JIMMY CHILDS NABS 75 LAP OUTLAW MINI MADNESS FEATURE AT WISCASSET

by Ken Minott

     Fans and Fun were the name of the game this past weekend at Wiscasset Speedway with Group 2 Fan Appreciation Night. Another large crowd packed into Maine’s fastest track Saturday night for exciting racing action, plus a driver meet & greet session and kid’s bike races. The race program was highlighted by the 3rd annual running of Outlaw Mini Madness for the Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Mini’s. Despite a lower car count that anticipated, there was no shortage of action as two of the division’s best slugged it out to lay claim to the title. In the end, it was former champ Jimmy Childs of Leeds holding the big trophy winning the 75 lap race for the second time. Other winners on the night included Shane Clark of Winterport in the Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Models; Joe Williams of Woolwich in the Midcoast Region Napa Mods; and Bryan Robbins of Montville in the Norms Used Cars Strictly Streets. Before the green flag flew, fans were able to go down onto the track to meet all of the group 2 drivers. Then the kids took over in enthusiastic and energetic bike races in three different age groups, along with an appearance by Santa Claus and Christmas in July fun with the C&D Laundry Kids Club.

     Fourteen drivers took on the challenge of the 75 lap Outlaw Mini Madness. It was a tall order for the contenders as defending division champ & Mini Madness champ Zach Audet of Skowhegan laid claim to the pole position with his heat win. Jimmy Childs of Leeds, a former division champ himself and winner of the first Mini Madness in 2015 won heat 2 and would start to Audet’s outside. Childs would bring out the first caution of the race just as the first lap of the race was completed, spinning out of turn 4 and scrambling the field. Childs would restart at the back of the field, but it didn’t take long for him to race back into contention, jumping back into the top 3 on lap 10. The race produced 4 cautions over the first 25 laps giving a handful of drivers a shot at Audet. By the midpoint of the race, Childs had made it back up to the runner-up spot and soon started to crank up the pressure on the leader and just five laps later Augusta’s Shawn Kimball #20 and Whitefield’s Jacob Hendsbee joined in the battle as well. While Childs looked to be getting stronger as the race went on, Audet started to show some problems. The 5th caution of the race for a minor spin involving Kevin Douglass & Mike Delano on lap 53 would bunch the cars up for what would be the final time. Audet took control again on the restart but it was short lived as Childs surged around him and into the lead on lap 59. Audet would finally be done in by his growing transmission problems as he slipped to 4th over the next 3 laps. Childs continued to pull away to a commanding lead. Kimball looked poised for a solid runner-up finish, but he soon developed mechanical problems himself and dropped out with 5 laps to go. Tim Collins grabbed the spot as Kimball exited the track, but just a lap later Hendsbee drove around him, making the 3rd different runner up in the 3 lap sequence. The race stayed green to the end with Childs posting a convincing victory in his #10 Ford Mustang. Hendsbee’s 2nd place finish was a career-best. Collins settled for 3rd. Despite a transmission that was nearly inoperable, Audet salvaged a respectable 4th place finish. Cody Leblanc of Waterville completed the top 5.

     In support action on the night, the Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Model Sportsman gathered 20 cars for competition in the 35 lap feature. Winterport’s Shane Clark, who had taken a week off to get married, made his return a memorable one, starting 12th and racing his way to his first feature win since July of 2015. Two-time champ Will Collins of Waldoboro continued his recent hot streak with a season-best 2nd place finish. Liberty’s Josh St Clair was involved in the 3rd of the race’s 5 cautions but recovered nicely to claim the final spot in victory lane. Point leader Nick Hinkley of Wiscasset and Chris Thorne of Sidney finished 4th and 5th respectively.

     The 30 lap feature for the Midcoast Region Napa Modifieds saw a heated battle between defending champ #5 Mark Lucas of Harpswell and veteran #15 Joe Williams of Woolwich. The two battled through the middle stages of the caution free race and Willams finally came out on top to pick up his 2nd victory of the season. Lucas would settle for 2nd and Allen Moeller of Dresden held solid to his point lead with yet another podium finish. #21 Tom Young of Freeport and #7 Nick Reno of West Bath filled out the top 5.

     The Strictly Streets continue to be one of the track’s most competitive divisions. #51 Bryan Robbins of Montville became the 6th different winner in as many races this season. He held off defending champ Kurt Hewins #55 on a pair of late race restarts. Hewins from Leeds took 2nd and point leader Mike Haynes of Livemore turned in a class high fourth podium finish taking home the 3rd place trophy Previous race winner #45 Cole Watson of Naples finished 4th and #24 Jonathan Emerson took 5th.

     Wiscasset Speedway returns to action Saturday July 15th with Group 1 in action. The show will begin a 5:30pm with a makeup feature for the ServPro of Biddeford-Saco Prostocks, completing the final 32 laps of their postponed race from July 1st. The regularly scheduled program will follow with action in all four of the Group 1 divisions, plus the Senior Tour Auto Racers. Pit gates will open at 2:00 pm, grandstand gates at 4:00 pm and green flag at 5:30 pm. Admission is just $5 with kids 6&under free. Pitside admission is $20 for all. For more information, go to the Wiscasset Speedway website at www.wiscassetspeedway.com or call (207) 491-3720.

WISCASSET SPEEDWAY OFFICIAL RESULTS 7/8/17