WISCASSET

Wiscasset Speedway saw packed grandstands and some exciting racing action this past Saturday. The bright lights lit up Maine’s fastest oval for the spotlighted race of the evening, the Amsoil Nelcar Legends National Qualifier.

Starting off the evening was the 35-lap Amsoil Nelcar Legends feature. Prior to race beginning, the drivers had first competed in time trials to determine heat position. At race time start the cream had risen to the top and the three front runners battled for a win. From the start, Kevin Girard Jr., set a grueling pace with an average speed of nearly 78-miles per hour. Behind Girard was Bob Weymouth, who along with third place starter, Matt Grant, gave Girard a challenge. Girard was able to hold them off despite three cautions.

Girard finished first, Weymouth in second and Grant rounded out the top three.

Next up were the Thunder Four Mini’s. Michael Golding started on the pole, and beside him was Devan Robinson. During lap two Robinson slid up to the wall on turn one, allowing Jason Trundy to advance to second and Michael Harrison to move to third.

Racing stayed consistent and close until a caution during lap 13. When action resumed, Trundy took the lead, with Golding dropping back to fifth. Harrison sped to second, and Joe Katula snatched third. When the checkered flew, the race order was the same as Trundy took the win, Harrison placed second and Katula took third.

Phil Richardson started on the pole in Prostocks. In second was Charlie Colby and James Osmond began in third.

When the green flew, Colby shot like a bullet to the front of the pack. Andy Saunders was rapidly advancing from his ninth-place start. Saunders was preparing to pass Osmond for third when Colby spun on the front stretch. Saunders avoided Colby by shooting down the entrance to pit row. This brought out a caution that put Richardson back in the lead. Osmond advanced to second and Saunders moved to third.

After several restarts, Richardson took the lead, Osmond advanced to second and Ajay Picard was in third. Lap 26 saw another caution, and on the restart Thomas True passed Picard for third. Race leaders remained constant until the finish with Richardson taking the win, Osmond in second and Picard third.

The New England Four Cylinder Prostocks’ 25-lap feature had RJ Pinkham at the pole, with Connor Wenners second and Fred Ashmore third. There was a caution during lap four for Spencer Vaughan, who spun and gathered John Shorey. There was no leader change until lap nine when Jeff Prindall rocketed to third. It was short lived because Prindall spun on the back stretch, allowing Dave Patten to advance to third.

Patten wasn’t in third long enough to get comfortable. During lap 13, Kamren Knowles, who started from the back of the 15-car field, moved into third. By lap 20 Knowles was in the lead. Pinkham was in second and Wenners was in third.

On lap 21, Wenners spun out on turn four, moving Ryan Hayes to third. In the remaining laps, the lead cars raced to the finish to see Knowles win his third consecutive race. Second went to Pinkham and Hayes placed third.

Concluding the show was a 25-lap Super Street event. Josh Bailey started at the pole, with Mark Lucas to his right and David Vaughn in third.

When green flag racing began, Lucas passed Bailey for the lead. Jason Curtis rapidly advanced up the track from fourth place, passing Bailey for second. Vaughn then passed Bailey for third and sped up the track looking for second. Vaughn then got under Curtis, sending him into a spin that gathered up several cars in the ensuing chaos. A caution was called.

There was a caution during lap 15 when Vaughn bumped Bailey from behind and sent the driver into a spin. Both went to the back and Adam Chadbourne advanced to third. On the restart, Curtis passed Chadbourne for third and marched up the track, passing Tasha Dyer on the inside for second. For the remaining 10 laps, Dyer stayed to the outside and battled for the spot. Dyer slowly reeled Curtis in then went ahead by a nose.

There was excitement in the air when the flagman waved the green flag finish. Lucas swept by in first. Dyer’s car was less than a second behind Lucas, taking second. Curtis finished less than a half a second behind Dyer in third.

Racing returns to Wiscasset Speedway this upcoming Saturday, with action beginning at 2 p.m. Grandstand gates open at noon.

Admission is $5 for adults and children ages 7 and above. Children six and under enter free.