WISCASSET

Wiscasset Speedway’s Late Model Sportsman division proved once again why it is the track’s most exciting and competitive division in 2014.

Coming into the holiday weekend, the class had turned out five different winners in the first five races.

That streak of different winners continued after an action-packed, and caution-free, 35-lap feature.

The Independence Day weekend show featured action in Group Two divisions, including Late Models, Strictly Streets, Thunder 4 Minis and Mini Truck. The ‘Flex’ race of the weekend was a 100-lap Enduro. Fans also got an opportunity to meet pro fisherman Troy Garrison.

The Thunder 4 Mini’s rolled out the spotlight feature of the night with a 30-lap feature race.

Wiscasset’s Ryan Chadwick took little time moving up from his 10th starting position to grab the lead just before the halfway point of the race. From there he held off late race challenges from Richmond’s Nate Tribbettt and Cody Robbins to secure the win.

For point-leader Chadwick, it was his fifth feature win in six races. Tribbett started on the outside of the front row and took second, followed by Robbins.

The Mini Trucks had a straight forward 15-lap feature race with six drivers. The race was slowed by just one caution as previous week’s winner Matt Weil went spinning off turn 4. While he did return to the race, he was not a factor.

Freeport’s Matt Curtis started on the outside of the front row. He quickly disposed of Jeff Schmidt, and then out-raced point leader Jerry McKenna for the victory. They were joined in victory lane by Sanford’s Kris Knox.

Late Model Sportsman

The 35-lap Late Model Sportsman feature saw Sidney’s Chris Thorne lined up at the pole position and surrounded by the St. Clair family. He had veteran “Boss Hogg” Dave St. Clair lined up behind him and brothers Ryan and Josh St. Clair alongside.

Thorne quickly shook off the challenge and pulled out to a half straight-away advantage by the halfway point. Through the middle of the race, Dave St. Clair settled into a good run and slowly started to reel in the race leader.

After trying the outside of Thorne with 10 laps to go, Dave St. Clair switched things up and pulled to the inside of Thorne in turn three to take the lead and won by four carlengths. It was his first win at Wiscasset in nearly 10 years.

Thorne held on to finish second and was joined in victory lane by Ryan St. Clair.

The 25-Lap Strictly Street feature was slowed by a handful of cautions, including a backstretch wall hit and rollover by Shawn Rines on the first lap of the race. Rines walked away from the wreck, but later was treated for soreness in his chest by track medical personnel.

Despite the restarts, nobody had an answer for Peru’s Dan Brown. He withstood challenges from Mike Brown and Zack Emerson, as well as Lisbon’s Dave Brannon, who finished second in the race, the same as he did to Brown four weeks earlier.

Zack Emerson started fifth and raced his way to third just ahead of Lisbon’s Richard Spaulding. Not to be outdone, Mac Hannan Jr. raced from 18th up to fifth in his first Wiscasset appearance of the year.

The show wrapped up with a 100-lap Enduro. The race had plenty of action and plenty of blown right front tires. In the end, it was a dominant performance by John Rines, winning the race by a three-lap advantage over Mike St. Germain and Roy Glidden.

Wiscasset Speedway returns to action this upcoming Saturday with Mainely Motorsports Fan Appreciation Day.

The show will feature action in Group One divisions, including Prostocks, Napa Super Streets, Outlaw Mini’s and 4-cylinder Pros. The Flex Race of the week will be a 35-lap feature for the Nelcar Legends.

To add to the fun, there will be a pre-race on track driver meet-and-greet, where fans can go down onto the track to meet the Group One drivers. There will also be children’s bike races, and the Maine Vintage Stock Car Association will have its mobile museum on hand.

Pit gates will open at 2 p.m., grandstand gates at 4 p.m., and the prerace autograph session will start at 5:30 p.m.. Racing begins at 6 p.m. Grandstand admission is $5, with children 6 and under free. Pit admission is $20.

Details are available at www.wiscassetspeedway.com

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