HEAVY HEAT IN THE STREETS: LUCAS BURNS UP VICTORY LANE WITH FOURTH SEASON WIN
BY: SOPHIE GABRION, RACE MEDIA REP
WISCASSET, MAINE – If you ever want to see what dedication looks like, visit the pits at Wiscasset Speedway during the summertime. Although temperatures on Saturday afternoon reached into the eighties, the courageous crews continued to run through race day preparations as if they were trying to keep warm. Even more impressive were the drivers themselves, who voluntarily zipped up in full body fire suits and entered cars known to reach temperatures of up to 120 degrees – all for the love of racing. Take a minute to consider how many people you know with that kind of endurance, while we review the blistering action from this past weekend.
Skipping the pleasantries, the Super Streets got down to business for their 25-lap spotlight race. Points’ leader, Mark Lucas of the #5 car, battled Jason Curtis, driving the #02, for dominance throughout the first five laps. After waging war from the outer lane, Lucas pulled ahead to take the first position, leaving Curtis to play catch up. Several car lengths behind, crowd-favorite Josh Bailey of the #2 car, kept Kenny Harrison of the #85 at bay, with the latter trying everything he could to make a comeback on the corners. With drama low and speeds high, Lucas was free to cruise like a teenager driving unsupervised for the first time – not a care in the world! With the night’s first caution and regroup came adulthood for Lucas, who spent the final laps successfully defending first place for his fourth season win. Curtis earned second place for the power that he had brought to the spotlight feature, with Bailey taking home third.
Tossing their walkers to the side and grabbing a final hit of BenGay, the Senior Tour Auto Racers (S.T.A.R.) leapt into action for the division’s two 20-lap feature events. Based in Massachusetts, this nonprofit auto-racing club features vintage cars made before 1979, driven by competitors ranging from 18 to 80 years old. Do not let the division name fool you – these drivers come from all over New England to show how these older machines can bounce back just like a sugar-free Jell-O cup. With their Sportsman group up first, Alan Zelma in the #43 from Windham kept the pride of first place in state, with second and third going back to Massachusetts, earned respectively by Curt Snow of the #110 from West Warren, and Charlie Lima of the #2x from New Bedford. Hearing aids were the only thing turned down when the S.T.A.R. Modifieds stepped up for the division’s second race. Slightly faster and with a bit more edge, this group kept the competition as dignified as the last. Although led throughout by #7 and #71, driven by Bobby Turner and Arthur Hannaford, the entire field of cars stayed as tight as grama’s knitting, with a few dropped stitches here and there. Mainers swept victory lane so clean you could eat off it, with Turner taking first, Hannaford second and Scott Tucker of the #79 placing third.
When the Prostocks lined up for their 40-lap feature race, Scott Chubbuck of the #15x left other drivers in his dust as he immediately cleared a healthy margin. Traffic remained two cars wide as Andy Saunders of the #01 and Ajay Picard of the #99 compensated for their back-of-the-pack starting positions. Sponsored by Servpro of Biddeford/Saco, this class always keeps spectators on their feet, and Saturday night was no exception. Driving the #23, rookie Brandon Sprague of Ellsworth impressed fans with his defense of the second position, but Saunders and Picard continued to be the talk of the town. If it were not for the fierce rivalry between them, they could almost pass for members of the same team – droning flashes of black and green, delighting fans at almost 90 miles per hour. Culminating in a dramatic final lap, Chubbuck scored his first win of the season, followed by a rare sighting of double rookies in victory lane. Both achieving career best finishes, Sprague finished in second place and Thomas True, driving the #12 from Wiscasset, placed third.
Sixteen Thunder Minis took the field for their usual 20-lap feature; treating spectators to a group almost double the size of others. With too many cooks in the kitchen, things were bound to get messy. Multiple cautions kept the action lukewarm as traffic jostled up to four cars wide. Michael Harrison of the #48 car took advantage of a regroup five laps in, supplanting first from Jeff Davis, driving the #1. Always the bridesmaid, Harrison was ready for a leading role after finishing as the runner up four times this season. While he continued to gain breathing room, Michael Golding, driving the #26, stepped up to relieve Davis of his position and held it until the end for a second place finish. To the delight of fans, Harrison finally had his big day, walking away with his first career on-track win.
Last but not least, the New England 4-Cyl. Pro division cruised on to the course for their 25-lap feature race. Throughout the season, several heated rivalries have emerged between competitors and Kamren Knowles of the #98, who has dominated victory lane with five total wins. After coming in second to Knowles two weeks ago, RJ Pinkham of the #48, used his win in the heat race to put distance between himself and the pack, knowing that Knowles would not take long to close the gap. Driving the #4 car, Conner Wenners held the third place behind Spencer Vaughn of the #7 car, who worked to catch up to Pinkham in the lead. As the group moved into lap ten, Knowles pushed past Pinkham for first, after achieving footing on the inside lane. With mere seconds between pack leaders, Knowles took first in a bumper-to-bumper finish with Pinkham, while Vaughn placed third for the second consecutive race.
Join us next Saturday, July 23rd for an extended event as Wiscasset Speedway celebrates its 47th birthday! Beginning at 5pm, the fun will kick off with a make-up Late Model Sportsman feature race and continue with everything from 75-laps of Outlaw Mini Madness to a fireworks show! 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 have 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.