WISCASSET

Wiscasset Speedway was packed with fans last Sunday afternoon, all gathered to watch some exciting racing action.

On the agenda were Outlaw Minis, Modifieds, Strictly Street and the spotlighted main event, The Coastal 200, sponsored by Jordan Lumber and Jordan Excavation.

In the Modified 30-lap race, Harpswell’s Mark Lucas took the win.

Ed Trask held down the pole, followed by Mike Brown and Shawn Austin. Brown passed Trask on the inside of turn three during the opening lap for first. Coming up quickly from behind was Gary Thorne and Jairet Harrison. Thorne and Harrison slid neatly into second and third before the conclusion of lap one. During lap two, Lucas passed Harrison for third. Harrison later spun on the track to bring out a caution, an accident that also took out Brown.

On the restart, Lucas got a good jump of the start and took the lead. Richard Jordan overtook Bryant for third. Lucas and Thorne had a good battle for the lead, when halfway through the race, Thorne slid going into a turn and fell off the pace. Lucas gained a commanding lead and Thorne was unable to close the gap. Lucas took the win, with Thorne second and Jordan third.

The night began with a 25-lap Outlaw Mini feature, with Justin Trombley taking the win, with Richmond’s Nate Tribbet second and Donny Silva third.

An action packed 25-lap Strictly Street feature kept fans on the edge of their seats. Three cautions marred the race, which was won by Corey Morgan coming from behind for the checkered flag. However, Morgan failed a postrace inspection, giving the victory to Lisbon’s Dave Brannon. Kenny Harrison of Durham was second, followed by Ethan Dinsmore in third.

It was time for the main event, as the Coastal 200 kicked off with three heat races. Josh St. Clair, Chris Thorne and Andrew McLaughlin won the heats for a $100 bonus.

In the early going, Thorne took a narrow lead, with St. Clair coming right back to nose ahead. McLaughlin had his turn in the lead as the three heat leaders battled for early position.

The first caution occurred on lap 27, and when racing resumed McLaughlin led with Thorne racing door to door for position. After the second caution, Jeff Burgess moved into the top three by passing St. Clair.

A turning point in the race occurred on lap 45 when Thorne’s car suffered a mechanical problem, with smoke pouring out from under his hood. Behind him, Nick Jenkins and Nick Hinkley spun out, giving drivers the opportunity to head to the pits.

Later in the race, there was jockeying for position. Ryan St. Clair, who started 11th, moved into the top five along with Will Collins, who began ninth.

Ryan St. Clair had the hot car, as he moved to third, then second, before setting his sites on the lead. He challenged McLaughlin for the lead on lap 76, and coming out of turn four, gained the lead.

A fourth caution came out on lap 87, and when racing resumed Burgess took an inside line and completed a pass on McLaughlin for second.

The race’s next caution caused a shake-up at the top. Burgess outraced Ryan St. Clair for the lead. By lap 93, Ryan St. Clair regained the top spot and was the leader at the halfway point.

Thorne, who had to go to the back of the field after his car experienced mechanical issues, moved up to second, with Josh St. Clair again making a run for third. Hinkley advanced past Josh St. Clair for third, and on lap 107 passed Thorne for second. Hinkley’s run continued as he passed Ryan St. Clair on lap 111 to become the fifth leader of the Coastal 200.

Another caution came out on lap 135, with Thorne and Dave Farrington Jr., heading to the pits, along with Burgess and McLaughlin. On the ensuing restart, Farrington Jr., went underneath Ryan St. Clair for second. The duo battled back and forth, when Farrington Jr., found an opening and gained second again on lap 140.

Burgess and Ryan St. Clair got together coming out of turn three, forcing them to the back of the field after the caution. Another accident collected Ryan Deane, Shane Clark, Chris Bowie and Ryan St. Clair, with each of the drivers heading to the pits. Deane came back and finished the race, while the others were done for the day.

The restart on lap 142 saw McLaughlin pass Farrington Jr., for second, with Josh St. Clair making the pass on Farrington Jr., moments later for third. The next five laps featured McLaughlin and Josh St. Clair racing door to door, with Josh St. Clair managing to take second. On lap 149, McLaughlin and TJ Watson of Cundy’s Harbor touched, sending both spinning and bringing out the yellow caution flag.

An exciting restart followed, with Josh St. Clair challenging Hinkley for the lead. Josh St. Clair nosed into the lead, but Hinkley regained control and the lead by lap 152. The battle continued until the duo made contact on lap 159. Hinkley spun to being out the caution, with Farrington Jr., to new race leader. When racing action resumed, Burgess went underneath Jenkins for second. Once again making an appearance in the top three was Thorne, who had pitted during lap 135. Thorne passed Jenkins on the inside of turn three for third.

Jenkins, Watson, McLaughlin and Josh St. Clair challenged Farrington, Burgess and Thorne for the top three over the next several laps. Thorne managed to get past Burgess for second on lap 176, with McLaughlin passing Burgess on lap 179 for third.

The final caution came out on lap 180. Farrington Jr., controlled the restart. By lap 182, McLaughlin moved up to second ahead of Thorne. McLaughlin made a bid to unseat Farrington Jr., but the Jay native held on and took the checked flag. McLaughlin finished in second, with Thorne in third. Hinkley ended up in fourth, with Watson taking fifth.

Wiscasset Speedway resumes racing action this upcoming Saturday to close out May, with its group one lineup of divisions — Prostock, Napa Super Street, Thunder 4’s and New England Four Cylinder Prostock. The flex race of the week is the NELCAR Legends in a 25-lap event.

Pit gates open at 2 p.m., grandstand gates at 4 p.m., with racing set to begin at 6 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and children ages seven and older. Kids six and under are free. Pit admission is $20.

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