NAPLES, ME (August 23) – Since the inaugural HP Hood Oxford 250 in 1974, Oxford Plains Speedway’s location has helped insure that the “best of the best” in short track racing would have a chance to take on one another. Being in Maine, the HP Hood Oxford 250 has seen the top short trackers from New England, the Midwest, and Canada participate against one another over the last 40 years. But since it’s earliest days, the HP Hood Oxford 250 has been a showcase for talent from the Southeastern short track ranks. South Carolina’s legendary Butch Lindley took the checkered flag in 1976, while North Carolina’s Bob Pressley would take the win two years later, followed by Virginia’s Tommy Ellis in 1983. Drivers like Harry Gant, Morgan Shepherd, Tommy Houston, Jimmy Hensley and others made regular stops at the 250 throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.
The tradition continues today as another strong contingent of drivers and teams will be making the trip up from Dixie. Defending Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South Super Late Model champion, Tate Fogleman, from Durham, NC will be attempting his fourth straight HP Hood Oxford 250 this weekend. Fogleman hopes to better the performance of his dad, Jay, who finished third in 2013.
New Hampshire native is looking to continue building confidence with solid Oxford 250 finish
(Oxford Plains, ME) – Derek Griffith and the No. 12 Provencher Insurance/Hitman Industries racing team will roll into Oxford Plains Speedway for the Hudson, New Hampshire natives second attempt in the prestigious 250-lap Super Late Model event.
The 43rd annual H.P. Hood Oxford 250 is considered by many to be one of the biggest short track racing events in the United States and Griffith, along with over fifty other drivers will be fighting for 40 starting spots in the event that commands a minimum $25,000 winner’s share.
Derek is entering this year’s event with much more experience and success competing with the Pro All Stars Series (PASS). Griffith who recently visited victory lane with the series by capturing the 150-lap event at Lee USA Speedway see’s the 2016 attempt in a much different light than last year, he explains; “In 2015 we really didn’t have much experience at Oxford Plains Speedway, it’s a tricky 3/8th mile oval that really only laps and seat-time can help.
NAPLES, ME (August 5) – When you mention the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) to any race fan across North America, there’s a good chance that Ben Rowe is the first driver’s name that comes to mind. As the PASS North Super Late Model division’s “Ironman”, Ben Rowe has started every race since the series started in 2001, the only driver to do so. Along the way, Rowe has won 4 PASS North series titles, the 2009 PASS National and PASS South championships, and has won more PASS Super Late Model races than any other driver, nearly 50 when combining both PASS North and South wins.
Rowe, like most every other driver from across the nation, holds the HP Hood Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway in high regard. As a kid, he watched his dad, Mike, go to victory lane in the 1984 running of the 250 and competed against him in Mike’s wins in 1997 and 2005.
Lee, NH – The Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Models invaded Lee USA Speedway for their second appearance of the 2016 season at “New Hampshire’s Center of Speed”, with Granite Stater Derek Griffith of Hudson collecting his first career series win in the 150-lap main event.
Griffith out dueled series veteran Derek Ramstrom of West Boylston, MA, after chasing the early-race leader over the first third of the event, then swapping the lead back and forth several times in the late stages of the race before finally moving ahead for good.
At the checkers, it was Griffith in for his first career PASS win, with all of the biggest names in Super Late Model racing following him across the stripe. Ramstrom finished second, with Johnny Clark, Travis Benjamin, Jeremy Davis, DJ Shaw, Ben Rowe, Mike Hopkins, Joey Pole, and ageless veteran Mike Rowe rounding out the top ten. (more…)
