OXFORD, ME – Predicting the winner of the 47th annual Oxford 250 is like trying to pick the right numbers in the lottery. Any race of the magnitude of “The 250”, as it’s affectionately known, attracts top notch drivers and teams from all over the Eastern Seaboard. 2020 is no different.
We are less than a week away from the famed race on the famed 3/8 mile oval, and two names in particular are on the tip of all the experts’ tongues, Dave Farrington Jr. and Nick Sweet. Both drivers have flexed a fair amount of muscle in their respective races so far in 2020. Farrington Jr. comes into the 250 riding a three race win streak, one of which was a 150 lap Pro All Star Series (PASS) race at Oxford Plains Speedway (OPS) making him an easy pick to score his first win in the marquee event. Vermont’s Nick Sweet has been equally as fast in 2020, four times a victor including a June 28th triumph at OPS. Sweet enters the race as the point leader on the PASS tour.
This, however, is the Oxford 250 and that means that almost anything could happen. Deep fields of talent, high quality equipment, and in some cases deep pockets of money do battle with some of the best smaller budget minded teams in the business. History shows in some years no matter how good a season has been, no matter how much preparation, no matter how many practice tires a team buys, on any given Sunday any driver could come home with the trophy for one of the most prestigious short track races in America.
Taking a look at the 60 car entry list, one’s eyes are immediately drawn to three time champion and defending Travis Benjamin, 2018 winner Bubba Pollard, and 2017 winner Curtis Gerry. All three drivers have proven they have what it takes to master the finicky 3/8 mile oval during the hot sun of the day while adjusting to a cooler tighter track as the sun fades over the hills and the lights come on.
Eddie Macdonald, twice a winner but never in a Super Late Model, along with father son combo Mike and Ben Rowe, and Scott Robbins have eight wins between them and would dearly love to etch their name in the trophy one more time. Those seven drivers are the only former champions entered in the 2020 race, perhaps making this one of the best opportunities for a first time winner.
Along with the aforementioned Farrington and Sweet, the list of drivers looking for their first 250 trophy is led by Saturdays open Winner Ben Ashline, recent PASS race winner Johnny Clark, defending PASS Champion DJ Shaw, and perennial contender Shawn Martin. Add in the likes of Garrett Hall, Alan Tardiff, Ryan Robbins, Derek Ranstrom, young gun Austin Teras, and veteran Kelly Moore and picking a winner isn’t as easy as looking at the speed charts.
The Oxford 250 has long been a race known to occasionally shine its fickle hand of fate on a dark horse. The races inaugural victor was a relative 19 year old unknown named Joey Kourafas. He is joined by ’77 winner Don Biederman, ’79 winner Tom Rosati, Larry Gelinas (‘96) Saturday night regular Gary Drew (‘01), and the ultimate dark horse Jeremie Whorrf who, at the time, was better known for his off track excursions.
2020 could very well be the year we see another long shot first under the checkered flag at the end of 250 laps. Scott Moore has turned a lot of laps at OPS over the years, 16 year old Kate Re vies to be the youngest and first woman to win the 250. Kyle Desouza and Jake Johnson have showed plenty of speed at times as have Corey Bubar, Ryan Kuhn, and Brandon Barker.
Jeff Taylor still looks to add a 250 trophy to his mantle before he ends his legendary career. The nine time champion is two for two at OPS this summer in his only appearances thus far. Derrick Griffith, Cassius Clark, and Dan Mackeage are always factors in any race they enter. Add in another 40 high quality drivers and teams and it doesn’t take long to see on just about any driver can come home P1 on Any Given Sunday!
Tune in August 30th to find out if one of these drivers can finally shake the monkey off their back or if we will have another repeat winner. Race fans will be able to watch the Oxford 250 via a live PAY-PER-VIEW BROADCAST. Discounted three-day tickets can be purchased HERE today for $50. For more information visit Proallstarseries.com or Oxfordplains.com
For marketing opportunities with the Oxford 250, PASS, or Oxford Plains please call 207-693-6497 and email passracing@roadrunner.com or 207-577-1836 and email opsmarketing@yahoo.com.
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Photo courtesy of OL Photos
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