by Ken Minott

     Wiscasset Speedway’s Prostocks turned out a race Saturday night that had all the makings of a movie on the big screen; edge of the seat action, suspense, hero’s, villains, plot twists, and a surprise outcome that few would have expected – except of course the eventual winner. There was more than the usual accolades and prize money on the line. The 50 lap spotlight feature also offered the winner a guaranteed provisional for the $10,000 to win Prostock / Super Late Model National event at Seekonk Speedway in July. Sixteen drivers lined up to accept the challenge and when the dust cleared and the checkers flew it was Phil Richardson Jr of Hermon lifting the first place trophy, while many of the early favorites loaded up with banged up rides and dashed hopes of the big win. Richmond’s Nate Tribbett and Newcastle’s Charlie Colby joined Richardson in victory lane. Other winners on the night included Mark Lucas of Harpswell in the Super Streets, Logan Melcher of Jay in the Thunder 4 Minis, and Spencer Vaughn of Canton in the N.E.4-cyl Pros. The show was presented by Bozzutos and their family of IGA Food Stores for the benefit of the Dream Ride for Special Olympics.

by Ken Minott

     Harrington, Maine’s Andrew McLaughlin has come close, very close, to winning the state’s biggest Late Model Sportsman race; The Coastal 200, on more than one occasion. Finally, on a near perfect sunny Sunday afternoon at Wiscasset Speedway, McLaughlin finally sealed the deal and took home the biggest win of his career in dominant fashion. Over 2600 fans packed the house for the Memorial Day weekend tradition, including a large contingent of veterans & active duty military who were admitted free of charge as the track’s special guests. Starting from the pole position in front of the 26 car field, McLaughlin led 181 of the 200 laps but was still tested on several occasions by a handful of drivers waiting for him to make a mistake. That mistake never happened as he was the best car all day, nailing down the win by a comfortable 3 seconds over Fairfield’s Ben Ashline and local favorite Nick Hinkley of Wiscasset. For his efforts, Mclaughlin raked in $5100 in winnings and lap leader money, including $500 for leading halfway. The race was once again presented by Jordan Lumber and Jordan Excavation of Kingfield. Other winners on the program included Jonathan Emerson of Sabbatus in the Norm’s Used Cars Strictly Streets; Mark Lucas of Harpswell in the Midcoast Region Napa Modifieds; and Zac Audet of Skowhegan in the Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Minis.

by Ken Minott

     If Kevin Girard Jr had left any doubt over the past two seasons who the top dog in the Nelcar Legend ranks at Maine’s fastest track happens to be, he put an exclamation point on it with a statement win Saturday night in the INEX sanctioned National Qualifier at Wiscasset Speedway. The 30 lap race, sponsored by Four Season Synthetic “Your Amsoil Factory Connection”, showcased the top Nelcar regulars intermixed with several of the best from southern New England and beyond for a tripled purse and big trophies, not to mention valuable provisionals in the INEX Asphalt Nationals in Las Vegas. Girard took the lead shortly after a lap 8 restart and then held off a fierce challenge from Noah Korner, then cruised to a comfortable victory. The win highlighted a chilly but action packed night of racing at Wiscasset Speedway, with Group 2 in action. Other winners included Brent Roy, Nick Hinkley, Ben Tinker, and Kurt Hewins.

by Ken Minott

     Spring has finally taken hold in southern & central Maine, just in time for the start of the 2017 season at Wiscasset Speedway. As fans and drivers have come to expect the past few years, they’ll be greeted once again by several upgrades and changes to Maine’s fastest track. Most noticeably is the addition of a new retaining wall in turns 3 & 4, plus the long-awaited replacement of the aging front stretch wall. Final preparations are taking place in the days and hours leading up the season opener on Saturday, April 22nd at 2:00 pm. A new catch fence, flag stand, and Victory Lane area are also among the updates to the 3/8 mile oval. Under the nearly 5 year ownership of Richard & Vanessa Jordan, the coastal Maine speed plant has quickly turned into a popular destination for racers and fans from around the state.

     One item that is unique to Wiscasset Speedway is the split of the eight weekly divisions into two distinct groups that run an alternating schedule from mid-April through early October. Group 1 will hit the track first this weekend with the Serv Pro of Biddeford-Saco Prostocks, Super Streets, Thunder 4 Minis, and 4-cylinder Pros. The weekly “Flex” division, typically reserved for regional touring divisions or specialty races, will be the first of 9 appearances for the Amsoil Nelcar Legends. Group 2, consisting of the Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Model Sportsman, Midcoast Region Napa Modifieds, Norms Used Cars Strictly Streets, and Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Minis will kick off their season on April 29th.

     Highlights of the upcoming 2017 season include the annual Coastal 200 on Memorial Day Weekend; the return of the NEMA Midgets & NEMA Lites; the 75 lap Outlaw Mini Madness; the 5th annual Top Gun Strictly Shootout; and a special double header weekend July 29th & 30th featuring the track’s 48th Birthday Celebration and the Boss Hogg 150 Prostock Open. Once again fans can see every race at Wiscasset Speedway for just $5 grandstand admission.