The last weekend in August is traditionally known as the biggest race weekend for Pro Stock Racing in New England. Wiscasset Speedway was no exception from this rule this past weekend as they hosted a full Group 1 race program, highlighted by a 50-lap race for the Norm’s Used Cars Pro Stocks. The night, presented by Hancock Lumber, also included the Brackett’s Market 4-Cylinder Pros, Sweatt’s Concrete Thunder 4 Minis, Gosline Insurance Super Streets and the flex Chestnut Auto Enduro Series.
4-Cylinder Pro drivers also participated in two feature races, as one was added as a make-up race due to many unfortunate rain outs this season. Josh Hall maintained command throughout the majority of the first feature race, but Ben Burgess dove to his inside with just two laps to go. The two drivers battled it out to the finish, where Burgess took the victory by a nose. Margin of victory? .015 seconds. Josh Hall got the upper hand in the second feature race, pulling away with a sizable lead by lap 11. He held onto the advantage following a late-race caution, scoring the victory over Ben Burgess and Reed Reno.
Rookie Matt Beers took off with the early lead over Chuck Colby in the 50-lap Pro Stock feature. Multiple early-race cautions led to start-stop conditions in the opening laps of the race and carnage for a handful of drivers, including Nick Hinkley, Kevin Douglass and Josh St. Clair. However, Matt Beers remained steadfast and confident at the top of the leaderboard, fighting off a hard-charging Dan McKeage, Jr., who was awarded July “Driver of the Month” honors earlier in the night. Logan Melcher also entered the fray on lap 35, putting the heat on Dan McKeage, Jr. as he challenged him for third. The three drivers put on a show in the closing laps of the race, but it was Matt Beers who took home the crown. He was emotional in Victory Lane, dedicating the win to his late friend, Darrell Hanson. Dan McKeage, Jr. and Logan Melcher rounded out the top 3.
Kyle Willette and Gunner Josselyn battled it out for the early lead in the 25-lap Thunder 4 Mini feature. Meanwhile, Zach Audet was making his way through the field, joining the battle on lap 10. Audet made a last-minute push with two laps to go, using a lap car to catapult himself into the top spot. He maintained command throughout the conclusion of the race, scoring his third win of the season in the division as Derek Cook and Kyle Willette rounded out the podium.
Keith Drost and Kevin Sherman spearheaded a heated battle for the early lead in the 30-lap Super Street feature. The two drivers tangled on lap 4, resulting in Jason Oakes taking over the lead. A mid-race caution on lap 11 brought the field together once again and Noah Haggett got the upper hand this go-around, taking over the top spot. He held strong in the laps following, picking up his first career win in the division as Jason Oakes and Josh St. Clair followed, completing the top 3.
The night concluded with the final Enduro race of the 2023 season. Kyle Dorey of Richmond won the race, successfully completing 100 laps and beating out Nathan Haley of Westport, who was the only other driver to finish on the lead lap. Irving Doughty of West Gardiner followed, rounding out the podium.
The 2023 race season is unfortunately nearing the end, but the biggest race weekend of the year is still to come at Wiscasset. Next Saturday and Sunday, the track will be hosting their doubleheader Boss Hogg 150 race weekend. Group #2 divisions hit the track on Saturday (Green flag at 5 pm), with the Boss Hogg 150, Strictly Streets and the NEMA Lites following on Sunday (Green flag at 2 pm). As always, general admission is just $5!
Photo credit for ALL photos this week goes to Steve Girard at SGirardPhotography. Check out his photos here!
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