As the saying goes: “All good things must come to an end”. The same reigns true for the racing season in New England, and Wiscasset Speedway began their season wind-down on Saturday with their Group 1 season finale.
The racing action kicked off with a 25-lap feature for the County Truss 4-Cylinder Pros. Although Dylan Anderson won the qualifier, Chassidy Shorty was deemed the division champion simply by starting the feature. Anderson took off with early lead in the feature while Shorty methodically worked her way through the field, taking over the lead just past halfway as Anderson faded outside of the top 3. A red flag with just 7 laps to go brought the leaders back together, and while Chassidy Shorty pulled ahead with the advantage, there was a 3-way battle for second in the closing laps of the race. Chassidy Shorty took home the win, her 7th of the season, while Sam Fogg and Rowdy Romano rounded out the top 3. Shorty also became just the third female division champion in track history.
The 40-lap Pepsi spotlight feature for the Davis Erector Group 207 Crate Modifieds followed, with Hall of Famer Allan Moeller leading the charge early. There was a tight-knit battle up front from the jump, with Brad Babb stealing the lead on lap 11. Defending champion Ryan Phillips was on the move fast, overtaking the top spot just 2 laps later. Travis Buzzell also had good momentum rolling, breaking the top 3 on lap 17 after starting in the rear. Following a good side-by-side battle with Brad Babb, Buzzell pulled to second on lap 23. Doug Phillips took a spin on lap 27, resulting in a caution. Ryan Phillips pulled ahead once again as Travis Buzzell struggled on the restart, falling outside of the top 3. Phillips held steady as the laps wound down, securing the win while Brad Babb and Ryan Neal completed the podium. As announced at their second-to-last race, Nick Hinkley was deemed the 2026 division champion.
Josh Hall powered to the early lead in the 30-lap feature for the Darling’s Brunswick Ford Super Streets but Bubba Pelton took over on lap 9. Points leader David Greenleaf was also on the move mid-race, climbing to second just before halfway with both Noah Haggett and Chase Burgess on his heels. Noah Haggett cleared David Greenleaf for second on lap 19 as Chase Burgess followed in succession, but the two drivers made contact with just 5 laps to go, sending Burgess into the turn 4 wall. This resulted in a caution, and Noah Haggett was forced to restart at the tail-end of the field. Bubba Pelton pulled ahead on the restart and never looked back, capturing the victory. Kevin Douglass and David Greenleaf followed, picking up his first career division championship after a decade of trying.
Following some melee in the heat race, David Cook was a scratch for the 25-lap feature race for the Maine Army National Guard Thunder 4 Minis. Former champion Shane Webber also encountered mechanical problems during the heat, forcing him to start the feature in a borrowed car. Jeff Farrington held the early advantage in the feature, but Ricky Austin was quickly making his way through the pack, overtaking the top spot on lap 5. After capturing the lead, Austin pulled out to a sizable lead. As the laps wound down, Jeff Farrington and Shane Webber went door-to-door for second, lap after lap with neither driver giving an inch. Ricky Austin secured the victory while Jeff Farrington nipped Shane Webber at the line, finishing second. Webber, who finished third, was deemed the official division champion for 2026.
Nick Hinkley entered the 40-lap T&L Automotive Pro Stock feature with a slim points lead over Steve Chicoine. Hinkley started his day off just as he wanted, scoring the heat victory. He also took off with the early lead in the feature as heated battles ensued from second on back. While the competition went door-to-door for position, Hinkley pulled out to almost a full straightaway lead with just 15 laps to go. After battling it out cleanly for nearly the entire race, Steve Chicoine cleared Andy Gilbert for second with just 10 laps to go. Hinkley was long gone at the front of the field, scoring the victory and the division championship, an impressive 8th career division title for the driver. Meanwhile, Steve Chicoine and Andy Gilbert rounded out the top 3.
With the Group 1 titles now decided, it’s time for the Group 2 drivers to shine!
Chaz Briggs has already been deemed the division champion in the Strictly Streets, but the Sport Modified, Late Model and Roadrunner drivers are still waiting in the wings.
It will all come down to this Saturday, September 26th, which will also feature the coveted “Strictly Shootout” presented by Thayer Automotive. There’s more on the line than just the $500 winner’s purse, as the race winner will also receive an official event checkered flag, belt buckle, cowboy hat and pistol set. Multiple contingency prizes are also on the line, including halfway race leader, fastest car, hard charger, and the list goes on.
The green flag flies at 2:00 pm, and even for the marquee races, adult general admission remains just $5 while kids 6 and under get in for free.
Support your local short track and I’ll see you there!
As always, thank you to Jasen Dickey Photography for all featured photos this week, along with our amazing website partner Kennebec Equipment Rental, for their endless support — please continue to support those businesses who continue to support the sport we love!
