Ashton Burgess Scores First Career Strictly Street Victory at Wiscasset Speedway
Following an unfortunate rainout the week prior, Wiscasset Speedway successfully hosted a full Group 2 program on Saturday. The agenda included the Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Models, Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Minis, Portland Glass Strictly Streets, T&L Automotive Modifieds, and the flex Chestnut Auto Roadrunners division.
The night kicked off with a 50-lap spotlight race for the Late Models. Alex Waltz pulled to the early lead in the feature as Frank Moulton lingered closely behind. The two drivers went head-to-head for the top spot on lap 7. While battling it out, Waltz took a spin in turn 4, resulting in a caution.
Brett Osmond gave Frank Moulton a run for his money on the restart and remained persistent in the laps following, taking over the top spot on lap 26. By this point, Tiger Colby had climbed the leaderboard and began chasing down Will Collins for the runner-up spot. He took over the position on lap 35 and moved on to Osmond for the lead. Colby reached his door on lap 40 and made quick work of his challenger, taking over the top spot. He sailed off into the sunset, picking up his second win of the season in the division. Will Collins and Brett Osmond rounded out the top 3. Results from this division remain unofficial.
Kyle Willette powered into the early lead over Zach Audet in the 25-lap Outlaw Mini feature. Audet made his move on lap 11, pulling to Willette’s outside door to challenge. The two drivers battled it out for a dozen laps, but Audet was unable to capitalize on the opportunity as Willette took home the victory. Jeff Farrington rounded out the top 3.
Kyle Enman pulled ahead with the early advantage over Noah McGrath in the 20-lap Roadrunners feature. McGrath made his way to Enman’s door on lap 6 and the two drivers battled it out for a couple of laps before McGrath took over the top spot on lap 9. He took off from there, picking up his first victory of the season as Chip Farrington and Kyle Enman rounded out the top 3.
Zach Emerson claimed the early lead in the 25-lap Strictly Street feature. Chaos ensued on lap 4 as Chuck Wagstaff went around in turn 3, collecting Dan McKeage, Jr. This led to a string of cautions that collected multiple drivers. Emerson maintained his advantage once the field settled, but Ashton Burgess was coming through the field, taking over the runner-up spot on lap 10. A mid-race caution brought the field back together and Burgess got the upper hand, taking over the top spot on lap 18. Burgess capitalized on the opportunity, picking up his first career victory in the division. Josh St. Clair and Kurt Hewins rounded out the top 3.
The night concluded with a 30-lap Modified feature. Scott Trask held the early advantage, but Ryan Ripley was quickly making his way through the field, challenging for the top spot on lap 10. He remained persistent, stealing the lead away on lap 17 as Adam Chadbourne followed in succession. Chadbourne was all over Ripley’s back bumper with ten to go. He quickly pulled to Ripley’s door and the two drivers battled relentlessly. Coming into turn 1, Ripley shot across the track and took a spin, resulting in a caution. Chaos ensued from there, resulting in single-wide restarts for the remainder of the race. Adam Chadbourne took off on the restart, successfully fending off a hard-charging Ryan Ripley. Connor Wenners rounded out the podium.
Saturday night brought plenty of red-hot racing action, but there is still more to come! Group 1 returns on Saturday, August 12th with the marquee Ward & Sons 100 Super Street race, 4-Cylinder Pros, Pro Stocks, Thunder 4 Minis, and the visiting S.T.A.R Tour. Saturday’s racing action will be followed up by the track’s annual Summerfest on Sunday, benefiting the Maine Vintage Race Car Association.
The green flag flies at 5:00 pm on Saturday and the gate opens at 10:00 am on Sunday!
For the official track schedule, race results, and more, please visit http://www.wiscassetspeedway.
All photos are labeled with which driver they are of/which division they are from. Will have to send photos in multiple emails due to file size(s). Descriptions:
– Chris Burgess happily celebrates his first Strictly Street Victory.
– Late Model top 3, from left: Brett Osmond, Tiger Colby, and Will Collins
– Adam Chadbourne talks with track announcer Nick Huff following his Modified victory.
– Outlaw Mini top 3, from left: Jr. Official Kamden Dorey, Kyle Willette, Zach Audet, and Jeff Farrington
– Roadrunner top 3, from left: Jr. Official Kamden Dorey, Kyle Enman, Chip Farrington, and Noah McGrath
– Strictly Street top 3, from left: Jr. Official Kamden Dorey, Kurt Hewins, Ashton Burgess, and Josh St. Clair
Sources: Amy Worrey – Chasing the Checkered
Photos by David at Mainemonty Media