After another unfortunate rainout last week, Wiscasset Speedway finally saw some clear skies on Saturday, allowing them to host a full Group 1 racing program. Featured on the day’s schedule were the Gosline Insurance Group Super Streets, Davis Erector Group 207 Crate Modifieds, Brackett’s Market 4-Cylinder Pros, Kennebec Equipment Rental Thunder 4 Minis and one of the biggest Pro Stock races of the year, the $3,000-to-win BIW Shipbuilders 100.
Josh St. Clair and Nick Cusack won the qualifying heat races for the Shipbuilders 100, putting both drivers on the front row for the feature. St. Clair pulled ahead with the early advantage and remained composed as an early caution collected heavy hitters including Matt Beers and Reed Reno, among others. Kevin Douglass entered the picture on lap 30, swiftly taking over the top spot as St. Clair faded through the field.
Douglass maintained command until chaos broke out with 10 laps to go. Jamie Wright came to a slow on the backstretch, resulting in a caution. Nick Hinkley beat Kevin Douglass off the line on the restart, overtaking the lead for the first time. While battling for position, Austin Teras and Jamie Wright made hard contact in turn 1. Both drivers were able to drive away, but trouble was brewing as Austin Teras collided with Logan Melcher on lap 98. The two drivers ended up in the backstretch wall, resulting in an extended red flag. Race leader Nick Hinkley had already crossed the line at that point and race control deemed the race official. Hinkley picked up the victory while Kevin Douglass and Kelly Moore rounded out the podium.
Trouble presented itself on the first lap of the 4-Cylinder Pro feature as nearly half the field went around in turn 3, resulting in a caution. Jacobee Thacker led the charge on the restart but made contact with Chassidy Shorty on lap 11 while battling for position, resulting in both drivers being sent to the rear Jaxson Moreside took over the top spot and pulled away, maintaining his advantage through multiple late-race cautions. He sailed into his first career victory, followed by Jacobee Thacker (best career finish) and Max Parlin.
Ryan Robinson took off with the early advantage over Sean Johnson in the 30-lap Super Streets feature. Meanwhile, defending champion Bubba Pelton was powering ahead on the outside, taking over the top spot on lap 15. Melee ensued on lap 21 as Dan McKeage, Jr., Josh St. Clair, Noah Haggett and others tangled in turn 1, resulting in a late-race caution. Pelton maintained command on the restart, picking up the win over David Greenleaf and Ryan Robinson.
Multi-time champion Zach Audet had the rare opportunity to lead the field to green in the 25-lap Thunder 4 Mini feature. He pulled ahead with a sizable early lead over Michael Golding and Shane Webber and led the charge from green to checkered, picking up an impressive 61st career win at the speedway.
The night concluded with a 30-lap feature for the 207 Crate Modifieds. John Ricci took off like a rocket on the initial start and the field remained calm until Barry Poulin got bent out of shape on lap 5, falling to the rear. Ryan Phillips was all over Ryan Neal for the runner-up spot around halfway and the two drivers spearheaded a clean battle for the position in the laps that followed. Unfortunately, Ethan Guptill went hard into the turn 3 wall with just 3 laps to go, resulting in an immediate red flag. Thankfully, he was able to hop out of the car under his own power. John Ricci pulled ahead on the restart and never looked back, picking up another victory in the division. Ryan Phillips and Allan Moeller followed, completing the podium.
Wiscasset Speedway is hoping the good weather continues so they can keep the Group #2 season rolling along next Saturday, June 21st. The program, presented by Mainely Karting, will feature the Late Models, Modifieds, Strictly Streets, double features for the Roadrunners and the Senior Champ Karts from LST Motorsports Park. The green flag flies at 5:00 pm.
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Thank you for Jasen Dickey Photography for all featured photos this week. Check out his amazing portfolio here.
