WISCASSET

Fans and racers who were forced to wait an extra week to get their much-anticipated racing fix were rewarded Saturday afternoon as sunny skies and summer-like temperatures greeted them at the unveiling of the new and improved Wiscasset Speedway.

The new walls, catch fence and other upgrades were well received by the crowd of nearly 2,000, but it was the new fan-friendly Victory Lane that was the hit of the day. Kids and adults alike lined the waist-high chain link fence in front of the grandstands to give high fives and handshakes to the drivers as they climbed out of their rides.

Group 2 divisions were on the schedule including the Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Model Sportsman, Norm’s Used Cars Strictly Streets and Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Minis. The weekly flex division race was the first of three appearances for the Wicked Good Vintage Racers. The Midcoast Region NAPA Modifieds were the spotlight division for the opening day program, rolling out with a 40- lap feature.

Nick Reno, Allan Moeller and Adam Chadbourne picked right up where they left off last season in their battle for supremacy. Last year they were all chasing eventual champion, Mark Lucas. This time they were looking to stake their early claim as top dog in the class. Reno led the field of eight to the green flag and set a strong pace through the first half of the race. Moeller edged him on the outside for the lead on one early lap but soon settled back into third as Chadbourne joined in and settled in Reno’s tire tracks.

The top three remained the same through the midpoint of the race. Joe Williams gave chase, but failed to get within a few car lengths of the leaders. Things heated up at 25 laps as Chadbourne jumped to the outside, driving around Reno and into the lead on lap 28. Moeller moved up to second and took one more shot at the lead, but came up short. Chadbourne took the checker. Moeller chased him across the line to claim the second-place place trophy. Reno settled for third after a strong start.

In support action, reigning champ Zach Audet of Skowhegan was untouchable from the pole position in the Kennebec Equipment Rental Outlaw Minis. He led the 25-lap feature wire to wire despite a pair of mid-race cautions. Four-time champ Rob Greenleaf was the only one able to keep the champ in site and followed across the line for the runner-up finish by half a straightaway. Brent Roy of Vassalboro started mid-pack, and despite spinning on lap 11 to bring out the first caution of the race, recovered to claim the third-place trophy.

The Norm’s Used Cars Strictly Streets looked well in control of pole-sitter Mac Hannan Jr., of Union. He pulled out to a commanding lead in the 25-lap feature and was on his way to his second straight opening-day win. However, things took a major turn on lap 19 as Hannon suddenly slowed on the back-stretch and then pulled off the track with an electrical failure. Glen Reynolds of Turner, who had started sixth, took over the lead and cruised to his first Wiscasset victory. He was joined in Victory Lane by Mike Haynes and Kimberly Knight.

A stacked field of 20 took to the track for the Wood Pellet Warehouse Late Model Sportsman. It was a tall order for the rest of the field as defending champ Chris Thorne lined up with a rare pole position starting spot. Thorne paced the field for the full 35-lap feature on his way to his first win of the season. He was a five-time winner in 2016.

There was plenty of action behind him as several contenders moved up to try to get to the champ. Josh St. Clair, Shane Clark, Joey Doyon and Andrew McLaughlin put on the best battle for position until Doyon and Clark tangled out of turn four onto the front-stretch to bring out the first caution on lap 23. McLaughlin, who started eighth, had the best shot at Thorne on a lap-28 restart, but came up short and settled for second. St. Clair held on for third ahead of Nick Hinkley and Ryan St. Clair.

The winners for the Wicked Good Vintage Racers included Rosey Gerry in the Hobby Stock class; Sid Smith in the Outlaw class and Norris Willett in the Late Model class.

Wiscasset Speedway returns to action this upcoming Saturday with the first night race of the season. Pit gates open at 2 p.m., grandstand gate at 4 p.m., and the action begins at 6 p.m. with Group 1 in action. Super Streets will be the spotlight division along with ServPro of Biddeford-Saco Prostocks, Thunder 4 Minis and 4-Cylinder Prostock. The Amsoil NELCAR Legends will be the flex race of the week with a special INEX Legends Asphalt Nationals qualifier race, attracting many of the top Legend competitors in the northeast.

For more information, go to the Wiscasset Speedway website at www.wiscassetspeedway.com.