Ben Burgess, David Greenleaf break the mold at Wiscasset Speedway










Wiscasset Speedway hosted their annual "Mainely Karting" night on Saturday, June 21 welcoming the Champ Karts from LST Motorsports Park to the track in addition to the Dale's Cash Fuel Roadrunners, Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Models, weekly T&L Automotive Modifieds and the Portland Glass Strictly Streets.
The day kicked off with double features for the Roadrunners and Kevin Greenhalgh held the early advantage in the first feature following a 3-wide battle for the top spot. A red flag on lap 3 brought the field back together and defending champion Kyle Enman powered through the field in the laps that followed, taking over the top spot on lap 8 and never looking back. Enman started toward the tail in the second feature and gradually sifted his way through, overtaking the top spot on lap 13. He fought through lap traffic in the closing laps of the race but capitalized, picking up his second win of the day as Karigan Glasier and Dylan York rounded out the podium.
Tiger Colby powered to the early lead in the 40-lap Late Model feature. While Colby pulled away, Jon Emerson pulled to Brett Osmond's outside door, challenging for the runner-up spot. Emerson cleared Osmond on lap 18 before setting his sights on the leader. Brent Roy and Ashton Burgess tangled with just 10 laps to go, resulting in a late-race caution. Tiger Colby pulled ahead with the advantage on the restart while June "Driver of the Month" Daniel Harding entered the picture, clearing Jon Emerson for second with just 5 laps to go. He was unable to catch up to Tiger Colby, who picked up his first victory of the season in the Late Models. Jon Emerson followed, completing the top 3.
LST Motorsports Park owner Steve Perry joined Ken Minott and Nick Huff on the mic and in Victory Lane on Saturday while the Champ Karts joined the program. A handful of karts from various divisions were also on display in the main concourse of the track while some of the competitors handed out trophies to the winning drivers. The Master and Sr. Champ Karts had 2 simultaneous races going on at once during the 20-lap feature and Parker Doucette (Sr. Champ) and Michael "Brick" Ramsey had a heated battle for the top spot around the halfway point of the race. Ramsey was able to hold onto it, picking up the victory in the Master Champ Karts. Doucette was a close second, securing the win in the Sr. Champs.
Division rookie David Greenleaf pulled ahead with the early advantage over multi-time champion Adam Chadbourne in the 30-lap feature for the Modifieds. Chadbourne pulled to Greenleaf's outside on lap 10, challenging for the top spot. The outside didn't stick, so Chadbourne tried the back bumper before giving the outside another go on lap 18. As the laps wound down, Chuck Colby joined the fun, making it a 3-way battle for the top spot. David Greenleaf finally broke free from the main pack in the closing lap of the race, scoring his first career victory in the division. Chuck Colby merely beat out Adam Chadbourne at the line, locking down a runner-up finish.
Another rookie, Ben Burgess, cleared Dan Morton for the early lead in the 25-lap Strictly Street feature. Madness ensued on lap 3 as Landon Tapley suffered a broken tie rod and Phil Main and Ryan Esancy collided, resulting in a caution. Ben Burgess powered ahead on the restart and began to pull away, holding a full straightaway lead with 10 laps to go. There was a heated battle for third in the closing laps of the race and Joe Harriman got bent out of shape, causing the field to check up. Mac Hannan, Jr., Justin Gailloux and others were collected, resulting in a red flag with just 5 laps to go. Ben Burgess jumped ahead on the restart, leaving Joe Harriman and Dan McKeage, Jr. battling it out for second. McKeage cleared Harriman with two laps to go as Zach Emerson snuck in there, claiming third. Burgess maintained steadfast at the front of the field, picking up his first win in the division while Dan McKeage, Jr. and Zach Emerson rounded out the top 3.
It was surely an action-packed night at Wiscasset Speedway with close and exciting racing in all five divisions. Team Wiscasset hopes to keep the fun coming with their first "Fan Appreciation Night" of the season next Saturday, June 28. The driver autograph session begins at 4 p.m., followed by kids' bike races and the green flag at 5 p.m.
For the official track schedule, race results and more, please visit http://www.wiscassetspeedway.com.