Wiscasset Speedway‘s 2022 season kicked off with a bang on Saturday as the track hosted their Group 1 season opener, featuring the Super Streets, 4-Cylinder Pros, Thunder 4 Minis and the Norm’s Used Cars Pro Stocks.
The Super Streets were the spotlight division of the night, but the Pro Stocks also brought excitement to the track as they closed out the show. Reigning champion Josh St. Clair and seasoned veteran Kevin Douglass were among the competitors that joined the field alongside some new additions from the now-defunct Beech Ridge Motor Speedway.
Nick Calvert, a former Legends and Sport Series driver at Beech Ridge, won a Pro Stock roller over the off season for a mere $100 after buying an entry in a car raffle put on by a fellow Beech Ridge competitor, Nick Cusack. Steve Chicoine, another former Beech Ridge Pro Series driver, also decided to make the move to Wiscasset for the 2022 race season.
The Pro Stock competition kicked off with two 10-lap qualifying heat races. Josh St. Clair, pulling double duty, took off with the early lead over Scott Chubbuck in the first qualifying heat. Nick Reno was also on the move early, quickly advancing up to third.
Reno continued his pursuit to the front through the closing laps of the heat race, challenging Scott Chubbuck for the runner-up spot. Chubbuck was able to hold him off as Josh St. Clair secured the heat victory.
Joey Peaslee spun his tires on the initial start of the second and final heat race, resulting in him falling victim to both Kevin Douglass and Nick Hinkley. Trouble was brewing behind the leaders as Brian Evenson took a spin on lap 2, resulting in an early race caution.
Nick Hinkley was all over Kevin Douglass on the restart, hungry for the top spot. The two drivers stayed glued to each other until Douglass broke free on lap 7. Kevin Douglass never looked back following the maneuver, ultimately scoring the heat victory. Nick Hinkley and Joey Peaslee rounded out the top 3.
12 drivers took to the track for the 40-lap Pro Stock feature, rounding out the Opening Day program. Kevin Douglass quickly cleared Josh St. Clair for the early lead and began to pull away from the competition. Nick Reno and Scott Chubbuck made contact while battling for position on lap 2, causing Reno to go for a ride through the grass in turns 1 & 2. Reno was able to save it as the field remained green.
Brian Evenson came to a slow on the track on lap 7, falling to the back of the pack before being waved off of the track.
Nick Hinkley made his way to Josh St. Clair’s outside door on lap 10, challenging St. Clair for the runner-up spot. As the two drivers battled it out, Kevin Douglass extended his lead to 1/2 of a straightaway and began navigating lap traffic.
Logan Melcher had a promising season debut but pulled into the pits with just ten laps to go due to a distributor wire failure. This led to a disappointing ending to an otherwise solid day for the #41 team.
As his competitors struggled to quickly navigate through lap traffic, Kevin Douglass was able to extend his lead by a full straightaway with just 5 laps remaining. He held strong through the finish, picking up his first feature victory of the 2022 season. Nick Hinkley, Josh St. Clair, Scott Chubbuck and Steve Chicoine rounded out the top five.
Kevin Douglass was all smiles in Victory Lane as he celebrated his win with his beloved family and friends.
The Pro Stock division is always highly competitive at Wiscasset Speedway. Kevin Douglass was able to capitalize on Opening Day, but who will be next? Stay tuned to find out!
The Pro Stocks return to the track on Saturday, May 7th, but don’t forget about next Saturday’s Group 2 season opener!
The Group 2 season opener is jam packed, featuring the Late Model, Modified, Strictly Street, Outlaw Mini and Roadrunner divisions. Grandstand opens at 1:00 pm and the green flag flies at 2 pm. As always, grandstand admission is just $5 for adults and free for kids ages 6 and under!
Please remember to support your local short tracks!
See you next time!
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