Ellsworth driver captures Late Model race, points championship

Posted Sept. 30, 2013, at 5:18 p.m.

HERMON, Maine — Ellsworth’s Andy Saunders took advantage of another driver’s misfortune Saturday night at Speedway 95 and won the 40-lap Dysart’s Late Model feature as well as putting an exclamation point on his second consecutive division championship.

Deane Smart of Bradley beat Saunders to the front at the drop of the green flag, and led the first 28 laps of the event. On lap 29, Lloyd Nickerson of Corinth spun in turn four while the leaders were rounding turn three and was sitting in the middle of the track when Smart got there.

Smart struck Nickerson head on, lifted into the air and landed on the car of Paul White who was running right behind Smart. Saunders, who was running third at the time, dove to the inside and avoided any contact with the wreck.

Smart, White and Nickerson were all eliminated from the race, while Saunders forged ahead of Wayne Parritt Jr. on the restart and led the remaining 12 laps to post his sixth win of the season. Parritt ran a strong race, finishing a close second to Saunders with Hermon’s Mike Hopkins finishing third, right on Parritt’s bumper. Fourth went to rookie Andrew McLaughlin of Harrington with Winterport’s Ryan Deane taking the fifth spot. Saunders claimed his second consecutive championship in the division, a feat which he also accomplished in the 2003 and 2004 seasons.

OTHER 95 RESULTS — Darling’s Ford Sportsman: 1. Kris Watson, Hermon; 2. Kris Matchett, Skowhegan; 3. Bradley Smart, Bradley; 4. Joe Legere, Milford; 5. Jim Bragdon, Corinth;

Keystone Automotive Strictly Streets: 1. Alex Berry, Harrington; 2. Shelby Kimball, Cornville; 3. Jordan Pearson, Glenburn; 4. Greg Pung, Franklin; 5. Matt Kimball, Cornville; Sport-four: 1. Donny Silva, Hudson; 2. Ted Ryder, Carmel; 3. Darren Durrell, Newburgh; 4. Bradley Dolan; 5. Andrew Crosby, Hermon; Bombers: 1. Dustan Durrell, Newburgh; 2. Alex Runci, Frankfort; 3. Mark Lane, Newport; 4. William McCullough, Kenduskeag; 5. Denis Burns, Carmel; Wicked Good Vintage Racing League: 1. Mark Thurlow, Lincolnville; 2. Scott Tucker, Winthrop; 3. Keith Smalley, Warren; 4. Bobby Symonds, Casco; 5. Caleb Willette, Winslow

Wiscasset Speedway

Thunder 4’s: 1. Ryan Chadwick, Wiscasset; 2. Cody Tribbet, Richmond; 3. Dan Trask, Chelsea; 4. Leandra Martin, Richmond; 5. Curtis Anderson, Richmond; Trucks: 1. Kris Knox. Sanford; 2. Gerry McKenna, Milton; 3. Roger Allard, Harpswell; 4. Matt Curtis, Freeport; 5. Jeff Schmidt, Mechanic Falls; New England 4 Cylinder Pro Stocks: 1. Dave Patten, Windham;

2. Kamren Knowles, Readfield; 3. Jeff Prindall, Lisbon Falls; 4. Ryan Hayes, Jefferson; 5. Bob Patten, Windham; Pro Stock: 1. Charlie Colby, Newcastle; 2. Billy Penfold, Oxford; 3. Mike Orr, Wiscasset; 4. Adam Chadbourne, Woolwich; 5. Steve Reny, Boothbay; Outlaw Mini: 1. Jimmy Childs, Leeds; 2. Darrel Moore, Oxford; 3. Rob Greenleaf, West Bath; 4. Nate Tribbet, Richmond; 5. Ryan Farrar, Sumner; Super Stock: 1. Chuck Colby, Newcastle; 2. Josh Bailey, Wiscasset; 3. James Osmond, Wiscasset; 4. Bobby Mesimer, Woolwich; 5. Adam Chadbourne, Woolwich; Late Model Sportsman: 1. Nick Hinkley, Wiscasset; 2. Allan Moeller Sr, Dresden;

3. Nick Jenkins, Brownville; 4. Tyler Robbins, Montville; 5. Steve Minott, Windham; Strictly Street: 1. Mike Moody, Topsham; 2. Ben Erskine, Farmington; 3. Steve Pierpont, Cushing; 4. Chuck Gray, Wiscasset; 5. Zach Poland, Woolwich

Winterport Dragway

Super Pro/Pro Final: 1. Mike Whitaker, S. China; 2. Rick Hunnewell, Ellsworth; Super Pro Eliminator Race: 1. Rick Hunnewell, Ellsworth; 2. Jerry Hatch, Lubec; Semifinalist, Dan Emerson, Hermon; Pro Eliminator: 1. Mike Whitaker, S. China; 2. Russell Calder, Campobello NB; Semifinalist, Terry Sutherland, Hancock; Street Eliminator: 1. Alyssa Walcott, Bernard;

2. Jamie Ross, St. George, NB; Semifinalist, Gage Reynolds, Old Town; Bikes and Sleds:

1. James Colman, Saco; 2. Paul Keaten, Athens; Semifinalist, Jim Marston, Fairfield; Jr. Dragster Race: 1. Emmitt Gardner, Edmunds

https://bangordailynews.com/2013/09/30/sports/auto-racing-sports/ellsworth-driver-captures-late-model-race-points-championship/ printed on March 13, 2014