With wet weather on the horizon for what would-be Coastal 200 Sunday, Wiscasset Speedway did not falter. Instead, the track pivoted, moving the coveted $15,000-to-win Late Model race to Saturday afternoon instead.

Over 20 drivers showed up to compete on Saturday, including two competitors (Zack Harris and Jerry Simons) that traveled all the way from Florida to try their hand at one of the biggest Late Model races of its kind in New England.

Jonathon Emerson was the early favorite on the day as he topped the leaderboard in all 3 practices, highlighted by the fastest lap of 15.639 seconds in first practice. Frank Moulton, Chad Dow and Troy Patterson led the charge in the qualifying heat races, which put Moulton and Dow on the front row for the main event.

While the Late Model drivers were getting ready for competition, support divisions ran their feature races, starting with the visiting Wicked Good Vintage Racers. Wiscasset Speedway veteran Adam Chadbourne ran the famous “?” car, beating out former Oxford 250 champion Gary Drew and Peter Warren for the win in the Hobby Class. Meanwhile, Addison Bowie and Bobby Symonds put on a barn burner in the Early Outlaws, with Bowie capturing the checkered flag.

Landon Tapley got a good jump on the initial start in the 30-lap feature for the Portland Glass Strictly Streets. Meanwhile, trouble was brewing early for heat race winner Joe Harriman, who cut down a tire on lap 2. Landon Tapley maintained his advantage on the restart while multi-time champion Josh St. Clair entered the picture, breaking the top 3 at halfway. He tracked down Tyler Jordan in the closing laps of the race, trailing his bumper for second. St. Clair made his way to Jordan’s door with just two laps to go, successfully completing the pass coming to the white flag. Landon Tapley was too far gone at the front of the field, picking up the victory over Josh St. Clair and Tyler Jordan. Tyler Jordan failed to go to technical inspection following the race, resulting in defending champion Zack Emerson being crowned the official third place finisher.

After winning the qualifying heat race, Kyle Hewins pulled out to a sizable early lead in the 30-lap feature for the Creative Cleanouts Sport Modifieds while a flock of cars battled it out behind him for the runner-up spot. Adam Chadbourne broke free with the spot on lap 9 and although he was able to reel in the leader, he wasn’t quite able to capitalize on the opportunity, settling for second while Jaxson Moreside followed, rounding out the podium.

Sophomore driver Hayden Carver powered ahead with the early lead in the 25-lap feature for the Dale’s Cash Fuel Roadrunners. While battling for position, Guy Williams, Jr. made hard contact with the turn 1 wall on lap 14, resulting in a red flag. Gavin Gerow took over on the restart as Karigan Glasier and Jason Sears followed in succession, knocking Hayden Carver out of the top 3 after a solid showing all day. Gerow held off the competition in the closing laps of the race, securing the victory over Karigan Glasier and Jason Sears.

Following out-of-car driver introductions and a beautiful Memorial Day tribute, Frank Moulton led the field to green in the Coldbrook Trailers & Equipment Coastal 200, which was presented by GT Overhead Door, CLH & Son and Nitro Trailers.

Moulton maintained command through multiple early-race cautions, even collecting the $1,000 halfway leader bonus. Just after halfway, Jerry Simons took a spin on the backstretch, resulting in a caution. This was followed by another quick yellow for debris on the track, in which Frank Moulton made a last-second turn into the pits. His crew changed out left side tires and Moulton subsequently sacrificed the lead to Josh St. Clair.

Josh St. Clair led the charge on the restart as his brother, Ryan St. Clair trailed closely behind. Their grandfather, Dave “Boss Hogg” St. Clair tangled with Troy Patterson and Brent Roy on lap 125, forcing another yellow flag. All top 3 drivers headed down pit row, catapulting Jonathon Emerson into the top spot.

Emerson pulled ahead on the restart while Josh St. Clair methodically climbed back through the field, overtaking second from Ben Burgess. Two cautions within the final 55 laps brought the field back together and opened the door for Josh St. Clair, who capitalized on the opportunity following the lap 166 restart. Emerson rode his back bumper as the laps wound down, getting a final chance to strike when Ryan St. Clair and Alex Waltz made contact with just 11 laps to go, resulting in a caution.

Josh St. Clair and Jonathon Emerson squared up on the restart and put on a respectful battle in the closing laps of the race with neither driver giving up an inch, but never making contact with the other, either. Josh St. Clair won the battle, joining Ben Ashline and all-time Wiscasset win leader Scott Chubbuck as a 3-time Coastal 200 winner. Jonathon Emerson and Ben Burgess followed, completing the podium.

Coastal 200 weekend ended in spectacular fashion and Team Wiscasset would like to thank the amazing group of drivers, staff and fans that pivoted with them in regard to the schedule change, making for a truly amazing day at the race track.

The fun continues this Saturday, May 30 as drivers from Mainely Karting join the Group 1 program for the first night race of the season, kicking off at 5 p.m.

As always, adult grandstand admission is just $5 while kids 6 and under get in for free!

For the track schedule, official race results (including Coastal 200 contingency prize winners) and more, please visit http://www.wiscassetspeedway.com.