Credit Photos: Mary & Peter Taylor petespicks.smugmug.com
By Sophie D. Gabrion, Media Rep / Wiscasset Speedway
WISCASSET – It’s a fact: the best things come in pairs. It explains why Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Buy One, Get One sales are so popular: two instead of one is downright patriotic. Last weekend, Steve Perry at Mainely Motorsports partnered with Wiscasset Speedway and amazing business sponsors to bring not one, but two days of action-packed events to Maine’s fastest race track. Because if there are two things that Perry knows, it’s race cars and ‘Merica. Or as reigning Strictly Streets Champion, Kyle Hewins, said on Sunday from victory lane, “Steve, if it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have anything to listen to or talk about!”
Victory was the name of the game with champions making checkered laps throughout the day to the delight of their fans, screaming from packed grand stands on all sides. Ultimately taking home first place in the Wiscasset 100 was DJ Shaw of the #60. This young New Hampshire driver is not only running second in the points with the Granite State Prostock Series (GSPSS) but also demonstrated the sportsmanship of a champion during both the heat race and main event.
SUNDAY: Geared Up for Granite State – Prostock 100-Lap Spotlight Race
Without a doubt, last Sunday was a gorgeous day. The sun was shining, cars were gleaming and fans came from near and far to relax and be entertained over the long weekend. But down in the pits, Prostock crews were anything but relaxed. The Granite State Prostock Series (GSPSS) were in town, featuring hard-hitting competitors hailing from across New England, including some of the track’s regular division drivers. Spectators could hardly see the track when a full fleet of twenty-eight Prostocks climbed out of the pits for the Wiscasset 100 Spotlight event.
Beyond the substantial lap leader bonuses and victor purses, the race had more than the traditional prize money that drivers sweat for each week to fund this expensive sport. Beaming bright in blue and gold from victory lane, the Mainely Motorsports trophies for last weekend’s winners are a point of pride in Maine’s racing community. They show, not just that a driver won, but that the driver won when competing against the best of the best.
The green flag dropped amid raucous fans and raging engines with the #01 starting on the pole, driven by Wiscasset Speedway regular and current division points leader Andy Saunders. Last year’s GSPSS Champion, Derek Griffith of the #12, and Dillion Moltz of the #5 stayed on each like glue only a few car lengths behind, dueling for the second position. The event’s first five laps proved that the group was packed with veteran drivers who know what it means to race in a century ride – where drivers typically take risks, they remained calm; where they normally itch for action, they kept cool heads and stayed patient.
From above in the grand stands, the course looked like an epic game of ring-around-the-rosey, with single file cars spaced evenly as everyone waited with baited breath to see who would cast the first stone. It came finally in lap twelve when leaders passed the back of the pack, turning the orderly marching line into a smorgasbord of daring outer lane passes and grade-school line cutting as drivers raced through traffic to keep pace and position.
With Saunders still in first and Shaw cruising in second after conquering his match up with Moltz, the top three was rounded out by Griffith. With such a competitive group leading the race, it was not long before moves were made and Saunders dropped to second in the wake of Shaw, who had claimed the lead. Minds were blown during the first caution when Moltz abdicated his position in fourth to exit down pit road while the track remained under the yellow flag. Fast forward three laps and stunned spectators watched as Moltz made brief contact with Cory Casagrande of the #1, which spun him to the infield and again to the back of the pack.
At the head of the line, Saunders and Griffith went head-to-head for second position two car lengths behind Shaw in first. Saunders gave the pairing everything he had but in lap thirty, he lost his ground and dropped to fourth, where he stayed for the remaining seventy laps. Despite the event’s early evening timing, fans were bathed in penetrating sunlight – not a cloud in the sky. While the weather seen on Sunday is ideal for racing, it is a major contributor to the oppressive heat felt by all drivers, fully-clad in fire suits, racing lap after lap with no air conditioning – only the warm air that rushes past each glassless chassis as it steams up from an asphalt playground.
Like Tom and Jerry, Shaw and Griffith took turns in the lead as if they were kids at lunch trading Dunkaroos. Tracey Gordon in the #41 stepped into third as he sported some impressive speed, but nothing could compare to those demonstrated by the two pack leaders – both cars milliseconds away from 90 mph!
With twenty-five laps to go, the track turned into Wal-Mart’s front door on Black Friday. Through 3-4 cautions, leaders had to use serious car handling skills to clear the ever-mounting lap traffic, which left half a straightaway of clearance between the leading pair of Shaw and Griffith and Gordon who chased behind from third. Without more time, other drivers who battled to the head of the herd had run out of track and the top three who had dominated for the final twenty-five laps entered victory lane in the same order – Shaw earning his first victory in the Wiscasset 100. Griffith in second and Gordon in third.
Other feature races on Sunday included the Strictly Streets for a 25-lap feature, where the two Hewins family drivers quickly took control of the lead and hauled axles among a full field of seventeen drivers. Kurt Hewins of the #55H eventually took first, unofficially sealing his fate as 2016 Division Champion. Second place was earned by Richard Spaulding of the #36 and third by Kyle Hewins of the #2. Next were the Nelcar Legends, sponsored by Amsoil 4 Season Synthetic, who raced a 25-lap feature. Despite leading the division by over 120 points, Kevin Girard, Jr of the #19 ended up in second after starting in the back of the pack. Ryan Kuhn of the #72 claimed first place with Austin Teras of the #29 placing third. Last but far from least, the NAPA Modifieds raced both a dramatic heat race and 50-lap feature that offered no peace of mind to fans. The field’s lead was in constant flux, with multiple yellow flags flown for everything from overheated engines and fluid on the track that parked Richard Jordon of the #8 to an airborne-Chadbourne by the front wall and some Reno-vation of turn one’s corner tires that sent #7 sideways. In the end, Ben Tinker of the #19 unofficially won first, pending the standard engine inspection required after a third season win, with second going to Allan Moeller of the #04 and third to the division points leader, Mark Lucas of the #5.
SATURDAY: Wicked Goods & Wood Pellet Sportsmen Start Strong
With Saturday’s races gearing crowds up for the action in store the following day, it was only fitting for the night to be kicked off by divisions guaranteed to keep crowds on their feet. Sporting a new sponsor under Wood Pellet Warehouse, the Late Model Sportsman 45-lap Spotlight race may have been up first, but they were anything but a simple appetizer. Ben Erskine, driving the #4, wasted no time as he got out in front as soon as the green flag dropped and cleared himself an impressive lead until the first yellow flag. Competitive outer lane traffic caused multiple cars – including Brandon Bailey of the #47, Dan Smart of the #7 and Luke Romanoski of the #8 – to end up tangled at the top of turn three. When the race regrouped, Alex Waltz of the #00 closely followed Erskine, who had again grabbed his original lead. Cody Verrill, driving the #11, hung in for third position, as heavy-hitters Tyler Robbins of the #34 and Andrew McLaughlin of the #26 closed in on him at rapid speeds.
Behind the top three, the herd was packed tighter than tuna, which left spectators to guess where front bumpers ended and rear bumpers began. As Robbins conceded to McLaughlin in the quest for fourth, the latter was quickly passed by the domineering duo of Chris Thorne in the #17 and Nick Hinkley in the #15 who had worked their way to the top five. After Waltz spun to the infield for another caution, McLaughlin challenged Erskine for the lead, egged on by the heat, which radiated directly behind him from Thorne and Hinkley.
At the halfway point, Hinkley drove like a ninja on the outside and took advantage of slowed corner speeds for the lead. After he edged his way from midpack, Josh St. Clair of the #33 took the same window of opportunity and followed in Hinkley’s wake for second position. In lap twenty-five, St. Clair and Thorne exchanged taps, which spun St. Clair in the middle of turn four as a simultaneous caution that involved Verrill stopped the action.
On the regroup, Hinkley worked to keep Thorne behind him as McLaughlin was forced to defend his position in third from Puncin St. Clair, driving the #51. With ten laps to go, St. Clair of the #51 took third at the same time that Thorne took the lead, which left Hinkley hot on his tail in a reluctant second. Will Collins of the #25 had enough time to squeak into the top five but with such a wide margin ahead of him, the top four raged ahead a runaway train – impossible to catch. After he lost his tight follow on Thorne, Hinkley refocused attention to block St. Clair for final two laps, ultimately finishing second for his season best finish. Pending the standard engine inspection after a driver’s third season win, Thorne unofficially won to stabilize his hold on leading the division’s points and St. Clair in the #51 took home third.
As part of the Labor Day Weekend festivities, the Wicked Good Vintage Racing Association was also running a series of features, which offered fans some throwback competition that packed the full punch of regular divisions. With a motto of, “Just for the fun of it,” this association boasts drivers of all ages and a Hobby class in its inaugural season that can only be entered once members have completed a course on how not to be a knucklehead behind the wheel. However, one member of the Hobby class, Rosey Gerry of the bright yellow #151, confirmed prior to the race that drivers are as competitive as ever, saying, “This is anything but a parade!”
The Wicked Good Sportsman division raced a 20-lap feature where Parker Long of the #7 dominated throughout to ultimately achieve first, despite consistent hang-ups on the corner tires. Keith Smalley of the #420 placed second and Norris Willett of the #8 snatched a Hail-Mary trophy for third, after Kevin Waterhouse of the #2 faltered in lap traffic under the white flag. Up next for a 15-lap feature were the Hobby drivers, where Dick McFail of the #61 took first, followed by #38 in second and George Harding of the #48 for third. Last on to the track in the Wicked Good’s line up was the Outlaw class for a 20-lap feature, won by Gary Dwinal of the #55. In second place was Scott Tucker of the #79, followed by Ryan Chadwick of the #86 for third.
To round out Saturday night’s schedule were the Outlaw Minis for their 25-lap feature race. Sponsored by Kennebec Equipment Rental, these mighty, mini machines wasted no time and drivers went 3-wide for several initial laps before a casual pecking order shook out. Despite his efforts to work the outer lane, Tim Collins of the #18 could not shift himself into the lead and was forced to settle for second place after Bryan Lancaster of the #81 in an epic photo finish. Rob Greenleaf of the #2x should change his middle name to stealth after he cruised up through the ranks to complete the top three in victory lane after a surprise third place finish.
Clear your schedules next Saturday, September 10th because the NEMAs are back in town! Grab friends and family for the 2nd NEMA Night at Wiscasset Speedway, with an exclusive Meet ‘n Greet at 5:00pm, followed by spotlight features from their Midgets and Light divisions. Fans will also be wowed by the drivers of Group One, including the ServPro of Biddeford/Saco Prostocks, Super Streets, Thunder 4 Minis and New England 4 Cyl Pros. Kids 6 and under enter for free and admission for everyone else is only $5 – less than the cost of a sandwich! For more information, visit www.wiscassetspeedway.
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Official Finish Results: Sunday, September 4, 2016
Granite State Prostock Series: 100-Lap Spotlight
Presented by Mainely Motorsports TV
1. #60, DJ Shaw – Center Conway, NH
2. #41, Tracey Gordon – Strong, ME
3. #12G, Derek Griffiths – Hudson, NH
4. #01, Andy Saunders – Ellsworth, ME
5. #05D, Jacob Dore – Sanford, ME
6. #51P, John Peters – Westbrook, ME
7. #15, Nick Hinkley – Wiscasset, ME
8. #29, Barry Gray – Belchertown, MA
9. #09, Jeremy Davis – Tamworth, NH
10. #2, Nicolas Cusack – Scarborough, ME
11. #5, Dillion Moltz – Waterford, CT
12. #4, Tommy O’Sullivan – Springfield, MA
13. #35, Bobby Nadeau – Hollis, ME
14. #34, Jeff Burgess – East Madison, ME
15. #05, James Osmond – Wiscasset, ME
16. #63, John Salemi – Nashua, NH
17. #2R, Chris Ryan – Newberg, ME
18. #13, Nathan Tribbett – Richmond, ME
19. #12ME, Thomas True – Wiscasset, ME
20. #1, Cory Casagrande – Stafford Springs, NH
21. #23ME, Brandon Sprague – Ellsworth, ME
22. #40, Mike Mitchell – Cumberland, RI
23. #15h, Scott Chubbuck – Bowdoin, ME
24. #66, Mike Parks – Walpole, NH
25. #23, Glenn Martel – Belmont, NH
26. #6, Travis Dunbar – Auburn, ME
27. #08, Mike O’Sullivan – Springfield, MA
28. #19, John Rideout – Washington, ME
Strictly Streets: 25-Lap Feature
Presented by LST Landscaping
1. #55H, Kurt Hewins – Leeds
2. #36, Richard Spaulding – Lewiston
3. #2, Kyle Hewins – Leeds
4. #81, Lewis Anderson – Hollis
5. #56, Mike Short – Auburn
6. #84, Jairet Harrison – Freeport
7. #82, Chaz Briggs – Westbrook
8. #00, Kim Knight – Chesterville
9. #42, Dylan Varney – Windham
10. #78, Tiger Colby – Newcastle
11. #1, Andy King – Scarborough
12. #05, Brett Osmond – Wiscasset
13. #30, Don Duval – Leeds
14. #89, Faith Cleaves – Freeport
15. #66, Phil Main – Edgecomb
16. #85, Chanler Harrison – Freeport
17. #85X, Jay Avery – Berwick
Nelcar Legends: 25-Lap Feature
Presented by Four Season Synthetic / Amsoil
1. #72, Ryan Kuhn – East Bridgewater, MA
2. #19, Kevin Girard, Jr – Old Orchard
3. #29, Austin Teras – Windham
4. #399, Bob Weymouth – Topsham
5. #47, Chris Burgess – Buckfield
6. #14, Thomas Everson – Gilmanton, NH
7. #90, Casey Call – Pembroke, NH
8. #77, Ryan Doucette – Framington, MA
9. #17, Terry Kirk – Durham
10. #56, Anthony Pagliarulo – Groveland, MA
11. #10, Ed Getty – Gray
12. #18, Parker Varney – Windham
13. #52, Colby Benjamin – Belmont
14. #7, Kayla King – Buxton
15. #8, Matt Chagnot – Derry, NH
16. #53, Joe Doucette – Framington, MA
Modifieds: 50-Lap Feature
Presented by NAPA Auto Parts
1. #19, Ben Tinker – New Gloucester
2. #04, Allan Moeller – Dresden
3. #5, Mark Lucas – Harpswell
4. #15, Joeseph Williams – Woolwich
5. #85, Jairet Harrison – Freeport
6. #21, Adam Chadbourne – Freeport
7. #7, Nick Reno – West Bath
8. #27, Shane Kaherl – Jay
9. #4C, Nik Coates -Turner
10. #33, Ron Bryant – Livermore Falls
11. #29, Mark Lundblad – Center Conway, NH
12. #00, Todd Ladd – Farmington
13. #14, Jon McCarron – Etna
14. #8, Richard Jordan – Kingfield
Official Finish Results: Saturday, September 3, 2016
Late Model Sportsman: Spotlight 45-Lap
Presented by Wood Pellet Warehouse
1. #17, Chris Thorne – Sidney
2. #15, Nick Hinckley – Wiscasset
3. #51, Puncin St. Clair – Liberty
4. #26, Andrew McLaughlin – Harrington
5. #25, Will Collins – Waldoboro
6. #14, Dave St. Clair – Liberty
7. #4, Ben Erskine – Farmington
8. #33, Josh St. Clair – Liberty
9. #34, Tyler Robbins – Montville
10. #3, Richard Jordan – Kingfield
11. #21, Shane Clark – Winterport
12. #33T, Trey Brown – Winterport
13. #1, Steve Chicoine – Portland
14. #7, Jay Bailey – Wiscasset
15. #00, Alex Waltz – Walpole
16. #38, Dan Trask – Chelsea
17. #11, Cody Verrill – Richmond
18. #30, Ryan St. Clair – Liberty
19. #97, Rick Merrill, Jr – Augusta
20. #7x, Dan Smart – Buxton
21. #8, Luke Romanoski – Strong
22. #47, Brandon Bailey – Woolwich
Wicked Good Vintage Racers: Sportsman – 20-Lap
Presented by Moody’s Collison Centers
1. #7, Parker Long – Boothbay Harbor
2. #420, Keith Smalley – Warren
3. #8, Norris Willett – Winslow
4. #2, Kevin Waterhouse – Paris
5. #0jr, Dean Grant – Detroit
6. #64, Brian Hughes – Otisfield
7. #25, Mark Hughes – Milton Mills, NH
8. #32, Jim Kinney – Warren
Wicked Good Vintage Racers: Hobby Class – 15-Lap
Presented by Moody’s Collison Centers
1. #61, Dick McPhail – Fairfield
2. #38, n/a
3. #48, George Harding – Benton
4. #111, Neil Martin – Freeport
5. #151, Rosey Gerry – Lincolnville
6. #62, Alan Gassett – Saco
7. #49, Roger Raymond – Hartland
Wicked Good Vintage Racers: Outlaw Class – 20-Lap
Presented by Moody’s Collison Centers
1. #55, Gary Dwinal – Lisbon
2. #79, Scott Tucker – Winthrop
3. #86, Ryan Chadwick – Wiscasset
4. #71, Arthur Hannaford – Hollis
5. #91, Les Brown – Hiram
6. #1, Neil Martin – Freeport
7. # 16ME, Dwight Picard – Lisbon Falls
8. # 73, Mark Theranault – Rumford
Outlaw Minis: 25-Lap
Presented by Kennebec Equipment Rental
1. #81, Bryan Lancaster – Skowhegan
2. #18, Tim Collins – Farmington
3. #2x, Rob Greenleaf – Bath
4. #83, Brady Romano – Livermore Falls
5. #20, Shawn Kimball – Augusta
6. #27, Jake Hendsbee – Whitefield
7. #19, Zach Audet – Skowhegan
8. #41, Shane Smith – Augusta
9. #13, Cody Tribbet – Richmond
10. #00, Shawn Gilley – Winslow
11. #26, Brent Roy – Vassalboro