WORLD’S FASTEST MIDGETS VISIT MAINE’S FASTEST TRACK: NEMA AT WISCASSET SPEEDWAY
By Lisa and Rich Maguire
The Northeast Midget Associations’ NEMA Midgets and NEMA Lites visited Wiscasset Speedway last Saturday. Despite some early showers, the fans lined the stands to see the four cylinder open wheeled race cars. The NEMA Midgets have nearly 400 HP, large wings, and wide Hoosier tires. The NEMA Midgets are the fastest asphalt midgets in the world, and it is natural fit for them to appear at Maine’s fastest oval. Speaking on behalf of NEMA, Joe Santa Maria, said, “This is the third time we have been to Wiscasset Speedway. It is nice here and the track is well maintained. The Speedway is rapidly becoming a favorite of the racers.”
Prior to the feature event, the NEMA Midgets held time trials to determine racing order. Six of the seven cars that participated in the trials had times that were under the track record time of 13.34 seconds, which was set last season by Danny Cugini. Defending series champ, John Zych reset the track record last Saturday with a 13.004 second lap time, with an average speed topping 103 MPH.
The NEMA Midgets were soon on the track to compete in a thirty lap Spotlighted feature event. Starting on the pole was the #5B of Bethany Stoehr. Beside her was the #47 of Randy Cabral. In third was Jim Chambers of the #21. When green flag racing action began, Bethany Stoehr and Cabral raced side by side until lap two, when Cabral passed for the lead. Cabral kept the lead until lap fifteen.
During lap fifteen, as was predetermined for this shootout, the race order was changed on the track. Cabral was sent to the back of the pack. The #15A of Avery Stoehr went to the head of the pack. In second was Bethany Stoehr. Seth Carlson of the #71 advanced to third. When racing action resumed on the track, the race cars jockeyed for position. Bethany Stoehr fell back allowing Seth Carlson of the #71 to take second, and the #9 of John Zych Jr to take third. Speeds were in excess of 100 MPH as the cars positioned themselves on the track for a win. During lap seventeen Carlson lost control and left the track coming off of turn three. Zych advanced to second, and the #51 of Dan Cugini moved to third.
Moving back up from the back of the pack was Cabral. Cabral was able to pass Cugini and take third during lap nineteen. Then, Cabral passed Avery Stoehr for second. Zych was running away with the lead. Race leaders remained constant to the finish. Zych took the win. Placing second was Cabral. Rounding out the top three was Avery Stoehr.
The NEMA Midget Lites have the same chassis as the NEMA Midgets, but have 150HP engines. The Lites are fast, and approach speeds of 100MPH. When they made their appearance under the bright lights of Wiscasset, they put on a show for the gathered fans.
Starting at the pole was Paul Scally of the #30. To his right was the #13 of Ryan Bigelow. Behind the pair in third was the #38 of Jeff Locke. When the NEMA official waved the green, the NEMA Lite race cars began racing in earnest. Bigelow quickly advanced to first as Scally fell to second. The #29 of Jeremy Decourcy advanced to third. Decourcy tried to hold of the #11 of Jim Chambers, but Chambers passed for third during lap five. Chambers wasn’t satisfied with third and looked for his opportunity to advance. His chance came during lap six, and he passed Scally for second.
After a stretch of caution free racing, Scally’s car lost power on the track, and he lost his third place position. There was jockeying among the race cars to claim third, but ultimately, Dan Cugini of the #51 was able to clinch the spot. Cugini briefly held second after passing Chambers, but fell back to third once again during lap eighteen. Bigelow flew under the checkered in first. Chambers placed second. Cugini took third place.
Also on the agenda were the Group Two division of racing, which included: Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Mini’s, Late Model Sportsman, Modifieds, and Strictly Streets.
The Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Mini’s were first on the track, competing in a twenty-five lap feature. Jimmy Childs of the #5 started up front, but there were twelve other cars that wanted to be there. By lap seven, the #19 driven by Zach Audet had taken the lead, and Childs fell to second. Rob Greenleaf of the #2 was in third.
There was a caution during lap eleven. On the ensuing restart, Greenleaf moved to second. However, during lap twenty-one, Audet suffered a mechanical failure, and needed to be pushed off the track. When racing action resumed, Greenleaf was in the lead. Brent Roy of the #26 slid into second, and the #61 of Cole Robinson moved to third. There were no additional leader changes before the race conclusion. Greenleaf, who is second in this season’s point standing, took his first win of the 2016 season. Roy took second. Robinson placed third.
A thirty-five lap Late Model Sportsman feature had plenty of action. This race had two pile-ups, which reduced the racing field considerably by race end. The #13 of Nate Tribbett and Cody Verrill of the #11 started up front. During lap six, smoke filled the air when a jumble on the track brought out a caution. Only sixteen cars remained of the nineteen who started. When action resumed, Tribbett was still in the lead and the #33 of Josh St. Clair was in second. Alex Waltz of the #00 was in third. Coming up quickly from behind was 2016 Coastal 200 Champion, Chris Thorne of the #17. During lap sixteen Thorne Passed Waltz for third. Thorne was heading for second when a caution was called during lap eighteen.
When the green waved over the track, Tribbett was slow off the start. Race cars jammed up behind him, and all of the cars came crashing together in a big wreck as they headed into turn one. Numerous cars were towed of the track, bringing the car total on the field down to eleven. When the dust settled, and action resumed once more, Tribbett was again in the lead.
Tribbett was able to hold off Thorne and St. Clair until lap twenty-three. St. Clair then took the lead, with Thorne advancing to second. St. Clair and Thorne then proceeded to drag race around the track side by side until Thorne was able to pass St. Clair on the outside for the lead. St. Clair then had to hold off the #15 of Nick Hinkley, who had moved into third. The trio battled it out to the finish, but when the checkered waved over the track, Thorne, who was point leader in the Late Model Division, won his first feature race of the season. St. Clair took second. Hinkley placed third.
A thirty lap Modified feature race was quick and exciting. The #19 of Ben Tinker started on the pole, and maintained his lead throughout the entire race. Adam Chadbourne of the #1 was in second place by lap two, and held onto the position until race conclusion. Mark Lucas of the #5 started in the back of the pack. Lucas worked his way patiently through the field, and passed the #85 of Michael Harrison for third during lap eighteen. Lucas tried to catch up to the two race leaders, but did not have enough time to challenge for the positions. Tinker placed first. Chadbourne placed second. Lucas took third.
Wrapping up a night of exciting racing was a twenty-five lap Strictly Street feature. The Strictly Streets have gotten a reputation for being a rowdy bunch. The class is a mix of well-seasoned veterans and up-and-coming fast young guns. Saturday’s race was caution-filled, and there was plenty of action for the fans.
The race started with the #42 of Dylan Varney on the pole. Beside him was Mike Hayes of the #67. There were a series of cautions during the opening laps which allowed the #55H of Kurt Hewins, who started at the back of the pack, to advance to the front and quickly take the lead by lap five. Despite numerous cautions, Hewins was able to stay up front and claim the win. Coming in second was the #67 of Hayes. Third was awarded to Maurice Young of the #03.
Wiscasset Speedway resumes racing action, Saturday, June 18, 2016 with its group one lineup of divisions: ServPro of Biddeford Saco Prostock, Super Street, Thunder 4’s, and New England Four Cylinder Prostock. Next Saturday’s flex race is an Outlaw Super Series Feature race. This is a 50 lap race for the touring Outlaw Super Series. Pit gates open at 2:00 PM. Grandstand gates open at 4:00 PM. Racing begins at 6:00 PM. Admission is $5.00 for adults and children aged seven and older. Kids six and under are free. Pit admission is $20.00. Race fans and drivers can purchase their favorite pictures from not only this season, but from season’s past, at Peter Taylor’s (the track photographer) website: www.petespicks.smugmug.com. Wiscasset Speedway is located on West Alna Road in Wiscasset. For more information, head to the Wiscasset Speedway website at www.wiscassetspeedway.com. The Wiscasset Speedway website is packed with information, including schedule of events, division rosters and rules, and race results. Head on over to take a look.
WISCASSET SPEEDWAY OFFICIAL RESULTS JUNE 11, 2016
NEMA MIDGETS (30 LAPS)
1. #9 John Zych Jr., Mendon, MA
2. #47 Randy Cabral, Kingston, MA
3. #15A Avery Stoehr, Lakeville, MA
4. #21 Jim Chambers, Atkinson, NH
5. #30 Paul Scally, Raynham, MA
6. #5B Bethany Stoehr, Bridgewater, MA
7. #51 Dan Cugini, Marshfield. MA
8. #71 Seth Carlson, Brimfield, MA
NEMA LITE MIDGETS (25 LAPS)
1. #13 Ryan Bigelow, East Hampton, CT
2. #11 PJ Stergios, Newmarket, NH
3. #51 Dan Cugini, Marshfield, MA
4. #12 Jim Chambers, Atkinson, NH
5. #21 Anthony Payne, Fair Lawn, NJ
6. #35 Randy Cabral, Kingston, MA
7. #29 John Zych, Mendon, MA
8. #41 Meg Cugini, Marshfield, MA
9. #9 Ben Mikitarian, Northbourough, MA
10. #30 Paul Scally, Raynham, MA
11. #20 Jeremy Decourcy, Rochester, NH
12. #38 Ryan Locke, Raymond, NH
13. #17 Allen Chambers, Atkinson, NH
KENNEBEC EQUIPMENT RENTAL OUTLAW MINI’S (25 LAPS)
1. #2X Rob Greenleaf, West Bath
2. #26 Brent Roy, Vassalboro
3. #61 Cole Robinson, Clinton
4. #81 Bryan Lancaster, Skowhegan
5. #5 Jimmy Childs, Leeds
6. #20 Shawn Kimball, Augusta
7. #18 Tim Collins, Farmingdale
8. #41 Shane Smith, Sidney
9. #83 Brady Romano, Livermore Falls
10. #84 Mike Bolduc, Windsor
11. #13 Cody Tribbett, Richmond
12. #19ME Zach Audet, Skowhegan
13. #93 Merrill Chapman, Rockport
LATE MODEL SPORTSMAN (35 LAPS)
1. #17 Chris Thorne, Sidney
2. #33 Josh St. Clair, Liberty
3. #15 Nick Hinkley, Wiscasset
4. #21 Shane Clark, Winterport
5. #26 Andrew McLaughlin, Harrington
6. #34B Jeff Burgess, Fairfield
7. #13 Nate Tribbett, Richmond
8. #33T Trey Brown, Winterport
9. #11 Cody Verrill, Woolwich
10. #7 Jay Bailey, Wiscasset
11. #7X Dan Smart, Buxton
12. #38 Dan Trask, Chelsea
13. #25 Will Collins, Waldoboro
14. #00 Alex Waltz, Walpole
15. #55 Steve Barker, Turner
16. #66 Bryan Robbins, Montville
17. #3 Richard Jordan, Kingfield
18. #87 Chuck Colby, Wiscasset
19. #34 Tyler Robbins, Montville
MODIFIEDS (30 LAPS)
1. #19 Ben Tinker, New Glouster
2. #1 Adam Chadbourne, Woolwich
3. #5 Mark Lucas, Harpswell
4. #85 Jairet Harrison, Freeport
5. #7 Nick Reno, West Bath
6. #04 Allen Moeller, Dresden
7. #15 Joseph Williams, Woolwich
8. #61 Shawn Austin, Norridgewock
9. #8 Richard Jordan, Kingfield
10. #00 Todd Ladd, Farmington
11. #33 Ron Bryant, Livermore
12. #11 Mike Orr, Bath
13. #21 Thomas Young, Freeport
14. #14 Jon McCarron, Etna
STRICTLY STREETS (25 LAPS)
1. #55H Kurt Hewins, Leeds
2. #67 Mike Hayes, Livermore Falls
3. #03 Maurice Young, Chelsea
4. #56 Dan Somes, Mt. Vernon
5. #64 Dean Rice, Nobleboro
6. #85 Chanler Harrison, Freeport
7. #05 Brett Osmond, Wiscasset
8. #40 Mac Hannan, Union
9. #42 Dylan Varney, Windham
10. #89 Faith Cleaves, Freeport
11. #30 Don Duval, Leeds
12. #27 Pat Thorne, NA
13. #00 Kimberly Knight, Chesterville
14. #09 Ryan Ripley, Warren
15. #2 Joe Hutter, Leeds
16. #8 Craig Robbins, Montville
DQ #8X Ethan Dinsmore, Hope
DQ #3 Brandon Bailey, Woolwich
DQ #51 Bryan Robbins, Montville