St. Clair wins at Unity Raceway, Moulton wraps up track championship

by Jay | Sep 27, 2009 | Maine, Unity

Watson, McAlpine, Rackliff and Wilson score feature and championship victories at regular season finale

Unity, Maine – Josh St. Clair of Liberty took the bait this time and came from shotgun position on the starting grid to win the 30-lap Late Model feature at Unity Raceway Friday night. A fourth-place finish in the event was more than enough for Frank Moulton of Burnham to claim the 2009 track championship, the 61st at the historic oval. St. Clair was slated to start his main event from pole position, but took promoter George Fernald’s $150 offer to start in the rear of the lineup.

Kris Watson of Hermon, (Super Street), Carl McAlpine of Burnham (Wildcat), Steve Rackliff of Starks (Late Model Pro Four) and Mike Wilson of Chelsea (Monsta Mini) capped off championship seasons in their respective divisions by driving to victory lane in the Friday night points finale. Tasha Dyer of Arrowsic won the Flyin’ 4 division feature, with Mike Mason of Skowhegan finishing off his season the division’s champion and a third-place finisher. Molly Feeney of Hope won the Ladies division main event, with Shelby Kimball of Cornville finishing a close second and earning the Queen’s crown for 2009. Henry Boudreau of Winterport was declared the winner in a wild enduro race. Boudreau had already clinched the championship for his class. Bradley Bosworth of Cornville added to his division-leading total of feature wins in the Teen Thunder class. The championship race in that class ended at the start of the school year a few weeks ago, with Brooke Getchell of Pittsfield outpointing her rivals.

Late Model winner St. Clair, a third-generation racer whose grandfather – Dave ‘Boss Hogg’ St. Clair – was a multi-time champion in the top class at Unity Raceway a quarter-century ago, had been offered the bait on previous occasions when he’d earned a pole starting spot in a season where he has multiple Late Model wins at more than one Maine track. Always choosing to decline the offers earlier in the season, this time he grabbed it. For quite awhile it didn’t look like he was going to make it, with perhaps the season’s best 30-lapper unfolding in front of him on the third-mile oval.

St. Clair needed about ten laps to get into the top five, while for more than half the event Chris Thorne of Sidney raced side-by-side with rookie Kevin Douglass, with Sidney’s Douglass leading most of the laps by a foot or so running in the outside groove. Another side-by-side battle behind the frontrunners saw St.Clair fifth, with no running room.

Following a short series of late-race cautions, one which saw Douglass vault Burnham’s Brian Whitney as Whitney checked up to avoid a spinning competitor, St. Clair found the space he needed, outgunning Thorne on a late-race restart and collecting the bonus in addition to first-place money. Thorne held on to finish in second spot, with Fred ‘Pee Wee’ Brown of Winterport picking up third-place spoils.

New champion Moulton crossed the line in fourth position under the checkered flag, with rookie Dylan Turner of Freedom rounding out the top five. Turner, the first third-generation driver from the well-known Freedom racing family to compete in the top class at Unity Raceway, was runner-up to Moulton in the championship standings as a freshman in the class.

Kris Watson, crowned Speedway 95 Super Street champion a couple of weeks ago, took his time working his way into contention and by early race leader Steve Rackliff of Starks. Rackliff held on to second position after Watson went by, but his apparent second-place finish was negated in post-race inspection because of a tire violation. Steve Moulton of Holden ended up as the official second-place finisher, with Vassalboro’s Ed ‘Fubby’ Drake claiming third-place hardware. Hermon’s Jeff ‘Bo’ Overlock, Jr. and ‘Hurricane’ Hal Stratton of Belgrade rounded out the top five.

Burnham’s Carl McAlpine came from deep on the starting grid to win the Wildcat feature going away. McAlpine only needed to start the race in order to reclaim his former division title from 2008 champion Dustin Hubbard of Unity. But he went out in championship style, slicing through a competitive field that saw multiple side-by-side battles ongoing throughout the event. Hubbard was runner-up in both the main event and the championship contest, with third-place at the checkered flag going to Andy Turbovsky of Winslow. Burnham racers completed the top five, with Chris King finishing fourth, in front of Brent Chase.

While Starks racer Steve Rackliff found pain in the tech line in the Super Street division, he found great joy in the Late Model Pro Four class, dominating the main event and claiming the division championship. Rackliff won the race, but not without a serious challenge from Clinton teenager Ben Clark, who finished in second position. Augusta’s Corey Walker ran with the leaders throughout the 20-lapper and finished third. Justin Trombley of Winter Harbor started near the rear of the field and drove to a fourth-place finish, with Skowhegan’s Bryan Lancaster ending up in fifth spot.

Chelsea’s Mike Wilson successfully defended his Monsta Mini division class crown with a feature race win, fighting off all challenges throughout the event, mostly from eventual runner-up finisher Justin Moore of Madison. Lewis Batchelder of Dixmont rounded out the podium finishers, with the top five filled out by Kyle Gallant of Veazie and Rick Grant of LaGrange.

Natasha Dyer had the for sale sign on her race car, and the Arrowsic teen may have added value to the Flyin’ 4 division racecar. ‘Tasha’ outdueled 2009 championship runner-up Cody Sleeper of Augusta in the 20-lap main event. Dyer and Sleeper swapped the top spot following a couple of restarts, with Dyer winning the final showdown to earn her trip atop the podium. Sleeper finished in second position, with Skowhegan’s Mike Mason finishing third. Mason had already wrapped up the division championship. Derek Cook of Wilton and Justin Moore of Skowhegan rounded out the top five.

Molly Feeney of Hope prevailed in a thrilling, paint-swapping finish with Shelby Kimball in the Ladies feature. Kimball’s runner-up finish insured her track championship in the class. Alica Goodwin of Clinton was third across the stripe, followed by Mika Wilson of Chelsea and Bucksport’s Kayla Allen. Feeney, the top winner in the class this season, missed several races and was not in contention for the title.

Cornville’s Bradley Bosworth won the Teen Thunder race in dominant fashion. Younder brother Jayson Bosworth backed up a heat race victory with a runner-up finish in the main event. Eddie Gilblair of Skowhegan finished third, followed by Daymon Dodge of Troy and Matt Kimball of Cornville.

Two more events remain on the Unity Raceway calendar this season. On Sunday, October 4 at 1:00 p.m. the track hosts Fernald Frenzy, with special fun races joining all regular divisions except for the Late Models. The Annual Longjohn Weekend has been set for Saturday and Sunday, with a 75-lap Super Late Model race, a 75-lap Late Model race and a 69-lpa $1000-to-win Wildcat/Strictly Stock race highlighting the weekend program. For more information visit unityraceway.info or call (207) 453-2021.

Late Model: 1. Josh St. Clair, Liberty; 2. Chris Thorne, Sidney; 3. Fred Brown, Winterport; 4. Frank Moulton, Burnham; 5. Dylan Turner, Freedom; 6. Nick Hinckley, Wiscasset; 7. Tyler Robbins, Montville; 8. Mark Dodge, Anson; 9. Rowland ‘Rockin JR’ Robinson, Jr., Steuben; 10. Brian Whitney, Burnham; 11. Kevin Douglass, Sidney; 12. Joey Doyon, Winterport.

Super Street: 1. Kris Watson, Hermon; 2. Steve Moulton, Holden; 3. Ed Drake, Vassalboro; 4. Jeff Overlock, Jr., Hermon; 5. Hal Stratton, Belgrade; 6. Donnie York, Thorndike; 7. John Kalel II, Orrington; 8. Sonny Robinson, Clinton; DQ Steve Rackliff, Starks.

Wildcat: 1. Carl McAlpine, Burnham; 2. Dustin Hubbard, Unity; 3. Andy Turbovsky, Winslow; 4. Chris King, Burnham; 5. Brent Chase, Burnham; 6. Ed Sleeper, Vassalboro; 7. Roger Smith, Jr., Clifton.

Late Model Pro Four: 1. Steve Rackliff, Starks; 2. Ben Clark, Clinton; 3. Corey Walker, Augusta; 4. Justin Trombley, Winter Harbor; 5. Bryan Lancaster, Skowhegan; 6. Greg Cummings, South China; 7. Shane Smith, Augusta; 8.. Seth Webber, New Vineyard; 9. Jamie Foster, Benton’ 10. Reggie Bickford, Oakland; 11. Norm Cummings, Jr., Augusta.

Monsta Mini: 1. Mike Wilson, Chelsea; 2. Justin Moore, Madison; 3. Lewis Batchelder, Dixmont; 4. Kyle Gallant, Veazie; 5. Rick Grant, LaGrange; 6. Derek Cook, Wilton; 7. Alica Goodwin, Clinton; 8. Nick Lizotte, Sidney; 9. Scott Theriault, China; 10. Dylan Lancaster, Skowhegan; 11. Richard Jackson, Augusta.

Flyin’ 4: 1. Natasha Dyer, Arrowsic; 2.. Cody Sleeper, Augusta; 3. Mike Mason, Skowhegan; 4. Derek Cook, Wilton; 5. Justin Moore, Skowhegan; 6. Chris Williams, Oakland; 7. Jordan Hawes, Skowhegan; 8. Matt Shaw, Burnham; 9. Nick Lizotte, Sidney; 10. John Fortin, Vassalboro; 11. Rodney Blaisdell, Jr., Pittsfield; 12. Rick Pullen, Winslow; 13. Richard Jackson, Augusta; 14. Ricky Palmer, Winterport.

Ladies: 1. Molly Feeney, Hope; 2. Shelby Kimball, Cornville; 3. Alica Goodwin, Clinton; 4. Mika Wilson, Chelsea; 5. Kayla Allen, Bucksport.

Teen Thunder: 1. Brad Bosworth, Cornville; 2. Jayson Bosworth, Cornville; 3. Eddie Gilblair, Skowhegan; 4. Daymon Dodge, Troy; 5. Matt Kimball, Cornville; 6. Brooke Getchell, Pittsfield; 7. Kayla Chesley, Skowhegan; 8. Natasha Palmer, Winterport.

Swoboda, Watson top winners at Unity Raceway

by Jay | Sep 21, 2009 | Maine, Unity

Unity, ME – Dale Swoboda of Hermon returned and conquered the top weekly class at Unity Raceway Friday night, charging from the rear of the starting lineup to win the Late Model main event.

Kris Watson of Hermon, Steve Rackliff of Starks, Dustin Hubbard of Unity, Kyle Gallant of Veazie, Zach Audet of New Sharon, Ryan Ripley of Waldoboro, Chelsea Young of Winterport and Kayla Allen of Bucksport all posted feature race victories on a busy racing card, while Cornville’s Shelby Kimball wrapped up the Ladies division’s Triple Crown Series title.

Behind Dale Swoboda’s back-to-front performance in the Late Model main event, a near race-long battle for runner-up honors was displayed by Winterport racers Joey Doyon and Fred ‘Pee Wee’ Brown, with Doyon prevailing as the checkered flag was unfurled. Freedom’s Dylan Turner finished in fourth position, followed by Wiscasset racer Nick Hinckley.

Super Street winner Kris Watson dominated his main event, adding to his lead in the division’s championship standings. Holden’s Steve Moulton raced to a runner-up finish, remaining one of the hottest drivers in the class, while John Kalel II of Orrington claimed third-place honors. Steve Rackliff of Starks and ‘Hurricane’ Hal Stratton of Belgrade moved into top-five finishing positions after another frontrunner, Donnie York, suffered mechanical woes late in the event.

Steve Rackliff led wire-to-wire to claim top honors in the Late Model Pro Four main event. Clinton’s Ben Clark drove from the rear of the field twice to earn runner-up honors. Jim Dennis recovered from a first-lap spin to pick up the third-place trophy. Greg Cummings of China finished fourth, followed by Jamie Foster of Benton.

Reigning Wildcat division champion Dustin Hubbard took over the lead and pulled away from the pack to earn his trip to victory lane. Winslow’s Andy Turbovsky quickly got to second position, but couldn’t catch Hubbard. Point leader Carl McAlpine of Burnham prevailed in a thrilling, racelong battle with fellow Burham racer Brent ‘Poochie’ Chase for the final podium finishing position. Another Burnham racer, Chris King, crossed the finish line in fifth position.

Kyle Gallant and Zach Audet were both feature winners in Monsta Mini division competition, with one main event held over from a wet night several weekends ago. Gallant bested Audet at the front of the make-up race in the official order of finish, after apparent winner Mike Mason of Skowhegan didn’t get through post-race technical inspection. Dylan Lancaster of Skowhegan ended up with the third-place trophy after Mason was joined at the whipping post by Augusta’s Paul Jackson. Rick Grant and Lewis Batchelder rounded out the official top five.

Audet and Gallant finished 1-2 in the regularly-scheduled Monsta Mini feature, with Mason third under the checkered flag. Reigning Monsta Mini champion and current point leader Mike Wilson of Chelsea crossed the line in fourth position, followed by Oakland’s Chris Williams.

Ryan Ripley swapped the lead with Wiscasset’s Thomas True as the two youngsters from the coast outran point leader Mike Mason of Skowhegan in the Flyin’ 4 race. Chelsea’s Mike Wilson battled with the three frontrunners for most of the race, settling for fourth position under the checkered flag. Oakland’s Chris Williams rounded out the top five..

Chelsea Young won the final race in the Ladies Triple Crown Series, while a runner-up finish in the race helped Cornville’s Shelby Kimball wrap up the three-race title. Mika Wilson of Chelsea grabbed the final trophy in the race, with the top five filled out by Alica Goodwin of Clinton and Bucksport’s Kayla Allen.

Kayla Allen wrapped up the night’s action with a win in the Enduro trophy dash. Young Matt Kimball of Cornville was second across the line, with Dan Quilla of Winterport following.

Friday night (September 25) is the final, scheduled night race of the season, with the 2009 championship standings finalized in all weekly divisions, other than the Teen Thunder class, which has already crowned Pittsfield’s Brooke Getchell as Queen of the class. A special ‘Fernald Frenzy’ racing program is scheduled for Sunday, October 4 with the annual Longjohn weekend set for October 10-11. Unity Raceway is located on Route 139 in Unity, Maine. For more information visit unityraceway.info or call (207) 453-2021.

Late Model: 1. 0 Dale Swoboda, Hermon; 2. 51 Joey Doyon, Winterport; 3. 48 Fred Brown, Winterport; 4. 9 Dylan Turner, Freedom; 5. 15X Nick Hinckley, Wiscasset; 6. 24 Deane Smart, Bradley; 7. 15 Frank Moulto, Burnham; 8. 22 AJ Picard, Palmyra; 9. 28 Rowland Robinson, Steuben; 10. 16 Chris Doucette, Casco.

Super Street: 1. 35 Kris Watson, Hermon; 2. 80 Steve Moulton, Holden; 3. 5 John Kalel II, Orrington; 4. 94 Steve Rackliff, Starks; 5. 49 Hal Stratton, Belgrade; 6. 54 Donnie York, Thorndike; 7. 11 Mike Fortier, Winslow; 8. 62 Sonny Robinson, Clinton.

Late Model Pro Four: 1. 94 Steve Rackliff, Starks; 2. 21 Ben Clark, Clinton; 3. 38 Jim Dennis, Benton; 4. 2 Greg Cummings, China; 5. 22 Jamie Foster, Benton; 6. 82 Shane Smith, Augusta; 7. 81 Bryan Lancaster, Skowhegan; 8. 6 Jonathan Smith, Sidney; 9. 26 Norm Cummings, Jr., Augusta; 10.. 22X Craig Dunn; 11. 20 Corey Walker, Augusta 12. 41 Dixon Smith, Sidney.

Wildcat: 1. 21 Dustin Hubbard, Unity; 2. 14 Andy Turbovsky, Winslow; 3. 18 Carl McAlpine, Burnham; 4. 31 Brent Chase, Burnham; 5. 29 Chris King, Burnham; 6. 8 Brad Norris, Ellsworth; 7. 22 Ed Sleeper, Vassalboro; 8. 15 Bo Ivey, Winslow; 9. 16 Mike Shaw, Troy; 10. 80 Roger Smith, Jr.

Monsta Mini (make-up): 1. 9 Kyle Gallant, Veazie; 2. 19 Zach Audet, New Sharon; 3. 1 Dylan Lacaster, Skowhegan; 4. 41 Rick Grant, LaGrange; 5. 23 Lewis Batchelder, Dixmont; 6. 92 Mike Wilson, Chelsea; 7. 00 Alica Goodwin, Clinton; 8. 82 Chris Williams, Oakland; 9. 77 Dominic Bailey, Benton; 10. 26 (name unknown); DQ 51 Mike Mason, Skowhegan; 56 Paul Jackson, Augusta.

Monsta Mini: 1. 19 Zach Audet, New Sharon; 2. 9 Kyle Gallant, Veazie; 3. 51 Mike Mason, Skowhegan; 4. 92 Mike Wilson, Chelsea; 5. 82 Chris Williams, Oakland; 6. 41 Rick Grant, LaGrange; 7. 44 Travis Dunbar, Lisbon; 8. 26 (name unknown); 9. 1 Dylan Lancaster, Skowhegan; 10. 00 Alica Goodwin, Clinton; DQ 56 Paul Jackson, Augusta.

Flyin’ 4: 1. 09 Ryan Ripley, Waldoboro; 2. 12 Thomas True, Wiscasset; 3. 51 Mike Mason, Skowhegan; 4. 82 Chris Williams, Oakland; 5. 02 Jason Trundy, Old Town; 6. 18X Chelsea Young, Winterport; 7. 19 Zach Audet, New Sharon; 8. 2 Jordan Hawes, Skowhegan; 9. 32 Tasha Dyer, Arrowsic; 10. 12 Darrin Durell, Newburgh; 11. 4 Nick Lizotte, Sidney; 12. 83 Mike Odgen 12. 09X Keith Odgen, Dedham; 12. 21 Matt Shaw, Troy; 13. 18 Russell Blenkhorn, Ellsworth; 14. 40 Chris Burbelo, Frankfort; 15. 16X Daymon Dodge, Troy; 16. 35 Ken Odgen, Seal Cove; 17. 26 (name unknown); 18. 97 Merv Green, Clinton.

Ladies: 1. 18X Chelsea Young, Winterport; 2. 08 Shelby Kimball, Cornville; 3. 11 Mika Wilson, Chelsea; 4. 00 Alica Goodwin, Clinton; 5. 91 Kayla Allen, Bucksport; 6. 97X Becky Elston, Carmel; 7. 97 Sandy Green, Clinton.

Enduro: 1. 91 Kayla Allen, Bucksport; 2. 09 Matt Kimball, Cornville; 3. 1 Dan Quilla, Winterport; 4. 57 Freddie Landry; 5. 99 Chad Michaud, Fairfield; 6. 72 William Bedard, Burnham; 7. 10X James Corson, Benton; 8. 01 Nicholas Landry, Anson.