Mon, 07/27/2015 - 11:00am

Lisa Maguire

Alex Waltz of Walpole, winner of the New England Four Cylinder Prostock race on July 25. Courtesy of Peter Taylor

Wiscasset Speedway celebrated its 46th birthday last Saturday night. The evening was presented by Maine State Bureau of Highway Safety. Drivers from past and present had gathered to help celebrate the day and participated in a driver recognition ceremony during intermission. Champions’ Night drivers included Ed Pierpont, Steve Pierpont, Vern Hodgkins, Dale Chadbourne, Adam Chadbourne, Dan Trask, Scott Chubbuck, Mike Delaney, Nick Hinkley, Brett Mank, Gave Gabrey, Mike Moody, Alan Moeller Sr., Jeff Burgess, Steve Reny, Kamren Knowles, Maurice Young, Daryl Cook, Scott Delano, Jeff Jackson, Eddie Bellows, Casey Nash, Neil Reny, and Chester Rice.

The Four Season Synthetic Driver for the month for June was also announced as driver Michael Harrison of Durham. The Maine Vintage Racing Association Mobile Museum was on hand for fans to visit. Cupcakes were passed out to a multitude of fans who had filled the grandstands for the event.

The finale of the evening, presented after four racing features, was a fireworks display. The group one division of racing was on the agenda Saturday, including NAPA Super Streets, New England Four Cylinder Prostocks, Thunder Four Mini’s, and Prostock.

Starting out the racing action was a spotlighted 35-lap NAPA Super Street event. The event was filled with action and began with the #88 of Jamie Norton at the pole. To his right was Brandon Sprague of the #23. Behind the pair was the #06 of Zac Poland. The opening lap saw the #02 of Jason Curtis advance to second. Poland moved to first. The #38 of Dan Trask moved from seventh to third. Norton, who had fallen off the pace, went to the back of the pack.

During lap four Curtis took the lead, and the #1 of Adam Chadbourne passed both Trask and Poland for second. Mark Lucas, of the #5 followed Chadbourne up the track and moved into third. There was a caution during lap six. When green flag racing began once again, Lucas passed Chadbourne on the inside of turn two and took second. Trask passed Chadbourne for third on the inside track during lap seven, for third.

Lucas headed to the outside during lap eleven and began to race door to door with Curtis for the lead. The duo raced for four laps, with each briefly taking the lead. It was not until lap fifteen that Lucas was able to complete a pass to become new race leader. The #2 of Josh Bailey, who started in ninth position, had been moving up through the ranks. During lap twenty-four Bailey passed Trask for third on the outside of turn four. Despite a race caution for debris on the track, race leaders remained constant until the finish.

Lucas, who was current Modified point leader, claimed his first NAPA Super Street win. Curtis finished in second. Placing third was Bailey. Bailey entered Saturday’s race as point leader, with 358 points. Second in points was Adam Chadbourne, 32 points below Bailey. Curtis was third in points with 236.

A New England Four Cylinder Prostock was action packed through the finish. The caution free 20-lap Thunder Four Mini feature was quick, but filled with plenty of action.

And a 40-lap Prostock race wrapped up the evening’s races. The race was marked by two cautions which significantly affected race outcome.

Wiscasset Speedway resumes racing action, Saturday, Aug. 1, with its group two lineup of divisions: Late Model Sportsman, Strictly Street, Outlaw Mini, and Modfieds. Next week the flex race of the week is the Amsoil Nelcar Legends. Wiscasset Speedway is located on West Alna Road in Wiscasset. For more information, head to the Wiscasset Speedway website at www.wiscassetspeedway.com.