{"id":1748,"date":"2006-11-15T21:51:52","date_gmt":"2006-11-15T21:51:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/maineracer.com\/wp\/?p=1748"},"modified":"2006-11-15T21:51:52","modified_gmt":"2006-11-15T21:51:52","slug":"ops-news-156-entries-already-filed-for-2007-td-banknorth-250","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maineracing.com\/legacy\/2006\/11\/ops-news-156-entries-already-filed-for-2007-td-banknorth-250\/","title":{"rendered":"OPS NEWS: 156 entries already filed for 2007 TD Banknorth 250"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
Record number of 156 entries
already filed for 2007 TD Banknorth 250<\/font><\/font><\/div>\n
 <\/font><\/div>\n
OXFORD, Maine – More than eight months remain until the next edition of New England’s most prestigious short track race, and officials at Oxford Plains Speedway already have received a record-shattering number of entries for the 34th TD Banknorth 250.
OPS owner Bill Ryan announced today that 156 drivers have submitted entry blanks for what promises to be a historic event on Sunday, July 22, 2007.<\/p>\n

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The list of regional racing stars includes two past TD Banknorth 250 champions, a NASCAR Busch East Series champion, the American-Canadian Tour’s six-time and reigning champion, and three of the final four OPS Pro Stock champions.
“As the entries flooded in, we were overwhelmed,” said Ryan, who announced in August that the TD Banknorth 250 would switch from Pro Stock to Late Model specifications in 2007. “Obviously, we knew that there were many more Late Models than Pro Stocks out there, but to receive 155 entries 8 months before the race literally left me speechless.”
Drivers already declaring their intention to compete for a first prize approaching $50,000 hail from all six New England States, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina and three Canadian provinces.
Leading the charge are two drivers who won the TD Banknorth 250 during its Pro Stock era. Dave Whitlock of Wyoming, Ontario, captured the classic in 1995. Next July will mark his first attempt to qualify on Oxford’s grandest stage since that triumph.
Scott Robbins of Dixfield, Maine, joins Whitlock as a driver hungry to join Mike Rowe, Ralph Nason, Dave Dion, Ben Rowe, Chuck Bown, Jamie Aube and Geoff Bodine as a multi-time TD Banknorth 250 champion. Robbins won the legendary race at his home track in 2002.
Robbins also won OPS track championships in the Late Model (1997) and Pro Stock (2004) divisions. He shares that distinction with Ricky Rolfe of Albany Township, Maine, who wore the Late Model crown in 2002 and ruled the Pro Stocks as a rookie the next year. Rolfe also is entered in the 2007 TD Banknorth 250, where he hopes to improve his second-place finish of 2004.
Tim Brackett of Buckfield, Maine, has also announced his conversion to the Late Model class in hopes of capturing an elusive TD Banknorth win. Brackett backed up his 2005 OPS Pro Stock championship with a second-place points effort in ’06.
The previous record of 106 entrants was set in 1983. In recent years, the TD Banknorth 250 entry list has hovered between 70 and 85 teams.
Most of those drivers filed their entry on the actual race weekend. With a flurry of verbal commitments not included on the preliminary entry list, how high the final number will ascend is anyone’s guess.
"The amazing thing is that we have other drivers who we know are entering the race that are waiting until their season ends to file an entry blank,” Ryan said.
Another driver hoping that 2007 represents his breakthrough in the TD Banknorth 250 is Dale Shaw of Center Conway, N.H. Shaw won his second career pole position in this year’s 250 and led twice for 68 laps before mechanical problems relegated him to a 17th place finish.
Shaw, the 1994 NASCAR Busch East champion, finished second in the 1992 TD Banknorth 250. He won an American-Canadian Tour late model race at OPS in 2004.
For the first time in his distinguished career, Shaw will be joined as a TD Banknorth 250 hopeful by his 16-year-old son, Dale Jr., who won the Late Model track championship as a rookie at White Mountain Motorsports Park this summer.
Dale Shaw Sr. is one of several Busch East Series veterans entered in the TD Banknorth 250. That talent roster includes Brian Hoar of Williston, Vt., and Eddie MacDonald of Rowley, Mass.
Jean Paul Cyr tied Robbie Crouch’s record of six ACT championships in 2006. In addition to chasing a seventh title next season, Cyr will try to achieve a feat that eluded the superbly talented Crouch and win the crown jewel at Oxford. Crouch logged numerous top-five finishes in the 1970s and ’80s. Cyr will make his first qualifying attempt in 2007.
Cyr heads an ACT class that includes Patrick Laperle, a Pro Stock and Late Model winner at Oxford. Adding their names to the fray at this early stage are Dave Pembroke, Dave Whitcomb, Dennis Demers, Joey Laquerre, Scott Dragon, Brent Dragon, Phil Scott and Pete Fecteau.
More than half the drivers among last year’s top 20 weekly Pro Stock drivers have made the conversion and signed on for the 2007 TD Banknorth 250. Already challenging Rolfe, Brackett and Robbins are Chris Kennison, Scott Moore, Scott King, Kevin Kimball, T.J. Brackett, Jeff White and Charlie and Chuck Colby.
Many drivers with previous TD Banknorth 250 experience in its Pro Stock era have declared their intentions to return, some of them for the first time in many years. Those regional standouts include Sam Sessions (third place, 2006), Travis Benjamin (fifth, 2006), Claude Leclerc (third, 1983), Chuck LaChance (top 10 in 2001 and ‘02), Dennis Demers (second, 1996), Glenn Martel (heat winner in 1996) and Bob Ailes Sr. (qualifier in 1976).
Also, don’t forget about a flurry of OPS champions who are now eligible to challenge the leading drivers from throughout New England and Canada on a level playing field. Carey Martin, Dennis Spencer Jr., Travis Adams, Frank Snow and Jon Brill fall into that category.
"The support for the event is very gratifying,” Ryan said. “I think it is obvious to any rational observer that the decision to run Late Models in the TD Banknorth 250 was necessary. The competition is going to be fierce."
TD Banknorth 250 weekend again coincides with an off weekend for NASCAR Nextel Cup, leading to the strong likelihood for celebrity challengers in the race for the fourth straight year.
Kyle Busch, a contender in this year’s Nextel Chase For the Championship, has led the TD Banknorth 250 each of the last two years. Champions Kurt Busch and Matt Kenseth, 2006 Rookie of the Year Denny Hamlin, J.J. Yeley and Ricky Craven all have entered the race since 2004.
The current, alphabetical list of all current TD Banknorth 250 entries is below. Additions to the list and the latest information about the 2007 race will be available throughout the winter at www.oxfordplains.com<\/a>.
Oxford Plains Speedway is a 3\/8-mile asphalt oval located on Route 26 in Oxford, Maine. We are located approximately 15 minutes from Lewiston-Auburn and 45 minutes from Portland. With main grandstand seating for 13,000, Oxford Plains Speedway is the largest spectator sports facility in the state. More than 350 men, women and children compete weekly at OPS throughout the summer in a variety of racing endeavors. For additional information about the TD Banknorth 250 or the coming season, please check our Web site or contact the Speedway office at (207) 539-8865.<\/font> <\/p>\n
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2007 TD BANKNORTH 250 ENTRIES
As of November 8, 2006<\/font><\/div>\n
 <\/font><\/div>\n
Adams, Travis           Canton, Maine
Ailes, Bob Sr.           St. Johnsbury, Vt.
Allard, Karl               Valcourt, Quebec
Anzalone, Mark Jr.      Malden, Mass.
Avery, David           North Woodstock, N.H.
Bailey, Michael      South Barre, Vt.
Baillargeon, Bobby      Nottingham, N.H.
Baird, Ken       North Gower, Ontario
Baril, J.R.   Haverhill, Mass.
Barsalow, Chuck  North Hero, Vt.
Becker, Joey   Jeffersonville, Vt.
Bedard, Yvon   St. Nicolas, Quebec
Begin, A.J.   Merrimac, Mass.
Bellefleur, Gary  Stetson, Maine
Benjamin, Travis  Morrill, Maine
Berger, Rusty   South Burlington, Vt.
Bergeron, Daniel  St. Benoit, Quebec
Bessett, Blair   Worcester, Vt.
Bodwell, Robert  Alfred, Maine
Bowie, Chris   New Gloucester, Maine
Brackett, T.J.   Buckfield, Maine
Brackett, Tim   Buckfield, Maine
Brill, Jon   Bridgton, Maine
Brown, Fred   Winterport, Maine
Brown, Roger   Lancaster, N.H.
Bryant, Cecil   Wilton, Maine
Bushey, Craig   Cambridge, Vt.
Cahoon, Stacy   St. Johnsbury, Vt.
Cahoon, Tyler   Danville, Vt.
Cameron, David  Alfred, Maine
Caron, Sam   Colchester, Vt,
Chagnon, David  Colchester, Vt.
Charpentier, Ron Jr.  Wales, Maine
Chiasson, Gary  Peru, Maine
Clark, Brooks   Fayston, Vt.
Clark, Russ   Littleton, N.H.
Colby, Charlie   Newcastle, Maine
Colby, Chuck   Wiscasset, Maine
Colby, Dan   Lyman, N.H.
Collins, Mike   Strafford, N.H.
Coombs, Doug  Livermore, Maine
Cullivan, Dale   Palermo, Maine
Curioso, Joe   Pawcatuck, Conn.
Curtis, Marc Jr.  Spencer, Mass.
Cyr, Jean Paul   Milton, Vt.
Davis, Brockton  Whitefield, N.H.
Decker, Joe   Chesterville, Maine
Decker, Skip   Farmington, Maine
Demers, Dennis  Shelburne, Vt.
Demers, Trampas  South Burlington, Vt.
Dery, Jean Francois  Quebec City, Quebec
Dickey, Steven Jr.  Manchester, N.H.
Dragon, Brent   Milton, Vt.
Dragon, Scott   Colchester, Vt.
Donahue, John  Graniteville, Vt.
Doucette, Darren  Sidney, Maine
Dufour, Ken   Bethlehem, N.H.
Dumas, John   Brockton, Mass.
Fearn, Tom   Longmeadow, Mass.
Fecteau, Pete   Morrisville, Vt.
Ferguson, Mike  Rangeley, Maine
Fisher, Jamie   Shelburne, Vt.
Fisher, Steve   Shelburne, Vt.
Folsom, Grant   Waitsfield, Vt.
Garnett, Lloyd   Nova Scotia
Geno, Zig   Canterbury, N.H.
Gratton, Pierre   Mirabel, Quebec
Grenier, Alain Jr.  Northfield, Vt.
Hagar, Katie   Nobleboro, Maine
Harclerode, Jeremy  Newmarket, N.H.
Henry, Ron   New Gloucester, Maine
Hersom, Craig   Rochester, N.H.
Hoar, Brian   Williston, Vt.
Hussey, Bob   Wellfleet, Mass.
Jurkowski, Mike  Claremont, N.H.
Kennington, D.J.  St. Thomas, Ontario
Kennison, Chris  Oxford, Maine
Kimball, Kevin  South Portland, Maine
King, Scott   Livermore Falls, Maine
Kirby, Tim   Carleton Place, Ontario
Kruczek, Bryan  Newmarket, N.H.
LaChance, Chuck  Cushing, Maine
Lamberton, Mark  Mooers Forks, N.Y.
Laperle, Patrick  St. Denis, Quebec
Laquerre, Jay   East Montpelier, Vt.
Laquerre, Joey   East Montpelier, Vt.
Larmie, Keith   Milton, N.H.
Leclerc, Claude  Montreal, Quebec
Leiter, Erick   Livermore Falls, Maine
Linardy, James  Malden, Mass.
Lowrey, Rich   Charlotte, Vt.
MacDonald, Dave  New Gloucester, Maine
MacDonald, Eddie  Rowley, Mass.
MacPherson, Spencer  Carleton Place, Ontario
Macrino, Tony   Waterford, Conn.
Martel, Glenn   Belmont, N.H.
Martin, Carey   Denmark, Maine
McClure, Brian  Buxton, Maine
Michaud, Cris   Williamstown, Vt.
Moffitt, Matt   North Gower, Ontario
Moore, Scott   Anson, Maine
Morgan, Corey  Lewiston, Maine
Munro, Stephen  Carp, Ontario
Nolin, Ryan   Georgia, Vt.
Patten, Mark   Belmont, N.H.
Payea, Scott   Milton, Vt.
Pembroke, Dave  Middlesex, Vt.
Pendergast, Tim  Swanville, Maine
Perreault, Joe   Plainfield, Vt.
Peters, Greg   Westbrook, Maine
Phippen, John Jr.  Bar Harbor, Maine
Polewarczyk, Joey  Hudson, N.H.
Potter, Randy   Groveton, N.H.
Potvin, Pete   Graniteville, Vt.
Poulin, Cal   Braintree, Vt.
Raven, Seth   Waldo, Maine
Remick, Oren   Warner, N.H.
Reny, Steve   Boothbay, Maine
Ricker, Tommy  Poland, Maine
Riopelle, Dave  Dunrobin, Ontario
Robbins, Scott   Dixfield, Maine
Rolfe, Ricky   Albany Township, Maine
Rollins, Mike   Williamstown, Vt.
St. Clair, Dave   Liberty, Maine
St. Clair, Josh   Liberty, Maine
St. Clair, Puncin  Liberty, Maine
Scott, Phil   Montpelier, Vt.
Sessions, Sam   South Paris, Maine
Shaw, Dale   Center Conway, N.H.
Shaw, Dale Jr.   Center Conway, N.H.
Snow, Frank   Bridgton, Maine
Spencer, Dennis Jr.  Norway, Maine
Starbird, Mark   Harrison, Maine
Stevens, Rob   Aberdeen, N.C.
Sullivan, Chuck  Epping, N.H.
Swanson, John  Acton, Mass.
Switser, Howard  West Burke, Vt.
Theetge, Donald  Boischatel, Quebec
Thompson, Robbie  Southampton, Ontario
Tower, Robert   Lunenburg, N.H.
Trask, Dan   Chelsea, Maine
Tripp, Earl   Standish, Maine
Turner, Randy   Unity, Maine
Valentine, Rick  Greene, Maine
Vanasse, Ryan   Warwick, N.H.
Varney, Joshua  Dalzell, S.C.
Verrill, Dale   South Paris, Maine
Weber, Dean   Weare, N.H.
Welch, Quint   Lancaster, N.H.
Wentworth, Don  Otisfield, Maine
Whitcomb, Dave  Essex Junction, Vt.
White, Jeff   Winthrop, Maine
Whitlock, Dave  Wyoming, Ontario
Wilcox, Dave   Fairfield, Vt.
Williams, Eric   Hyde Park, Vt.
Wimble, Owen Jr.  Waitsfield, Vt.<\/font><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Record number of 156 entriesalready filed for 2007 TD Banknorth 250   OXFORD, Maine – More than eight months remain until the next edition of New England’s most prestigious short track race, and officials at Oxford Plains Speedway already have received a record-shattering number of entries for the 34th TD Banknorth 250.OPS owner Bill Ryan […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1748","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-oxford-plains-speedway"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maineracing.com\/legacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1748","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/maineracing.com\/legacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/maineracing.com\/legacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maineracing.com\/legacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maineracing.com\/legacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1748"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/maineracing.com\/legacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1748\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maineracing.com\/legacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1748"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maineracing.com\/legacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1748"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maineracing.com\/legacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1748"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}