After what was one of the most impressive eight-day driving performances Maine race fans have seen in many years, 17-year-old Reid Lanpher capped a dream-like 2015 season Saturday night by earning the NASCAR Pro Series Championship at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway.

Lanpher, of Manchester, kicked off his blazing late-season drive to the title on Saturday, Aug. 29, when he notched his fourth victory of the season. The next day, he stunned thousands of veteran observers as he powered his way to a runner-up finish in the famed Oxford 250 behind Glen Luce.

Going into Saturday night’s season finale, Lanpher led points rival Garrett Hall of Scarborough by a mere 10 points. Hall’s car suffered mechanical trouble in an early practice session, so Lanpher promptly redefined good sportsmanlike conduct by loaning his backup car to Hall for the finale.

“I owe this championship to everybody that works on the car and made it all possible,” Lanpher said. “I can’t believe the success we’ve had in 2015. We had no idea we were going to be this good. My crew chief, Jason Ricker, does an amazing job on this car, but it was a team effort that made it happen.”

Corey Bubar dominated the 40-lap feature, with Mike Fowler a distant second and Curtis Gerry third. Donnie Colpritt and 2014 Pro Series champion Dave Farrington Jr. of Jay completed the top five. Lanpher wheeled his way to sixth to secure the title, while Hall finished 13th in a respectable effort.

Frank Wear claimed the Sport Series finale over 2015 points champion Craig Smith, competing in his final race. Ben Tinker came home third, while Phil Pinkham and Dave Charest finished fourth and fifth respectively. Smith was part of Hall’s two-car effort this season but that machine has now been sold.

Leeds native Ryan Hewins also capped a fantastic 2015 campaign Saturday as he claimed his second straight championship at two separate tracks. After winning the Street Stock crown last year at Oxford, Hewins won four features this summer en route to his Wildcat division crown. The 23-year-old held a 22-point advantage going into the finale and finished fourth to secure his title.

Dave Cameron won the Wildcat season finale over Brian Caswell. Mac Hannan Jr. powered his way to third, while Jon Brill completed the top five behind Hewins.

Speedway owner Andy Cusack and staff concluded another strong season of weekly racing at the historic Scarborough oval on Saturday night. The Pro All Series (PASS) North super late models will contest their annual 300-lap battle at Beech Ridge on Sunday, September 20. 

Colby prevails in Pro Stock at Wiscasset

Charlie Colby wheeled his Arctic Cat-sponsored No. 72 entry to victory in Pro Stock action Saturday night at Wiscasset Speedway. The veteran from Newcastle held off Nate Tribbet and Boss Hogg 100 winner Wyatt Alexander for top honors, while Andy Saunders and Mike Orr completed the top five.

Mark Lucas of Harpswell claimed the Super Street feature ahead of Josh Bailey and Adam Chadborne, while Tasha Dyer and Jason Curtis filled out the top five.

In the Thunder 4 Minis, it was Cody Tribbet taking top honors over Leandra Martin and Ryan Chadwick. Mike Harrison and Curtis Anderson drove to fourth and fifth place honors.

Kamren Knowles powered to victory in the New England 4-Cylinder Pro division ahead of Alex Waltz and Lisbon’s Jeff Prindall.

Wiscasset has three more points races remaining on its 2015 schedule. On Saturday, Sept. 12, the Late Model Sportsman will headline a full Fan Appreciation Day card from Group 2 with a 45-lap feature event. The Strictly Street, Outlaw Mini, Modified and NELCAR Legends classes will also be in action. 

Points titles on the line at Oxford

Teams competing in Oxford Plains Speedway’s weekly Championship Series and Acceleration Series programs will conclude their 2015 season on Saturday, September 12. Two-time champion Tim Brackett (2005, 2010) of Buckfield maintains a 41-point advantage over Auburn native Kyle Treadwell in the Super Late Model division going into the finale.

In the Street Stock class, Josh Childs holds a slim 14-point lead over Zach Emerson with one race left to contest. Turner’s Calvin Rose Jr. sits third just 19 markers behind after a strong rookie campaign.

Shaun Hinkley carries and insurmountable 60-point advantage over Cam Childs into the Bandit class finale, while Dixfield’s Ryan Robbins and Scott Alexander are separated by only three points in the Modifed division. Their championship battle will come down to the last lap of the last feature.

Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame member Jon Lizotte has already locked up the Figure 8 title after dominating much of the season’s features. He’ll go after one more win this coming Saturday. Qualifying races begin at 4 p.m.  

pwhipple@sunjournal.com