The Modified Racing Series made its return to Wiscasset Speedway on Saturday, July 9th for an action-packed 75 lap main event. The touring series, founded in 2004, runs a limited 7 race schedule and features some of the most talented Modified drivers in the Northeast. The drivers in Saturday’s lineup included Andy Shaw, Matt Swanson, Donnie Lashua and Derek Robie, among others.
The Modified Racing Series joined the weekly Group #2 divisions at Wiscasset, which included the Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Minis, Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Models, 88.5FM Modifieds and the Portland Glass Strictly Streets. The program was sponsored by Whited Equipment Company, who had equipment on display at the track entrance and representatives joining the fun in Victory Lane following the races.
The night kicked off with a 25-lap feature for the Outlaw Minis. Division rivals, Zach Audet and Jimmy Childs, both started mid-pack and tangled on lap 2, resulting in Childs retiring to the pits and Audet being forced to restart at the tail end of the field due to his involvement in the caution. Audet began to quickly maneuver through the field following the incident, eventually taking over the lead on lap 13. Audet avoided some late-race carnage to pick up yet another win in the division. Travis Poulliot and Tyler Dinsmore followed, rounding out the podium.
Frank Moulton took off with the early lead in the 40-lap Late Model feature. “Boss Hogg” Dave St. Clair was on a mission mid-race, overtaking Frank Moulton for the top spot on lap 20 as Will Collins followed. A caution on lap 28 brought the field back together and Will Collins powered to the lead as Dave St. Clair faltered, falling back to fifth. A late-race caution on lap 38 brought opportunity for Josh St. Clair, who restarted in second after starting the race outside of the top 20. Josh St. Clair remained deadlocked with Will Collins until the final lap, where St. Clair pulled ahead with the advantage in turn 1 and never looked back. St. Clair sailed into the victory, which was his 3rd consecutive win in the division and tenth of the season overall among all divisions. Will Collins and Matt Bourgoine followed, rounding out the top 3.
Following post-race technical inspection, Will Collins was penalized due to a weight violation and ultimately scored a last place finish. The official top 3 ruling following tech was Josh St. Clair, Matt Bourgoine and Chris Thorne
The weekly Modifieds took to the track next for their 30 lap feature. Wayne Whitten held the early advantage over a hard-charging Ryan Ripley. A caution on lap 12 brought the field back together and it was ruled that both drivers on the front row had jumped the restart. This resulted in the top 2 rows being swapped and division rookie, Brandon Williams, taking over the lead. Williams began to pull away from Ryan Ripley in the second half of the race. He was met with ultimate heartbreak with just 3 laps to go as he came to a slow in turn 3 and limped to the pits after breaking a left ball joint. Ryan Ripley took off from there, picking up his fourth win of the season in the division as Jeff Burgess and Adam Chadbourne rounded out the podium.
The Strictly Streets rounded out the weekly portion of the program with a 25-lap feature race. Chaz Briggs pulled away with the early advantage over Ashton Burgess, but Josh St. Clair was rapidly making his way through the field. St. Clair took over the lead on lap 10 and maintained his advantage after a mid-race caution on lap 13, securing his second win of the night and his 11th of the season overall. Kurt Hewins and Chaz Briggs (first podium finish at Wiscasset) rounded out the top 3.
The night concluded with the 75-lap main event for the Modified Racing Series. All eyes were on Derek Robie and Matt Swanson, who had both won their heat races earlier in the evening. Matt Swanson took off like a rocket from the beginning, pulling away from both Jacob Perry and Kevin Iannarelli. Iannarelli, who ran in the top 3 all day, was met with an unfortunate fate on lap 66 as he took a spin in turn 4. This resulted in a late-race caution with less than ten laps to go. Matt Swanson buckled down on the restart, maintaining his advantage over the competition. He was able to capitalize on his dominating performance, securing the victory. Ryan Doucette and Jacob Perry followed, rounding out the podium.
The Modified Racing Series surely brought the fun (and speed!) to Wiscasset Speedway on Saturday night. The fun continues as we roll into another Group #1 program on Saturday, July 16th. The night will feature the Norm’s Used Cars Pro Stocks, Market 27 Super Streets, Sweatt’s Concrete Thunder 4 Minis, Brackett’s Market 4-Cylinder Pros and the second T&L Automotive Enduro of the season! Grandstands open at 4:00 pm and racing will commence at 5:00 pm. As always, admission is just $5 for adults and free for kids 6 & under.
To learn more about the Modified Racing Series, please visit http://www.themodifiedracingseries.com.
For official results and more track information, please visit http://www.wiscassetspeedway.com.
Wiscasset Speedway is located on West Alna Road in Wiscasset, ME.
-Story by: Amy Harrop/Chasing the Checkered