The last weekend in August is widely known as the biggest race weekend of the summer in Maine. Even with the hustle and bustle going on at other local short tracks in the area, Wiscasset Speedway still drew in a hearty crowd for their Group 1 and Enduro program on Saturday.
The night’s action kicked off with a 30-lap spotlight feature for the Brackett’s Market 4-Cylinder Pros. While Jacobee Thacker took off with the early advantage, defending champion Ben Burgess was quickly making his way through the field. Burgess got the upper hand following an early-race restart, catapulting to the lead. Division rookie, John Ricci, began to come to life at the midpoint of the race. He made his way to Burgess’ inside door on lap 15, challenging for the top spot. Ricci briefly took over but lost the lead to Burgess following a late-race restart. While battling for position with just 3 laps to go, Ricci lost control and spun around, resulting in a caution. While Ben Burgess pulled away from Jaxson Moreside in the closing laps of the race for the victory, John Ricci made his way back through the field, completing the podium.
Nick Morton held early command of the 30-lap feature for the Gosline Insurance Group Super Streets. Jason Oakes was also on the move early, clearing Andy Kaherl for second on lap 9 as July “Driver of the Month” Bubba Pelton followed in succession. A mid-race caution brought the field back together and Morton maintained command on the restart while Bubba Pelton maneuvered into the runner-up spot over Jason Oakes. While Morton pulled out to a full straightaway lead in the closing laps of the race, Bubba Pelton and Jason Oakes put on a good battle for second. Pelton finally cleared Oakes with two laps to go, securing the runner-up spot behind Nick Morton, who became the first two-time winner of the season in the highly competitive Super Streets.
Kyle Willette powered to the early lead in the 25-lap Thunder 4 Mini feature while a gaggle of cars behind him battled it out for the runner-up spot. Zach Audet won the battle for second and continued his pursuit in the coming laps, making his way to Kyle Willette’s door on lap 8. Spencer Sweatt joined shortly thereafter, making it a 3-way battle for the top spot. After battling it out for a handful of laps, Audet pulled ahead with the advantage on lap 15. He sailed into the victory while Kyle Willette and Spencer Sweatt rounded out the top 3.
Nick Calvert took off with a sizable early lead in the Norms Used Cars Pro Stocks’ 40-lap feature. Trouble was brewing early as Matt Beers backed into the turn 1 wall on lap 8, which resulted in a brief red flag. Nick Hinkley powered around Nick Calvert on the restart, taking over the top spot. Hinkley extended his lead to a full straightaway in the closing 10 laps of the race, which is where Dan McKeage, Jr. entered the fray. He made his way into the top 3 with just 8 laps to go and continued his pursuit as the laps wound down, overtaking Logan Melcher for the runner-up spot. Hinkley’s win was impactful because it tied him with Dan McKeage, Jr. for the points lead in the division. If the season were to end today, Hinkley would be crowned the division champion based off of wins. It’s going to be interesting seeing how the points battle evolves in the closing laps of the season for the division.
The night concluded with the second Enduro race of the season, which is a 100-lap battle of attrition for non-weekly drivers only. The rules of the race are simple: you cannot be a weekly driver at Wiscasset Speedway, cautions only stop the race when there is a major accident and if you exit the track, you will be eliminated from the competition. Kyle Dorey and Ben Audet were the only 2 drivers to complete all 100 laps, with Dorey beating Audet to the line for the win. Irving Doughty followed, rounding out the top 3.
Team Wiscasset is now looking forward to their biggest racing spectacle of the season: the Boss Hogg 150! The action-packed 2-day event will begin on Saturday, with the Late Models, T&L Automotive Modifieds, Roadrunners and N.E. Dwarf Cars hitting the asphalt. The green flag flies at 5:00 on Saturday.
The weekend will conclude with the $15,000 to win Boss Hogg 150 on Sunday, September 1st. The day’s program, which is presented by Thurlow’s Car & Truck Service, will include the Strictly Streets, NEMA Midgets and NEMA Lites in addition to the Pro Stocks.
The racing action kicks off at 2:00 pm on Sunday and as always, adult admission is just $5.
See you there!
As always, thank you to Jasen Dickey Photography for all featured photos this week. Check out his awesome portfolio here!
