Gripin'

When it comes to short track racing, I've only got 3 gripes.

OK, I've got more than 3 typically, but, for tonight, I've got 3 aces. Let's call 'em my Nextel Cup-sized gripes. And Wiscasset Raceway has committed them all -- too many divisions, too long an intermission and no scoreboard.

In fairness, track owner Doug White knows about my scoreboard issues. When I met him minutes after he bought the track in June, I told him not having a scoreboard with a lap counter was akin to a basketball court not having a clock. It doesn't make any sense. You wouldn't watch a basketball game without a clock and scoring tally, would you?

And I know White is in the process of overhauling the facility and its operations, but 8 features in one night -- across 7 divisions -- is ludicrous. Every study in the universe shows that a program in the neighborhood of 3 hours is the big winner. Almost 3 hours after Saturday's scheduled start, the 1st feature of the night was just hitting the track -- with a 50-lapper and a 75-lapper still to come.

And one of the reasons the Teen division was taking the green flag at 7:45 p.m. on this night was because there was an intermission that lasted nearly 30 minutes. That's bike giveaways for kids. sponsor readings and recaps of what's to come tonight. News flash -- the people are already here. You don't have to pitch them on what's about to happen. That's why they bought the tickets to begin with.

*****

And, for the record, the 1st Pro Stock race wins in 3 years at Wiscasset went to teenager Trevor Sanborn of Parsonsfield and former Unity Raceway champion Jeff Burgess of Fairfield. Each won a 15-lap heat race.

There are 18 Pro Stocks here, including Mike Rowe, who won the 1st Pro Stock championship here after Dave St. Clair opened the place in 1991. Incidentally, Charlie Colby is also in the field tonight. Colby is the most recent Pro Stock champion at the facility, having been credited with the title in 2004 -- a season shortened by weak car counts.