OPS announces schedule for 60th anniversary season

by Jay | Nov 26, 2009 | Maine, Oxford Plains Speedway

OXFORD, Maine – The 37th annual TD Bank 250, two American-Canadian Tour events, four prime-time Motor Mayhem shows and a record 11 fireworks displays will highlight the 60th anniversary season at Oxford Plains Speedway in 2010.

Maine State Lottery Fireworks Night will fall on the traditional date of Saturday, July 3, and set the stage for a giant pyrotechnic display almost every Saturday night in July, August and September.

With the exception of the eve of the 250 (Saturday, July 17) every weekly event will feature a show by Central Maine Pyrotechnics to cap the night.

“In thinking of ways to make this a festive, special anniversary season, we recognized that some of the most popular and crowd-pleasing events each year are our fireworks nights,” Ryan said. “We’ve added three or four to the traditional Fourth of July weekend date the last few years, and they have been extremely well-received. But we don’t know of any other track that makes it a part of every week’s race program as we plan to do throughout the second half of 2010.”

OPS also will give fans an early-season dose of sight and sound on Saturday, May 29, lighting up the skies on Memorial Day weekend as part of Motor Mayhem.

That will be the first of four Motor Mayhems in 2010, three of which are scheduled for Saturday night: May 29, July 24 and Sept. 4. There also is a Friday night Mayhem under the lights on June 25.

“We enjoyed a resurgence with our Motor Mayhem program in 2009. By holding those events at night and re-introducing such fan favorite events as a demolition derby and monster truck as well as a bunch of crazy stuff we’d never tried at Oxford before, it seemed to fill a big demand for unique, family fun at a low cost to both fans and competitors,” Ryan said. “So we’ve added a date and plan even more surprises to ramp up the ‘Mayhem’ in 2010.”

ACT again will open the season on Sunday, May 16. And in a change that is sure to popular with fans and drivers alike, the tour has added a fate on Saturday, June 19.

“That tour race about a month before the TD Bank 250 was a long tradition at Oxford, and it’s something we haven’t had for a couple of years,” Ryan said. “It kind of brings back that concept of a ‘tune-up’ race for the 250. The winner certainly will establish himself as one of the early favorites to win in July.”

TD Bank 250 weekend will be a two-day event in 2010, ensuring fans the most action-packed eve of the big event in history.

The fourth-annual True Value Modified Racing Series 100 will highlight the Saturday, July 17 card. Eight divisions will be in competition that night, including the Strictly and Mini Stocks and all five Acceleration Series classes.

Acceleration Series mid-week action cranks up for its 12th season on Wednesday, June 16 and continues most weeks through the end of August. In addition, two divisions again will compete each Saturday night in the ‘Grand Slam’ series.

Other notable dates to mark on your calendar:

– Fan Appreciation Night is Saturday, May 22. Adult admission is $5 with juniors free for this special, once-a-year event.

– Championship Nights for the respective series are Wednesday, August 25 (OAS) and Saturday, Sept, 11 (OCS).

– The 15th annual Little Guy 100s and Acceleration Series Showdown will run concurrently on Sunday, Sept. 26.

Deep discounts of 50 percent or more are available to drivers and spectators who purchase season pit and grandstand passes before December 31. Call (207) 539-8865 for more details.