Wiscasset Speedway put a close to the regular racing season Saturday night, Sept. 30 with Group 2 Championship night, plus the fifth annual Amsoil Dominator Strictly Shootout. By the end of the show, division titles had been wrapped up in the final three divisions that were up for grabs, including a points tie that required a tie-break for the crown.
The Strictly Street division had center stage on the night with the special 40-lap nonpoint Strictly Shootout. The 29-car field had a difficult time getting going, taking four tries at completing the first two laps of the race. But things soon settled down and they managed to run the last 32 laps caution-free with great side-by-side action. Jonathan Emerson, of Sabattus, had the dominant car through the middle of the race,, while top contenders like Kyle Hewins and Matt Dufault and others gave chase. Dufault was able to grab the lead with 10 to go and cruised to the checkers followed by Hewins and Emerson. However, Dufault failed post-race inspection for an illegal carburetor, handing the victory to Hewins. For Hewins, it was his second victory in the Amsoil Dominator Strictly Shootout. He was also the 2015 winner. Emerson finished second and led the most laps. His father, Zach Emerson, crossed the line sixth but was bumped up to third after the fourth- and fifth-place cars of Gary Davis and Billy Childs also failed post-race inspection.
In support action, the Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Model Sportsman division once again proved why it is one of the top racing divisions in the Northeast. Nineteen cars lined up for the 35-lap feature with title hopes resting with two drivers. Wiscasset’s Nick Hinkley came into the feature with a 26-point lead over Liberty’s Josh St. Clair, which translated to 13 positions on the track. Things looked well in hand for Hinkley as he raced mid-pack with St. Clair. Then the race took a major turn as a spinning car in turn one collected three other cars, including Hinkley’s. With significant front-end damage, it was doubtful the two-time champ would be able to return. In the meantime, St. Clair charged to second place with only Wiscasset’s Brandon Bailey to catch. Hinkley returned several laps down with no hope of winning, but a slim chance of hanging onto his point lead he had held all season. Brandon Bailey hung on for the win, the first of his career. St. Clair did all he could and finished with a second-place trophy. Luck turned Hinkley’s way as others involved in the early crash were not able to return, bumping him up to a 15th-place finish. The 13-place differential resulted in a tie atop the point standings, forcing a tiebreaker between the two. Hinkley took the championship as the result of his four feature wins to St. Clair’s one.
Division titles were also wrapped up in the Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Minis and Napa Modifieds. Whitefield’s Jake Hendsbee took top honors in the Outlaws over Vassalboro’s Brent Roy. Jimmy Childs, of Leeds, took the victory in the 25-lap feature. In the Midcoast Region Napa Modifieds, Harpswell’s Mark Lucas took his thirrd win of the season in the special 33-lap feature, which paid tribute to racer Ron Bryant, of Livermore (#33), who had passed away just two weeks earlier. The drivers and staff also paid honor to Bryant with a ceremonial green-white-checkered finish on the track led by Bryant’s #33 Mod driven by his cousin and crew chief, Cecil Bryant. The division title was claimed by Allan Moeller, of Dresden, for his fourth career crown. At 63 years old, Moeller is one of the oldest division champs in the track’s history.
Wiscasset Speedway returns to action for one final week on Saturday, Oct. 7 in the annual Fall Fury. The special program provides special nonpoint features only for all eight weekly divisions plus the Wicked Good Vintage Racers. Pits will open at 8 a.m., grandstand gates at 10 a.m., and racing action will begin at noon. Grandstand admission is $5 with kids 6 and under free. Pit admission is $20 for all. The show will be followed by a cookout and an awards ceremony for all race teams and track staff. Championship trophies will be presented in all divisions along with special recognition for Sportsmanship, Improvement, Perseverance, and Rookie of the Year. Individual awards will also be presented for Pit Crew of the Year, Integrity, Racing Team Spirit, and the Four Season Synthetic Driver of the Year. For more information go to wiscassetspeedway.com or call 491-3720.
Sept. 30 Wiscasset Speedway results:
Amsoil Dominator Strictly Shootout (40 laps):
1. #51 Kyle Hewins, Leeds
2. #24 Jonathon Emerson, Sabattus
3. #23 Zachary Emerson, Sabattus
Midcoast Region Napa Modifieds (33 laps):
1. #5 Mark Lucas, Harpswell
2. #04 Allan Moeller, Dresden
3. #1 Adam Chadbourne, Woolwich
Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Minis (25 laps):
1. #10 Jimmy Childs, Leeds
2. #20 Matt Glidden, Chelsea
3. #26 Brent Roy, Vassalboro
Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Model Sportsman (35 laps):
1. #47 Brandon Bailey, Woolwich
2. #33 Josh St. Clair, Liberty
3. #15m Frank Moulton, Clinton
