Fourth generation driver Reed Reno nabs first career win at Wiscasset Speedway
It was hot and humid on Saturday night, Sept. 9 up the coast of Maine, but that didn’t stop Wiscasset Speedway as they hosted an action-packed Group 1 racing program. The night featured the Brackett’s Market 4-Cylinder Pros, Norm’s Used Cars Pro Stocks, Sweatt’s Concrete Thunder 4 Minis and double features for the Gosline Insurance Super Streets.
Keith Drost took the early lead in the first of two 30-lap features for the Strictly Streets. Trouble was brewing behind the leader on lap 16 as Michael Harrison took it 3-wide for position, causing James Osmond to spin. This resulted in a chain reaction and the first caution of the night. David Greenleaf gave Keith Drost a run for his money on the restart, but Drost broke free on lap 20. As the laps began to wind down, David Greenleaf and his good friend Nick Morton battled it out for the runner-up spot. Morton pulled ahead with three laps to go but was unable to catch up to Keith Drost, who took home his first career win in the division.
Jack McKee led the field to green in the 25-Lap 4-Cylinder Pro feature. Taylor Lane and Chassidy Shorty both took spins on lap 5, resulting in a caution. Reed Reno took over on the restart as Ben Burgess and Josh Hall filed in behind him. Reed Reno remained calm and consistent for the remainder of the feature as he fought off both Burgess and Hall to pick up his first career feature victory at Wiscasset Speedway at the young age of 13. Reed, a fourth-generation driver, celebrated with his father Nick and great-grandfather Lawrence (a Hall of Fame driver himself) in Victory Lane.
The 40-lap Pro Stock feature got off to a chaotic start with a caution on lap 1 followed by a botched restart by the two leaders. The top 2 rows were swapped following this, which made Jamie Wright the race leader. Wright pulled away on the restart, but Josh St. Clair was quickly coming through the field, breaking the top 3 on lap 5 after starting back in 9th. Josh St. Clair tracked down Jamie Wright for the lead by lap 13, swiftly taking over the top spot as Kevin Douglass followed in succession. Douglass began to cut into St. Clair’s lead lap by lap, meeting him at his door on lap 32. St. Clair bobbled shortly thereafter, nearly losing it in turn 4. This catapulted Kevin Douglass into the lead as Josh St. Clair fell to third behind Jamie Wright. Douglass picked up the win, celebrating with his friends and family in Victory Lane.
Gunnar Josselyn took off with a sizable early lead in the 25-lap Thunder 4 Mini feature. A pile-up at the back of the pack on lap 8 brought the field back together and both Shane Webber and Zach Audet were both on Josselyn’s toes. Shane Webber catapulted to the lead following a late-race restart and never looked back, securing the victory over Gunnar Josselyn and Zach Audet.
The night concluded with a final 30-lap feature for the Super Streets. Kevin Sherman took off with the early lead, but both Mike Harrison and Mark Lucas fell victim to the turn 3 wall in the opening laps of the race. Once the field was settled, Maurice Young became the new race leader. He maintained his lead through another caution on lap 11, but Brett Osmond was hungry for the top spot. While battling for position, Young and Osmond collided on lap 20, collecting David Greenleaf and others. Both drivers were forced to restart at the tail-end of the field, which catapulted Noah Haggett into the lead. Haggett held off a late-race charge by Bubba Pelton to pick up his second win in 3 weeks in the division. Kenny Harrison rounded out the podium.
The 2023 race season at Wiscasset Speedway is beginning to wind down, but there is still more fun to come! All Group #2 divisions plus the Roadrunners and Mainely Karting Senior Champ Karts will hit the track on Saturday, Sept. 16 for Group #2 Fan Night, sponsored by Bozzutto’s Inc. and Mainely Motorsports. The driver autograph session will begin at 4 p.m., followed by kids’ bike races. As always, admission is just $5!
For the official track schedule, race results and more, please visit http://www.wiscassetspeedway.com.