Modifieds Return in Oxford Spotlight Saturday Night
It’s been 16 years since a full blown 600 horse powered open wheel modified race car has turned a lap at the famed Oxford Plains Speedway, Oxford, ME; but that long stretch of absence will come to an end this Saturday night July 21. “I know, I was there,” said Kalle Oakes, the speedway’s director of communications, “and Jeff Fuller won it.” reflecting on that season. When asked about the last modified race at a track synonymous with full bodied stock cars Oakes continued, “It was 1991, Beech Ridge had phased out modifieds, a few came from there but it was not enough to sustain itself and that was the last one, the last tour type modified race at Oxford Plains.”
The night before the “TD Bank North 250,” one of the nations great motor sports events, the famed 3/8 mile oval plays host to the True Value Modified Racing Series for the first time. The ground pounding modifieds will do battle in the “Maine-ly Action Sports Night 100,” a 100 lap green flag race, the third event in a six race qualifying series for the Sunoco sponsored “Modified Mania 400” program at the Thompson, CT, Speedway, Sept 8,9. The winner of this Saturday’s race will be an automatic qualifier.
When originally announced, the principals in the special weekend event looked at the three day weekend as something special. Said Jack Bateman, the tour founder and President, “We have been given a wonderful opportunity to showcase our series at one of New England’s most storied short track events, the Oxford 250.” Track owner Bill Ryan showed the same enthusiasm, “We have heard from many fans who were hoping to see a top-notch modified tour on our 2007 schedule. The True Value modifieds are a perfect fit,” he stated.
The fourth year series features some of the top names in modified racing in the Northeast. Fans can expect to see defending champion Dwight Jarvis, Ascutney, VT; as the veteran racer campaigns a new mount this year in search of another title. He’ll pilot the Crown Point Builders, Osgood Welding # 28.
Three time winner Les Hinckley, Windsor Locks, CT; is entered in the CMR Custom Tinting Unlimited GTO # 06 and is the tours most recent winner at Lee USA Speedway, Lee, NH; last Friday. The former pro stock ace has also scored wins at Monadnock and Canaan, NH; this season.
The winningest driver on the series, two time champion Kirk Alexander,W.Swanzey,NH; will wheel the Gary’s Power Equipment, Alexander Sheet Metal # 43, a two time winner this year at Monadnock, on Saturday night.
Also expected are Westbrook. ME; hot shoe Tony Ricci, “Lightnin’ Lou Mechalides, Tygnsboro,MA; a winner at Lee in June, Andy Seuss, Hampstead, NH; former New Smyrna FL; champion, and two time winner, Vinnie Annarummo, Swansea, MA; a winner this season at Seekonk, MA; Jimmy Kuhn Jr, W.Bridgewater, MA; Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT; Ed Dachenhausen, Danbury, CT; Rob Goodenough, W.Swanzey, Peter Jarvis, Ascutney, and a host of others.
Alexander brings a 44 point lead to Oxford Plains over Mechalides. Hinckley, Dwight Jarvis, and Kuhn make up the top five in the point standings.
TVMRS race lineups are determined by 12 lap heat races and a 15 lap consolation race or “B” feature.
Practice sessions for the TVMRS begin at 3:00 PM with qualifying getting underway at 6:30 PM. Oxford Plains Speedway is located on Rte 26, Oxford, Maine. For additional info log on to www.oxfordplains.com.