LUCAS TOPS NAPA MODS IN BUSY OPENER AT WISCASSET SPEEDWAY
By Lisa and Rich Maguire
It was a beautiful Spring day last Saturday, and fans flocked to Wiscasset Speedway for Group two opening day. On the schedule were the Strictly Streets, Late Model Sportsman, Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Mini’s, Amsoil Nelcar Legends, and the Spotlighted race of the week, Napa Modifieds.
A forty lap Napa Modified feature race started off the action. Starting at the pole was 2015 Modified champion, Mark Lucas. Lucas set a grueling pace for the pack, running speeds in excess of 85 miles per hour. The #1 of Adam Chadbourne dogged Lucas’s heels throughout the beginning of the race, presenting a constant challenge for Lucas. Nick Reno of the #7 ran a close third, looking for his opportunity to pass. Reno’s chance came in lap fifteen. A race caution resulted in a restart. Reno started on the inside, and sped under Chadbourne, taking second. There was another caution during lap twenty-three. Reno tried to get a jump on Lucas at the start, but Lucas was able to power ahead and put a five car length lead between them within five laps. Lucas took the win. Reno placed second. Chadbourne finished in third. (more…)
Oxford, Maine — Shawn Martin of Turner charged around the outside of his Budweiser Super Late Model rivals, including reigning champion Timmy Brackett of Buckfield at the scheduled halfway point, and five laps later crossed under yellow and checkered flags to claim victory in a 30-lap headline race at Oxford Plains Speedway on Sunday afternoon.
Martin, who started sixth, was pulling away from all rivals when the race was cut short. Brackett and fellow Buckfield competitor Kyle Treadwell were second and third-place finishers, respectively. Rookie Super Late Model driver Josh Childs of Oxford posted an impressive fourth-place finish, and was gaining on frontrunners when the race was cut short.
Opening Day Budweiser Championship Series Super Late Model winner Glen Luce of Turner rounded out the top five after lining up behind three-quarters of his rivals on the starting grid for the 30-lapper. Dennis Spencer, Jr., of Oxford, led much of the early half of the race before finishing seventh.
Scarborough, Maine — DJ Shaw of Center Conway, New Hampshire drove from third position to first on a restart with four laps remaining in Saturday’s Southern Maine Chrysler Jeep Dodge 150 at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway to nail down his first Pro All Stars Series Super Late Model win of the season.
Shaw, the 2014 PASS North Super Late Model champion, watched Doiron blast on by earlier in the race after the Berwick, Maine driver, and eventual runner-up, charged from his 14th starting position into a lead threatened only by hometown racer Garrett Hall – the opening day PASS Super Late Model winner at Connecticut’s Thompson Speedway until the final pair of restarts took place, with six and four laps remaining, respectively.
Shaw had been a healthy distance behind Doiron aboard his Dale Shaw Race Cars / HK Powersports 60, but the once-dominant JBJ Machine 73 didn’t have the handles on cold tires. That opened the door for Shaw, who stepped through and into victory lane.
Wiscasset Speedway opened the gates for the first show of the season last Saturday. The stands were packed by show time, and fans enjoyed the spring weather while watching the action on Maine’s fastest oval track. On the schedule were the division one group of racers, which include: Super Streets, Thunder 4 Mini’s, ServPro of Biddeford Saco Prostock, and New England Four Cylinder Prostock’s. Additionally, it was season opener for the Amsoil Nelcar Legends at Wiscasset, who made their first of nine appearances.
Starting off the racing action was a thirty-five lap Spotlight Race featuring the New England Four Cylinder Prostock’s. Starting on the pole was heat winner, Connor Wenners of the #4. Racing off the start was Wenners and the #98 of Kamren Knowles, 2015 season NEFCP champion. The #24 of Jeff Prindall quickly moved to third. In the mix was Ryan Hayes of the #38.
Glen Luce best in Oxford Plains Speedway Super Late Models
Reigning Oxford 250 kingpin wins Budweiser Championship Series opener
Oxford, Maine — Glen Luce of Turner followed up his most successful racing season ever with an opening day victory in the Budweiser Championship Series Super Late Model division season-opener Sunday afternoon at Oxford Plains Speedway.
Luce, who fulfilled the goal of most every Maine stock car racer with a $31,000-plus victory in last year’s Oxford 250, nailed down this 50-lap triumph after an early battle for the lead with Norway’s Chris Coolidge.