Wiscasset Speedway Press Release 5/17/21
Last Saturday night Group 2 returned to action at Maine’s fastest track. For the Late Model Sportsman division, it was their final tune-up race before the highly anticipated Coastal 200. Five-time champion Chris Thorne found the ideal time to regain his stride and turned one of those “statement” wins that let the rest of the class know he’ll be one to watch on May 30th. In other action, it was a good night for other multi-time champions. 2-time Modified champ Adam Chadbourne and 3-time Outlaw Mini champ Jimmy Childs returned to their winning ways, each grabbing their first checkered flag of the year. Josh St Clair had another good night as well, landing on the podium in both the Late Model and Strictly Street features.
The 88.5FM Modifieds had the spotlight feature on the Saturday evening car, with a 40 lap contest. Brian Treadwell led the field to the green flag and held the lead for the first two circuits. Adam Chadbourne set sail on the outside from his third row starting spot and raced his way into the lead by lap 3. Much the same as their first race, rival Ryan Ripley was not too far away. However this time Chadbourne was able to lead the rest of the way to the victory, the 53rd of his career at Wiscasset. Ripley settled for runner-up honors. Veteran Mark Lucas of Harpswell returned from a three-year hiatus away from Wiscasset and turned in a decent 3rd place effort. The top 5 was completed by Jeff Prindall of Lisbon and Mike Brown of Hope.
The 25 lap feature for the Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Minis once again showcased a battle between two of the most accomplished mini stock racers in the state’s history: Jimmy Childs and Zach Audet. As usual, it came down to how quickly and cleanly they could get to the front. It took just a couple laps for them to get to the front and soon the chase was on with Childs spending the next 20 laps holding off everything Audet threw at him. Not once were the two separated by more than a car length. At one point Audet got into Childs’ back bumper, turning the leader’s Ford Mustang sideways. But, in a great show of respect and sportsmanship Audet backed off to let Childs correct it and from there they went back to their battle for the win. Childs, a 3-time Outlaw Mini title holder went on the secure his first win of the year. Audet was the opening day winner and settled for second this time. Richmond’s Scott Trask overcame electrical problems to race his way to the 3rd place finish.
The Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Model Sportsman rolled out 17 strong competitors for their 40 lap feature. This time, with the track’s handicap system in effect, the top drivers had to prove their metal by racing their way through traffic to get to the front. DC Alexander and James Barker led the field to the green flag. Alexander set the early pace leading the first 14 laps with Barker and Asa Jones in hot pursuit. But It didn’t take long for attention to go back to mid-pack as Chris Thorne, Andrew McLaughlin, Will Collins, and Josh St Clair began their charge toward the front. Thorne took just 8 laps to get from his 11th starting position into the top 3. Then just 6 laps later he took the lead driving around the outside of Alexander. A pair of cautions bunched up the field, but it was clear that on this night nobody had a serious challenge to the 5-time champ. The closest was the opening day winner and point leader Josh St Clair of Liberty. He started the race back in 15th and like Thorne, made a strong charge through the field to put himself in contention. By the midway point of the race he had moved into second, but there he would remain for the rest of the race, taking home the runner-up trophy. Clinton’s Frank Moulton came to life over the middle of the race to finish a distant 3rd behind the lead pair. McLaughlin and Collins completed the top 5.
Liberty’s Josh St Clair has had quite a start to the 2021 season. Along with opening day wins in both Pro Stock and Late Model action, the third generation racer made it wins in three different divisions by taking the checkers in the 25 lap Portland Glass Strictly Street feature. He started back in 11th of the 16 car field and took the lead from his cousin Ashton Reynolds on lap 20. From there he drove to the checkers for his second podium appearance of the night. Reynolds, another grandson of HOF driver Dave St Clair, turned in the best effort of his brief career, finishing in 2nd. A strictly street race at Wiscasset doesn’t seem complete without a podium appearance by a member of the Emerson family. Jonathon Emerson didn’t disappoint, racing from 15th up to 3rd. The race was slowed by just one caution flag. Mac Hannan Jr of Washington and Scott Eck of Lisbon completed the top 5. For the rookie Eck, he won his first heat race and started from the pole position, holding on for his first best finish.
The Ideal Roadrunners doubled their numbers from the previous week’s race, rolling out 12 cars for their 15 lap feature. Several cautions slowed the action in the entry-level division race. Seth Woodard and Mark Sawyer were the class of the field, running to first and second-place finishes. However, the win would go to Sawyer, as Woodard was issued a 3-position penalty following post-race tech inspection. Mike Duffy of Camden was bumped up to the second place position, a personal best for him. Stella Wyman would round out the top 3 official finishers.
Wiscasset Speedway returns to action Saturday, May 22nd with Group 1 in action for the third time this season. The event will also feature the first race in the Ideal Portable Toilets Enduro Series. The 100 laps of craziness will complete the Saturday night program. For a complete rundown of the race day schedule and other info, check the website www.wiscassetspeedway.com.
Sources: Ken Minott/Wiscasset Speedway PR