Sunny skies and a cool coastal breeze made for the perfect race day on Saturday at Wiscasset Speedway. Over 60 drivers came out to compete in five different divisions as the program included the Portland Glass Strictly Streets, T&L Automotive Modifieds, Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Models, Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Minis and the flex Chestnut Auto Roadrunners.
The spotlight event of the night was a 35-lap feature race for the Strictly Streets. Dan McKeage, Jr. powered to the early lead over Landon Tapley, who scored his first career heat race win earlier in the evening. McKeage held the upper hand for the first half of the race, but his longtime friend and competitor Wade Kennedy was quickly coming through the field after starting back in 12th place. The two drivers squared up following a late-race restart on lap 22 and Kennedy took control of the lead as McKeage fell back a handful of spots. Wade Kennedy maintained command through multiple cautions in the closing laps of the race, picking up his second win of the season. Alex Cromwell (1st career podium) and Calab Emerson-Mains rounded out the top 3.
Steve Reno held the early advantage over his son Nick Reno in the 30-lap Modified feature. The father-son duo battled it out at the front of the field as multi-time winner Ryan Ripley made his way through the pack. An unfortunate racing incident on lap 10 resulted in Steve Reno and Ryan Ripley making hard contact in turn 3. This resulted in a red flag and neither driver was able to return to the track. Nick Reno pulled away on the restart and never looked back, securing the win and taking over the points lead in the division. Adam Chadbourne and Bobby Mesimer rounded out the podium.
Logan Odone led the field to green in the 20-lap Roadrunners feature, but Chip Farrington was making quick work of the field, taking over the lead early. Noah McGrath followed suit, clearing Odone for the runner-up spot on lap 7. Farrington held off the competition for the remainder of the feature, picking up the race win as Noah McGrath and Ken Turner followed. Following the completion of post-race inspection, both Chip Farrington and Noah McGrath were disqualified, and Ken Turner was deemed the official race winner.
Brent Roy took early command in the 40-lap Late Model feature, but 13-year-old Sylas Ripley remained glued to him, overtaking the top spot on lap 8. Ripley began to pull away, but Tiger Colby was swiftly moving through the field, breaking the top 3 by lap 25 after starting back in 15th place. Tiger Colby made quick work of Sylas Ripley on lap 28, taking over the top spot. He sailed into the sunset from there, picking up his third win in the last four races. Sylas Ripley and Brett Osmond followed, completing the top 3.
The night concluded with a 20-lap feature for the Outlaw Minis. Jason Kimball got the early jump over Jeff Farrington and it was no-contest from there as the field spread out fairly quickly and Kimball maintained a healthy lead. He picked up the victory, which was his first of the season, as Jeff Farrington and Kyle Willette rounded out the top 3.
Although the race season at Wiscasset Speedway is beginning to wind down, there is still plenty more racing action to come! All weekly Group #1 divisions and the flex Enduro division will return to the track on Saturday, August 26th for Hancock Lumber night. As always, admission is just $5 and the green flag flies at 5:00 pm!
Thank you to our website partner, Prime Cut Landscaping & Lawn Care, for all of their support!
Please consider donating to Chasing the Checkered as the website and Chasing the Checkered community are not monetized! All money donated will go directly back into the website and will cover monthly website expenses, promotional materials, traveling/gas costs and more. Thank you for your support!
