WISCASSET

Nick Reno practically grew up at the race track. Whether it was watching his grandfather Lawrence, or his father Steve, run circles at Beechridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough or Wiscasset Speedway, the younger Reno was always there.

“I don’t ever remember not being at the race track,” Nick said. “Growing up at Wiscasset Speedway and watching the local drivers influenced me.”

The West Bath native has been racing since he was 18- years old and currently races in two classes at Wiscasset Speedway this season — both the Modifieds and Pro Stock divisions.

Reno has raced in six Modified races this season, taking the checkered flag in two, while finishing five times in the top five.

“This year we weren’t intending to compete for a championship (in the Modified), but we find ourselves right there,” Reno said, as he currently sits in second place, trailing points leader Adam Chadbourne by 38 points.

“I never run for a championship. I did a full season a couple of years ago and it didn’t work out that well,” Nick said. “We had a lot of car problems and totaled something like three cars that year and it totally took the fun out of it.

“I am not sure what’s going to happen the rest of the way as their big Modified race (50 laps) is the same day as the (Pro Stock) Boss Hog 150.”

The Boss Hog 150 is Wiscasset Speedway’s big Pro Stock race, on Sept. 2, with $5,000 going to the winner.

While racing in two classes, Reno has been quite busy with both cars, and sees that sometimes one takes resources away from the other.

“If we solely concentrated on the Modifieds, we’d probably be a little better. Some weeks we put a little more into one car and the other one suffers a little,” Nick said. “The second half of the season we’re going to focus more on the Modifieds, and just race the Boss Hog in a few weeks.”

Some might say racing both is tough on the drivers, especially with both big races happening on the same day, as Reno weighs his options whether he’ll race both or not.

“Probably. I’m torn as I’d like to not race both races that weekend,” added Nick. “I can physically do it, but the attention both cars need all day, that will be tough.”

A week earlier, the Oxford 250 will be held at Oxford Plains Speedway. Reno has attempted to qualify over the years, but hasn’t made it over the hump to get into the race. He will not be racing it this year.

“I would like to make the Oxford 250 at some point, qualify with speed and earn my way in. We’ve either had a really good car and bad luck or good luck but a bad car. We’ve tried three or four times.” Nick said. “Last year we threw things together last minute and it didn’t work out well. We’re focused on racing the Boss Hog. Our car is dialed in pretty good here at Wiscasset (Speedway), so taking it to another track doesn’t make a lot of sense. We’ll leave it alone and brush the dust off in a few weeks.”

All in the family

Nick isn’t the only driver in the family, following the footsteps of his grandfather, who is in the New England Racing Hall of Fame, and his father. Albeit those are pretty big shoes to fill, and there are pressures involved, but Nick takes it all in stride.

“I would say there is,” noting the pressures of being a third generation racer, “just trying to make your own name is the biggest thing. Even being a ‘second’ generation driver, or anything, is just trying to get past the reputations my grandfather and father made for themselves. To make your own name, it makes it harder.”

Nick and his father both tried racing cars together one year, but quickly found out that thinning out their resources wasn’t helping anyone.

“I ended up worrying more about what he was doing and likewise,” said Nick. “I got in a bad crash and I borrowed his car and he helped out. I’d race one week and he would race another. I liked to crew chief when he’s driving, and of course he’s mine. It’s hard to keep two cars running. He helps support my racing career now.”

And his father Steve enjoys his part in it, working with Nick as team, as some would say like brothers.

What does Steve do during the races?

“Paces back and forth probably,” joked Nick.

“My task is to be on the radio and see things that are right and are not right,” said Steve. “And if I don’t think he’s treating the situation the way he should, I let him know. But most of all, I try to make it a fun family thing.”

“I enjoy having my family around. My grandfather doesn’t miss a race, he’s 76- years old and is always there,” added Nick.

Along with his father and grandfather, the 2003 Morse High School graduate also has his immediate family there supporting him. His daughter Libby, son Reed, and wife Liz all accompany the 33-year old racer each and every week.

Patience, goals

Over the last 15 years of racing, Nick has experienced changes in his racing, most for the better as like many of us do in life, he’s learned the importance of patience.

“I would like to think I’ve learned a lot of patience, probably not enough, but I’m not sure if you can not have enough,” said Reno. “But there is also a fine line of having too much, you learn to predict other drivers, who you can trust, who you can race with and some to back off.”

His experiences have only helped him on the track.

“Sometimes you’ve got to settle for what you’ve got. That’s the hardest thing to push or not to push. ‘What am I going to gain by pushing?’” added Nick. “I also think instinct is something you gain over the years. You don’t have time to react out there so you run on instinct, and some of the younger drivers don’t have it yet.”

Steve has seen his son grow on the track.

“Sometimes it’s hard to keep him cool, but I guess that’s things you learn with age,” Steve said. “I’d have to say he’s a little better than I was. He has more finesse. I didn’t have the equipment he has, I just raced with what I had. I don’t miss the racing, I enjoy watching him more than anything.”

Both have seen plenty of changes at Wiscasset Speedway over the years, and some of the changes to the 3/8-mile track are now starting to attract drivers from other venues.

“Besides the physical changes to the track, the atmosphere here is what’s changed the most,” Nick said. “Rich and Vanessa Jordan (who took over ownership of the Speedway in 2012) have done a fantastic job with promoting the track and creating a buzz. We’ve done car shows, parades and events to give back to our fans.”

As the season begins to wind down, Nick reflects on some of the goals that he and his team set forth at the beginning of the summer.

“We had a goal this season to finish in the top 3 in a Pro Stock race and we got that our second time out with it, and the fourth time out we won,” said Nick, who has raced four Pro Stock races, finishing in the top 5 three times. “But my biggest goal is to have fun, I think that’s why we’ve stayed away from chasing points in the past.”

But also note, Nick still feels the excitement of a possible points championship in his future.

“ I’m not sure my career would be considered successful if I didn’t. I think it’s fine, but in other’s eyes it may not. It’s all about bragging rights.”