Wiscasset Speedway opened up their action-packed weekend on Saturday, Aug. 9 with a loaded eight-race schedule that included all weekly Group 1 divisions in addition to the visiting Senior Tour Auto Racers and the lightning-fast 350SMAC Tour. 

The racing action kicked off with a 20-lap feature for the Kennebec Equipment Rental Thunder 4 Minis. Kyle Willette won the qualifying heat, but it was Zach Audet who took off with the lead in the feature. Meanwhile, Willette was quickly coming through the field, overtaking Alec Brown for the runner-up spot on lap 5. While battling for position, Alec Brown and Mike Landry made slight contact on lap 15 and the field remained green while Landry took over the spot. Nobody was any match for Zach Audet, who took home the victory while Kyle Willette and Mike Landry rounded out the podium. 

Rusty Poland topped the leaderboard in time trials for the 350SMAC Tour, but Dave Sanborn landed himself on the pole for the 45-lap feature following a redraw for the top 11 drivers. While Sanborn pulled away with the early lead, Bobby Timmons was navigating through the field, picking off Scott Watts for the runner-up spot at halfway before closing in on the leader. He made his way to Sanborn’s outside on lap 29, overtaking the lead before Sanborn took a spin, resulting in a caution. Timmons held strong on the restart and never looked back, securing the victory while Scott Watts and Robby Gordon Douglas completed the top 3. 

Dwight Pickard was the early race leader in the STAR Modified race, but Mike Parmentier pulled to his door on lap 3 and took off from there, securing the feature victory. Mike Kugler and Tony Mendoza went door-to-door in the opening laps of the STAR Sportsman feature, with Kugler eventually pulling away with the advantage. Charlie Lima was also coming through the field, beating out both leaders for the top spot at halfway. Lima held the competition off from there, clinching the victory. 

Calab Emerson-Mains powered ahead with the early lead in the 30-lap feature for the Gosline Insurance Group Super Streets. Meanwhile, Dan McKeage, Jr. was on the move, breaking the top 3 on lap 5. He continued his pursuit in the laps that followed, passing two cars back-to-back to take over the lead on lap 15. While the leaders checked out, there was a heated battle for third in the closing laps of the race, with Noah Haggett claiming the spot with just 5 laps to go. Dan McKeage, Jr. took home the victory while Kevin Sherman and Noah Haggett followed, completing the podium. 

Rowdy Romano won his qualifying heat race and pulled ahead with the early advantage in the 25-lap feature for the Brackett’s Market 4-Cylinder Pros. Chassidy Shorty was also in the move early, clearing Taylor Lane for second on lap 7. There was a 3-way battle for the lead in the second half of the race, with Chassidy Shorty breaking free as Jaxson Moreside filed in behind her. The two drivers were door-to-door battling it out on the final lap as Bryce Picard went around, making contact with the turn 1 wall. The race was deemed official at that point, ending under a yellow-checkered. Chassidy Shorty was awarded the win while Jaxson Moreside and Adam Taylor completed the top 3. 

Allan Moeller led the field to green in the 30-lap feature for the Davis Erector Group 207 Crate Modifieds. Bubba Pelton and John Ricci joined in, making it a 3-way battle for the top spot on lap 8. Moeller got bent out of shape on lap 10, dropping outside of the top 3 and rescinding the lead to John Ricci. Ricci maintained command following a late-race restart, securing his fourth win of the season in the division. Bubba Pelton and Ryan Phillips followed, rounding out the top 3. 

The night concluded with a 40-lap feature for the Norm’s Used Cars Pro Stocks. Dan McKeage, Jr. got a good jump on the initial start, pulling ahead with the early advantage. Just as he was beginning to distance himself from the competition, Matt Beers took a spin on the front stretch on lap 21, resulting in a caution. McKeage held strong on the restart as Nick Hinkley powered into the runner-up spot. Kelly Moore pulled up to the party with just 5 laps to go, making it a 3-way bout for the top spot. Hinkley found his way to McKeage’s door, taking over the top spot with 2 laps to go as Kelly Moore followed in succession. Hinkley managed to hold off Kelly Moore on the final lap, securing the victory. Dan McKeage, Jr. followed, completing the podium. 

Following Saturday’s extended race program, Wiscasset Speedway hosted their annual “Summerfest” event on Sunday, benefiting the Maine Vintage Race Car Association. Numerous Hall of Fame drivers were in attendance for the event, including Mike Maietta, Pete Silva and Norris Willette, among others. Fellow drivers and racing enthusiasts alike brought their vintage and commemorative tribute cars to take a couple of laps around the track and the Senior Tour Auto Racers also ran a few races, adding to the excitement. It was a great way to cap off the weekend and pay tribute to those legendary drivers who helped shape the racing community into what it is today. 

Wiscasset Speedway will keep the excitement coming as they host the first Fan Appreciation Night of the season this Saturday, Aug. 16. It all kicks off with a Group 2 driver meet & greet on the front stretch starting at 4 p.m., followed by kids bike races and an action-packed race program to boot. As always, adult admission is just $5 while kids 6 and under get in for free! 

For the official race results, track schedule and more, please visit http://www.wiscassetspeedway.com.