Credit Photos: Mary and Peter Taylor petespicks.smugmug.com
BY: SOPHIE GABRION, RACE MEDIA REP
WISCASSET, MAINE – Across the world, waving a white flag in battle symbolizes defeat, used by weaker contenders to indicate surrender. When it flies at Wiscasset Speedway, drivers and fans receive a very different message: go hard. Triggering white knuckles on steering wheels and tense toes to accelerators, this is the white warning of one lap to go. Champions finish as hard as they start regardless the cautions, collisions and chaos in between. In his second win of the season, Bryan Robbins in the #51x of Montville denied defeat all the way to victory lane, claiming first in the Strictly Streets 35-Lap Spotlight Race last Saturday night.
Starting strong, this division kept spectators on the edge of their seats until tricky traffic on lap five caused the first caution. Chris King from Burnham conceded the night when his #29 car left the shuffle horizontal at the top of turn one. Through intense smoke billowing from beneath Robbins as he climbed the ranks, fans could barely make out the flash of the yellow flag less than five laps later. In the second caution, Ryan Ripley’s #09 car spun from turn three into four, while Mike Duffy’s #02x barely managed to stay on the track.
After the green flag, Robbins pushed past the #2 of Joe Hutter and the #56 of Dan Somes, to lock sights on the #55H of Kurt Hewins from Leeds. Like the flames on her car, Kimberly Knight’s #00 blazed ahead of the pack in lap ten, intent on seeing victory lane for a second time this season. In a moment of déjà vu, another caution in turn three sent three cars down pit road for the night, including first-time racer, Faith Cleaves, driving the #89 from Freeport.
When engines roared again over the white line, all eyes were on Robbins and Hewins, as the latter waged war entirely from the outer lane. Lap after lap, Hewins pushed his pink machine to the limits, finally settling for a seat behind Robbins in the smoking section. In a heated showdown throughout this fearsome top five, Robbins flew victorious across the finish lane for his second win of the season, followed closely by Knight and Hewins.
Like a disturbed nest of bees, ten tiny NELCAR Legends buzzed next on to the track for their 25-lap feature. The deadly swarm was heard before it was seen, warning spectators not to underestimate the sting of their scaled-down silhouettes. These fan favorites never fail to disappoint, between their nostalgic curves and bold colors. Kevin Girard, Jr took yet another victory home to Old Orchard. Second place went to Chris Burgess of the #47 and third to Bobby Weymouth of the #399.
Miniature motors were soon replaced by massive ones as the NAPA Modifieds erupted from the pits, ready to rock their 30-lap feature. Hailing from West Bath, Nick Reno of #7 fell immediately in love with the lead, refusing to let it out of his sight. Other eligible bachelors who declared their intentions included the #1, driven by Adam Chadbourne of Wiscasset, in second and the #5, driven by Mark Lucas of Harpswell, in third. However, the finish line only had eyes for Reno. After a brief, caution-free courtship, he decided to take the relationship to the next level with a first place trophy and a trip to victory lane. Chadbourne stood as the runner up for the second time this season, with Lucas taking third for the second week in a row.
Sponsored by Kennebec Equipment Rental, the Outlaw Minis stayed true to their name early in their 25-lap feature, with traffic going three cars wide up and down the course. For twenty laps, the course remained competitive yet quiet until the #5, driven by Jimmy Childs of Leeds, lit up like a campfire coming out of turn one. If he were a boy scout, Childs would have earned his safety badge without question – jumping out of his seat to subdue the flames with the same speed he shows on the track. Zach Audet of the #19ME from Oakland later placed first, with Shawn Kimball of the #20 from Augusta taking second and Rob Greenleaf of the #2x from Bath taking third.
When the Late Model Sportsman division launched into action for their 35-lap feature, Nate Tribbett, driving the #13 from Richmond, reminded us that every race is a fresh chance to shake things up. A less welcome reminder came at the top of turn four when the feature’s only caution sent both Bryan Robbins’ #66 and Ben Erskine’s #4 into the front wall tires. After pack leaders took the opportunity to regroup, Tribbett clung to his lead well beyond the halfway mark, only to place second behind Will Collins of the #25 from Waldoboro, who swooped in with single digit laps remaining. Third place was claimed by the #17, driven by the 2016 Coastal 200 Champion, Chris Thorne of Sidney.
Feeling overlooked at the office? Taken for granted around the house? At Wiscasset Speedway, you are always our favorite – just don’t tell everybody else. Let our family take care of yours next Saturday, July 2nd at the season’s first Fan Appreciation Night. Presented by The Dream Ride for Special Olympics, this event is all about the fans! Join us at 5:00pm for a Meet ‘n Greet to get autographs from your favorite drivers and kids take over the track with their bikes. Grandstand gates open to fans at 2:00pm and the green flag kicks off the day at 6:00pm. Individual admission is $5 – less than the cost of a movie ticket! Bring the whole family – grandstand fees waived for kids under 6. For the 2016 Race Schedule and more, visit www.wiscassetspeedway.com. Be part of the action by following Wiscasset Speedway on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
· SPONSORSHIPS: Grow your business this year by joining the Wiscasset Speedway family as a Premier Division Sponsor. To reach thousands of race fans each week, contact Ken Minott at [email protected].
WISCASSET SPEEDWAY
Since 1969, Wiscasset Speedway has offered a family-friendly racetrack in heart of Lincoln County where fans and athletes can feel like they’ve come home. Every year, thousands of people gather from miles around at the Speedway’s 35-acre facility to enjoy exciting, affordable entertainment. Built on healthy competition and sportsmanship, Wiscasset Speedway is committed to excellence and integrity, maintaining respect for environmental impact.
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Contact: Sophie D. Gabrion, Race Media Rep / Wiscasset Speedway
Phone: (207) 624-2518 / Email: wiscassetspeedwaymedia@gmail.