Oxford, ME – DJ Shaw and the #60 Precision JLM Racing team returned to the Oxford Plains Speedway this past weekend for the 40th annual TD Bank 250, the biggest race in short track racing. 66 of the country’s best Super Late Model drivers battled for 41 spots in the heat races. Shaw had a great run going, as he contended in the top five for much of the race until a skirmish late in the race left Shaw with damage, and holding on for a 17th place finish at the end of the day.
Throughout the two days of practice, Shaw felt confident in his chances to turn out a good finish in the TD Bank 250. Shaw had run the race in ACT style competition in previous years, but this year was the return of the Super Late Models. He would start from the ninth position in the fifth 25 lap heat race, leaving his work cut out for him as only four cars would make the big show while the rest would be relegated to the consolation and last chance races. Shaw wasted no time on his way to the front though, as he used a timely caution flag to his advantage to work his way forward and take the heat win ahead of his teammate Andy Saunders in the 49 car! The heat win gave Shaw a 5th place starting spot for the 250 lap main event.
The anticipation was building with the pre-race ceremonies and driver introductions in front of a packed crowd at Oxford Plains. 41 of the best Super Late Model drivers in the country were set to roll off for their biggest event. Shaw stayed steady in the top five through the first part of the event, as cautions plagued the races opening laps. On a caution on lap 120, the team had a great pit stop and Shaw was back on the track in a two stop strategy with fresh tires. Shaw rode in the top ten until the race had a caution with 60 laps to go, where Shaw made his final stop of the day. On the restart, Shaw and Kevin Powell made contact in the middle of the field, setting off a chain reaction wreck, leaving Shaw with right front damage. The crew did the best they could to fix the car, but Shaw had to ride for the duration of the event to an eventual 17th place finish at the end.
“It’s a disappointing end to the day for us,” Shaw said after the event, “I think we had a top five car and I got a bit impatient and it cost my guys a good finish unfortunately. We will rebound from this and head to White Mountain in a few weeks looking to get back to Victory Lane.”
Shaw took a hit in the overall PASS National points, going into the event leading the standings, but the team will rebound in the next PASS National race at Autodrome Chaudiere on September 7th. The next PASS North race for the team will be in two weeks at a track that Shaw has had much success at, White Mountain Motorsports Park on August 4th.
Learn more about DJ Shaw and the Precision JLM team on Facebook at the Precision JLM Racing page, on Twitter @djshaw60 and on the web at DJShaw60.com.
Story by Evan Beaulieu