Speedway 95

EMMA LIBBY CAPTURES CAREER FIRST SPORTSMAN WIN AT 95

Sixteen year old Emma Libby of Glenburn led the first 13 laps of the 25 lap Darling’s Ford Sportsman feature at Speedway 95 Saturday night, but lost it to points leader Kris Matchett of Skowhegan on a lap 14 restart. As Matchett pulled away from the teen driver, Libby held on to the second spot until Matchett unexpectedly slowed on the 23rd lap. Libby was able to overtake him and cruise to her first win as a rookie in the division. Dean Clements of Brooks, making his first appearance since an early season wreck sidelined his activity, took second with Jay Robichaud of Eddington, also returning after several weeks away following an accident that seriously damaged his car, finished third. Fourth went to pole sitter Karl Stanhope of Hampden with Matchett limping home in fifth with a sick engine. Matchett won the division’s single qualifying race.

The Coca-Cola Sport-Four feature proved the old adage that “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over” is still alive when Zach Audet of Skowhegan stole the lead from Milford’s Garett Hayman on the backstretch of the final lap. Hayman had led the event from the pole, with Audet catching him by the half way point and riding on Hayman’s bumper. Hayman held off Audet’s advances until Audet ducked under him as the duo approached a slower car as they rounded turn two on the final lap. Hayman was forced to back off to avoid contact with the slower car, and Audet made the pass for the lead on the inside and drove on to his seventh win of the season. Hayman finished second, followed by Hudson’s Donny Silva in third. Fourth went to Jeremy Scott of Carmel with Ed Archer Jr. of Clinton finishing fifth. Dylan Street of Old Town and Audet won the division’s qualifiers.
In the Pepsi Beverage Company Strictly Streets, Jordan Pearson of Glenburn started the 25 lap feature in the 6th spot, but made his way to the front early, first engaging in a side by side battle for the lead with Cornville’s Matt Kimball. As soon as Pearson cleared Kimball, Harrington’s Alex Berry was at his side, challenging him for the lead in a battle that lasted for 10 laps until Pearson finally took the lead for good on lap 20. Berry stuck to his bumper, but was unable to pass him for the lead. Berry finished second with Kimball finishing third. Fourth went to Jeff Alley of Machias with Corinth’s Jim Bragdon in fifth. Holden’s Keith Ogden won the qualifier.

Brenton Parritt of Steuben led the 40 lap Late Model feature from the pole to the checkers and appeared to have an easy run going until a caution on lap 37, caused when John Kalel II of Orrington and Andrew McLaughlin of Harrington made contact and spun on the backstretch while running fourth and fifth. This event bunched the field up for a three lap dash to the finish. On the restart, Parritt again assumed the lead and was headed for victory, but his nephew, Wayne Parritt Jr., made sure he earned it. Parritt Jr. had started the event in the 12th spot, worked his way up through the field, and took the third spot just before the caution flew. On the restart, Parritt Jr. got by Lloyd Nickerson of Corinth, who had run second since the first lap. Once by Nickerson, Parritt Jr. got up beside his uncle on the final lap, but the elder Parritt was able to hold off his younger relative and post his fifth win of the season. Parritt Jr. finished second with Nickerson in third. Jim Robichaud of Orrington finished in the fourth spot with Corinna’s Paul White finishing fifth. Parritt and Kalel won the division’s heat races.

The Wicked Good Vintage Racing League made it’s second appearance of the season at the Speedway on night highlighted by a fireworks display sponsored by the Varney Agency of Bangor that wrapped up the evening’s activities. Keith Smalley of Warren won the 20 lap Hobby/Late Model division feature followed by Rosey Gerry of Lincolnville, Mark Thurlow of Lincolnville, Mike Willette of Winslow and Kevin Waterhouse of W. Paris. In the Late Model/Outlaw division, Ken Robinson of E. Machias picked up the win, followed by Kris Watson of Hermon, Scott Tucker of Winthrop, Norris Willette of Winslow and Donny Mehurne of Lincolnville. The qualifying races for the visiting vintage cars were won by Roger Raymond of Palmyra and Ken Robinson.