JOSH ST CLAIR CONTINUES HOT STREAK, WINS 2021 COASTAL 200 AT WISCASSETby Ken Minott
It’s a great time to be Josh St Clair. That could be the understatement of the year when it comes to the start of the 2021 season at Wiscasset Speedway. He only opened the season by winning four feature races over three different classes, leading the points in the track’s two “premier” divisions, and earned honors as the track’s May Driver of the Month. So, how could he possibly top that? By winning Wiscasset Speedway’s most prestigious race in exciting fashion no less. The Coastal 200 is a race that every Memorial Day weekend showcases the region’s top Late Model Sportsman drivers and their quest for the $5000 winner’s take of a (near) $30,000 purse. The race which was rained out from its original date was made up on Saturday evening in front of a large crowd of over 2,200 fans, including many veterans and active-duty military personnel who were welcomed to the event free of charge. Shortly after the sunset behind the backstretch of the 3/8 mile speedway, Josh St Clair was celebrating his second victory in the crown-jewel race with his family and friends. Many fans left saying it was one of the most exciting Coastal 200 ever. Other winners on the evening included Zach Audet in the Outlaw Minis, Adam Chadbourne in the Modifieds, and Bernie Dinsmore in the Strictly Streets. The Senior Tour Auto Racers were the flex division of the weekend with Kurt Snow of West Warren, Ma and Mike Rucci of Warren, Ma taking the checkered flag in their Modified and Sportsman division features.
DAVID OLIVER DOMINATES LATE TO WIN GRANITE STATE PRO STOCK SERIES RACE AT BEECH RIDGE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
By Souza Media/Kyle Souza
SCARBOROUGH, Maine — The story heading into Saturday’s Granite State Pro Stock Series (GSPSS) event at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway was about whether or not the local Pro Stock regulars could compete with the series regulars and come out on top.
After 150 laps of tough racing around the flat Maine oval, local track regulars proved to be the dominant force. David Oliver passed local favorite Joe Pastore with less than 40 laps to go and drove away to his first career Granite State Pro Stock Series victory. Pastore crossed the line 1.428 seconds back in the runner-up spot, while Rusty Poland, another local favorite, was third. Garrett Hall was fourth and Bobby Webber Racing driver Bryan Kruczek fifth.
Oxford Replaces Monadnock on ACT-PASS Schedule with July 11 Showdown
American Canadian Tour
Waterbury, VT — The American-Canadian Tour (ACT) and Pro All Stars Series (PASS) announced today that the doubleheader originally planned for Monadnock Speedway on July 4 has been moved to Maine’s Oxford Plains Speedway on Sunday, July 11. Qualifying begins at 4:00pm with features to follow.
The program will remain the same, with twin 150-lap features for the ACT Late Model Tour and PASS Super Late Models plus a 50-lap PASS Modified shootout. The post time was chosen in part because of the potential for extremely hot midday temperatures in mid-July. It also allows weekly Late Model and Super Late Model racers around the region more time to get their cars ready so they can compete at Oxford if they choose.
WYATT ALEXANDER LOOKS TO GO BACK-TO-BACK WITH GRANITE STATE PRO STOCK SERIES AT BEECH RIDGE
By Souza Media/Kyle Souza
WALPOLE, N.H. — When the Granite State Pro Stock Series (GSPSS) rolls into Beech Ridge Motor Speedway on Saturday, June 12, track regulars are set to compete with GSPSS stars in what should be another classic battle in Maine.
Last year, more than 25 cars showed to the track — with track regular Wyatt Alexander stealing the show and scoring the victory with late drama — passing for the lead and the win in the final 20 laps. He may have made the finish look easy on track, but his first touring series win didn’t come without some mid-week drama.
Alexander’s drivetrain broke in a Beech Ridge weekly Pro Stock race just seven days prior — and he wasn’t even planning on running with Granite State until just a few days before race day.
Mother nature wins Sunday at Wiscasset – Coastal 200 postponedby Ken Minott
In the world of auto racing, the old adage still applies “You win some – You lose some”. Unfortunately, Sunday afternoon Mother Nature won out over a hopeful contingent of racers and fans who had gathered for the annual Coastal 200 at Wiscasset Speedway. With the threat of oncoming rain, track officials made the decision to bump up the start time of the afternoon’s action by an hour to 1:00 pm and run Late Model heats and then features only in the support divisions, in an effort to beat the oncoming weather. Things looked good to start with successful runs in three 12-lap heat races for the Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Models, to set the field for the big race. In heat one, a pair of third-generation drivers battled for the pole position, with Tiger Colby of Wiscasset jumping up from his number two starting position to grab the lead and then hold off a late charge from point leader Josh St Clair of Liberty to take the checkered flag. Matt Bourgoine of Stetson finished in 3rd. In heat number two it was Shane Clark of Winterport who turned in an easy win, leading from start to finish over Clinton’s Frank Moulton and Harpswell’s Mark Lucas. Heat number three was dominated by 2-time defending Coastal 200 champ Ben Ashline. He grabbed the lead on lap one and held the top spot all the way to the checkers. Former 200 champ Andrew McLaughlin of Harrington chased him across the line in second followed by Scott Hall of Jay. 26 of 27 cars on hand are now qualified for the Coastal 200.
Group 1 returned to action Saturday evening at Wiscasset Speedway for their second race of the season. The Norms Used Cars Pro Stocks had center stage with a 50 lap spotlight feature, along with racing in the Super Streets, Thunder 4 Minis, and 4-cylinder Pros. The special guest for the evening was the Wicked Good Vintage Racers Hobby class. 2-time reigning Pro Stock champ Nick Hinkley took advantage of a rare front-row starting spot and rebounded from a wrecked opening day ride to capture a dominant victory in the main event. Other winners on the night included Sean Johnson, Ryan Hayes, David Cook, and Addison Bowie.
