photo by RPM 360
story by Chris Roy
The green flag waves on April 17th, at Oxford Plains Speedway to kick off the 2016 race season. Maggie Ferland, will be back behind the wheel of the #77 in the pro-stock series. “During the off season I’ve been playing basketball for Poland high school. If I’m not playing with my school, I’ve been helping a travel team as their assistant coach. In school I am part of SRB, student representative board.”
Maggie will be doing triple duty this race season at OPS. “I am ready to start 2016 race season. I will be doing the Ladies Division and Super Late Model at Oxford Plans Speedway. At the Oxford Drag Strip, I will be competing in The Predictor of the plains list. During the winter season, I’ve been racing at Voulisia Speedway.”
Knowing the race track hitting the marks is key, “To get around OPS, I’ve learned to go into the corners and exiting smooth out of the corners. At Oxford, you always want to be at the point of out of control but, still in control.”
Maggie has raced on a number of different tracks here in Maine so, how does OPS compare to other tracks she has raced at? “At OPS you are always turning with a smaller straight aways. Other tracks have a longer straight aways and narrower corners.”
Last race season the #77 took the checkered flag in a heat race at Wiscasset Speedway. So is this the season Maggie, will drive into victory lane? “I was told by a fellow racer to never predict a race, I’ll let God do that! Though a victory in the late model and drag car would be great!”
photo by RPM 360
Maggie has teamed up with her mentor NASCAR Busch North driver Billy Penfold, who has help her since she started racing in a pro-stock at Wiscasset Speedway. Billy and Poncho will be acting as Maggie’s Crew Chief this race season. “Billy has been a great teacher. I’ve learned a few things from him. His past experience and knowledge of the tracks and of racing is something that is earned. To receive that knowledge from him has helped a lot in being competitive.”
Though Maggie has been behind the wheel of a race car for a number of years she hasn’t been able to drive around the neighborhood. “I just started Drivers Ed this week. In the class, all I can think about is the first place to drive to next and when can I start racing. In class, it has been very boring compared to racing at Oxford.”
A freshman now in high school Maggie’s thought on her long term goals, “In my junior and senior I would like to be taking night classes at a local college, to graduate college early for the future. After high school, I would like to go to college for Business Administration. For my future in racing, I don’t plain on continuing in my older self. I would just like to settle down and enjoy life but, in the meantime let’s go racing.”
Maggie would like to thank her sponsors – Ferland Farms, Almighty Waste, City Cab, Ace Towing & Pepperell Mill.