MacDonald Completes Sweep Oxford Regulars Finish Well

MacDonald Completes Sweep Oxford Regulars Finish Well

By Caleb Lamb

OXFORD, Maine – The next time the American-Canadian Tour visits Oxford Plains they may have to rename the 150 lap race the, “Eddie MacDonald 150”. MacDonald once again took the checkered flag at OPS to sweep the two ACT races held at the track. Add in the fact that he also won last year’s TD Bank 250 and that makes MacDonald 3 for 3 in his latest trips to Oxford. After three rounds of qualifying, the starting grid was set for main event. As a part of Oxford Plains ongoing 60th anniversary celebration, the fans were treated to a special interview with OPS pioneer, Glen Andrews. Then Mr. Andrews gave the command to fire engines and the race was underway. Brian Hoar took the early lead while Eddie MacDonald settled into fourth place behind OPS regulars Jeff White and Shawn Martin. Martin grabbed the lead on a lap 48 restart following the race’s first yellow for one car crash featuring Joey Laquerre. But his lead was short-lived as just 5 laps later the yellow flew once again for the biggest wreck of the night. Corey Morgan got spun around going into turn 1 and several other cars got involved in the mayhem. Mark Lamberton, Travis Stearns, Billy Childs Jr, Ben Ashline, and Jean Paul Cyr were all involved, with Lamberton and Stearns getting the worst of it. Following the restart, Hoar jumped back in front while MacDonald slipped by White and Martin to take second. Ricky Rolfe had a great showing, passing MacDonald for second on lap 75, while Tommy Ricker and T.J. Brackett slowly started picking their way through the field, just outside the top 10. A caution for Joey Pole’s spin on lap 102 set the stage for an all out sprint to the finish as the top drivers pushed their cars to the limit. MacDonald took the lead for the first time shortly after the restart, and Tommy Ricker jumped to fourth, passing five cars in just 7 laps. Corey Morgan recovered well from his earlier spin, and while nearly every other driver followed the high line around the race track, Morgan used the inside groove to pick his way to fourth. With positions constantly changing, Morgan moved to second behind MacDonald on lap 125, and then faded as Ricky Rolfe reclaimed the spot and made the charge at the leader. T.J. Brackett moved into the third position while the likes of Hoar, Ricker, Morgan, and Scott Luce battled it out behind him. But while several drivers came close, nobody could touch MacDonald who navigated the lap traffic well and crossed the finish line several car lengths in front of Rolfe and Brackett. Corey Morgan finished fourth in his most impressive run of the season, while Brian Hoar slipped to second, and Scott Luce finished deep in the field after he spun with just 3 laps remaining.

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Winner Keselowski enters TD Bank 250

NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Winner Keselowski enters TD Bank 250
OXFORD, Maine – Brad Keselowski, who pilots the number 12 car for Penske Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, has announced his entry in the TD Bank 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway on July 18.
Qualifying for the famed race begins at 2 pm on race day, with the main event scheduled for 6:30.
Keselowski emerged as a force in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2008 while driving for Dale Earnhardt, Jr’s JR Motorsports.  He finished third in points that year notching two wins.  He followed up that effort with a third place finish in the Nationwide Series points in 2009.  His success in the Nationwide Series led to a ride in the Sprint Cup, which he capitalized on with a win at Talladega.  His Talladega win was the defining moment of his young career.  In 2010, Brad is running both a full Nationwide Series schedule in addition to his Sprint Cup duties.  Keselowski currently sits as the leader in the Nationwide Series points and in twenty-fourth position in the Sprint Cup.  In addition to his success on the track, Brad has quickly endeared himself to NASCAR fans as they chose him the Nationwide Series Most Popular Driver in 2008 and 2009.

Oxford Plains Speedway Racing 6-12-10

OXFORD, Maine – Dennis Spencer, Jr. made up for the first few weeks of mid-pack finishes with a dominating performance in the Oxford Networks Late Model Feature on Sun Journal Night. Spencer, Jr. made the move around pole sitter and race leader Al Hammond on lap 8, and opened up a sizable lead on the field. Scott Luce moved into second a few laps later and gave chase, but could not get any closer than within a few car lengths of the Spencer’s speedy #3. Tommy Ricker once again put on a strong performance as he charged through the field. Ricker moved up to 12th by lap 15, and jumped to 7th by lap 22. With just 10 laps to go he caught third place runner Tim Brackett, who made another strong run in his #60 before getting passed by Ricker for the third and final podium spot with just 5 circuits remaining. Spencer, Jr. beat Scott Luce by two car lengths with Ricker a distant third. Tim and T.J. Brackett rounded out the top 5.

 

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Spencer, Jr. Dominates Oxford Plains Speedway Late Model Feature

By Caleb Lamb

OXFORD, Maine – Dennis Spencer, Jr. made up for the first few weeks of mid-pack finishes with a dominating performance in the Oxford Networks Late Model Feature on Sun Journal Night. Spencer, Jr. made the move around pole sitter and race leader Al Hammond on lap 8, and opened up a sizable lead on the field. Scott Luce moved into second a few laps later and gave chase, but could not get any closer than within a few car lengths of the Spencer’s speedy #3. Tommy Ricker once again put on a strong performance as he charged through the field. Ricker moved up to 12th by lap 15, and jumped to 7th by lap 22. With just 10 laps to go he caught third place runner Tim Brackett, who made another strong run in his #60 before getting passed by Ricker for the third and final podium spot with just 5 circuits remaining. Spencer, Jr. beat Scott Luce by two car lengths with Ricker a distant third. Tim and T.J. Brackett rounded out the top 5.

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Ricker Goes From Back to Front – Marshall Survives Mini Stock Melee

Ricker Goes From Back to Front

Marshall Survives Mini Stock Melee

 

OXFOR, Maine – Two Lap Tommy Ricker held true to his nickname, as he completed a pass on the outside of Jeff White for the lead with just two laps remaining, on his way to the win on Sunoco Race Fuels Night. Ricker charged from his starting spot in the second to last row, and worked his #6 Oxford Network Late Model up to ninth just 13 laps into the race. Jeff White took the early lead, taking off from his outside pole starting spot to take the point. Two yellow flags involving Gary Chiasson, brought the field together and negated the lead White had opened up on the rest of the field. On the lap 34 restart, Ricker drew alongside White, and beat him to the line before completing the pass a few laps later.  Jeff White finished second after leading ¾ of the race. Tim Brackett piloted his ill-handling car to a solid third place run.


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