John Zych Continues NEMA Streak at Wiscasset
What happens when you put the fastest asphalt sprint cars in the world on Maine’s fastest track? You get a whole new level of speed. Track speed records were up for grabs once again as the lightning-fast NEMA Midgets & NEMA Lites converged on Wiscasset Speedway Saturday night for Ames True Value NEMA Night. Turning laps around the 3/8 mile track with speeds topping 100mph, the NEMA Midgets put on a show for the packed house. John Zych of Mendon, Mass has quickly turned Wiscasset Speedway into one of his favorite tracks. Starting mid-pack in the 30 lap spotlight feature, it took just one lap for the former champ to rocket around the competition and into the lead. A mid-race restart against top rival Randy Cabral gave him his only true test in the race, but just a lap later he was back in charge and ran away with his 3rd straight win at Wiscasset Speedway. “We’ve been very fortunate at Wiscasset and have some success,” said Zych, “I love this place”. Cabral, who picked up a win at Wiscasset back in 2015, grabbed runner-up honors. Jim Chambers finished 3rd. While track records remained intact this time, the NEMA drivers got within just a few 10ths of a second, turning laps just over 13 seconds. In the 25 lap support feature for the NEMA Lites, Jim Chambers returned to victory lane to claim the winner’s trophy, he was joined by Zych and Jim Cataldo, however, post-race inspection and subsequent protest have left the results unofficial. NEMA returns to Wiscasset again in September.
In regular weekly Group 1 action, Albion’s Spencer Sweatt started 13th in the 25 lap Thunder 4 feature and passed the field on his way to his 2nd win of the season. Previous race winner Travis Poulliot of South China and Caleb Emerson-Mains of Richmond finished 2nd and 3rd respectively. The Maxwell’s Market Super Streets saw a change atop the point standings as defending champ & point leader Josh Bailey sat out the 25 lap feature. Former champ Mark Lucas passed leader Zac Poland on the final turn to grab the checkers. Poland, who lead the first 24-3/4 circuits around the track would settle for 2nd, matching his personal best. Mike Hodgkins of Jefferson would claim the division point lead with his 3rd place efforts. The 40 lap feature for the ServPro of Biddeford Saco Prostocks would see a shakeup following post-race inspection. Kevin Douglass appeared to have taken the win, his first in 5 years, however, a penalty for a shock infraction dropped him 10 positions in the final tally. The rest of the field would be bumped up a spot giving the win to Brian Whitney of Etna. Jamie Wright of Woolwich, last year’s Rookie of the Year picked up a personal best 2nd place finish. Jeremie Whorff of Bath took home 3rd. The final race of the night was a 25 lap contest for the Cahill tire 4-Cylinder Pros. Once again it was the Hayden Norris show. The 2nd generation racer from West Gardiner remained undefeated, taking his 4th win of the season. Jeff Prindall of Lisbon and Larry Melcher of Jay filled the rest of the top 3.
Wiscasset Speedway returns to action Saturday, June 9th with Group 2, including Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Models, K&A Property Services Modifieds, Norms Used Cars Strictly Streets and Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Minis. Also, the Amsoil Nelcar Legends will make their 2nd appearance of the year with their 30 lap National Qualifier race. Pit gates will open at 2:00 pm, Grandstands at 4:00 pm and racing action begins at 6:00 pm. For information, results, photos, season schedule and more, go to the track website at www.wiscassetspeedway.com
WISCASSET SPEEDWAY RESULTS 6/2/18
THUNDER 4 MINI (25 LAPS)
Pos No. Name Home Town Laps Diff
1 84 Spencer Sweatt Albion 25
2 16 Travis Poulliot China 25 2.191
3 4E Caleb Emerson – Mains Richmond 25 3.224
4 26 Michael Golding Pownal 25 3.407
5 54 Noah Haggett Wiscasset 25 4.078
6 58 David Greenleaf Brunswick 25 4.249
7 4x Cameron Campbell New Gloucester 25 4.471
8 00 Nick Morton Woolwich 25 5.107
9 25 Brian Burr Brunswick 25 5.772
10 04 Curtis Anderson Richmond 25 5.851
11 7 Howard Roberts Jay 22 3 Laps
12 20 Devan Robinson Warren 18 7 Laps
13 51c Cody Robbins Palermo 15 10 Laps
MAXWELLS MARKET SUPER STREETS (25 LAPS)
Pos No. Name Home Town Laps Diff
1 5 Mark Lucas Harpswell 25
2 06 Zac Poland Woolwich 25 0.234
3 23x Mike Hodgkins Jefferson 25 0.312
4 85 Michael Harrison Durham 25 1.079
5 11 Jason Oakes Boothbay 25 8.142
6 48 Dan Nessmith Wiscasset 25 10.109
7 30 Cory Creamer Randolph 25 10.71
8 24 David Thompson Jefferson 25 11.957
9 55 Bob Crocker Freeport 25 12.658
10 28 Steve Minott Windham 25 13.073
11 1 Jeff Davis Woolwich 24 1 Lap
12 54 Neil Evans Jr. Yarmouth 24 1 Lap
13 8 Bouncer Knight Jay 9 16 Laps
SERVPRO OF BIDDEFORD SACO PROSTOCKS (40 LAPS)
Pos No. Name Home Town Laps Diff
1 41 Brian Whitney Pittsfield 40
2 84 Jamie Wright Woolwich 40 3.574
3 8 Jeremie Whorff Bath 40 4.063
4 05 James Osmond Wiscasset 40 8.342
5 29 Kevin Morse Woolwich 40 9.823
6 21 James Barker Jay 40 10.989
7 02 Shane Lane North Anson 39 1 Lap
8 13 Nate Tribbett Richmond 38 2 Laps
9 6 Travis Dunbar Auburn 38 2 Laps
10 17 Jamie Peaslee Wiscasset 38 2 Laps
11 18 Kevin Douglass Sidney 40 penalty
12 15 Nick Hinkley Wiscasset 6 34 Laps
13 72 Charlie Colby Newcastle 1 39 Laps
CAHILL TIRE 4-CYLINDER PROS (25 LAPS)
Pos No. Name Home Town Laps Diff
1 03 Hayden Norris Gardiner 25
2 24 Jeff Prindall Lisbon 25 2.399
3 41 Larry Melcher Jay 25 3.267
4 4 Connor Wenners Edgecomb 25 3.399
5 8 Craig Dunn Strong 25 4.07
6 70 Taylor Lane Phillips 25 4.247
7 12 Max Rowe Turner 25 4.293
8 14 Nicole Benincasa Buxton 25 4.894
9 00 PJ Merrill Canton 25 5.189
10 5 Dominic Curret Saco 15 10 Laps
11 42 Mike Kibbin South China 3 22 Laps
Sources: Ken Minott/Wiscasset Speedway PR