BY: SOPHIE GABRION, RACE MEDIA REP
WISCASSET, MAINE – While pop culture tells us that heavy rain brings with it cats, dogs and even men, the only thing that the rain brought to Wiscasset Speedway this past Saturday night was champions. With five divisions racing against ominous rain clouds, drivers put their feet to the floor – determined to outrun Mother Nature as well as each other.
First up were the Strictly Streets competitors, who clearly came prepared with speed and strategy, trading the traditional heat race for a 30-lap feature event. Drama developed faster on the track than in a daytime soap opera. Traffic immediately 3-cars wide throughout the pack as Michael Haynes of the #67 from Livermore Falls and Brett Osmond of the #05 from Wiscasset emerge as early leaders. While Haynes and Osmond battled each other through the early laps, the familiar flash of pink from Kurt Hewin’s #55H patiently moved up through the ranks. By the seventh lap, Hewins successfully replaced Osmond in the second position and continued focused his energy on Haynes.
Halfway through the race, Maurice Young from Chelsea pulled a “Hewins,” as he steadily worked his #03 car up through the herd, while the #00, driven by Kimberly Knight, battled intense traffic from the eighth position. By lap 19, Hewins had closed the gap between himself and Haynes, while Young faced a full straightaway to overcome before he could take on the two pack leaders. When the first caution came in lap 22 after a solo spin out starring Osmond, it gave Hewins the opportunity he needed to claim his victory, followed by Young in second and Bryan Robbins, driving the #51x from Montville, in third.
Sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts, the Modified division kicked their 40-lap spotlight race off with noise and speed that thrilled their fans. Flying high in the #15, Joseph Williams took the lead as one of many assertive drivers making bold moves. Following a lengthy first caution, Adam Chadbourne of the #1 from Wiscasset threw his hat in the ring, as drivers throughout the course duked out an improvised pecking order for the lead. While Williams continued to rule the roost, the #04 car of Allan Moeller played his shadow with Ben Tinker’s #19 rounding out the tenuous top three.
The action escalated when competitors heat up the field from the middle of the pack, including Mark Lucas of the #5 and Nick Reno of the #7. Lucas and Reno go hard at each other, trying to break into the top five. Finally achieving the third position, Lucas politely reminds Moeller where he is, getting as close to the rear bumper of the #04 as is physically possible. In lap 19, Lucas surged forward on the straightaway, past Moeller but could not get away with using the same tactic on Williams, who just barely maintained his hold on the first position.
Thanks to a caution at the bottom of turn one, the pack regrouped, giving Lucas the window he wanted. He immediately dominated the field when action got underway, while a tenacious Williams remained hot on his heels with less than five laps to go. In a bitter blow after his recent win, Reno spun into the infield going into turn three while the herd plowed past, ending his bid for victory. First over the finish line was Lucas, followed by Williams in second and Moeller in third.
Driving the #10 car, Jimmy Childs jumped at the chance of an early lead in the Outlaw Minis’ 25-lap feature race, sponsored by Kennebec Equipment Rental. Not one to get left behind, Zach Audet of the #19ME worked the outside lane until he successfully took the first position from Childs in the fifth lap. Hailing from Augusta, Shawn Kimball made an unsuccessful bid to follow the leader, catching the front of his #20 car on Child’s back bumper. Even though their spin out recovered without a caution, the delay offered Audet some breathing room and a healthy distance from the pack. Unfortunately, his comfort was short-lived, as Kimball hurtled through his competition toward Audet, intent on turning his two wins this season into a trio. When Cody Tribbet’s #13 car spun unassisted into a caution at the beginning of the fifteenth lap, it became immediately clear that the persistent misting was quickly turning the track into an ice rink. The caution soon marked the official end of the Outlaw Minis’ feature race, with drivers credited points based on their position at the last completed lap.
As the rain transitioned from light drizzle into heavy downpour, officials canceled remaining activities, as the skies offered no sign of surrender. Despite avoiding any weather cancellations in over a year, track owners, Richard and Vanessa Jordan, prioritize two things above all others: safety and family. In the interest of driver safety and the comfort of families in the grand stands, the Late Model Sportsman Feature Race has been rescheduled for Saturday, July 23rd at 5:00pm. Information about rescheduling the 25-lap Nelcar Legends Feature Race will be announced on the Wiscasset Speedway website as it becomes available.
While you wait for this impromptu double header, join Wiscasset Speedway on Saturday, July 16th for four stellar racing divisions as well as an exclusive appearance from Senior Tour Auto Racers, a vintage race car organization from Massachusetts. Individual admission is $5 – less than the cost of a movie ticket! Bring the whole family – grandstand fees waived for kids under six. 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.
_______
Contact: Sophie D. Gabrion, Race Media Rep / Wiscasset Speedway
Phone: (207) 624-2518 / Email: [email protected]