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.
by Jay | Nov 22, 2009 | Beech Ridge, Maine
Portland,Maine- Mike Rowe, Russ Morse, Lyman McKeage and Shawn Brackett were the guests of honor at the 61st annual presentation of awards at the Holiday Inn by the bay in Portland Maine Saturday night. The awards ceremony closed out the 2009 NASCAR Whelan All American Series at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in front of a capacity crowd in the banquet room.
Maine racing legend Mike Rowe was honored with the championship awards for the Pro Series division. Rowe received his championship awards from NASCAR and Beech Ridge and addressed the crowd in attendance recalling the NASCAR champions week in Charlotte and spoke some heartfelt words to his RJF Motorsports team. Rowe then recalled an evening this past season where he presented his feature winning trophy to Jordan Emerson, the young Whiz Kid racer injured in a crash 2 years ago and how that brought a big smile to her face. Rowe went one step beyond that on Saturday night as he announced that his championship trophy was going home with Jordan Emerson who was in attendance. Rowe made his way to the table Jordan was sitting at and presented his championship trophy to her much to the delight of the crowd.
Russ Morse stepped to the podium to collect the Sport Series championship awards. Morse capped off a brilliant season by thanking his team and family members who urged him to keep going when at times he didn’t think his heart was in it. This was the first championship for Morse in his 9 year racing career. Lyman McKeage collected his 3rd Beech Ridge championship on Saturday night. The elder statesman of the Wildcat division won the title by a scant 17 points and gave much of the credit to his team and family members who work tirelessly maintaining a fleet of 5 race cars that they use in various racing series’.
Shawn Brackett was the Road Runner champion for the 3rd consecutive year. Despite the fact that the Road Runner division is growing and the competition is getting tougher, Brackett stepped up his game to stay at the head of the class. Brackett thanked his family for the sacrifices they make so he can race as well as thanked his sponsors and team.
Several highly coveted awards were presented lead by the Driver of the decade award. Mike Maietta Sr. was the first winner of this prestigious award and Saturday night the award was presented to Bobby Babb. The annual Driver of the year award was announced and to nobody’s surprise Mike Rowe was the recipient of the award. The award for Outstanding new driver was presented to third generation racer Justin Cusack.
Rookie of the year awards went to Bradley Babb (Pro Series), Justin Cusack (Sport Series), Matt Gain (Wildcat) and Matt Dow (Road Runner). Most Improved drivers were Aaron Ricker (Pro Series), Nate Leavitt (Sport Series), Dan Bean (Wildcat) and David Turner (Road Runner).
The 2010 NASCAR Whelan All American Series at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway will kick off in May. Expect to see return visits from the Pro All Star Series and the American Canadian Tour as well as the True Value Modifieds.
by Jay | Oct 14, 2009 | Maine, Unity
Unity, Maine — Randy Turner of Freedom, Chris Thorne of Sidney and Mac Hannan, Jr. of Union topped the list of feature race winners on a busy Longjohn Weekend stock car racing card at Unity Raceway.
Turner won the 75-lap race for the Pro Stock division, Thorne scored in a 75-lap Late Model main event and Hannan survived a wild, $1000-to-win 69-lapper in the Wildcat division.
Other Sunday feature winners included Oakland’s Mike Landry, Ben Clark of Clinton, Kyla Gallant of Veazie and Ryan Ripley of Waldoboro. Saturday afternoon main event victories were scored by Don Giggey of Athens, Brad Bosworth of Cornville, Shelby Kimball of Cornville, Lucas Porter of Norridgewock, Bob Hills and Kenny Robinson.
Randy Turner’s Pro Stock victory left Morrill’s Travis Benjamin upset as the region’s fastest full-bodied stock cars visited Unity Raceway for just the third time this season.
Turner paced the majority of the 75-lapper, but lost the lead to Benjamin, who made good use of the quicker outside groove following a restart to get in front of Turner. When Turner made a bid to regain the lead going into turn three on the inside of Benjamin there was contact, and a lap later Benjamin rolled to a stop with a flat tire.
Benjamin pitted and returned to the rear of the restart lineup, but had to settle for third-place honors behind Turner and runner-up Scott Chubbuck, who had an eventful run en route to claiming his trophy. Unity’s Dustin Hubbard impressed in his first Pro Stock race, posting a fourth-place finish. Chuck Colby rounded out the top five.
Chris Thorne survived a wild 75-lap Late Model main event, which was the third round of the Linnehan’s Credit Now Triple Crown Series, with a race at both Speedway 95 and Wiscasset Raceway crowning a series champion.
In the caution-filled affair both Thorne and Duane Seekins of Stockton Springs were able to avoid all situations unfolding in front of them until it all was happening behind them. Sidney’s Kevin Douglass picked up the third-place trophy.
Josh St. Clair of Liberty wrapped up the Triple Crown series championship with a fourth-place finish. St.Clair survived a trip into the turn one sand pile and made several pit stops before climbing back into contention. Burnham’s Frank Moulton, the track’s 2009 Late Model champion, rounded out the top five.
Mac Hannan’s run from 16th starting position to victory lane in the 69-lap Wildcat race was patient and methodical, but loaded with luck as several very quick cars were sidelined in a freak spike in the axle-breaking ratio. At least a couple of drivers who led the race – Jeff ‘Bo Overlock., Jr. and Carl McAlpine – were later sidelined with broken axles, as were a couple of other cars running in front of Hannan’s Dave Brannon-owned machine.
Early on it looked like Overlock and Shorey were the cars to beat. They got together and Shorey was done for the day, with Overlock going on to lead by a healthy margin for several laps until his axle broke. Late in the race, 2009 Unity Raceway Wildcat champion Carl McAlpine was holding off Hanaan’s challenges, but his axle broke as the white flag was in sight.
Hanaan held off Lyman McKeage of Gorham on a green-white-checkered restart for the win and the $1000 top prize. Brad Norris of Ellsworth finished in third position, followed under the checkered flag by Auburn’s Mike Short and Brent Chase of Burnham.
Mike Landry held off Shane Tatro of Levant to win the 50-lap Super Street finale. Early race leader Nate Weston of Madison was third across the line, with another early pacesetter, Dan McKeage of Gorham, crossing the line in fourth position. Steve Moulton of Holden had an eventful drive, resulting in a top-five finish.
Ben Clark romped to an impressive win in the Late Model Pro Four feature. Mike Mason of Skowhegan, moving up from the Flyin’ 4 division he’s the new champion of for the first time, drove his new mount to runner-up honors. Jimmy Dennis of Benton wheeled to a third-place finish with Bryan Lancaster of Skowhegan and Oakland’s Reggie Bickford rounding out the top five.
Kyle Gallant led wire-to-wire in the Monsta Mini division main event. Dylan Lancaster of Skowhegan easily claimed runner-up honors with Scott Theriault of South China taking the final trophy after an intense battle with Plymouth’s Derrick Terrill. Lewis Batchelder of Dixmont rounded out the top five.
Flyin’ 4: Ryan Ripley of Waldoboro prevailed in Flyin’ 4 feature racing action, holding off Augusta’s Cody Sleeper to claim the checkered flag. Sleeper got the second-place hardware, with third-place honors going to Jason Trundy of Old Town; Ed Sleeper of Vassalboro and Tasha Dyer of Arrowsic were fourth and fifth across the finish line.
Teen Thunder and Ladies division competitors raced together, producing a thrilling battle for the lead on the final lap that saw the position change twice. Teen winner Brad Bosworth ended up just beating out Ladies winner Shelby Kimball to the checkered flag. Alica Goodwin of Clinton and Kayla Chesley of Skowhegan got second and third-place trophies for the Ladies class. Gage Landry of Sidney and Jayson Bosworth of Cornville finished second and third in the Teen Thunder rundown.
Jeff Littlefield of Wilslow won the Mini Cup race, inheriting the lead when eventual runner-up Ralph Melanson of Dover-Foxcroft couldn’t successfully protect the top spot from Ed Trask’s assault on the final lap. Benton’s Alex Fernald claimed the third-place trophy.
Don Giggey of Athens outran Ryan Hayes of Jefferson and Jamie Foster of Benton in the Truck feature. Kevin Oliver of Gray and Lance Chapman of Benton rounded out the top five.
Lucas Porter of Norridgwock won the Enduro race. Bob Hills and Kenny Robinson won feature races for Wicked Good Vintage Race Car Association competitors.
One more event remains on the 2009 Unity Raceway schedule, with “Frostbite 50s” for all weekly support divisions and Fernald Frenzy Fun day action set to get under way at 1:00 p.m. For more information please call (207) 45302021 or visit unityraceway.info
Pro Stock: 1. Randy Turner, Freedom; 2. Scott Chubbuck, Dresden; 3. Travis Benjamin, Morrill; 4. Dustin Hubbard, Unity; 5. Chuck Colby, Damariscotta; 6. Brian Whitney, Burnham; 7. Charlie Colby, Woolwich; 8. Jesse Smith, Bangor; 9. John Higgins, Glenburn; 10. Scott Moore, Anson; 11. Richie Dearborn, Hollis; 12. Matt Lee, Albion; 13. Chris Pangburn, Easton; 14. Jeff Burgess, Fairfield; 15. Tim Turner, Freedom; 16. Dean Fuller, Albion.
Late Model: 1. Chris Thorne, Sidney; 2. Duane Seekins, Stockton Springs; 3. Kevin Douglass, Sidney; 4. Josh St.Clair, Liberty; 5. Frank Moulton, Burnham; 6. Dave Farrington, Jay; 7. James Osmond, Wiscasset; 8. Dylan Turner, Freedom; 9. Seth Raven, Waldo; 10. Shane Lane, Kingfield; 11. Ajay Picard, Palmyra; 12. Rowland Robinson, Jr., Steuben; 13. Jeff Clewey, Winterport; 14. John Phippen, Bar Harbor; 15. Scott Modery, Hermon; 16. Milo Haney, Connor; 17. Dale Swoboda, Hermon; 18. Shane Clark, Winterport; 19. Troy Patterson, Stockton Springs; 20. Danny Smart, Buxton; 21. Darren Doucette, Sidney; 22. Louie Picard, Palmyra.
Super Street: 1. Mike Landry, Oakland; 2. Shane Tatro, Levant; 3. Nate Weston, Madison; 4. Dan McKeage, Gorham; 5. Steve Moulton, Holden; 6. Nick Huff, Orrington; 7. John Kalel II, Orrington; 8. Derek Mingo, Lamoine; 9. Artie Maguire, Bucksport; 10. Abel Leamer; Winterport; 11. Hal Stratton, Belgrade; 12. Kris Watson, Hermon; 13. Ryan St.Clair, Liberty; 14. Ed Drake, Vassalboro; 15. Sonny Robinson, Clinton; 16. Jason Morse, Ellsworth; 17. Mike Lynch, Winterport; 18. Doug Day, Glenburn.
Wildcat: 1. Mac Hannan, Jr., Union; 2. Lyman McKeage, Gorham; 3. Brad Norris, Ellsworth; 4. Mike Short, Auburn; 5. Brent Chase, Burnham; 6. Mike St.Germain, Auburn; 7. Shawn Hamel II, Bangor; 8.. DJ Moody, Prospect; 9. Jim Carr, Jr., Clifton; 10. Carl McAlpine, Burnham; 11. Matt Shaw, Troy; 13. Roger Smith, Jr., Clifton; 14. Jason Alton, Burnham; 15. Alex Waltz, Damariscotta; 16. Chris King, Burnham; 17. Travis Poulin, Holden; 18.. Dustin Hubbard, Unity; 19. Jeff ‘Bo’ Overlock, Jr., Hermon; 20. #98 ?, 21. Jim Shorey, Lebanon; 22. Luke Rickards, Anson.
Late Model Pro Four: 1. Ben Clark, Clinton; 2. Mike Mason, Skowhegan; 3. Jimmy Dennis, Benton; 4. Bryan Lancaster, Skowhegan; 5. Reggie Bickford, Oakland; 6. Jonathan Smith, Augusta; 7. Lance Chapman, Benton.
Monsta Mini: 1. Kyle Gallant, Veazie; 2. Dylan Lancaster, Skowhegan; 3. Scott Theriault, South China; 4. 07 Derrick Terrill, Plymouth; 5. 5. Lewis Batchelder, Dixmont; 6. Paul Jackson, Augusta; 7. Richard Jackson, Hudson, 8. Alica Goodwin, Clinton.
Flyin’ 4: 1. Ryan Ripley, Waldoboro; 2. Cody Sleeper, Augusta; 3. 3. Jason Trundy, Old Town; 4. Ed Sleeper, Vassalboro; 5. Tasha Dyer, Arrowsic; 6. James Johnson II, Bucksport; 7. Abel Leamer, Winterport; 8. John Fortin, Vassalboro; 9. Chris Burbelo, Frankfort; 10. Rick Ripley, Waldoboro; 11. Henry Boudreau, Winterport; 12. Pete McCollett, Readfield.
Wicked Good (“Late Models”): 1. Bob Hills; 2. Keith Fuller; 3. Dick McPhail; 4. Rosie Gerry; 5. Keith Smalley; 6. Butch Hall; 7. Wally Henderson; 8. Shawn Racila.
Wicked Good (“Outlaw”): 1. Kenny Robinson; 2. Al Paradise; 3. Tim Reynolds; 4. Duane Dunifer; 5. Bob Dionne; Joe Legere; 8. Alan Robinson.
Ladies: 1. Shelby Kimball, Cornville; 2. Alica Goodwin, Clinton; 3. Kayla Chesley, Skowhegan; 4. Kayla Allen, Bucksport.
Teens: 1. Brad Bosworth, Cornville; 2. Gage Landry, Sidney; 3. Jayson Bosworth, Cornville; 4. Matt Kimball, Cornville; 5. Eddie Gilblair, Skowhegan.
Trucks: 1. Don Giggey, Athens; 2. Ryan Hayes, Jefferson; 3. Jamie Foster, Benton; 4. Kevin Oliver, Gray; Lance Chapman, Benton.
Mini Cup: 1. Jeff Littlefield, Winslow; 2. Ralph Melanson, Dover-Foxcroft; 3. Alex Fernald, Benton; 4. Ed Trask, Augusta.
Enduro winner: Lucas Porter, Norridewock.
The Maine Vintage Race Car Assn. is holding its annual meeting Sunday November 8th at the Fireside Inn in Auburn. The meeting is an opportunity for members & anyone interested in racing history to get together & sort out last years events & plan for the upcoming shows & seasons, which will be here shortly.