Oxford Championship Series: Chris Coolidge
Oxford Plains Speedway Race Report
OXFORD, Maine – Chris Coolidge of Norway, Maine, finished 12th in the Oxford Championship Series 40-lap Pro Late Model feature at Oxford Plains Speedway in Oxford, Maine, on Friday, May 17. One of Coolidge’s best runs in the last three seasons came to a disappointing end when, while battling for the lead, he was collected by a spinning lapped car off the final corner on the final lap. Coolidge led 35 laps after starting third in the 16-car field and taking over the top spot on Lap 4. The No. 72 Bill’s Automotive/Lloyd’s Land Chevrolet built a lead of more than a straightaway during the middle stages of the event, but the car’s handling went away in the closing laps and allowed the cars chasing Coolidge to close in on him. A chance at his first career Pro Late Model podium finish disappeared when he stopped just inches short of the frontstretch wall while trying to avoid a wrecking competitor.
WHO: Chris Coolidge, Norway, Maine
CREW CHIEF: Bill Coolidge, West Paris, Maine
TEAM: Coolidge Motorsports No. 72 Bill’s Automotive/Lloyd’s Land Chevrolet
WHAT: Oxford Championship Series Pro Late Model 40
WHERE: Oxford Plains Speedway, Oxford, Maine (.375-mile oval)
STARTED: 3rd
FINISHED: 12th
NEXT RACE: May 24, OCS Pro Late Model 40, Oxford Plains Speedway, Oxford, Maine (.375-mile oval)
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CHRIS, WHAT HAPPENED AT THE END?
I don’t really know. It looked to me like when we went into Turn 3, the 70 car was on the outside and he dive-bombed down in front of me. I think when he did, I think he clipped the left rear of the (No. 0). The 0 went all squirrely, and when he spun he went right directly in front of me.
All I could do at that point was steer, and when I did, I went right straight for the wall.
DID YOU THINK THE LEADERS WERE GOING TO CATCH YOU?
Once the car started pushing and I saw them coming closer and closer, I knew they were going to come. I was hoping at that point – we only had five laps to go – and I was really hoping I could get it through and at the very least finish Top-3.
THE FINAL RESULT ASIDE, WAS THIS A POSITIVE STEP FOR YOUR RACE TEAM?
That’s the only way I can look at it. It sucks, but there’s nothing I can do to change it now. We made some steps this week. The car’s going probably the best it’s gone so far. I guess the way to look at it is that I should be starting up front next week, and we’ll go try it again.
The car was better in the heat race (than it was in practice), but it was still tight. We made an adjustment before the feature, and I’d say it worked pretty good for about 30 laps, then it just tightened up. That was pretty much it. The last 10 laps, I was really struggling to get through the corner. It wasn’t turning like it was before.