SCARBOROUGH — When you race in one of Maine’s most competitive weekly divisions, the chances of finishing inside the top five every week against a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars are slim, at best.
Just don’t tell that to 25-year short track veteran Curtis Gerry, of Waterboro.
The third-generation driver capped an incredibly consistent season with a solid fourth-place finish Saturday, enough to lock up the 2016 NASCAR Pro Series championship at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway.
Gerry had only one finish outside the top five (8th on July 23) in 11 starts.
“This was the first brand-new car I’ve ever had in my career,” Gerry said. “Jeff Taylor at Distance Racing built me a phenomenal machine. We put a great team together this year and came out of the gate strong. To finish outside the top five only once has been amazing and satisfying. This is so huge for our entire family.”
Curt’s father, Jim, raced for 25 years at Beech Ridge and anchors his son’s team.
Scarborough’s Garrett Hall powered his way around the outside of Nick Cusack on lap 32 and pulled away to win the season’s final 40-lap Trophy Dash. Last year’s Pro series champion Reid Lanpher crossed the stripe in second, while Cusack settled for third.
“That was a good race,” Hall said in Victory Lane. “This win is dedicated to my cousin Alex, who passed away on Friday. We grew up right down the street, and came here on our dirt bikes and four-wheelers. It’s really unfortunate to lose him, we’re all thinking of him and my Aunt Bonnie tonight.”
Gerry’s fourth-place run made his night, while Don Colpritt Jr. completed the top five. Brandon Barker led the first 10 laps before Cusack took command. Jay native Dave Farrington Jr., who was second in points going into the finale, wasn’t feeling well at all Saturday yet soldiered on to finish 11th in an 18-car field.
In Sport Series action, Frank Wear finally came out on top after 25 years of effort. The Buxton driver finished fifth in the feature and was crowned 2016 champion in what is by far one of the most competitive support divisions in New England.
“I was nervous all day, but tried to put on a good show,” Wear said. “I was more anxious than anything. I’ve been out here a long time, and have been real close to a title. To earn respect around here takes years, but you can lose it in one night. I think I’ve earned it now, and I have a ton of respect for my rivals.”
Sally Gherardi, a physics teacher at Gorham High School by day and dedicated racer on the weekends, blistered the field to win Saturday’s feature. Ryan Villacci finished a distant second, while Phil Pinkham filled out the podium in third.
Early leader Reggie Leeman faded to fourth in the closing laps, while Clyde Hennessey also led laps in the finale. Gherardi took command from Hennessey at lap 12 and checked out on the field to claim her second victory of 2016.
“We won on opening night, so we figured we’d bookend the season in the finale,” Gherardi said. “I have to thank my tire specialist, Chris Smith, who I think is the best there is. This whole team stepped up this year and made it a great season.”
Some of the night’s biggest drama came during the Wildcat division finale. Lewis Anderson drove outside of rising star Kristina Nadeau on lap 11 and pulled away to earn the win and lock up the 2016 class championship. Anderson, of Hollis, has 30 years of experience behind the wheel and was overwhelmed when it all set in.
“This is just unbelievable,” Anderson said. “When I was a little kid coming to this track, I just wanted to win a race, much less a championship. The last six years with this chassis have been a big turnaround for my career. I took a chance with this car, and this year we got it dialed in. I’m thrilled beyond description.”
After another successful season of weekly NASCAR racing, all that remains at Beech Ridge for 2016 is the inaugural New England 500 weekend, set for Sept. 17-18. The two-day show will include a 300-lap feature for PASS North Super Late Models along with a 200-lap contest for the American-Canadian Tour.
Thorne claims Late Model feature at Wiscasset
Chris Thorne has enjoyed a strong season at Richard and Vanessa Jordan’s Wiscasset Speedway. The hotshoe from Sidney won this year’s big Coastal 200 against a field loaded with talent.
Thorne continued his winning ways Saturday evening with a victory in the 45-lap Spotlight feature for Late Model Sportsman cars at Wiscasset. Thorne outgunned hometown favorite Nick Hinkley for top honors, while Puncin St. Clair filled out the podium in third.
Harrington’s Andrew McLaughlin powered his way to fourth, with Will Collins of Waldoboro completing the top five.
Parker Long of Boothbay Harbor powered his way to victory in a 20-lap tilt for Sportsman class racers in Wicked Good Vintage action. Warren’s Keith Smalley crossed the stripe in second, while Norris Willett of Winslow was third.
Fairfield’s Dick McFail prevailed in a 15-lap sprint for Hobby class cars, while longtime racer Gary Dwinal of Lisbon claimed the Outlaw class feature. Dwinal raced at Oxford in the 1970s and returned to racing in 2016 with a classic Ford Mustang-bodied Modified entry. Now in his mid-50s, Dwinal is still razor-sharp.
Bryan Lancaster of Skowhegan won the 25-lap Trophy Dash for Wiscasset’s Outlaw Mini class. Lancaster held off a hard-charging Tim Collins of Farmington for top honors, while Bath native Rob Greenleaf filled out the podium in third.
pwhipple@sunjournal.com
Send questions/comments to the editors.
