps to go. This incident collected Andy Gilbert, Dan McKeage, Jr. and Matt Beers as well. St. Clair held strong on the restart and sailed into the victory, picking up the Pro Stock win on his birthday. Logan Melcher and Nick Hinkley rounded out the podium.
Dave Foster won the qualifying heat race in the Wicked Good Late Models and carried his success into the 20-lap feature as well, scoring the victory over Jim Kinney and Norman Judkins, who put on a barnburner for second place. Kinney beat out Judkins by .003 seconds at the finish line.
Jack McKee missed a shift on the initial start of the 25-lap 4-Cylinder Pro feature. The field stacked up behind him and both Josh Hall and Reed Reno’s cars were left with damage, resulting in a caution. All 3 drivers returned to the track for the restart and Josh Hall was on a mission, taking his competitors 3-wide for the lead. Hall succeeded in his attempt, pulling away with the top spot. Ben Burgess was on the move in the second half of the race, climbing up to third and challenging Reed Reno for second before retiring from the race early on lap 22.
Nobody was any match for Hall in the closing laps of the race as he sailed into the victory, picking up his second win of the season. Reed Reno and Jack McKee rounded out the top 3.
The night concluded with a 30-lap feature from the Super Streets where Maurice Young took off with the early lead over Bubba Pelton. Meanwhile, defending champion Brett Osmond dropped out of the race on lap 3 due to an equipment malfunction. Nick Morton cleared Bubba Pelton for second on lap 16 and began chasing down the leader. Rookie Noah Haggett was also on the move in the closing laps of the race, diving to Bubba Pelton’s inside and taking over third with just two laps to go. Nick Morton attempted a Hail Mary on the final lap of the feature, pulling to Maurice Young’s outside door to challenge for the top spot. Maurice Young held him off, picking up his first feature victory in 6 years at Wiscasset Speedway.
The win was momentous for Young as he is the most decorated champion (7 career championships) in Wiscasset history. The second-place finish was also Nick Morton’s first career top 3 and third place finisher Noah Haggett scored his first career Super Streets podium as well.
Saturday was a night of firsts for many drivers at Wiscasset Speedway we certainly hope to see more new faces in Victory Lane as the season rolls on!
Join Wiscasset Speedway on Saturday, May 13th for a full night of Group 2 racing action which will include the Late Models, Modifieds, Strictly Streets, Outlaw Minis and the flex Roadrunners division. Grandstands open at 4:00 pm and the green flag flies at 5:00 pm.
See you there!
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