Oxford, Maine – Former track champion Timmy Brackett of Buckfield took a first step toward reclaiming the track crown won last season by his son TJ with a 50-lap triumph in the Budweiser Super Late Models, topping the card on Applebees night Saturday at Oxford Plains Speedway.
Brackett started on the front row, outgunned New Hampshire racer Andy Shaw at the start, then fended off several challenges by Peru’s Gary Chiasson to put his NAPA Auto Parts=sponsored car number 60 in victory lane.
Chiasson and Minot’s Scott Farrington waged an entertaining battle for runner-up honors, with Chiasson prevailing as the checkered flag waved. Shaw managed to claim a fourth-place finish, with the top five filled out by Justin Gibbons of Bridgton. Brackett and Shaw won 12-lap heat races.
Keith Stuart of Naples cruised to an easy victory in the 30-lap feature race for Allen’s Coffee Flavored Brandy Street Stocks. Heat race winner Zach Emerson of Sabattus was the best of the rest, holding off Josh Childs of Oxford for runner-up honors in the main event. Sabattus racer Andrew Breton charged from the back of the pack to finish fourth. Rookie Jonathan Emerson of Sabattus rounded out the top five.
Ryan Robbins of Dixfield took the lead away from Turner’s Brad Hammond and went on to post an impressive win in the first Oxford Championship Series race for the Mods. Scott Alexander was closing on the leader late in the 30-lap race, but was forced to settle for runner-up honors. Polesitter and heat race winner Hammond ended up in third position aboard the Billy Dixon 33. New daddy Matt Sanborn of Westbrook was fourth under the checkered flag, followed by Randy Sanborn of West Baldwin.
Oxford’s Shaun Hinkley outran the competition in the first appearance of the season for the entry-level Bandits class. Troy Smith of Bridgton kept it close up front throughout the 20-lap race, crossing the finish line in second position. Jason Cummings of Waterford earned the final podium finishing position. Filling out the top five were Dan Wade of New Gloucester and Oxford’s Jacob Hall.