by Jay | Oct 26, 2011 | Maine, New England, Wiscasset Raceway
If mid-October’s turnout and the mood among drivers and fans provided any kind of litmus test as to the future of Wiscasset Raceway, then “Maine’s Biggest & Fastest” could indeed have a bright future ahead. Things have been quiet in the hills bordering Wiscasset & Alna for much of the summer. The once buslting racetrack had fallen quiet with a “For Sale” sign replacing the sign that would typically welcome fans each weekend. But on October 15th, thanks to a large and enthusiastic group of volunteers, the track came to life for one day and the result was astounding. Over 2000 fans & supporters packed the stands on the sunny & blustery autumn day to watch nearly 170 cars circle Maine’s fastest oval as a sign of support in a cause deemed “Save Wiscasset Raceway”. Local businessmen Tony True & Dale Chadbourne got together, leased the track, and put the event together to spotlight the viability of the track to potential buyers and to keep Wicasset town noise ordinances in effect, making it easier for a buyer to keep the 42 year facility alive. The pair called it a non-profit raceday “with a twist”. Fans & drivers alike were charged a modest $5 admission fee in which all proceeds went back to sponsors who stepped up to cover the cost of putting on the event. Any money left over would be split evenly between all drivers participating. The promotion drew fans & drivers from throughout northern New England, some who had not been to the track in years. One particular guest that caught the attention of many was Wiscasset native Wilfred Cronk, the man who originally built the track back in 1968. “This day has been amazing” said Chadbourne. “It’s bigger than I ever imagined, I’m speechless”. True echoed his friends thoughts as the two recieved placques of recognition and enthusiastic appluase from the grateful audience during a break in the action. “I can’t think you guys enough. This will hopefully show someone out there, interested in buying this place, that this place can work and people want to see this place succeed”. Word came later in the day that there were as many as three interested parties at the track on the 15th taking in the show. While fans got to see many of their favorite drivers in victory lane thoughout the day, the general concensus was that the track itself and the event organizers were the big winners.
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by Jay | Oct 3, 2011 | Maine, New England, Wiscasset Raceway
Peter Taylor
Wiscasset Raceway
An all volunteer team headed by Tony True of Wiscasset and Dale Chadbourne of Woolwich have worked to put together the tracks first race of the 2011 season. True secured a lease agreement between all interested parties, allowing the event to take place on Saturday October 15th with a rain date on the 16th. Because of financial difficulty the track did not open this season and “there was concern that if we didn’t have one race the town noise ordinance could be changed” said True.
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by Jay | Sep 27, 2009 | Maine, Wiscasset Raceway
Wiscasset, ME- The first day of the 2nd Annual Ray Haskell Ford Fall Brawl could not have been set for a better date. Temperatures were in the 60’s with the sun shining all day long. The national qualifying races were run and the front row for the national event in the Aable Auto Parts Mini Stock race will be Thomas True and Ryan Ripley. In the New England Transmissions Strictly Streets the pole and outside pole sitters are Mike Short and Skip Tripp and the first and second starting positions for the Verizon Wireless Super Street national events went to Adam Chadbourne and Allan Moeller Sr. The ladies had the first feature event on the track on Saturday. Chelsea Young would get the feature victory by half a track over Christina Spaulding and Tori Burgess. Fourth and fifth went to Tricia Thomas and Missy Morgan. The U.S. Cellular Mini Trucks hit the track for their national event and it would be Chad Binette picking up the win and that was his fourth of the season here at Wiscasset Raceway. Kevin Oliver held off a hard charging Opie Allard over the last 15 laps of the race to get second. Allard would finish third with Mark Lucus fourth and Ryan Farrar fifth. The Outlaw 350’s also had their national feature which saw Zach Emerson picking up the win with Mike Short and Josh Childs second and third. Chris Burgess would come home fourth and Jon Brill fifth. The Wicked Good Vintage racers were also on tap Saturday. Feature number one went to Wally Henderson with Dick McPhail second and Rosey Gerry third. Feature number two winner was Paul Pierce. Second place would go to Greg Vewtte and third to Terry Husten. The crown jewel of the day was the first ever 6 cylinder enduro which took place after a celebrity
race between Ray Haskell and Adam Friend where Haskell was victorious. The 100 lap enduro paid $1,000 to win and through complete luck as he confessed Jim Hart was able to hold off David Folsom for the win. Folsom would get second with Larry Emerson finding his way through the wreck fest to get third. Fourth went to Justin White and fifth to Mike St. Germain.
Day two of the Ray Haskell Ford Fall Brawl has been rescheduled for Oct. 18th
by Jay | Sep 15, 2009 | Maine, Wiscasset Raceway
Hermon, ME- Speedway 95 was the home for the second round of the Linnehans Credit Now late model triple crown series this past Saturday night. 29 of the best late model drivers in New England took the green flag in the 54 lap feature which paid $1,754.00 to win. Right from the start which saw Liberty’s Josh St. Clair over take pole sitter Mike Hopkins there was an abundance of cautions. However restart after restart St. Clair would choose the outside groove to restart the race and eventually take the checkered flag. Mike Hopkins who is a Speedway 95 regular would take home second and Wiscasset Raceway late model champion Chris Thorne in his first ever visit to the 1/3 mile oval would get third. Fourth went to Chris Pangburn and fifth to Ryan Deane. The point leader of the triple crown series going into the race was T.J. Watson who due to prior commitments was not able to contend which handed the point lead over to Josh St. Clair who finished second in the first triple crown race at Wiscasset Raceway back on May 30th. St. Clair still has one more race to go before he can officially be called the champion and that will be at Unity Raceway on Oct. 12th which is Unity’s Long John weekend.
Upcoming Events: September 26th & 27th The Ray Haskell Ford Fall Brawl at Wiscasset Raceway!!!
For more information check out www.wiscassetraceway.info
by Jay | Sep 6, 2009 | Maine, Wiscasset Raceway
Wiscasset, ME- The final point’s night at Wiscasset Raceway was a great one. There was a great sponsor, Team Woody’s. Great Fan’s, hundreds of them and above all, great racing action. The Clark’s Car Crushing Pro-Stock title was won by Scott King who finished fifth in the race. The title was King’s first in his 13 year racing career. Chuck Colby won the feature event with Scott Moore hot on his heels and Randy Turner not far behind in third. Fourth went to Gary Smith.
The Steel’s Real Rod’s and Custom’s Late Model’s put on a heck of a show. The thirteen car field saw Seth Raven pick up his second win of the season. A straight away behind him Tyler Robbins caped off a birthday celebration with a second place run while Will Collins finished third. Fourth would go to Adam Chabourne and fifth to Allan Moeller Sr. Chris Thorne won his third straight and fourth overall Late Model championship.
In the Verizon Wireless Super Street division Bernie Dinsmore made it two in a row holding off Bryan Robbins over the last three laps. Third place would go to Allan Moeller Jr. Crossing the line in fourth and fifth were Matt Stuart and 2009 champion Jeremy Glasier.
The New England Transmission’s Strictly Street’s saw Mike Moody pick up the feature victory and his second championship. Jamie Henderson crossed the line in second and Ian Bresnehan third. Fourth went to Maurice Young and fifth to Wally Henderson.
The Aable Auto Parts Mini Stocks had Pete McCollett picking up the feature win. Thomas True finishing second and Ryan Ripley third also had Ripley winning the championship. It was his first at Wiscasset. Chelsea Young did a great job avoiding a wreck early on to finish fourth and Bob Grady turned in a good run in fifth.
U.S. Cellular Mini Truck’s put a great show as well. Ryan Hayes picked up his first championship at 17 years old. He also picked up the win. Second went to Opie Allard and third to Josh Harjula. Fourth would go to Kevin Oliver.
Sat. 26th – Ray Haskell Ford “Fall Brawl” Weekend plus Wicked Good Vintage
Race Cars
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Sun. 27th – Ray Haskell Ford “Fall Brawl” Weekend
