Josh St. Clair Wins 2nd Consecutive Strictly Shootout at Wiscasset Speedway
Wiscasset Speedway closed out their 2024 points season on Saturday and celebrated by hosting their biggest Strictly Street race of the year; the Strictly Shootout presented by Thayer’s Automotive. With a guaranteed $600 winner’s payout and thousands of dollars of contingency prizes on the line, 40 drivers showed up to shoot their shot at making it into the big dance.
The racing action kicked off with three extended 12-lap heat races for the Strictly Shootout, where the top 6 drivers from each qualifier would advance into the big show. Dan Brown, Dan McKeage, Jr., and Landon Tapley won these heats while heavy hitters like Jordan Russell, Nate Leavitt, Zack Emerson, and others were forced into consolation races.
Ethan Dinsmore won the first consolation race, but was DQ’d after failing technical inspection. This put Zack Emerson, Nate Leavitt, and Clyde Hennessey into the Shootout. Former race winner Jordan Russell put on a clinic in the second consolation race, scoring the win over Brady Romano and Derrick Burnham.
The Strictly Streets got a little bit of a breather as the Chestnut Auto Roadrunners took to the stage for their final race of the 2024 season. Ken Turner took off with the early lead and held strong through multiple restarts, picking up his first career win at the speedway. Kyle Enman scored a runner-up finish and the championship in the division after collecting an impressive 6 wins over the course of the season. Alec Brown rounded out the podium, finishing runner-up in the point standings.
Frank Moulton entered the night with a less-than-comfortable 28-point lead over Tiger Colby in the Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Models. Fortunately for him, he was able to keep Colby within arms reach during the qualifier and didn’t lose too many points prior to the 40-lap feature. Moulton broke the top 3 on lap 20 of the feature, but Tiger Colby stole the spot away just a handful of laps later. While Colby powered to second behind eventual race winner Shane Clark, Moulton dropped back to fourth. It was still enough to clinch the championship, and he celebrated with a burnout on the front stretch following the race.
The last chance qualifier for the Strictly Shootout followed, with only one driver advancing into the main event. Jeremy Glasier won the LCQ, but opted out of the Shootout. His spot went to Ryan Esancy while provisionals were given to David Greenleaf, Chuck Wagstaff, and Dale Lawrence, setting the field.
While the Strictly drivers prepared for the Shootout, the T&L Automotive Modifieds took to the track for their season finale. Adam Chadbourne entered the day with a slim 10-point lead over Chuck Colby, but Colby’s day got off to a nightmare start as he took a hard hit into the turn 3 wall during the heat race. He was able to piece the #87 machine back together for the feature, breaking the top 5 early, but Chadbourne was too far gone. Chadbourne sealed the victory and his 7th career championship at Wiscasset, tying Josh St. Clair and Maurice Young for the most titles in track history. Grandfather-grandson duo, Steve and Reed Reno, rounded out the podium.
The top 12 qualifiers for the Strictly Shootout did a redraw for starting position prior to the start of the event, with Jon Emerson and Dan Brown drawing the front row. Emerson held onto a brief early lead in the feature, but was quickly overtaken by Josh St. Clair. Multiple early-race cautions collected a lot of notable drivers, including Jordan Russell and Clyde Hennessey, among others.
Josh St. Clair held strong through the chaos, leading the charge over Billy Childs, Jr.. 2024 division champion Dan McKeage, Jr. also joined the fray on lap 15, breaking the top 3. Just before halfway, McKeage was able to make a successful pass on Billy Childs Jr., claiming the runner-up spot.
Josh St. Clair pocketed an additional $200 in winnings by leading the race at halfway and his total continued to grow from there as the laps wound down. Dan McKeage, Jr. was able to give him a bit of a challenge in the closing laps of the race and eventually made his way to the back bumper of the #95 machine, but it was simply too little, too late. Josh St. Clair took home the victory, scoring his second consecutive Strictly Shootout win. He also collected a hearty $3,135 in total winnings. Dan McKeage, Jr. ($915 payout) and Billy Childs, Jr. ($1,520 payout) rounded out the podium.
This year’s Strictly Shootout was bigger and better than ever before and Team Wiscasset would like to thank all of the lap and contingency prize sponsors who helped make the event a smashing success.
With the 2024 points season now in the rearview, Wiscasset Speedway will be closing out their race season by hosting their Fall Fury 150 Enduro in addition to the Wicked Good Vintage Racers and the Ladies Acceleration Series this Saturday, October 5th.
A cookout and awards ceremony will follow, celebrating all of this year’s champions. All are welcome to attend. The green flag flies at 12:00 pm and as always, general admission is just $5 while kids 6 and under are free!
For the official track schedule, race results, and more, please visit http://www.wiscassetspeedway.
Sources: Amy Worrey/Wiscasset Speedway PR
Photos by Jasen Dickey Photography