WISCASSET, Maine — Jeff Burgess of East Madison worked his way from the back to take the lead on Lap 34 and he did not relinquish it, driving to a season-opening victory on Saturday in the Pro Stock feature at Wiscasset Speedway.
James Osmond of Wiscasset, who started on the pole, was the runner-up, while Andy Saunders of Ellsworth finished third. A.J. Pickard of Palmyra and Nick Hinkley of Wiscasset rounded out the top five. Wyatt Alexander of Ellsworth was sixth followed by Nathan Trivet of Richmond, Mike Orr of Wiscasset, Dylan Turner of Thorndike and Bill Pinkham of Wiscasset.
Early in the race, Burgess went to the back of the field via the “Gentleman’s Rule” after coming together with Hinkley. Burgess was able to take advantage of some caution periods and re-starts to make his way all the way to the front.
“We were patient at the beginning of the race and waited,” Burgess said after the race. “We picked our way up through and followed James Osmond. He made one mistake and I was able to get underneath him.”
Osmond also had some extra motivation during Saturday’s racing action.
“I’d like to dedicate this race to my father-in-law, Gary French,” Osmond said. “He is suffering from terminal cancer but he was able to be at the race today.”
In the 50-lap feature of the Outlaw Super Series which is in its second year and was visiting Wiscasset, pole sitter Kris Watson of Hermon grabbed the checkered flag.
Runner-up Chris Matchet of Skowhegan snuck into the lead briefly on a Lap 13 restart, but Watson surged back in front and was able to negotiate a handful of cautions on his way to the victory.
Dan McKeague of Gorham wound up third followed by Dave St. Clair of Liberty and Duane Seekins of Stockton Springs. Rounding out the top 10 were: 6. Shawn Hamel, Bangor; 7. Trey Brown, Winterport; 8. Zach Bowie, Poland Springs; 9. Joey Doyon, Winterport; 10. Zach Audet, Skowhegan.
NOTE: The original version of this story contained some errors. Nick Hinkley, who finished fifth in the Pro Stocks feature, was misidentified. Also, the Nos. 6-10 finishers in the Thunder 4s were inadvertently listed under the Pro Stocks.