Credit photos: http://www.petespicks.smugmug.com
By Lisa Maguire
Last Saturday at the Wiscasset Speedway was warm and sunny, with fans packing the bleachers to watch the group one division of racing. The evening air cooled just as the big lights of Wiscasset lit the track. Group one racing included: Prostock, New England Four Cylinder Prostock, Outlaw Mini, and Napa Super Street. The flex race of the week was a flagpole race, and there were spectator drags during intermission.
Starting off the evening’s action was a forty lap Prostock race. Starting on the pole was the #15 of Nick Hinkley. Behind him were the #39 of James Osmond and the #77 Of Maggie Ferland. During the opening lap, the #64 of Matty Sandborn passed Ferland on the outside of turn one, taking third.
Bill Penfold of the #07 headed to the outside and passed Sandborn on turn one during lap one. Penfold kept his eyes ahead and moved up the track looking to pass Osmond. Osmond and Penfold raced furiously for second. Osmond held Penfold off until lap twenty-three. Penfold completed the pass on the inside of the backstretch taking second.
The #9 of Dylan Turner passed Osmond on turn three during lap twenty-six, taking third. Turner then passed Penfold on the inside of turn three during lap twenty-seven, moving to second place.
There was a caution during lap twenty-eight when Penfold spun on the track. Osmond moved back into third place when Penfold went to the back. When racing action resumed, Turner got a good start and passed Hinkley for first along the outside. Hinkley stuck to the inside line and was able to pass Turner on the backstretch, once again claiming fist.
During lap thirty five, Turner once again moved to the outside to pass Hinkley. His car slowed and Osmond moved into second and the #01 of Joe Decker moved to third. Turner recovered and moved up the track. During lap thirty-six Turner passed Decker for third.
There was a caution during lap thirty-seven when Decker and Penfold made contact on the track. Decker spun landing in the infield, and Penfold went off the track on the corner of turn three.
With only two laps remaining, Turner passed Osmond for second on turn one. Turner attempted to take first, but was not able to complete the pass before the checkered.
Hinkley took the win. Turner placed second. Osmond rounded out the top three in third place.
“We have really struggled with the Prostock car since my first win,” said Hinkley. “May was full of problems. We had problems with the clutch, then the car was running badly and just not dialed in. Last Prostock race we broke a transmission during the heat race, then lost a second transmission during the feature. This weekend was the first weekend we were where we wanted to be. The car was dialed in. Of course, next race will be a different story because we will be starting from the back. I want to thank my crew: Frank, Willie, Colton, Jason, Thomas, and Joey. I would also like to thank my sponsors, including Ideal Portable Toilets, Greg’s Used Cars, and Home Seafood Market.”
A quick, straightforward New England Four Cylinder Prostock feature was next. Twelve cars lined up for a twenty-five lap feature. Starting on the pole was the #8 of Craig Dunn. The #38 of Ryan Hayes and the #7 of Chuck Harris were behind him.
Harris passed Hayes during the opening lap on the inside of turn one for second. Then, during lap three, Harris passed Dunn for the lead. Despite one caution during lap twenty-one, race leaders remained constant until race conclusion.
Harris placed first. In second was Dunn. Hayes took third place.
An action packed twenty-five lap Napa Super Street feature was next. Starting on the pole was the #1 of Adam Chadbourne. Behind him were the #8 of Kevin Morse and the #88 of Jamie Norton. The #38 of Chris Buzzell passed Norton on the outside during the opening lap, taking third. Then, Buzzell moved up the track and passed Morse on the inside of the backstretch for second during the same lap.
The #48 of Dan Nessmith passed Morse for third on the inside of turn one during lap two. Then the #2 of Josh Bailey passed Nessmith on the inside of turn two during lap two, taking third.
There was a caution during lap three when Nessmith spun on the track, and Buzzell and Bailey made contact while passing. Bailey spun round sideways on the track on the #04 driven by Zack Bowie T-boned Bailey on the backstretch. All drivers walked safely away. When racing action continued, Chadbourne was in first. Buzzell was in second. Moving up to third was the #61 of Shawn Austin.
During lap six Buzzell spun on the track. Austin moved to second and the #05 of James Osmond moved to third. On the ensuing restart, Austin and Osmond battled for second until lap eighteen, when a caution was called when the #6 of Travis Dunbar caught fire. Dunbar walked safely away.
The cars lined up for the restart, and when green flag racing began, Osmond passed Austin off the start for second. Austin and Osmond once again fought for second position. Then, during lap twenty, Austin had a chance to pass. Austin headed to the inside of turn three and passed Osmond for second.
Chadbourne claimed the win, making this his third first place win in Napa Super Streets this season. Austin placed in second. Finishing in third place was Osmond.
Coming into Saturday’s race, Osmond was point leader with 222 points. Osmond was second in points with 218. Dan Nessmith was in third place with 172 points.
Chadbourne said, “We have had problems with this car this season. For the past two weeks, myself, my crew, and family members have constantly worked on this car, putting in about 60-70 hours. It was worth it because everything came together for us tonight and we had good luck. It was also good to see the Napa Super Street class is getting built up. Tonight was the biggest field we have seen this season. I need to thank my girlfriend because she hasn’t seen much of me at all. I also want to thank Dave Brannon for the motor, my crew, and all of my sponsors including Mike’s Sidework and Stone Surface Cabinets and Countertops.”
Next on the track was a twenty-five lap Outlaw Mini race. Starting on the pole was the #13 of Nate Tribbet. Behind him were the #8 of Calvin Rose Jr and the #13X of Chris Blanchard. There were two cautions in the race before one lap was completed. There was a jumble on the track off the start, and cars were going three wide into turn one. Blanchard, the #06 of Ryan Glover, and the #9 of George Fortin all made contact. Glover went into the wall and rolled over, Fortin went to the middle of the track. Glover and Fortin were towed off the track and Blanchard went to pit row. All drivers walked safely away. The second caution came when Blanchard, who had come back onto the track, spun in front of the pit row exit. When racing action continued on the track, Tribbet was in first. Rose was in second. The #20 of Shawn Kimball moved to third.
Rose and Kimball raced neck and neck, each looking for second place. Kimball passed Rose on the inside of the backstretch during lap five for second. The #10 of Jimmy Childs passed Rose on the inside of turn two during lap six for third.
Childs looked for his opportunity to pass Kimball. His chance came during lap twelve, and he passed Kimball on the outside of turn one for second. Kimball slows, and smoke begins to roll from the car, so he heads to pit row with mechanical problems. Rose moved to third. Race leaders remain constant until the finish.
Nate Tribbet drove his K&G Auto Sales Honda Prelude under the checkered in first. This was Tribbets first top place finish of the season, and his third top five finish of the season. Coming into the race, Tribbet was third in points, with 174 points. Kimball and Childs were tied for first in points, each with 198.
Placing second was Childs. Rose took third place.
Post-race, Tribbet said, “I would like to thank my grandfather and my uncle for working on my car and getting it into the winner’s circle. The car was running good. It was good to see some luck go our way finally. I would like to thank my sponsors, including Maine Street Fuel.”
The flex race of the week was a ten lap flagpole race. The #42 of Pat Hinkley started at the pole and dominated the track. The #8 Ron Whitcomb and the #1 of Shawn Rines was behind him. Hinkley successfully held off Whitcomb and Rines the entire race to take the win. Whitcomb took second. Rines took third.
Wiscasset Speedway resumes racing action, June 21, 2014 with its group two lineup of divisions: Late Model Sportsman, Strictly Street, Thunder 4’s and Mini Trucks. The flex race of the week is to be a North East Pro 4 Tour. The Tour visited Wiscasset Speedway last year, and Brian Lancaster from Skowhegan was last years’ winner. Pit gates open at 2:00 PM. Grandstand gates open at 4:00 PM. Racing begins at 6:00 PM. Admission is $5.00 for adults and children aged seven and older. Kids six and under are free. Pit admission is $20.00. Wiscasset Speedway is located on West Alna Road in Wiscasset. For more information, head to the Wiscasset Speedway website at: http:www.wiscassetspeedway.com.
WISCASSET SPEEDWAY UNOFFICIAL FINISH JUNE 14, 2014*
PROSTOCK (40 LAPS)
1. #15 Nick Hinkley, Wiscasset
2. #9 Dylan Turner, Freedom
3. #39 James Osmond, Woolwich
4. #32 Mike Orr, Wiscasset
5. #77 Maggie Ferland, Auburn
6. #01 Joe Decker, Chesterville
7. #28 Adam Chadbourne, Woolwich
8. #11 Ed Trask, Turner
9. #64 Matty Sandborn, Westbrook
10. #07 Bill Penfold, Oxford
11. #26 Corey Morgan, Lewiston
NEW ENGLAND 4 CYLINDER PROSTOCK (25 LAPS)
1. #7 Chuck Harris, Bristol
2. #8 Craig Dunn, Strong
3. #38 Ryan Hayes, Jefferson
4. #24 Jeff Prindall, Lisbon Falls
5. #12 Dave Patten, Westbrook
6. #98 Kamren Knowles, West Gardiner
7. #35 Nathan McWilliams, Lewiston
8. #55 John Shorey, Alna
9. #9X Brooke Knowles, West Gardiner
10. #99 Cameron Folsom, Augusta
DNF
11. #2 James Bailey, Alna
12. #14 Bob Patten, Westbrook
SUPER STREET (25 LAPS)
1. #1 Adam Chadbourne, Woolwich
2. #61 Shawn Austin, Norridgewock
3. #05 James Osmond, Wiscasset
4. #48 Dan Nessmith, Wiscasset
5. #2 Josh Bailey, Wiscasset
6. #8 Kevin Morse, Woolwich
7. #38 Chris Buzzell, Madison
8. #88 Jamie Norton, Farmingdale
DNF
9. #6 Travis Dunbar, Auburn
10. #11 Cody Verrill, NA
11. #04 Zack Bowie, NA
12. #06 Zach Poland, Woolwich
OUTLAW MINI (25 LAPS)
1. #13 Nate Tribbet, Richmond
2. #10 Jimmy Childs, Leeds
3. #8 Calvin Rose Jr, Turner
4. #14 Matt Moore, Mechanic Falls
5. #19 Shane Kaherl, Jay
6. #53 Nick Bissell, Lewiston
DNF
7. #20 Shawn Kimball, Augusta
8. #9 George Fortin, Greene
9. #13X Chris Blanchard, Clinton
10. #06 Ryan Glover, Mexico
FLAGPOLE (10 LAPS)
1. #42 Pat Hinkley
2. #1 Shawn Rines
3. #8 Ron Whitcomb
*For official results go to www.wiscassetspeedway.com