The bright lights of Wiscasset Speedway illuminated the track at the first evening race of the season May 7. Despite the cool weather, fans lined the grandstands to watch group one division racing which included Super Streets, Thunder Four Mini’s, ServePro of Biddeford Saco Prostocks, New England Four Cylinder Prostocks, and the flex race of the week, Wicked Good Vintage Racers. 

The spotlighted race of the evening was a 25-lap Super Street presentation. Starting on the pole was the #27 of Barry Poulin. To his right was the #38 of Cody Buzzell. Starting in third was Bernie Dinsmore of the #3. When green flag racing began, Tasha Dyer of the #32 advanced quickly from fifth, passing Dinsmore for third by lap two. Ahead, Poulin was setting a fast pace for the pack, but Buzzell was tailing him looking for his chance to pass. His chance came during lap fifteen when Poulin went high, opening the door for Buzzell. During lap sixteen, Buzzell and Poulin raced head to head, until Buzzell accelerated and passed Poulin on the inside coming out of turn two for the lead. Dyer, sticking close to Buzzell, also passed Poulin for second. 

Dyer and Buzzell raced around the track, putting some distance between them and the rest of the pack. Dyer was looking for an opening that Buzzell never gave her. With time running out, and no other option, Dyer moved outside during lap twenty-four, looking for the lead. Dyer quickly shot to the side of Buzzell, and the duo raced door to door. Dyer dug deep and her car edged ahead by a nose, flying under the checkered, .063 seconds ahead of Buzzell for the win. Buzzell had to settle for second.  Poulin placed third.

Dyer said, “I won my first race of the season tonight. I started in fifth, kept my tires under me, hit my marks, stayed calm and drove past the leader on the outside, coming to the checkered. I led only one lap, and it was the one that counted. I’m so grateful for everyone that puts so much effort on this thing. I owe you! Thank you to the fans who got autographs, pictures and hugs.”

Two twenty lap flex races were next on the agenda. The two features were raced by the Wicked Good Vintage Racers (WGVR).  The first WGVR feature was the Late Model Division. The group payed tribute to the life of Steve Reny, a long time race car driver from Wiscasset Speedway who passed away in January. Amy Reny, Steve Reny's wife, was behind the wheel of the #7. Steve Reny raced the #7 last year at Wiscasset Speedway, winning a race in August. At the start of the race the pole position was left empty in honor of Reny.

Wiscasset Speedway resumes racing action on May 14 with its group two line up of divisions: The Spotlighted Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Mini’s, Late Model Sportsman, Strictly Streets, and Napa Modifieds.  The flex race next Saturday is a 100 lap Enduro feature race. If you missed the racing action, or simply want to see it again, track videographer, Brandon Simmons, posts race footage on YouTube.  It can be found by searching “Wiscasset Speedway.” For more information, head to the Wiscasset Speedway website at www.wiscassetspeedway.com.

Official results for May 7, 2016

Super Street (25 Laps)

1. #32 Tasha Dyer, Arrowsic

2. #38 Cody Buzzell, Madison

3. #27 Barry Poulin, Benton

4. #02 Jason Curtis, Hollis

5. #2 Josh Bailey, Wiscasset

6. #5 Mark Lucas, Harpswell

7. #3 Bernie Dinsmore, South Hope

8. #34 David Vaughn, Naples

DNS #54 Neil Evans, Brunswick

Wicked Good Vintage Racers Late Model Class (20 Laps)

1. #73 Mark Theranault, NA

2. #82 Bobbie Symonds, NA

3. #2 Kevin Waterhouse, West Paris

4. #420 Keith Smalley, Warren

5. #05 NA

6. #0 Dean Grant, NA

7. #35 Dennis Fish, NA

8. #48 George Harding, NA

9. #25 Mark Hughes, Milton Mills, N.H.

10. #97 Brian Hughes, Otisfield

11. #7 Amy Reny, Boothbay

12. #66 Andy Philips, NA

13. #13 Jody Lewis, Boothbay

Wicked Good Vintage Racers Outlaw Class (20 Laps)

1. #? James Osmond, Wiscasset

2. #86 Ryan Chadwick, Woolwich

3. #1 Bob Guyon, Monmouth

4. #99 Ajay Picard, Palmyra

5. #71 Arthur Hannaford, Hollis

6. #79 Scott Tucker, Litchfield

7. #15 Sid Smith, NA

8. #1 Norman Judkins, NA

9. #55 Gary Dwinal, NA

Thunder Four Mini’s (20 Laps)

1. #19 Travis Poulliot, Skowhegan

2. #48 Michael Harrison, Durham

3. #4J Joe Katula, Lisbon

4. #1 Jeff Davis, Woolwich

5. #31 Leandra Martin, Richmond

6. #10 Jason Trundy, Winterport

7. #14 Robert Macdonald, Smithfield

8. #26 Michael Golding, Pownal

9. #20 Devon Robinson, Warren

10. #66 James Grover, Wiscasset

11. #58 David Greenleaf, Brunswick

12. #78 Shawn Berry, Livermore Falls

DQ #3 Jeff Minchin Jr., Pittston

Servepro of Biddeford Saco Prostocks (40 Laps)

1. #09 Jeremy Davis, Tamworth, NH

2. #99 Ajay Picard, Palmyra

3. #15 Nick Hinkley, Wiscasset

4. #01 Andy Saunders, Ellsworth

5. #91JR Mike Orr, Wiscasset

6. #13 Nate Tribbett, Richmond

7. #12 Thomas True, Wiscasset

8. #29 Kevin Morse, Woolwich

9. #30 Dylan Street, Old Town

10. #72 Charlie Colby, Edgecomb

11. #28 Ken Beaslee, Richmond

12. #05R Phil Richardson Jr., Hermon

13. #55 Billy Childs Jr., Leeds

14. #05 James Osmond, Wiscasset

15. #23 Brandon Sprague, Edgecomb

DNS 88X Wes Turner, Freedom

New England Four Cylinder Prostocks (25 Laps)

1. #98 Kamren Knowles, West Gardiner

2. #24 Jeff Prindall, Lisbon Falls

3. #38 Ryan Hayes, Jefferson

4. #55 John Shorey, Alna

5. #4L Lexi Roach, Brewer

6. #5 Barry Morris, Livermore Falls

7. #9X Brooke Knowles, West Gardiner

8. #84 Jamie Wright, Woolwich

9. #48 RJ Pinkham, Hallowell

10. #14 Bob Patten, Westbrook

11. #12 Dave Patten, Westbrook

12. #42 Mike Kibbin, South China

13. #54 Cam Corbine, Farmingdale

14. #6 Fred Ashmore Jr., Handcock

15. #70 Taylor Lane, Phillips

DNS #4 Connor Wenners, Edgecomb