WISCASSET — Just a few short years ago, Wiscasset Speedway’s Super Street division was a class on life support, on the verge of being eliminated.
Fast forward to 2019 and the Maxwell’s Market Super Streets have not only rebounded and flourished but has become one of the track’s most competitive divisions.
This continued on Saturday evening as Group 1 classes took to Wiscasset Speedway’s high banks for a regular race program.
Wiscasset’s Bill Pinkham has been turning laps at his hometown track for over 20 years, but Victory Lane is a place where he hadn’t visited but once in the past 12. But the 2001 Driver of the Year returned to the top of the chart with a dominating win in the 35-lap spotlight feature.
Driving a team car for points leader Mike Hodgkins, Pinkham started outside the front row and took the lead by the time the field had reached the backstretch. From there he built a half straightaway advantage and held the lead for the remainder of the race.
Pinkham picked up his first feature win since 2014 and his first Super Street checkered flag since 2000.
There was plenty of action behind the leader in the caution-free race. Former champ Mark Lucas of Harpswell started back in the pack in ninth and raced his way up to a runner-up finish. Previous race winner Dan Trask of Chelsea took home the third-place trophy after starting 11th.
In support action, Lisbon’s Jeff Prindall picked up his fourth win of the season in the Cahill Tire 4-Cylinder Pro Stocks. The defending champ was joined in Victory Lane by rookie Colby Peacock of Yarmouth and Taylor Lane of Phillips.
Richmond’s Curtis Anderson held firm to his point lead in the Thunder 4 Minis with his third win of the season in a 25-lap tilt. Spencer Sweatt of Albion, the division runner-up, took second, and Jacoby Perry of Pittston took third.
The ServPro of Biddeford Saco Pro Stocks lined up 14 cars for the regular 40-lap feature. Second-generation racer Jamie Wright of Woolwich grabbed the early lead and held off a late charge from Andy Saunders to grab his third win of the season.
Just one early caution slowed the action. Saunders, a two-time champ from Ellsworth, started back in 10th and took home his second straight runner-up finish. Points leader and defending champ Nick Hinkley of Wiscasset is still in search of his first checkered flag of 2019, but once again turned in a strong race, picking up his class-high sixth podium appearance in third. K
Kevin Morse turned in an inspiring fourth-place finish as he raced side by side with Kevin Douglass without the benefit of power steering. Douglass rounded out the top five.
The “flex” division race of the night was for the G.O. Motorsports Nelcar Legends. Veteran Shawn Buffington made his drive up from Plainfield, Connecticut. It was well worth it as he charged up from the back of the field to claim the 25-lap feature win.
Chris Burgess of Buckfield made it interesting with late pressure but had to settle for second. Thomas Everson of Gilmanton, New Hampshire, recovered from an early spin to claim the third-place trophy.
Wiscasset Speedway returns to action this upcoming Saturday with Group 2 Fan Appreciation Night presented by Bozzuttos Inc and Mainely Motorsports TV. Fans can enjoy an on-track driver autograph session, plus kids bike races, back to school backpack giveaways and more.
Plus for the third straight year the folks from Mainely Motorsports TV will hold a big prize raffle to raise money for The Hometown Foundation and Special Olympics.
The pit gate will open at 1 p.m., the grandstands open at 3 p.m., and the driver autographs begin shortly after 4 p.m. The green flag flies on the race action shortly after 5 p.m.
For full race day schedule and other info, go to www.wiscassetspeedway.com.
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