Brian Hoar: TD Bank Oxford 250
Oxford Plains Speedway Race Report
OXFORD, Maine – Brian Hoar of Williston, Vt., finished fifth in the 38th annual TD Bank Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway in Oxford, Maine, on Sunday, July 24. Hoar, who started 25th in the 38-car field after winning his second-round qualifying race, drove into the Top-15 by the Lap 50 mark of the main event. He then used a one-tire pit stop early to gain track position before stopping for three tires, including both right sides. After restarting in 11th with less than 80 laps remaining, Hoar charged to the Top-5 finish, his second straight in the Oxford 250.
WHO: Brian Hoar, Williston,Vt.
TEAM: RPM Motorsports No. 37 GossCars.com Dodge
CREW CHIEF: Rick Paya, Georgia, Vt.
WHAT: 38th annual TD Bank Oxford 250
WHERE: Oxford Plains Speedway, Oxford, Maine (.375-mile oval)
STARTED: 25th
FINISHED: 5th
ACT Late Model Tour
LAST RACE: July 9, Jim’s Captown 100, Twin State Speedway, Claremont, N.H. (1st)
NEXT RACE: July 30, ACT 150, Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, Scarborough, Maine (.333-mile oval)
POINTS POSITION: 1st
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BRIAN, TALK ABOUT YOUR NIGHT.
“Same strategy as last year, and we came up short again. Done with that strategy – we’re going to pawn that off on someone else. It was a good night, though. We had fun – coming up through there with fresh tires and passing people is always fun. It just wasn’t what we needed. The balance wasn’t where we needed it at the end.
“We hurt ourselves with the luck of the draw and started dead last in our heat. We had to start 25 and that didn’t help anything. Overall, we’re going to walk out of here pleased. The car’s in one piece and we’ll go on to the next one and try to win that.”
WHAT DID YOU NEED TO HAPPEN DIFFERENTLY?
“We looked like Superman for a little while (on fresh tires), but the balance was on the tight side, and that’s an understatement of gargantuan proportions. I had all kinds of bite, but when you can’t get the front to stick, it doesn’t do any good.
“In each set of turns, I’d push from the center all the way to the center of the straightaway. It was just one of those deals.”
DO YOU THINK YOU SHOULD HAVE PLAYED THE PIT STRATEGY DIFFERENTLY?
“We’ve got a good enough car – and a heads-up pit stop against each other has won this race three years in a row. I think it’s time to get back on that strategy and take these guys head-on and just go for it.”