40th Annual TD Bank 250 Attracting Drivers from Across North America
NAPLES, ME — Ever since the first TD Bank 250 was held at Oxford Plains Speedway in 1974, it has attracted not only the best short track racers from New England, but from across North America. In that first event won by Joey Kourafas, the precedent was set that short track racing’s best would assemble at Oxford for the 250. In addition to the talented group of drivers from New England in the field that day, Southern aces Bosco Lowe and 1963 Daytona 500 winner Tiny Lund competed along with a strong group of Canadian drivers led by Jean Paul Cabana. In fact, the early years of the TD Bank 250 were dominated by Southern drivers such as Butch Lindley, Bob Pressley, and Tommy Ellis. The first Canadian to taste TD Bank 250 glory was Don Biederman in 1977.
This year, the tradition is back at the TD Bank 250 with a return to the days of drivers from outside the Northeast coming into challenge New England’s best on their “home” field. North Carolina’s father-son duo Jay and Tate Fogleman come to Oxford Plains for their first attempt at making the TD Bank 250. Both are in the thick of the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) National points battle heading to Oxford. Defending PASS National Champion Jay Fogleman is regarded as one of the best racers to come out of the South over the last 20 years and says the TD Bank 250 has been on his “bucket list” of races to compete in. Joining the Foglemans in making the trip from North Carolina will be “Krazy” Kevin Powell in the Woodman Racing 104 machine. Powell has been impressive in a limited PASS South Super Late Model schedule with a best finish of third at the series season opener at South Carolina’s Dillon Motor Speedway in March. To prepare for the 250, Powell and the Woodman team recently competed in the PASS North event at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway and finished 13th. Georgia teenager Spencer Davis enters the TD Bank 250 third in PASS National points and is seeking to become the first driver from the Peach State to win at Oxford.
Canadian drivers have long been a part of the history and tradition of the TD Bank 250, but none has gone to victory lane since Canada’s three year streak of winning came to an end with Dave Whitlock’s victory in 1995. New Brunswick’s Matt Matheson will attempt to make his first TD Bank 250 start after finishing third in last year’s PASS National standings. Quebec leads all Canadian provinces so far in pre-entries to the TD Bank 250 with drivers such as Martin Latulippe, Kevin Roberge, and Marc-Andre Cliché.
With echoes of races past reverberating through Oxford’s famed grandstands, tradition lives as fans and racers can be assured that only the best in short track racing will be vying for a shot to go to victory lane on Sunday in the 40th Annual TD Bank 250.
But the PASS Super Late Models will not be alone in making the 40th Annual TD Bank 250 a celebration of short track racing. A great slate of divisions is set to race starting on Friday, July 19 with the PASS Sportsman, Outlaw Sportsman, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, Outlaws, Rebels, Trucks, and Ladies. The PASS Super Late Models will get their first laps on the track on Saturday, July 20 with two rounds of practice in the morning, followed by racing in the evening for the PASS Modifieds, Valenti Modifieds, Outlaw Sportsman, Legends, Mini Stocks, and Street Stocks. On Sunday, July 21, gates will open bright and early at 6:30 AM with a full day of on track activities including practice and heat race action for the PASS Super Late Models, followed by features for the PASS Modifieds, Outlaw Sportsman, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, and finally the 40th Annual TD Bank 250.
Sources: PASS PR