Kris Watson Takes “95” Sportsman Feature & Series Wins
HERMON, ME — Hermon’s Kris Watson raced side by side with Milford’s Smokin’ Joe Legere over most of the second half of the 50 lap Darling’s Bangor Ford Series race #3 at Speedway 95 Saturday night, but took the lead in the final 5 laps and went on to take the win. Legere had led the first half of the event while Watson was mired in traffic. But once free, Watson caught Legere and the race was on between the two drivers who were tied in series points when the final race of the series began. The two raced side by side with Watson on the inside and Legere on the outside until Leger’s car became loose in the corners and began to fade. Legere finished in second with 2012 division champion Steve Moulton finishing third in a car that was smoking and not up to its usual speed. Fourth went to Bradley’s Bradley Smart with Lindsey Young of Winterport finishing fifth. With his win, Watson took the overall series win by 2 points over Leger, who finished second in the three race series. Skowhegan’s Kris Matchett was third in the series points despite an early exit from the 50 lap finale.
In the Dysart’s Late Models, Andy Saunders of Ellsworth picked up his third win of the season after chasing down and passing early leader Deane Smart of Bradley from his eighth place starting spot and passing him on a lap 26 restart. Pole sitter Donny Blanchard of Bangor finished second in the 40 lap event that saw only 7 of the 15 starters make it to the checkered flag. Wayne Parritt Jr. of Steuben drove his father’s car to a third place finish with Ryan Deane of Winterport in fourth. Chris Ryan of Carmel was fifth. Five caution flags and one red flag slowed the action over the 40 lap distance, eliminating 5 cars from the race, with three others, including Smart, succumbing to mechanical issues and leaving the race early.
Shelby Kimball of Cornville lined up next to her brother Matt Kimball, also of Cornville, on the front row of the Keystone Automotive Strictly Street 25 lap feature and immediately took the lead at the drop of the green flag. With no caution flags slowing the action, Shelby maintained the lead to the checkers, but it wasn’t an easy run. Glenburn’s Jordan Pearson caught Kimball midway through the race and stayed glued to her bumper, challenging her for the top spot, but was unable to get by and finished in the runner up spot. Third place went to Harrington’s Alex Berry with last week’s winner Dave Gray of Dixmont in fourth. Matt Kimball finished in fifth.
Donny Silva of Hudson showed up for Sport-Four racing with a “new” car, recently purchased from former Sport-Four driver Emma Libby of Glenburn who had made the move up to the Strictly Street division a few weeks ago. He immediately showed how well he and the car could work together as he won both the qualifier and the feature event for the night. Silva was able to maintain the lead through two restarts, staying ahead of 2012 division champion Ted Ryder of Carmel, who finished second. Third spot in the 25 lap feature went to Hermon’s Kevin Hartley, with visitor Tim Robinson of Clinton finishing fourth. Jim Goodman Jr. of Orrington ran a strong race and finished fifth in the 16 car field.
In Bomber action, Scott Bonney of Bangor took the win by less than a foot after a close battle with Carmel’s Denis Burns over the final 10 laps of the race. Burns closed up on Bonney following a lap 9 restart, caused when Skowhegan’s Zach Audet veered off course and struck the turn one wall, and the race was on. The two battled nose to tail and side by side to the checkers with Burns settling for the second place trophy. Mark Lane of Newport finished third, with Chris Carroll of Greenbush in fourth. Audet recovered to finish fifth after a quick trip to the pit for repairs during the caution.
The Wicked Good Vintage Racing League made its second appearance of the season at the speedway and Forrest Davis of Glenburn drove away with the victory. Scott Tucker of Winthrop finished second with Norris Willette of Norridgewock in third. Fourth went to Bob Symonds, hometown unknown, with Keith Smalley of Warren finishing fifth.
Racing continues on Saturday night at Speedway 95 on August 10 at 6:00 with NAPA Auto Parts Night, featuring the Keystone Automotive Strictly Streets in the 35 lap finale of their Pepsi Beverage Company series. Shelby Kimball of Cornville leads the series standings by 6 points over Harrington’s Alex Berry. Matt Kimball of Cornville is in third, 10 points behind his sister. Also racing that night will be the Dysart’s Late Models, the Darling’s Ford Sportsman, the Sport-Four, and Bomber divisions.
Sources: Speedway 95 PR