Group 1 Champions are Crowned at Wiscasset Speedway

The 2024 race season at Wiscasset Speedway has been both fun and fulfilling, but all good things must come to an end. The track kicked off their 3-week season winddown on Saturday, hosting their Group 1 Championship Night.

The racing action began with a 40-lap feature for the Gosline Insurance Group Super Streets, the most competitive division at the track throughout the entirety of the season. Bubba Pelton entered the day with a slim 4-point lead over Nick Morton, leaving no room for error. Pelton clearly understood the assignment, as he drove around 2 drivers on lap 15, making his way into the runner-up spot. He continued his mission in the coming laps, clearing Josh St. Clair for the lead on lap 25. Nick Morton still lingered closely behind, advancing to second shortly after. Pelton successfully held him off as the laps wound down, capturing both the win and the division championship in one swing. Josh St. Clair followed, rounding out the podium.

After winning an impressive 7 races during the season, Ben Burgess had the championship in the Brackett’s Market 4-Cylinder Pros under lock and key simply by starting the feature race. Knowing this, he held back during the qualifying heat and pulled off of the track early. The two leaders collided on lap 7 of the feature race, making room for Burgess, who took over the top spot. A mid-race caution brought the field back together, but Burgess held strong. He was under fire by his competitors on the final lap of the race, who made it a 3-wide battle to the finish line. Burgess held them off, taking home the victory and the championship while John Ricci and Jaxson Moreside completed the top 3.

The NELCAR Legends joined the fun on Saturday with their final points race of the 2024 season. Kyle Caissie took off with the early lead, but PJ Evans was in hot pursuit of the leader. Evans made his way to Caissie’s door on lap 8, challenging for the top spot. Evans took over the lead just two laps later and never looked back, capturing the feature victory. Kyle Caissie and Reagan Parent followed, completing the podium.

Mike Landry pulled away with the early lead in the 20-lap feature for the Thunder 4 Minis. Multi-time champion Zach Audet was also making quick work of the field, breaking the top 3 on lap 8. Audet was all over Landry for the top spot as the laps wound down, hungry for the top spot. Landry successfully held him off, picking up his first career victory at Wiscasset Speedway. Shane Webber followed, rounding out the top 3.

The night concluded with a 40-lap feature for the Norm’s Used Cars Pro Stocks. Dan McKeage, Jr. entered the race with a less-than-comfortable 14-point lead over veteran driver Nick Hinkley. McKeage squared up with Matt Beers for the early lead, but Beers pulled ahead with the advantage. Josh St. Clair was also on the move early, breaking the top 3 on lap 5.

A caution on lap 7 brought the field back together and led to trouble for the leaders, who jumped the restart. The top 2 rows were subsequently swapped, and Josh St. Clair took off from there. Nick Hinkley started to come to life in the closing laps of the race, clearing Logan Melcher for the runner-up spot on lap 32. McKeage lingered closely behind, breaking the top 3 with just five laps to go. While St. Clair took home the victory, Nick Hinkley and Dan McKeage, Jr. rounded out the podium. McKeage was deemed the Pro Stock champion, becoming just the third driver in track history to secure 2+ championship titles in one single season.

Saturday’s Group 1 season finale was full of exciting battles both on the track and in the points. There’s still more to come, as 3 more champions will be crowned on Saturday, September 28th.

Wiscasset Speedway will also be closing out their 2024 points season on Saturday with the final marquee event of the season, the Thayer’s Automotive Strictly Shootout. The green flag flies at 3:00 pm and as always, adult admission is just $5.

See you there!