43rd Annual HP Hood Oxford 250 Attracting Drivers From Across North America; Entry List Over 50

photo by Norm Marx

photo by Norm Marx

NAPLES, ME (August 9) – Ever since the first HP Hood Oxford 250 was held at Oxford Plains Speedway in 1974, it has attracted not only the best short track racers from New England, but from across North America. In that first event won by Joey Kourafas, the precedent was set that short track racing’s best would assemble at Oxford for the 250. In addition to the talented group of drivers from New England in the field that day, Southern aces Bosco Lowe and 1963 Daytona 500 winner Tiny Lund competed along with a strong group of Canadian drivers led by Jean Paul Cabana. In fact, the early years of the HP Hood Oxford 250 were dominated by Southern drivers such as Butch Lindley, Bob Pressley, and Tommy Ellis. The first Canadian to taste HP Hood Oxford 250 glory was Don Biederman in 1977.

This year, the tradition continues at the HP Hood Oxford 250 with drivers from outside the Northeast coming into challenge New England’s best on their “home” field. With several weeks remaining before the race, the entry list has grown to over 50. Among those who have already entered are Pacific Northwest legend Garrett Evans, who will be attempting the HP Hood Oxford 250 for the first time in his illustrious career. Since first competing with PASS in “The Race” at North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2011, the Wenatchee, WA native has made several PASS South starts, but this will be only his second time ever competing at Oxford Plains. Defending PASS Pro Late Model champion and current PASS South Super Late Model championship contender, Kodie Conner, will make the trip from Kannapolis, NC for his first attempt at the 250.

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Final Oxford 250 Prep Awaits PASS Stars At Oxford Plains Doubleheader This Weekend

photo by Norm Marx

photo by Norm Marx

NAPLES, ME (July 28) – With the 43rd Annual HP Hood Oxford 250 just a month away, Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Model teams will have one more opportunity to prepare at Oxford Plains Speedway with this Sunday afternoon’s HP Hood 150.  Over 50 teams have pre-entered for the HP Hood Oxford 250 to date and, with over 70 teams expected for the biggest and most prestigious Super Late Model race in the North America, track time at Oxford Plains will be at a premium.  In addition, a full slate of local action will be on tap Saturday night at Oxford Plains Speedway, featuring the Budweiser Super Late Models, with an additional practice scheduled for the headline division to give teams as much track time as possible.   

Two-time HP Hood Oxford 250 winner, Travis Benjamin, is looking to take advantage of every opportunity available to get on track at Oxford Plains.  After getting caught up in an early crash last year, Benjamin hopes this weekend that he and the Petit Motorsports team can get the data that they need to help him get back to victory lane when they return in late August.

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ST. CLAIRE IS IN THE AIR: LATE MODEL DIVISION WINS KEPT IN THE FAMILY

Wiscasset SpeedwayST. CLAIRE IS IN THE AIR: LATE MODEL DIVISION WINS KEPT IN THE FAMILY
BY: SOPHIE GABRION, RACE MEDIA REP

WISCASSET, MAINE – Last Saturday night marked the anniversary of some important historical events. In 2007, Honda produced the six millionth Civic. The 1996 US Women’s Gymnastics team brought home the first gold; Vanessa Williams was the first winner in pageant history to resign in 1984; and deep in the heart of Lincoln County, Wiscasset Speedway opened in 1969. For 47 years, it has operated as Maine’s fastest track. Even though drivers showed up wearing fire suits instead of their birthday suits, each division had obviously come to party.

In an epic Late Model Sportsman double-header, the St. Clair Family from Liberty kept winning relative. Josh of the #33 took first in the rescheduled race, while his grandfather, Dave, won in the second. Sponsored by Kennebec Equipment Rental, the Outlaw Minis rocked a 75-lap Madness Spotlight Feature where Zach Audet of the #19me proved hard work pays off when he accepted first place in victory lane. Other winners included Ben Tinker of the #19 from New Gloucester for the NAPA Modified and Kyle Hewins of the #51 from Leeds for the Strictly Streets.
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HEAVY HEAT IN THE STREETS: LUCAS BURNS UP VICTORY LANE WITH FOURTH SEASON WIN

Wiscasset SpeedwayHEAVY HEAT IN THE STREETS: LUCAS BURNS UP VICTORY LANE WITH FOURTH SEASON WIN
BY: SOPHIE GABRION, RACE MEDIA REP

WISCASSET, MAINE – If you ever want to see what dedication looks like, visit the pits at Wiscasset Speedway during the summertime. Although temperatures on Saturday afternoon reached into the eighties, the courageous crews continued to run through race day preparations as if they were trying to keep warm. Even more impressive were the drivers themselves, who voluntarily zipped up in full body fire suits and entered cars known to reach temperatures of up to 120 degrees – all for the love of racing. Take a minute to consider how many people you know with that kind of endurance, while we review the blistering action from this past weekend.
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