By Lisa Maguire
It was a nice fall day last Saturday and fans came to see their favorite drivers race, knowing there was only one week left of the racing season at Wiscasset Speedway. On the agenda was the full lineup of both groups, and all divisions raced. At the conclusion of the races, drivers and Speedway staff and families gathered to celebrate the season, and awards were given to drivers and staff. The awards recognized Hard Luck, Improvement, Sportsmanship, and Best Average Finish. The Napa Driver of the Year was also crowned.
A quick straightforward race by the Thunder 4 division was first on the track for a fifteen lap feature. Starting in the pole position was the No. 31 driven by Leandra Martin. She was followed by Cody Tribbet of the No. 13 and the No. 5 of Ryan Chadwick. Tribbet passed Martin on the inside of turn one during lap two, taking first place. Then Chadwick followed suit and passed Martin on the inside of the back stretch of lap two for second.
The No. 20 driven by Dan Trask was moving up from behind. He passed Martin during lap four on the inside of turn four for third. Ahead of Trask, Tribbet and Chadwick fought for position. Then, on lap five, Chadwick pulled ahead on the inside going into turn four and took the lead. Leaders stayed the same to the checkered. Chadwick placed first. This was Chadwick’s third top three finish of the season, and his first victory. In Victory Lane Chadwick told his fans. “I’m looking forward to next year!”
Tribbet took second. This was Tribbet’s fifth appearance in Victory Lane this season. Trask rounded out the top three in third.
Next on the agenda was a fifteen lap Mini Truck race. Starting on the pole was Gerry McKenna of the No. 12. The No. 1 of Matt Curtis and the No. 68 of Roger Allard were behind him. There was action from the start with Allard moving to the outside and challenging Curtis for second. The duo raced around the track, each taking the lead for periods of time. Allard faltered during lap two, and Curtis maintained second.
There was a caution during lap two. On the restart, McKenna had his hands full holding off Curtis. Coming up from the back of the pack was Kris Knox of the No. 88. Knox moved to the outside and passed Allard for third. Still running on the outside beside Allard, Knox maneuvered his truck ahead and went to the inside and passed Curtis going three wide on the back stretch. Knox took second, and eyed McKenna ahead. During lap seven Knox saw a chance to take the lead, and passed for first on turn three. Allard passed Curtis on the inside of turn three for third. Knox took the checkered. This is Knox’s forth victory at Wiscasset this season. Knox said prior to race time that, “It makes a race fun and exciting when you are racing from the back. I start from the back today, but I think I have a top three truck here.”
McKenna placed second. This is McKenna’s sixth top three finish at Wiscasset. McKenna said, “We have had a great season here and I would like to thank the track. It has been a great time.”
Allard placed third. This is his third top three finish of the season here at Wiscasset Speedway.
A twenty-five lap caution free 4-Cylinder Prostock feature was next. Starting in the pole position was the No. 6 of Travis Dunbar. Behind him was Dave Patten of the No. 12 and Bob Patten of the No. 14. Dave Patten and Dunbar went head to head from the start, but by the time they were half-way around the track, Dave Patten passed Dunbar on the outside of the back stretch for first . During lap three the No. 54 of Kamren Knowles passed Bob Patten for third. Then the following lap, Knowles passed Dunbar for second. The No. 24 of Jeff Prindall passed Dunbar on the outside of turn two during lap five.
By the time lap five was completed, Dave Patten had sped ahead by nearly ten car lengths, and he spent the remainder of the race looking out his rear view mirror at the other racers trying to catch up to him. This was Dave Patten’s first victory of the season. However, he has a solid record of wins behind him with ten top five finishes. Prior to race time, Dave Patten said, “Today I am going for broke. The car is running really good, and I have even gotten some help from Jimmy Childs to get it to run even better. I would like to thank my sponsors Bill Dodge Auto and Westbrook Dairy Queen. I also want to thank the Jordan family and my crew Richard Thibeault and Tom Dore.”
Knowles placed second, making this his second top three finish. Prindall placed third. This is Prindall’s sixth appearance in Victory Lane at Wiscasset. Prindall said, “I feel very good about my fifth season. Mid-season it really picked up when we got the car figured out.”
The next crowd pleaser was a thirty lap Prostock feature. Starting at the pole was Adam Chadbourne driving the No. 28. Behind him were the No. 02 of Shane Lane and the No. 66 of Eric Allyn. When the green went down, car No. 0 driven by Billy Penfold pulled ahead of Allyn to take third. Penfold continued his advance up the track passing Lane on the inside of the backstretch during lap one for second.
Lap two saw the No. 72 of Charlie Colby move to the inside and pass Lane for third. Colby looked for his opportunity to pass Penfold. His chance came in lap four and he passed Penfold to take second. Colby turned his eyes to the head of the pack and chased down Chadbourne to take the lead during lap five, passing on the outside of turn four.
There was a caution during lap eight when the No. 17 of Gary Thorne caught fire. There was a scramble for position at the restart. Chadbourne and Penfold each struggled for position. Then Penfold passed Chadbourne on the inside of the back stretch and took second.
The No. 3 of Mike Orr was moving up from behind. During lap nineteen he moved to the outside of Chadbourne and the pair fought for third. Chadbourne held him off for nine laps. Then Orr saw a chance to pass Chadbourne on the outside going down the back stretch, and took third after a hard fought battle. Colby took first place. This was Colby’s first victory at Wiscasset Speedway this season. In Victory Lane Colby said, “I’m really happy Richard and his wife opened this place. I’d like to thank my crew, my wife, Chuck, Tyler, and Lexis.”
Penfold placed second. This is Penfold’s twelfth top five finish at Wiscasset. Penfold said, “I have been trying to show people that you can run a car inexpensively and still be competitive. Once you get the car going good, you just maintain it and we have been doing really good. I would like to thank my girlfriend, Diana, Oxford Auto Salvage, and my crew, Kim and Scott.”
Rounding out the top three was Orr. This was Orr’s forth top three finish at Wiscasset this season.
A twenty-five lap Outlaw Mini feature was next. The No. 7 of Darrell Moore had the pole position. Behind him were the No. 69 of Ryan Farrar and the No. 13 of Nate Tribbet. Off the start, Farrar dropped back. Tribbett passed him on the inside to take second. The No. 10 of Jimmy Childs followed the same inside line and passed Farrar to take third.
Childs moved to the outside during lap two, and passed Tribbet on turn two to take second. Childs continued his advance up the track, and during lap seven passed Moore on the outside of the back stretch for first.
During lap seventeen, the No. 2X of Rob Greenleaf passed Tribbet on the outside of turn two for third place. Race leaders remained constant until the conclusion of the race. Childs placed first. This was Childs sixth top three finish of the season at Wiscasset. Childs said, “When it goes good, it is really going good. It was nice being able to pass on the outside, it all worked out. It was a good finish- three wins this season. I’m happy with that.”
Moore placed second. This was Moore’s third top three finish of the season here at Wiscasset. Greenleaf took third. This was Greenleaf’s third top three finish of the season, despite having a wreck earlier in the season that prevented him from competing for the full racing season.
An action packed twenty lap Super Stock feature was next. The No. 3 of Bobby Mesimer started in the pole position. The No. 2 of Josh Bailey and the No. 48 of Dan Nessmith followed him. When the green flag flew, Bailey got a good start and passed Mesimer on the front stretch. During lap two, the No. 05 of James Osmond passed Nessmith on the outside of turn three to take third.
Coming from behind was the No. 87 of Chuck Colby. During lap four, Colby passed Osmond coming out of turn one for third. Colby pressed on and passed Mesimer on the outside of the back stretch for second. Colby chased down race leader Bailey and during lap nine, passed Bailey on the inside of turn three for first place.
During lap twelve Osmond passed Mesimer to take third. Colby, who thanked his mom and dad in Victory Lane, placed first. This was Colby’s first victory at Wiscasset this season. Bailey placed second. This was Bailey’s thirteenth top five finish of the Wiscasset season. In Victory Lane Bailey said, “It was a good race and I enjoyed it. I was glad to take second. I’d like to thank the Galley Restaurant and everyone who helped me out.
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Osmond placed third. This was Osmond’s thirteenth top five finish of the Wiscasset racing season.
Next on the schedule was a thirty-five lap Late Model Sportsman race. Despite two cautions, the race was quick and action packed. The No. 03 of Mike Orr started on the pole. Tyler Robbins of the No. 34 and Nick Hinkley of the No. 15 were behind him. During lap one, Hinkley passed Robbins on the inside of turn two for second. Then, Hinkley moved outside and passed Orr for first on lap one.
Robbins squeezed ahead of Orr for second just before a caution was called on lap two. On the restart, Orr passed Robbins on the inside for second. Lap five saw Robbins pass Orr once again for second. Then during lap nine the No. 04 of Allan Moeller Sr passed Orr on the inside of turn four for third. Moeller passed Robbins during lap seventeen on the outside of turn four for second. Then, the No. 32 of Nick Jenkins moved up the track and passed Robbins on the outside of the front stretch to take third.
There was a caution during lap thirty-one. Moeller attempted to pass Hinkley, but Hinkley managed to hold him off to the finish. Hinkley placed first. This is Hinkley’s seventh win of the season at Wiscasset. Hinkley said, “I think we had a great year. It helps when you have luck on your side too! We finally got the car to where we wanted it to be. I can’t wait until next year. This car is comfortable to drive- when it is right, it is right. I want to thank Willy, Jason, Craig, my father, the Galley Restaurant, Distance Racing, and Banana Banners.”
Moeller took second. This was Moeller’s fifth top three finish at Wiscasset this season. Jenkins placed third. This was Jenkins first top three finish at Wiscasset this season.
Last to hit the track was a twenty lap Strictly Street feature. Tasha Dyer had the pole position. Behind her were the No. 39 of Gerard Freve and the No. 1 of Mike Moody. Dyer sped ahead of the pack on the green. Moody raced head to head with Freve, and passed Freve on the inside of turn three during lap one for second. Moody chased down Dyer and passed her on the inside of turn two for first during lap two.
Lap three saw the No. 43 of Ben Erskine move ahead. Going three wide down the back stretch, and into turn three, Erskine shot through the middle of Freve and Dyer to take second. Dyer developed a mechanical issue and headed to the pits. The No. 09 of Ryan Ripley had advanced from his seventh place start, and he passed Freve on the inside of turn four for third. Ripley’s car got loose on the track, and during lap sixteen, the No. 33X of Steve Pierpont passed Ripley on the outside of turn two.
The No. 13 of Chuck Gray challenged Pierpont for third. Gray passed Pierpont, but lost his position during lap seventeen. Pierpont maintained his third place position. Moody went under the checkered taking first. This was Moody’s first victory at Wiscasset this season. This made his forth top five finish of the season. Moody must have been pleased with his first place finish. Prior to race time, Moody said, “We have been fighting some issues but have seen some improvements. We are just looking to finish today.”
Placing second was Ben Erskine. This was Erskine’s forth top five finish of the season at Wiscasset. Erskine said, “Car is running pretty good today. I like this place. I have only raced five times, but it has been very good. Coming back next year. I will probably make a few changes to the car. I want to thank my dad, Erskine Trucking, Bob, Riverside Quick Stop, J Motors, and J Diesel Gas.”
Rounding out the top three was Steve Pierpont. This is Pierpont’s first appearance in Victory Lane at Wiscasset.
After the races, there was a season celebration for drivers and Speedway staff and families. There were also awards for drivers and staff, and the Napa Driver of the Year was announced. An Integrity Award was presented to Adam Chadbourne. A Promoter Award was given to pace car driver, Bill Pierce. The Napa Driver of the Year was awarded to James Osmond. The Speedway tracked finishes this season, and a driver in each racing division was given recognition for the “Best Average Finish”. The Best Average Finish Awards were presented to: Kevin Sherman in Thunder 4s, George Fortin in Outlaw Mini, Jeff Schmidt in Mini Truck, James Osmond in Super Stock, Nick Hinkley in Late Model Sportsman, Billy Penfold in Prostock, and a tie for Strictly Streets between Guy Childs and Tasha Dyer. The New England 4- Cylinder Prostock gave an award to Jeff Prindall, as they were an independent racing group.
Wiscasset Speedway resumes racing action, October 5, 2013 with its “Fall Fury”. This is an open competition “run what you brung” event. There will be a full lineup of both divisions: Prostock, Thunder 4, New England 4-cylinder Prostock, Super Stock, Late Model Sportsman, Trucks, Mini Outlaw, and Strictly Street. There will be a one hundred lap Enduro race, and rules can be found on the Wiscasset Speedway website. Additionally, the Wicked Good Vintage Racers and the Nelcar Legends will race. There will be a $5.00 pit gate fee for Fall Fury, and all proceeds from Fall Fury will go towards purchasing an infield scoreboard for next season. Pit gates open at 7:00 AM. Grandstand gates open at 10:00 AM. Racing begins at 12:00 PM. Admission is $5.00 for adults and children aged seven and older. Kids six and under are free. Wiscasset Speedway is located on West Alna Road in Wiscasset.
WISCASSET SPEEDWAY OFFICIAL FINISH SEPTEMBER 28, 2013
THUNDER 4’S (15 LAPS)
1. #5 Ryan Chadwick, Wiscasset
2. #13 Cody Tribbet, Richmond
3. #20 Dan Trask, Chelsea
4. #31 Leandra Martin, Richmond
5. #04 Curtis Anderson, Richmond
6. #42 Kyia Roussel, NA
7. #1 Jeff Davis, Woolwich
TRUCKS (15 LAPS)
1. #88 Kris Knox. Sanford
2. #12 Gerry McKenna, Milton
3. #68 Roger Allard, Harpswell
4. #1 Matt Curtis, Freeport
5. #22 Jeff Schmidt, Mechanic Falls
6. #17 Matt Wile, NA
7. #69 Herb Farrar, Sumner
NEW ENGLAND 4 CYLINDER PROSTOCKS (25 LAPS)
1. #12 Dave Patten, Windham
2. #54 Kamren Knowles, Readfield
3. #24 Jeff Prindall, Lisbon Falls
4. #38 Ryan Hayes, Jefferson
5. #14 Bob Patten, Windham
6. #6 Travis Dunbar, Lewiston
7. #26 Cameron Folsom, NA
PROSTOCK (30 LAPS)
1. #72 Charlie Colby, Newcastle
2. #0 Billy Penfold, Oxford
3. #3 Mike Orr, Wiscasset
4. #28 Adam Chadbourne, Woolwich
5. #77 Steve Reny, Boothbay
6. #02 Shane Lane, Kingfield
7. #66 Eric Allyn, NA
8. #17 Gary Thorne, Sidney
OUTLAW MINI (25 LAPS)
1. #10 Jimmy Childs, Leeds
2. #7 Darrel Moore, Oxford
3. #2X Rob Greenleaf, West Bath
4. #13 Nate Tribbet, Richmond
5. #69 Ryan Farrar, Sumner
6. #20 Dan Trask, Augusta
SUPER STOCK (20 LAPS)
1. #87 Chuck Colby, Newcastle
2. #2 Josh Bailey, Wiscasset
3. #05 James Osmond, Wiscasset
4. #3 Bobby Mesimer, Woolwich
5. #1 Adam Chadbourne, Woolwich
6. #48 Dan Nessmith, Wiscasset
7. #47 Zac Creamer, Woolwich
LATE MODEL SPORTSMAN (35 LAPS)
1. #15 Nick Hinkley, Wiscasset
2. #04 Allan Moeller Sr, Dresden
3. #32 Nick Jenkins, Brownville
4. #34 Tyler Robbins, Montville
5. #28 Steve Minott, Windham
6. #03 Mike Orr, Wiscasset
7. #00 Alex Waltz, Walpole
8. #12 Jody Lewis, Boothbay
9. #3 Richard Jordan, Kingfield
STRICTLY STREET (20 LAPS)
1. #1 Mike Moody, Topsham
2. #43 Ben Erskine, Farmington
3. #33X Steve Pierpont, Cushing
4. #13 Chuck Gray, Wiscasset
5. #06 Zach Poland, Woolwich
6. #39 Gerard Freve, Buckfield
7. #99 Phil Main Jr, Trevett
8. #27 John Lizotte, Mechanic Falls
9. #2 Mark Murphy, Edgecomb
10. #09 Ryan Ripley, Waldoboro
11. #32 Tasha Dyer, Arrowsic
12. #66 Phil Main Sr, Boothbay