With other local short tracks taking the weekend off, Wiscasset Speedway saw an increased number of drivers in the pits and fans in the stands on Saturday as they hosted their Group 2 divisions. The program, which was sponsored by Mainely Karting, also included an extended 75-lap race for the Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Models and a 20-lap exhibition race for LST Motorsports Park’s Champ Karts.
The night kicked off with the Champ Karts, where Darren Miranda took off with the early lead over Kyle Lorrain. While leading, Miranda got caught up with a lap car on lap 11, resulting in a caution. Miranda was forced to restart in the rear, sacrificing the lead to Kyle Lorrain. Cody Wilson was all over Kyle Lorrain on the restart, but Lorrain held strong, taking home the victory in the Sr. Champ Karts. There was also a “race within the race” happening for the Masters Champ Karts, and Michael “Brick” Ramsey took home the crown by being the top-finishing competitor in that division in the field.
The Late Model 75 followed, where David Getchell pulled out to the early lead over Brett Osmond. Osmond made his way to Getchell’s outside door on lap 7, challenging for the top spot. Osmond took over the following lap and began distancing himself from the competition. Multiple early-race cautions led to a start-stop effect and Tiger Colby’s #78 machine roared to life as the laps wound down. He stole second away from Chris Burgess on lap 44 and continued his pursuit in the laps following, overtaking the lead from Brett Osmond with just 25 laps to go. Colby maintained his advantage following another late-race restart, taking home the win over Brett Osmond and Chris Burgess.
Kyle Enman used a lap 3 restart to his advantage in the 25-lap feature for the Chestnut Auto Roadrunners and pulled out to the early lead over division rookie Karigan Glasier. The field steadied until Dylan York took a spin on lap 13, resulting in a mid-race caution. Kyle Enman powered ahead on the restart while Alec Brown maneuvered his way into the runner-up spot. Enman was able to fend off Brown in the closing laps to pick up his fifth feature win of the season. Karigan Glazier followed, scoring her best career finish to date in the division.
Zach Bowie powered away with a sizable lead in the 30-lap feature for the T&L Automotive Modifieds. An early-race caution brought the field back together and Adam Chadbourne took over the runner-up spot as Sylas Ripley lingered closely behind. The drivers made it a 3-way battle for the lead at halfway and Sylas Ripley made a bold crossover move on lap 16, taking over the top spot. Zach Bowie began to lose some momentum in the closing laps of the race, sacrificing second to Adam Chadbourne. Chadbourne was never quite able to catch up to Ripley, who took home his first career win in the Modifieds. Zach Bowie rounded out the podium.
The night concluded with a 30-lap feature race for the Portland Glass Strictly Streets. A hearty field of 28 drivers showed up to compete in the event, including a handful of visitors from Oxford Plains Speedway. Unfortunately, the race got off to a slow and messy start as multiple cautions plagued the racing action and took out many heavy hitters including Scott Eck, Landon Tapley, Ashton Burgess and Brady Romano, among others.
Once the field settled, longtime competitor Steve Pierpont took control of the race. A spin on lap 18 brought the field together once again and Mac Hannan, Jr. entered the picture, challenging Pierpont for the lead. Pierpont was able to pull ahead, but another caution on lap 22 halted the racing action with just 8 laps to go. There were 3-wide battles for both first and second on the restart, and Mac Hannan, Jr. came out on top as he powered to the lead over Josh St. Clair. Points leader Dan McKeage, Jr. also entered the fray in the closing laps of the race, sneaking up on Josh St. Clair and taking over second with just two laps to go. Mac Hannan, Jr. kept the pedal down and rode off into the night as Dan McKeage, Jr. and Josh St. Clair rounded out the top 3.
Saturday was certainly an action-packed night at Wiscasset Speedway, but more fun is still on the horizon! All Group 1 divisions plus the Enduros will return to the track on Saturday, August 24th. The green flag flies at 5:00 pm and adult general admission tickets are just $5.
For the official track schedule, race results and more, please visithttp://www.wiscassetspeedway.com.
-Story by: Amy Worrey, Chasing the Checkered
-Photo credit: Jasen Dickey Photography
