SAUNDERS AND DEANE TAKE SPEEDWAY 95 LATE MODEL WINS
Two of the top winning drivers in the Dysart’s Late Models at Speedway 95 this season each added to their total Saturday night by picking up a win in a night that saw double features in the division. In the race held over from last week’s mid program rain out, points leader Andy Saunders of Ellsworth came from the 10th starting position to take the lead from Brenton Parritt of Steuben on lap 29, then raced Parritt side by side over the final two laps following a late race caution to cement the win. Parritt finished in second, followed by Bradley’s Dean Smart in third. Fourth finishing position went to Orrington’s John Kalel II with Ryan Deane of Winterport finishing in fifth. In the regularly scheduled 40 lap Dysart’s Late Model feature, Ryan Deane of Winterport wrestled the lead away from Duane Seekins of Stockton Springs at the half way point of the event and went on the post his sixth win of the season. John Kalel II of Orrington was the first to break from the pack behind the leaders and got by Seekins in the closing laps of the event to finish second, with Seekins coming home third. Andy Saunders of Ellsworth worked his way through the pack from a 12th place starting position in the caution free race to finish fourth, with Brenton Parritt of Steuben also coming from deep in the pack to finish fifth.
The Keystone Automotive Strictly Streets saw double header action Saturday night due to last week’s rain interruption, and the action was fast and furious in each race. In the make-up feature, 16 year old Matt Kimball of Cornville picked up his first win in the division by racing side by side with Jordan Pearson of Glenburn for the better portion of the event. Kimball and Pearson swapped the lead back and forth as the laps wound down, with Kimball edging Pearson for the win at the checkers. Pearson finished second with 17 year old Alex Berry of Harrington finishing third. Fourth went to Greg Pung of Franklin with points leader Shelby Kimball of Cornville finishing fifth. In the second feature of the night for the division, Alex Berry of Harrington was the winner after an exciting side by side battle with David Gray of Dixmont, who finished second. Third in the event went to Greg Pung of Franklin who raced side by side for position with fourth place finisher Shelby Kimball of Cornville, just squeaking by her at the line. Fifth place went to Jordan Pearson of Glenburn, who beat out Corinth’s Jim Bragdon by less than a car length at the finish.
In the Bangor Ford Sportsman feature, Kris Matchett of Skowhegan picked up his third win of the season after another close battle with points leader Kris Watson of Hermon. Matchett lead early then was run down and passed by Watson on lap 19 of the 25 lap event. Matchett didn’t back down after being passed, however, and fought back, nipping Watson for the win at the line. Watson finished second with pole sitter Joe Legere of Milford finishing third. Fourth went to Lindsey Young of Winterport with Mike Overlock of Franklin finishing in fifth.
Ted Ryder of Carmel added to his points lead by winning the 25 lap Sport-Four feature over Skowhegan’s Zach Audet, who finished second after battling for position in a five car group behind the leader. Jayson Bosworth of Cornville came out of the group in third, with Calvin Rose Jr. of Turner coming from the back of the pack after an early race spin to finish fourth. Bradley Dolan of Glenburn swapped positions within that group several times during the race and ended up fifth. Brad Bosworth of Cornville was the biggest loser in the group, as he fell from second to sixth in the final two laps.
Denis Burns of Carmel took charge of the Bomber feature early on and easily won the 20 lap race. Mark Lane of Newport finished second with Rick Gomm of Dixmont in third. Fourth went to Dustan Durrell of Newburgh with Trey Brown of Winterport finishing fourth. Bangor’s Scott Bonney faded late in the event to finish fifth.
Racing continues at Speedway 95 on Saturday, September 21 at 5:00, the first of the final two points racing meets for the season. After the final points race on September 28th, a special three day week-end in planned for October 4th, 5th and 6th. See www.speedway95racing.com for details under the “Christmas in October” tab. The event is dubbed “Christmas in October” as it will benefit the Toys for Tots program by allowing reduced admission prices on Saturday for any fans bringing a donation of an unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots charity. In addition to a full racing program, the Saturday program will also feature the annual Demolition Derby, rescheduled from an August rain out.