Many local race tracks are beginning to crown their 2023 track champions, but Wiscasset Speedway still has a handful of weeks left on their calendar. With that being said, the track extended an invitation for all local drivers to come try their hand at Maine’s biggest and fastest oval this past weekend. Saturday didn’t disappoint as over 75 drivers showed up to compete in 5 different divisions.
The night’s racing action kicked off with a 25-lap feature for the Sweatt’s Concrete Thunder 4 Minis. Ryan Stilwell took off with the early lead, but Michael Golding was quick to take over as both Ricky Austin and Zach Audet trailed closely behind. Austin took over on lap 5, but a mid-race caution on lap 13 brought the field back together. Zach Audet powered ahead on the restart and never looked back, securing the victory and further extending his point lead in the division. Ricky Austin and Michael Golding rounded out the podium.
Next on the agenda was the $3,000-to-win, 100-lap Invitational race for the Norm’s Used Cars Pro Stocks. 27 drivers showed up to compete and Josh St. Clair, Evan Beaulieu and Logan Melcher led the way over the course of three qualifying heat races. Josh St. Clair took off with the early lead over Evan Beaulieu, but multiple early-race cautions led to a start-stop effect for the first 20 laps of the race. The melee resulted in many drivers’ collecting damage, including Logan Melcher, Kevin Douglass, Dan McKeage, Jr., Nick Hinkley and Miller Buzzell, among others.
Once the field settled, Josh St. Clair powered ahead once again as Evan Beaulieu filed in behind him. After being caught up in multiple cautions and forced to the tail-end of the field more than once, Kevin Douglass maneuvered through the field, breaking the top 3 on lap 75. St. Clair maintained his command through 2 late-race cautions, picking up the victory and a nice $3,000 check. Evan Beaulieu and Kevin Douglass followed, rounding out the top 3.
Ben Overlock took off with the early lead in the 25-lap Wicked Good Vintage Racers feature. Addison Bowie took over at the halfway mark, but the leaders began to approach heavy lap traffic in the closing laps of the race. The top 3 were neck & neck as the laps began to wind down, but Doug Laleme was able to take control, picking up the victory. Ben Overlock and Addison Bowie followed, completing the podium.
Jack McKee dominated the heat race and continued his performance in the 25-lap feature race for the Brackett’s Market 4-Cylinder Pros, taking off with the early lead over Reed Reno. Ben Burgess was also coming through the field, breaking the top 3 on lap 8. A late-race caution brought the field back together and Jack McKee and Reed Reno went toe-to-toe on the restart. McKee pulled ahead with 5 to go and remained steadfast, picking up his second win of the season. Reed Reno and Ben Burgess rounded out the top 3.
The night concluded with a 30-lap feature for the Gosline Insurance Group Super Streets. It got off to a chaotic start with a lap one caution followed by another pile-up on lap 6 that collected James Osmond, Andy Kaherl, Brett Osmond and others. Jason Oakes got the upper hand on the restart but was struck with devastation as his car ignited on lap 16, ending his night prematurely. Josh St. Clair inherited the lead following the incident, pulling away on the restart. Another pile-up on lap 22 resulted in a late-race caution but Josh St. Clair maintained command, picking up his second feature win of the night. Bubba Pelton and Kevin Sherman rounded out the podium.
The racing action was red-hot on Saturday at Wiscasset Speedway and it’s only bound to continue as the track hosts their Group 2 Championship Night plus their 11th annual Amsoil Dominator Strictly Shootout on Saturday, September 30th. As always, admission is just $5 and the green flag flies at 4:00 pm!
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