The Texas Roadhouse North East Mini Stock Tour, which was presented by Twisted Tea, made its one and only appearance in Maine at the Wiscasset Speedway on Saturday. Last year driver Toby Wells brought home the win. Wells was point leader coming into the race. However, there was only a 12 point difference between Wells and two-time champ, Emerson Cayer.

Maine native Justin Larsen was third in points coming into the race, trailing the leader by 138 points, but still in the chase.

“It is a pretty tight battle,” Wells said before the race. “It ain’t decided yet between the three of us.”

Also at Wiscasset this weekend were the group one division of racing presented by NAPA Auto Parts, including: NAPA Super Street, Outlaw Mini, Prostock, and New England Four Cylinder Prostock. The fans packed the bleachers to see the show, and also were able to visit the NAPA tent, enjoy BBQ, and get information from the “Napa Know-How Man.”

There were three heat races to determine position for the North East Mini Stock Tour. Starting at the pole was the #21 of Chad Baxter. The #24 of Joe Baxter and the #13 of Nate Tribbet were behind him. Off the start, Joe Baxter surged ahead, but he fell off the pace and the #19 of Zach Audet and the #9 of George Fortin marched up the track and took first and second place, Chad Baxter slipping to third. During lap three, the #48 of Justin King passed Baxter for third on turn one.

There was a leader change during lap six, when Fortin experienced a mechanical issue, and hit the front stretch wall coming out of turn four. Fortin was able to walk away and was uninjured. King moved to second and Chad Baxter moved to third.

Moving up from his seventh starting position was the #18X of Tim Collins. Collins passed Baxter on the outside of turn three for third during lap five.

There was a caution during lap six, and the #88 of Emerson Cayer made contact with the #51 of Mike Mason. Cayer, two time champ, slid back and lost position. Cayer had nothing for the race leaders this race, finishing 19th in overall standings.

Lap eight saw Collins pass King on the inside of the backstretch for second. The #34 of Justin Trombley followed the same line and passed King for third.

A battle for third between Trombley and the #2 of Toby Wells emerged on the track. It was not until lap eighteen that Wells was able to complete the pass on the outside of turn three. Wells advanced up the track to challenge Collins. When the race leaders hit some lap traffic, Wells was able to weave through and passed Collins for second during lap twenty-three. Wells advanced up the track looking for the lead, but Audet held him off.

There was a battle for third between Collins and Trombley. Ahead, Wells and Audet were racing for the lead. Wells chased Audet up the track, and during lap 34, Wells passed Audet for first. Audet fell back to second. 

Audet continued to slide back on the track, and Trombley passed him on the inside of turn three for second during lap forty-two. Collins followed the inside line and passed Audet on turn four during lap forty-two. 

Wells took the checkered for the second year in a row. Trombley placed second, only .42 seconds behind Wells. Collins took third, only .81 seconds behind Wells. 

“It was quite a different experience from last year,” Wells said. “Last year was easy and this year we really had to work for it, the nose was messed up a bit. During one of the restarts the car ahead didn’t get going and I was hit from behind when I slowed up. It came close to taking out the radiator when I hit the car ahead. It was a messy night, and staying out of trouble was the name of the game. We had a great point’s night, and there are two races left in the season. It is not locked up, but if things keep going well it will put me in a good position. I have already won two of the three Triple Crown races in the South, and I am in the running for the North Triple Crown as well. We love coming to Wiscasset. It’s been a good year and I hope we come back to Wiscasset again. I would like to also thank my sponsors: Froling Energy, C&C Trucking, and Motionsick Motorsports.”

A 25 lap Napa Super Street feature was action-packed. Starting on the pole was the #8 of Kevin Morse. Behind him were the #06 of Zac Poland and the #6 of Travis Dunbar. Off the start, the #38 of Chris Buzzell passed Dunbar for third. Morse and Poland battled for first, and Poland passed Morse during the opening lap for the lead. Buzzell passed Morse during lap two for second.

Starting in sixth position was the #05 of James Osmond. Osmond moved into third place during lap two, and began his advance up the track. Osmond passed both Buzzell and Poland by lap eight to claim the lead. 

The #1 of Adam Chadbourne was making his way up the track. Chadbourne passed Buzzell during lap eight for third, then, during lap ten, passed Poland for second place. Starting in tenth position was the #85 of Kenny Harrison. Harrison had made his way through the pack to the front. Harrison passed Poland for third on the outside of turn three during lap thirteen. 

Osmond, Chadbourne, and Harrison raced in a pack. There were twelve remaining laps for the leaders to claim position. Harrison passed Chadbourne during lap fifteen on the inside, but Chadbourne passed Harrison during lap 21 to reclaim second. Osmond held both off, proving once again he was a force on the track as he swept across the finish in first. Chadbourne placed second. Harrison rounded out the top three for third. This was Osmond’s third win of the season in the Napa Super Street division.

Osmond said, “The car was the best it’s been all season! It was a fun race with a lot of pressure from Chadbourne and Harrison. I would like to thank my sponsors: Paul Garber Construction, Red’s Eats, and Skip Cahill Tires.”

Osmond was second in points coming into Saturday’s race with 478 points. Chadbourne was in first place, only four points ahead of Osmond, with 482 points. Dan Nessmith was third in points with 412. It is a tight race between Osmond and Chadbourne, and only two point races remain in the season.

A 25 lap Outlaw Mini feature was next on the agenda. Staring at the pole was the #8 of Calvin Rose Jr. Behind him was the #10 of Jimmy Childs and the #2 of Rob Greenleaf. When the green flag flew, Rose and Childs raced for the lead. Childs passed Rose coming out of turn four onto the front stretch for first. 

There was a caution during lap eighteen, and when racing action resumed on the track, Greenleaf passed Rose for second. Childs’ car liked the clean air and gained a five car length lead after the restart. Childs took the win. Despite being point leader in the division, this was Child’s first win of the season. This was a non-point race for the Outlaw Mini’s. Child’s has 446 points and was point leader coming into the race. In second was Shawn Kimball with 428. Third in points was Nate Tribbet with 410.

Child’s said, “I have struggled all season, so it was good to get a win. If I get up front next week, I hope to back this win up with another. Racing means family to me. My father and I work on my car, and we spend time together and it is good. I am having a lot of fun racing this year.”

A quick straight forward 20 lap New England Four Cylinder Prostock feature was the next crowd pleaser. The #24 of Jeff Prindall started on the pole. Behind him were the #8 of Craig Dunn and the #2 of Jay Bailey. 

Prindall and Dunn raced neck and neck from the start. Then, during lap two, Dunn passed Prindall for the lead on the inside of the front stretch. Prindall looked for his chance to retake the lead. His chance came during lap eight when the pair ran into lap traffic on the track. Prindall piloted his car though the traffic and took the lead coming out of turn one. Prindall was able to keep Dunn behind him for the remainder of the race. Kamren Knowles of the #98 battled Bailey for third, but finished in fourth. 

Knowles was point leader headed into Saturday’s race with 468 points. Jeff Prindall was second in points with 452 points. In third place was Dunn with 420 points. 

Prindall won four consecutive races at the beginning of the season, but has not had a win since May 31, 2014. Prindall said, “It has been a long dry spell without a win. The car is pretty close now to where it had been. A little more fine tuning is needed, but it is driving much better. The race was really good. I am just happy to have won, and want to thank the fans for coming out. I also want to thank my sponsors: Mike Kiddins & Sons Construction, Dubois Snowmobile and Repair, and Bimbo Bakery.”

Wrapping up the evening was an exciting 30 lap Prostock race. Staring on the pole was the #77 of Maggie Ferland. Behind her was the #32 of Mike Orr and the #15X of Scott Chubbuck. When green flag racing began, the #9 of Dylan Turner moved up from behind on the outside and raced side by side with Ferland for the lead. The #72 of Charlie Colby moved from his sixth place start and fought for position in the pack. Turner took the lead. Ferland moved to second. Colby took third.

Ferland began to fall off the pace during lap five, and Colby passed for second. The #15 of Nick Hinkley passed Ferland on the outside of turn two during lap five for third.

Colby headed to the outside during lap eight and passed Turner for the lead on turn three. Turner, Hinkley, and Scott Chubbuck of the #15X battled for second and third positions. Hinkley was on the top of the track and was losing ground quickly. Chubbuck headed to the bottom of the track and passed Turner, taking second place. The #1 of Jeff Burgess followed the inside line and passed Turner, taking third. Colby had run away with the lead. Colby took the checkered. Chubbuck placed second. Burgess took third. Colby was the sixth different winner in the Prostock division this year.

Wiscasset Speedway resumes racing action, Aug. 30, 2014. This is also Fan Appreciation Night at Wiscasset Speedway. For more information, head to the Wiscasset Speedway website at www.wiscassetspeedway.com.