BY GARY HAWKINS

Staff Writer

Wiscasset Raceway kicks off it season today with a new look and an ambitious schedule under owners Doug and Becky White, who purchased the track last July.

From their seats in the new, freshly painted bleachers, fans will see a different color scheme and logo around the track, dozens more sponsor billboards, newly sided buildings and many new staff members.

"It's been a continual upgrading of the facility," Doug White said.

"It's a regular day of racing, but it's a big day because it's opening day."

More than 70 cars and drivers showed up last Saturday for the first day of practice.

The pits are already sold out, White said, and there are plans to expand.

"We've got a waiting list for new pit pads," White said. "We're expanding the pits so we'll have room for the cars."

There will be six weekly divisions of racing, starting at 2 p.m., topped by a 50- lap Pro Stock feature. Also on tap are races for Late Model Sportsmen, Super Streets, Strictly Streets, Mini Stocks and Mini Trucks.

Weekly purses have gone up and the season point fund will top $80,000, including a $10,000 payout to the Pro Stock champion.

"My goal is to make (Wiscasset) a premier racing spot in New England," said White, who has billed his track as "Maine's Center of Speed."

The track will broadcast feature races on ESPN radio 1160-AM, or fans at the track can listen to races over a special scanner frequency. Fans can also follow recaps of races on two weekly TV shows, Trackside and Center of Speed, shown at 9 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, respectively, on Time Warner Cable.

Drivers and track personalities will also be on hand each week at two central Maine restaurants, Hafford's Saloon in Waterville on Tuesday nights and Montsweag Roadhouse on Route 1 in Wiscasset on Wednesday nights.

The 2008 schedule includes four visits from the Pro All Star Series (PASS), with a $30,000 to win event at the New England Toyota Tundra 250 on Sunday, Aug. 17.

"It's the biggest Pro Stock race on the East Coast," White said. "Teams from all over New England and Canada as well as teams from down South will be here."

The Coastal 200, paying $10,000 to the top Late Model Sportsman will be held Memorial Day weekend.

"Operation Recognition" will also be held that weekend with members of the military and their families admitted free. White has designated five dates when active duty military, National Guardsmen, reservists and their families will be admitted free, the only requirement that they be in uniform and present a military ID.

Gary Hawkins -- 621- 5638

ghawkins@centralmaine.com