Oxford, Maine – Dale Shaw of Center Conway, New Hampshire outgunned Buckfield’s T.J. Brackett on a mid-race restart, then held off both Brackett and Tommy Ricker of Poland on a couple of subsequent restarts to win the 40-lap Pro Late Model main event in the Championship Series points opener at Oxford Plains Speedway Sunday afternoon. Kurt Hewins of Leeds, Rob Greenleaf of Bath and Corey Morgan of Lewiston were also triumphant in feature events on the program’s undercard.
Brackett led the top-tier main event for more than half the distance, holding off Shaw and Ricker until the eventual winner made a bold, three-wide move pay off entering turn one. Ricker and, especially, Brackett kept the pressure on the former NASCAR Busch North Series champion until the checkered flag waved, but couldn’t get by the wily veteran once he was in command.
“It was fun,” Shaw said in victory lane. “I’m glad Pro Stock cars are back here weekly.”
Brackett managed to hold on to second position, with Ricker third under the checkered flag. The runner-up’s father, Tim Brackett of Buckfield, was the fourth-place finisher, with rookie Scott Farrington of Minot rounding out the top five. Chris Coolidge, Adam Polvinen, Kevin Douglass, Donnie Wentworth and Bill Penfold rounded out the top ten.
Veteran stock car racer Kurt Hewins of Leeds led wire-to-wire in the 30-lap lid-lifter for the Allen’s Coffee Flavored Brandy Street Stock division.
“It’s pretty easy when you start in the front,” Hewins said in victory lane. “We’ll see how it goes next week.”
Hewins battled with eventual third-place finisher Zach Emerson of Sabattus in the early going, with Brownfield’s Matt Williams charging from deep on the starting grid to provide the final challenge. Ryan Robbins of Dixfield was the fourth-place finisher, with Auburn veteran Mike Short rounding out the top-five.
Rob Greenleaf of West Bath prevailed in a tight, race-long battle in the 30-lap Allen’s Coffee Flavored Brandy Mini Stock main event, watching a whale of a battle for second position in his mirror over the entire distance.
Calvin Rose, Jr. of Turner won that war for runner-up honors over Readfield’s Pete McCollett. Rookie Justin Larsen of Peru ran an impressive race and claimed fourth-place honors, in front of Jay’s Shane Kaherl.
The new Ripley & Fletcher Ford Outlaw Sportsman division saw one of Maine’s busiest racers, Corey Morgan of Lewiston, romp to victory. Kyle Hewins of Leeds was the best of the rest in that 25-lapper, with Kyle Treadwell of Auburn claiming the final podium position. Mike Haynes of Livermore Falls and Buckfield’s Fred Clavet rounded out the top-five.
Oxford Plains Speedway’s Championship Series continues Sunday May 5 and Sunday May 12 at 2:00 p.m. before switching to the Friday night weekly summer schedule beginning May 17. For more information call (207) 539-8865 or visit oxfordplains.com
SUMMARY, OXFORD CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES RACE #1, SUNDAY, APRIL 28
Pro Late Model (40 laps) 1. 68 Dale Shaw, Center Conway NH; 2. 61 T.J. Brackett, Buckfield; 3. 6 Tommy Ricker, Poland; 4. 60 Tim Brackett, Buckfield; 5. 22 Scott Farrington, Minot; 6. 72 Chris Coolidge, Bryant Pond; 7. 73 Adam Polvinen, Oxford; 8. 21 Kevin Douglass, Sidney; 9. 63 Donnie Wentworth, Otisfield; 10. 0 Bill Penfold, Oxford; 11. 70 Tommy Stilphen, Arundel; 12. 18 Thom Bell, Minot; 13. 3 Vanna Brackett, Buckfield; 14. 71 Gary Chiasson, Peru.
Allen’s Coffe Flavored Brandy Street Stock (30 Laps) 1. 55 Kurt Hewins, Leeds; 2. 63 Matt Williams, Brownfield; 3. 23 Zach Emerson, Sabattus; 4. 9 Ryan Robbins, Dixfield; 5. 57 Mike Short, Auburn; 6. 26 Corey Morgan, Lewiston; 7. 3 Josh Childs, Leeds; 8. 04 Zach Bowie, Lisbon; 9. 8 Keith Stuart, Naples; 10. 1 Billy Childs, Jr., Leeds; 11. 36 Rick Spaulding, Lewiston; 12. 24 Larry Emerson, Durham; 13. 88 Nick Hoyt, Mechanic Falls; 14. 777 Mike St. Germaine, Auburn; 15. 08 Robbie Wentworth, Conway NH; 16. 58 David Whittier, Poland; 17. 83 Dan Brown, Peru; 18. 96 Matt Dufault, Turner; 19. 5 Ryan Hewins, Leeds; 20. 28 Mark Lundblad, Albany NH; 21. 69 Tyson Jordan, Poland; 22. 77 Richard Mains, Portland; 23. 34 Spencer Morse, Waterford; 24. 60 Richard Wentworth, Conway NH; 25. 12 Skip Tripp, Poland; 26. 14 Mike Roe, West Paris.
Allen’s Coffee Flavored Brandy Mini Stock (30 laps) 1. 2 Rob Greenleaf, West Bath; 2. 8 Calvin Rose, Jr., Turner; 3. 20 Pete McCollett, Readfield; 4. 18 Justin Larsen, Peru; 5. 19 Shane Kaherl, Jay; 6. 06 Ryan Glover, Rumford; 7. 4 Nik Coates, Lisbon; 8. 16 Mike Ward, Harrison; 9. 29 Brandon Palmer, Bridgton; 10. 83 Brady Romano, Livermore Falls.
Ripley & Fletcher Ford Outlaw Sportsman (25 laps) 1. 26 Corey Morgan, Lewiston; 2. 51 Kyle Hewins, Leeds; 3. 44 Kyle Treadwell, Auburn; 4. 67 Mike Haynes, Livermore Falls; 5. 71 Fred Clavet, Buckfield; 6. 14 Scott Hethcoat, Danville Junction; 7. 21 Rachel Dubois, Sabattus; 8. Mike Bradstreet, Bowdoin Center; 9. 28 Josh Toothaker, Sabattus; 10. 97 Shannon Judd, Jay; 11. 34 John Patria, Turner; 12. 38 Addison Bowie, Auburn; 13. 6 Todd Bisbee, South Paris; 14. 10 Scott Ellis, Lewiston; 15. 63 Bob Ferguson, New Gloucester; 16. 23 John White, hometown not available; 17. 19 Steve Moon, Gray.