Oxford, Maine — Shawn Knight of South Paris powered to an impressive victory in just his second appearance of the season, dominating the Budweiser Pro Late Model field topping the card in Oxford Championship Series competition Saturday night at Oxford Plains Speedway
Knight’s performance was particularly noteworthy as he drove to the front of the 21-car field from 16th starting position without the aid of a caution flag, only needing about a lap more than half of the 60-lap event distance to take a lead he would not relinquish in the non-stop event.
Scott Moore of Anson made a valiant attempt to spoil Knight’s night, battling the winner right to the checkered flag in admiral fashion to claim runner-up honors. While Knight was particulary impressive while moving into contention, Moore certainly turned up the wick to remain in contention after yielding the top spot.
The final podium position was earned by TJ Brackett of Buckfield, who unofficially took over the top position in the championship standings with just one event remaining on the OCS schedule. Auburn’s Travis Stearns earned his fourth-place finish, while Mark Lundblad, Jr. rounded out the top five. Multi-time track champion Shawn Martin of Turner kept his title hopes alive with a sixth-place run.
Kyle Hewins of Leeds got to the front of the pack early on and dominated the top spot en route to victory lane in the 40-lap feature race for Allen’s Coffee-Flavored Brandy Street Stocks. Once in front, Hewins wasn’t seriously challenged, though championship contender Josh Childs of Oxford was clearly the best of the rest on this Saturday night. Bridgton’s BJ Chapman claimed the final podium position and accompanying hardware. The previous week’s winner, Ryan Hewins, was chased under the checkered flag by poppa Kurt Hewins of Leeds to round out the top five.
Buckfield’s Gerry Freve led most of the way and claimed victory in the 35-lap main event for the Ripley & Fletcher Ford Outlaw Sportsman class. Freve was chased for most of the distance by Guy Childs, Sr., of Leeds, who settled for runner-up honors. Mike Haynes of Livermore Falls mounted a serious challenge for top honors before ending up with the final trophy. Points leader Troy Jordan of Turner and Bryce Mains of Naples rounded out the top five.
Cam Childs of Leeds made a spectacular, last-lap move to steal the lead away from Tyler Green a second or two before the checkered flag to post a surprise victory in the rapidly-growing, entry-level Bandits class. Childs proved to be the master of lapped traffic, picking and rolling his way to the checkered flag in impressive fashion. Green claimed second-place hardware, in front of points leader Derek Cairns, who padded his advantage atop the rankings. Richard Kimball and Troy Smith rounded out the top five.