Bailey notches first career win at speedway
This week saw Josh Bailey of Wiscasset score his first career win at the Wiscasset Speedway. Bailey leaped to the lead and left the pack behind him during the 25-lap Super Stock race. Car No. 05 driven by James Osmond and Adam Chadbourne in the No. 1, jockeyed for second position during the opening lap.
On turn three Chadbourne passed Osmond on the outside. Osmond was unable to maintain his momentum and then allowed Bobby Mesimer in the No. 3 to overtake him in turn one of the following lap.
There was a caution in lap nine after Nate Yeaton in No. 27 slid onto the infield on the backstretch. There was a scramble for position after the restart. Bailey quickly moved to the lead once again.
Mesimer tracked down Chadbourne, looking for an opportunity to pass. His chance came in lap eleven, and he passed Chadbourne on the inside on turn three. In lap 12, Chadbourne and Osmond tangled on the backstretch. Osmond went to the pit with right frontend damage.
With no more cautions, the race quickly concluded with Bailey, driving the No. 2, in first. Once in victory lane, Bailey said, “I struggled bad last race, but this week makes up for it.” Second went to Mesimer, and 2013 two-time Wiscasset Super Stock winner, Adam Chadbourne, placed third.
The speeds at Wiscasset this week were the fastest in years as the surface was smoother from recent track renovations. The improvements were evident during the first feature of the evening, a 20-lap New England 4-Cylinder Prostock race.
Brad Zahensky had the pole position and surged ahead early on. Dave Patten in the No. 12 and Mike Swett were on his heels. Zahensky’s No. 7 liked the fresh air and quickly had a five-car length lead. Despite two cautions, track leaders remained consistent. Zahensky finished first in his Lee Family Automotive No. 7. Zahensky said, “This track is fun with the new pavement on it, it’s fast.” Dave Patten finished second. Mike Swett, driving the No 54, placed third.
Included in this week’s group one division of racing were the Thunder-4’s. This 15-lap feature was swift and uncomplicated. No. 91, driven by Jamie Heath, started at the pole.
Heath, with one win at Wiscasset already under his belt, spent the race looking out his rear view mirror watching his competitors try to catch up. Behind Heath were Leandra Martin in the No. 31 and Mike Delaney in the No. 10. Martin said prior to race time, “We are having our fastest time on the track today. It is going to be a good, fun race.”
Martin was fast, but was unable to catch Heath during the duration of the race. After placing first, Heath said, “I would like to thank Richard Jordan for allowing us to come down here and have fun. What he has done to the track makes the car run faster.” Heath was 2010 Oxford Plains Speedway V-6 Renegade champion. Martin placed second. Delaney placed third.
The flex event of the week was a spectator drag. After six heats, Cory Creamer from Randolf, and Forest Peasley of Jefferson faced off in a three-lap challenge.
Creamer, driving a Volvo 40 turbo roared around the track, but was unable to overtake the Dodge Challenger driven by Peasley. Peasley took his victory lap to the cheers of the crowd, and provided a smoke show to even more applause.
The highlighted feature of the night was the 30 lap Prostock race. In the pole position was John Rideout in the No. 39 Pro concrete car. Starting behind him was two-time Prostock winner, Jeff Burgess.
Burgess said prior to race time, “I am optimistic, won the first two. There are a couple of guys coming on up and we’ll see about the competition. I haven’t raced here at night since 2009.”
When racing action started, Jeff Burgess quickly pulled ahead of Rideout on the outside of turn one. Rideout quickly resumed the lead. The two raced neck and neck, even clipping each other in lap three on turn three.
Chris Thorne in the No. 17 was behind the duo. Bill Penfold driving No. 0 had come up from behind to give chase to the race leaders. An end for the battle for first came in lap six, when Burgess’ Ford Fusion was finally able to pull ahead of Rideout on the backstretch.
In lap eight, Thorne lost it on the front stretch. There was a resulting scuffle, but no caution was called. When the dust cleared, Penfold had pulled ahead of Thorne for third position. Rideout was losing steam, and Penfold overtook him the following lap.
Lap 20 saw Rideout head for the pits with mechanical trouble. Penfold tried to close in on Burgess, but found himself unable to catch him. Burgess, who had gained a commanding lead, became a three-time winner at Wiscasset. Penfold placed second, and rounding out the top three was Thorne.
Burgess said after the race, “It was exciting. No. 39 was right beside me and we raced side by side for six laps. Chase, my son, turns four on Monday; this win was for him.” Burgess was also Unity Raceway Late Model Champion in 2011.
Wiscasset Speedway resumes racing action, May 11 with its group two lineup of divisions: Strictly Street, Mini Trucks, Outlaw Mini, and Late Model Sportsman. The flex race of the week will be a ladies race, to celebrate the Mother’s Day weekend. Come on out ladies and race. Pit gates open at 2 p.m. Grandstand gates open at 4 p.m. Racing begins at 6 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and children aged seven and older. Kids six and under are free. Wiscasset Speedway is on West Alna Road in Wiscasset. For more information, head to www.wiscassetspeedway.com/.
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