WISCASSET

Wiscasset Speedway celebrated its 45th birthday on Saturday, with a big crowd coming out for racing action at a special halftime ceremony featuring some of the greatest drivers to race at the speedway.

Great drivers from the past including Teddy Palino, Dick Giles, Dick Williams, Bill Bailey, JC Marsh, Dale Chadbourne, and Pete Silva, were honored on a perfect night for racing, with a fireworks show capping off the festivities.

On the schedule for the evening were Group One racing divisions, including Outlaw Mini’s, Prostocks, New England Four Cylinder Prostocks, and Napa Super Streets.

The spotlighted feature of the week was a 35-lap Napa Super Street race.

Starting on the pole was Adam Chadbourne. Last time out on the track, Chadbourne flipped his car coming out of turn four, landing upside down against the front wall due to a broken tie rod end. The whole front end of his car was rebuilt and a new engine was installed. Behind Chadbourne were Dan Nessmith and Kevin Morse.

During lap five, James Osmond passed Morse on the outside of the front stretch for third. Then, Josh Bailey passed Osmond during lap eight for third on the inside of turn four. Nessmith slowed on the backstretch during lap 14 and Bailey took advantage of the opportunity and passed for second. The following lap, Osmond was also able to pass Nessmith on turn two for third.

There was a caution called with only eight laps to go. On the ensuing restart, Bailey and Osmond battled side by side for second. During lap 28, Osmond pulled ahead of Bailey and clinched second.

Chadbourne had been watching the action from his rearview mirror, but everything changed during lap 30. Chadbourne’s car developed a mechanical problem and faltered. Osmond moved to first, Bailey to second and Nessmith to third.

An action packed New England 4-Cylinder Prostock feature was next. Thirteen cars hit the track for a 25-lap race. Starting on the pole was Craig Dunn, with Jerry Bailey and Bob Patten qualfying second and third, respectively.

After the green flag flew, Patten passed Bailey for second on the inside of turn two. Patten and Bailey battled for second place through lap five, when Bailey passed Patten for second on the outside of turn two. Jeff Prindall passed Patten for third on the inside of turn two during lap seven. However, Prindall got loose during lap 13 and Kamren Knowles passed for third.

Starting at the back of the pack was the Ryan Hayes, who won the week before. Hayes advanced up the track, and during lap 14 passed Knowles on the inside for third. There was a caution during lap 15, and a chaotic restart resulted in leader changes. Dunn maintained the lead. Hayes moved to second. Patten moved to third. Dave Patten passed Bob Patten during lap 16 to claim third, and on lap 20 Hayes headed to the inside and passed Dunn for the lead. Lap 22 saw Knowles pass Dave Patten on the inside of the backstretch for third. There were no other leader changes, with Hayes claiming first, Dunn second and Knowles third.

A quick and exciting 25-lap Outlaw Mini feature was next. Starting on the pole was Matt Moore. Behind him was Calvin Rose Jr. and the Nate Tribbett. Rose passed Moore during lap two on the outside of turn two for the lead. Rose gained a commanding lead and watched the pack try to catch up out. It was not until lap 18 that the first leader change occurred. Shawn Kimball passed Tribbett for third. On lap 20, the cars went three wide out of turn one and there was a jumble that sent Tribbett into the wall.

On the restart, cars get tangled on the backstretch. Jimmy Childs and Moore made contact and both get sent to the back. Childs went to the pits, but returned to limp around the track through the finish. When racing action resumed, Rose was race leader. In second was Kimball and in third was the Darrell Moore.

During lap 22 Kimball’s right rear tire went flat sending him into a spin at the entrance to pit row. This brought Darrell Moore to second and Rob Greenleaf to third. On the restart, Darrell Moore passed Rose for the lead. However, Rose fought back and took back the lead, racing under the checkered in first. Darrell Moore placed second. Rounding out the top three was Greenleaf.

A 30-lap Prostock race provided excitement for the crowd. This high energy race started with Nick Hinkley on the pole. Will Collins and John Rideout were behind him. Off the start, Rideout passed Collins and advanced to second. The cars were racing in a pack, equally matched, all vying for position. Moving up from his 10th starting place was Kevin Douglass, who moved up beside Collins during lap 20. Douglass passed Collins on turn four during lap 21 for third. Douglass then looked for his opportunity to pass Rideout for second. His chance came during lap 23, and he moved to the outside and passed on turn two, securing second.

With only two laps remaining, Maggie Ferland spun alone on the track, causing a caution. When racing action resumed, Rideout hugged the bottom of the track and passed Douglass for second. Coming up from behind was Scott Chubbuck, who passed Douglass for third during lap 24. Hinkley maintained his lead and drove his Greg’s Used Cars race car under the checkered in first. Rideout placed second and Chubbuck placed third.

Wiscasset Speedway resumes racing action this upcoming Saturday with its group two lineup of divisions: Late Model Sportsman, Strictly Street, Thunder 4’s and Mini Trucks. The flex race of the week is a Modified Exhibition.

Pit gates open at 2 p.m., with the grandstand open at 4 p.m. Racing begins at 6 p.m.

Admission is $5 for adults and children ages seven and older. Kids six and under are free. Pit admission is $20. Race fans and drivers can also now purchase their favorite pictures from not only this season, but from season’s past, at Peter Taylor’s (the track photographer) website www.petespicks. smugmug.com.

Wiscasset Speedway is located on West Alna Road. For more information, head to the Wiscasset Speedway website at www.wiscassetspeedway.com.