What was slated to be a cold and dreary Saturday afternoon in Coastal Maine turned out to be a beautiful one, allowing for a full Group 1 program to go off without a hitch at Wiscasset Speedway.
The night’s racing action, presented by Mainely Karting, kicked off with a 25-lap exhibition race for LST Motorsports Park’s Sr. and Master Champ Karts. Both divisions raced simultaneously at once, with Jon McConologue sneaking into the early lead. Andrew Rogers was quickly making his way through the field, climbing to second in the opening laps of the race. Veteran Mike Ramsey followed his lead, joining the top 3 shortly after. Andrew Rogers fell back to fourth while battling lap traffic and Jon McConologue also fell victim as Parker Doucette and Mike Ramsey made their way to the top of the leaderboard. Mike Ramsey made a bold crossover move as the laps wound down, catapulting to the lead. Parker Doucette was all over him on the final lap, merely edging him out at the line for the overall victory. Jon McConologue followed, completing the top 3.
After winning the qualifying heat race, Jay Plummer powered to the early lead in the 30-lap spotlight feature for the County Truss 4-Cylinder Pros, presented by Pepsi. He maintained command through lap 10, where Adam Taylor took over following a restart. The tides began to change as a 4-car pileup resulted in a red flag just before halfway. This brought multi-time winner Chassidy Shorty into the picture, who made her way to second on the restart after starting dead-last. Adam Taylor continued to pace the field as the laps ticked off, but Chassidy Shorty remained glued to his back bumper. Shorty pulled to Taylor’s outside on the final lap and Taylor was unable to hold onto it coming to the checkered, resulting in a spin that collected multiple competitors. Chassidy Shorty sailed into the victory as Jay Plummer and Emmett Walker completed the podium.
Official race results for the 4-Cylinder Pros are still under video review and pending post-race technical inspection (engine check). Results are still unofficial as of now.
Longtime competitor Andy Kaherl held off the competition in the qualifier for the Darling’s Brunswick Ford Super Streets, picking up his first heat win of the season. He pulled to the early lead in the 30-lap feature while David Greenleaf quickly powered to second. Jason Oakes took a spin on lap 11, resulting in a caution. Kaherl and Greenleaf went door-to-door on the restart, battling for the top spot. Andy Kaherl held the advantage while defending champion Noah Haggett snuck in there, stealing away second. Kaherl was able to hold him off in the closing laps of the race, scoring his long-awaited first career win in the division. David Greenleaf followed, rounding out the top 3.
Brad Babb got a big jump early in the 30-lap feature for the Davis Erector Group 207 Crate Modifieds, pulling out to the lead. Following a heat race win, Ryan Neal shocked the crowd as he dropped out of the race on lap 6, retiring to the pits. While Brad Babb pulled away at the front of the field, a gaggle of cars battled it out for second behind him. Nick Hinkley took sole possession of the spot on lap 10, but defending champion Ryan Phillips was quick to his door as John Ricci lingered closely behind. After battling it out side-by-side for a handful of laps, Phillips finally cleared Hinkley with just 10 laps to go. John Ricci followed in succession, stealing third away. Ryan Phillips began to track down Brad Babb as the laps wound down but Babb held him off, sealing the feature victory. John Ricci followed, completing the podium.
Jeff Farrington powered to the early lead in the 25-lap feature for the Maine Army National Guard Thunder 4 Minis, but Derek Cook was quick to his door, challenging for the lead on lap 5. The two drivers collided but both saved it on lap 8, catapulting Shane Webber into the top spot. Cook was able to keep rolling but Farrington had a tire go down following the impact, forcing him to the pits. Derek Cook was back to challenge for the lead with 10 laps to go, taking sole possession of the top spot with just 7 laps to go. He held his own following a late-race restart, scoring yet another feature win. Shane Webber and Gregg Norton rounded out the top 3.
Shawn Knight and Nick Hinkley were deadlocked for the early lead in the 40-lap feature for the T&L Automotive Pro Stocks. Nick Hinkley powered ahead on lap 5 as Steve Chicoine also gained momentum, stealing away second. Behind the leaders, there was a heated battle for third just before halfway. Logan Melcher cleared the way, securing the spot on lap 20. After a solid showing all day, Shawn Knight dropped out of the field on lap 27, retiring to the pits. Just two weeks after pure devastation, an emotional Nick Hinkley sailed into the victory, making it his 35th career win at Wiscasset Speedway. Steve Chicoine and Logan Melcher followed, completing the podium.
The night concluded with a 25-lap feature for the Carver’s Driving Academy Crown Vics. Austin Hay pulled to the early lead, but Wiscasset Speedway veteran Brian Robbins began reeling him in, taking over the top spot just before halfway. Robbins sailed into the sunset from there, scoring a commanding win over Austin Hay and Kolby Wescott. The victory also marked a career milestone for Robbins, making it his 30th at the speedway amongst multiple divisions.
Saturday was surely an action-packed night of racing and Team Wiscasset will keep the momentum rolling into their next Group 2 program this Saturday, June 6th.
The green flag flies at 5:00 pm and as always, adult admission is just $5 while kids 6 and under get in for free.
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As always, thank you to Jasen Dickey Photography for all featured photos this week and our website partner, Kennebec Equipment Rental.
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