Living a Dream

The final race of the season at Oxford was about a month ago and the off season sadness has already started to kick in but I still can't stop thinking about how amazing the 2019 racing season was for me. As many of you know I became Oxford Plains Speedway's track photographer in 2019 which was a big change after writing racing recaps for the local newspaper for 3 years I found myself out of that job and completely down and out. Racing has been my life the past few years to the point my summer schedule completely revolves around it. After spending a month of wallowing about the loss, I decided to reach out to the track in attempt to do some sort of racing program book since I felt like I didn't want to waste my passion I have for not only Oxford but racing in general.

To be honestly I didn't really expect to hear back from anyone but I ended up getting a meeting with Mike and Liza after the holiday season where they unexpectedly offered me a job taking photos for the track along with doing some stuff for the website. I'd dabbled in photography taking photos every time I attended events at the track but for I didn't think I was good it was just something I did for fun. Me being an impulsive person said yes on the spot because I felt like this was basically a once in a life time opportunity.  I started my job the following night at the 2018 Oxford Championship series banquet. Anyone who knows me knows i'm not very social and kinda awkward but like I've done a lot over the last few years I stepped out of my comfort zone. My photos came out not as good as I hoped but instead of beating myself up about it I sat back and figured out how I could redeem myself.

The rest of the off season dragged on but with my newly purchased DSLR camera I was ready for my this new chapter in my life to start. Being in the infield surrounded by racecars is a truly incredible experience and the first time on May 4th made me realize my decision to take on this new job was the right one. I've watched races from the stands,the pits,the sky box even the roof of the sky box but seeing these cars up so close racing to get win a feature or a heat was so exhilarating.
It took me a while to get comfortable in the infield,at first I would only take photos by the front stretch wall then finally I began moving around the infield finding the good photo spots. It was exciting trying to capture photos that I thought people would like because really for me that's all that really matters to me taking photos for others to enjoy. 

Action shots I discovered were fun but sometimes a challenge trying to capture a moment that was exciting in the race.The moments that were truly special and important for me were seeing someone ecstatic in victory lane after their first win or someone who hadn't won all season. In short track racing, wins aren't taken for granted because anything could happen and it could be your last. It was always interesting seeing how drivers would react victory lane. I've looked back at some victory lane photos this season and its kinda hard to believe I've been in the presence of so many great drivers.

 Besides doing photos for the track, I was also doing driver profiles,results and recaps for Wednesday nights and motor mayhem events and by the end of the season I was also doing results and recaps for Saturday nights and doing some results for Oxford Pass events.I even added extra work to my plate by writing a driver spotlight story for the Oxford 250 and a preview. Along with all of my work I did for track I was also working my day job as a cashier at a grocery store. It was a lot of work I was almost always tired but to me it was all worth it. I felt crazy sometimes letting my life revolve around racing but I don't think i'd even know what to do with myself if I wasn't spending my free time during the summer at the track.

I know it may sound like I was very happy all summer I was most of the time but there were days where I found myself comparing myself to other photographers and just thinking I wasn't doing a good job juggling all my duties. My insecurities for sure got the best of me  but I ignored it and put everything I had in me into my work and when I screwed up I didn't let it bring me down I just reconfigured and learned from my mistakes. People believed in my abilities so I knew I had to believe in them too. Oxford 250 weekend was rough for me since before that weekend Oxford was my track I was the only one there every week but suddenly all these professionals came in and it really made me realize just how different I am from most of these photographers and writers. Most of these people are either just a writer or just a media person,at least 10 years older than me and a good percent of them are males. I definitely did some deep breathing that weekend and tried to focus on my work and nothing else.These people were great it was nice meeting some of them but it still made my social anxiety a little higher than usual.

The highlight of my summer was experiencing my first 250 weekend as a photographer. I've always known it was a big event but I never truly felt the impact it had on everyone until I was in the center of it. A win 250 weekend meant so much to these drivers in lower divisions and it was so noticable from behind the lens. By the time Sunday came around I was running only on adrenaline from the past two night,the whole weekend I probably only slept a combined 8 hours. There was so much to take photos of and so much racing to watch my only regret was not taking it all in until the sunset on Sunday night. The whole day was surreal and when the winner was crowned I couldn't really believe I was there in that moment surrounded by so many happy people. By the following weekend it all felt like a dream but when I got to the infield you could see all the little things left over from the 250 like tape,rubber and tire marks. The 2019 event will forever be the most memorable Oxford 250 for me.

When championship night came around at Oxford I couldn't believe how fast the season went and as I waited for the races to begin I reflected a little bit about how truly lucky I am to be able to have the opportunity to do something I truly love and be able to share it with people who get it. It made me tear up thinking about all the friends I made this season and all the cool moments I witnessed at the track. I think the moment it really hit me that what I did this racing season wasn't just a dream was at the Championship series banquet when I saw my photos projected on the wall. All my insecurities about my photography faded away in that moment. 

This blog post was a lot harder for me to write than I thought it would be. It took me nearly 3 weeks to finish it because it's hard putting into words how much getting this job has meant to me. I'm not just a nobody race fan who decided to write for my local paper anymore,I feel like I'm actually part of the racing world now and its something I never imagined. 2019 has been a huge year for me professionally and I'm so grateful for all of the opportunities I was given and for all of the amazing people I have met because of my passion for short track racing. I've already started planning for next season and I'm excited to return to Oxford in 2020!

2019 Oxford 250 Preview

 OXFORD- The time is finally upon us,the biggest super late model event of the year for the New England area...The 46th annual Oxford 250 held at Oxford Plains Speedway.
This year we have over 50 drivers signed up to try to make it into the big show but who knows how many other drivers will show up and surprise the fans! 10 of this year’s entries have won the race including last year’s winner Bubba Pollard and 2017 winner Curt
is Gerry. It's been a big season for Curtis Gerry of Waterboro he’s won 3 pro all star races at Oxford and 3 weekly 50 lappers. The 7G is one of the favorites to win this year.

“Our season has gone great so far!  We are currently the 2019 Oxford (track) Champion and we have won 6 races, we have a lot of momentum and great confidence in the cars setup, with no issues I believe we could be sitting in victory lane again in this years 250.” Gerry had to say about his season.

There’s a lot that goes into preparing for the 250 but Gerry seems to just be sticking with his usual weekly routine:“Just keep focused on the maintenance of the car and make sure it is ready to go.” 

While Gerry has been one of the most dominant drivers at Oxford this year if he had to pick another driver to win the Oxford 250 he said: “based off performance at Oxford this season either Nick Sweet or Ben Rowe.” 

Gerry had a great car last year but  ran into bad luck  getting together with Cassius Clark towards the end and finished in 37th,so hopefully luck is on his side come this weekend.

Another driver that's been very dominant at Oxford this year has been Garrett Hall of Scarbrough. He’s won two PASS races at Oxford this season and he’s currently 2nd in points on the PASS tour, only 15 points behind Dj Shaw. Hall seems to be staying humble though and doesn’t want to get ahead of himself.

“My season so far this year has gone well with the two wins at Oxford but I don't consider it great. I feel like our chances are good as long we have a competitive car, I feel like last year was a success but also felt like it slipped away from us so hoping we can use last year as an advantage towards this year. “

He’s had good runs at the Oxford 250 the past few years but has just ended up using the car up too early,last year he still ended up finishing in 4th place a career best for him.
“I have been preparing for this year a lot with making sure I'm confident in myself, car and team that we can have a great and successful weekend, of course with a lot of fun involved. I've been running and exercising to get in better shape not only physically but mentally as well for this year's race. I know that we as a whole team will be well prepared and ready to prove that we can get it done.”

Hall is one of those drivers that you typically lose track of during the race then sneaks up to the front and steals the show. His picks to win the race are the drivers that are the fastest wherever they go.
“There's over 20 to 30 cars and teams that are capable of winning. I would say some of the favorites from a fans perspective would be the 7g car, Shaw, Nick Sweet, Reid Lanpher, anyone that has been running weekly will be good for being able to keep with the track and the changes over the year.”

One Oxford weekly guy that has a great momentum going into 250 weekend is Calvin Rose Jr of Turner. He’s currently 2nd in points in the track slm division and has one win under his belt.
“The season started off rocky but with a lot of hard work and dedication we have the car back to where we need it and have had a pretty good second part of the year with a win and a second.”
Rose has qualified for the past two years for the Oxford 250 finishing 32nd in 2017 and 16th place last year.Anything could happen at the 250 sometimes the fastest cars don’t finish and sometimes cars you weren't even sure were going to make it in finish top 10.

“We haven’t done a whole lot of preparing yet, we have one more weekly race then we’ll go through the car and make sure everything is up to shape.” Calvin Rose Jr said August 8th when asked how he’s preparing this year.

Like most of the others when they were asked who they thought would be in contention to win this year,he said the 7g of Gerry.
“I feel the big favorite is the 7g he is stout this year and is always the one to beat. I think it’ll be a good race with him and Bubba Pollard.”
Calvin Rose Jr hasn’t run many long distance races this season at Oxford so we will see if he has what it takes to keep up with the PASS SLMs at the 250.

Last year’s track champion Gabe Brown of North Conway,NH will be at Oxford this Sunday trying to turn his season around. After winning his track championship he decided to race PASS full time in 2019 and he hasn’t got great finishes as of lately.

“The beginning of 2019 was pretty good and we had high hopes on this year, we’ve run into some pretty big issues in the last couple races with a rear end going bad and blowing the motor at the last oxford race. After the test this last weekend I strongly believe the cars really good and I know my crew is better than it’s ever been going into the 250. So it’s on me, and my aggressiveness to make the show and perform well.” Explained Brown who finished 33rd in last years 250.

Gabe Brown drives a Dale Shaw race car and has found great mentors in Dale and Dj Shaw so he has a great team to help prepare this year.
“Dale,Dj, Steph,my dad and I all work hard to get my car ready week in and week out, but the 250 has never been good to me, so we are working extra hard this year to make sure everything is top notch and no failures will happen. We changed everything in the driveline. If something fails, it’s not because we missed it.”
No driver wants to see someone else win but Gabe Brown thinks Dj Shaw,Nick Sweet and Gerry would be his picks to be up there in contention.
“At the 250 you can’t go by speed, it’s all about luck in this race, pit strategy and such. It’s just whoever comes out on top really.” Brown added about who could possibly win this year.

One of Brown’s biggest mentors Dj Shaw of North Conway finished 6th last year at the Oxford 250,this year he will be back trying to nail down the win. Shaw is currently the PASS points leader and has won 3 races this season but none at Oxford.
“2019 has gone pretty good for us, having 3 wins at this point is more than we’ve had in a full season in years so I think our offseason work has been a step in the right direction. We’ve been hit or miss at oxford so we just need to work hard to get where we need to be and if we can do that we will have a chance to win!”
Similar to Curtis Gerry,Shaw isn’t doing too much to prepare that he doesn’t do on a regular basis besides extra maintenance and making the car look better.
Shaw believes the obvious picks to win will be Gerry or Nick Sweet but he thinks there's  some drivers people might sleep on.
“A couple sleeper picks I have would be Scott Robbins and Joey Pole, Scott had great speed at the end of the last race and Pole always puts together a good run at the 250 so those two I think can surprise some people!”
Another sleeper pick for the Oxford 250 would be Derek Griffith of Hudson,NH. Griffith also has 3 PASS wins this season and he’s currently 4th in the PASS points. He hasn’t had very good luck at Oxford this season but anything could happen.
“We’re happy with the season so far for sure, I think our chances are the best they have been out of all the previous 250s!” Griffith finished 21st during last year’s 250 and besides his races at Oxford this season has been very consistent this year.
Griffith thinks Gerry is the one to beat this year but won’t be counting out Bubba Pollard after his run last year at the Oxford 250.
“A lot of the good guys come to this show so it will be a good race!”

Drivers and fans from all over will be attending races this weekend to see who will get the big win on Sunday night. Come see if anyone beat Curtis Gerry and Bubba Pollard this year to be crowned the 2019 Oxford 250 champion. Green flag drops at 1:30pm this Sunday August 25th!

Oxford 250 Driver Spotlight: Ben Ashline

PITTSTON- Every track has their staple drivers that when you think of that track you think of those drivers even those drivers that  no longer race there on a regular basis. For me when I think of Oxford Plains Speedway I think of Tim Brackett,Kyle Hewins,Spencer Morse,Jon Lizotte and Ben Ashline. Ashline isn’t a name heard too often at Oxford Plains Speedway anymore but this year “The Kid” will be back attempting to qualify for this year’s Oxford 250,7 years after his last qualifying attempt. 

The 28 year old Pittston native has had racing fever since he was a child in the grandstands watching his father and uncles race at Wiscasset,Unity and Oxford Plains Speedway eventually beginning his own racing career when he was 10 years old racing Go-Karts. After 6 years of learning all he could learn in the go-kart class, Ben jumped all the way up to the late model division at Oxford he ran 4 seasons there and earned the name “the kid” for being one of the youngest drivers in the division at the time. He had a very memorable run at Oxford winning a weekly race in 2010 and attempting the Oxford 250 during the years he raced weekly,making it into the big show once in 2010. The following year Ashline joined the American Canadian Tour and earned himself rookie of the year but that didn’t really compare to another accomplishment he achieved that year.

One of the biggest moments of career happened at the 2011 Oxford 250 when not only did he make it into the race but he sat on the pole for it.

“I can remember sitting in the stands as a kid saying one day I’m going to sit on the pole at the Oxford 250 and one day I’m going to win the Oxford 250.The experience made me hungrier for more success.” He explained about the big moment. Unfortunately only the first part of his childhood dream happened that year, he ended up finishing 30th after running into a lot of issues throughout the race

During the 2012 season he won his first ACT race at Oxford and pushed himself to the limit trying to make it into the Oxford 250 again. For him the memory isn’t a fond one but it's one he will never forget.

"Basically I had a pretty good car in qualifying and I tried to utilize the 3rd groove,before I knew it I had ventured my way to the 5th groove.”Ashline said recalling the moment.

Ashline ran out of asphalt and ended up in the back stretch going 5 wide. For many it was crazy to watch and they couldn’t believe that he did that.

“A lot of people say do you regret doing that? And at the end of the day I don’t because there’s 25,000 reasons why I was trying to get as much I could out of every lap of that qualifier. August 25th isn’t going to be any different where they don’t go I’m not afraid to go.”

More bad luck occurred to Ben after the 250 when he severely injured his shoulder at the end of the season causing him to be sidelined the entire 2013 season. In 2014 he made a big comeback after injury by winning the ACT race the night before the Oxford 250. Ashline isn’t someone you want to count out even when you think he’s not going to be a contender he proves to everyone he is. 

“I literally eat,breathe,sleep racing I don’t do anything else besides race and work on race cars.” is a quote that is best to describe how Ben Ashline lives his life.

He’s spent the last 5 years working for Jeff Taylor at Distance Racing. Ashline is so passionate about racing that he says it’s his dream job being able to work on race cars every day for a living. For him being able to work on his race car at work is an advantage.

“When you go into a race weekend for the average person it isn’t a normal everyday routine so the moments between practices they make decisions on the whim but when you work on them everyday you know the mindset and you know what needs to be accomplished on the cars.The decision making is easier and less stressful,what hurts us is not racing every week”

Though Ashline hasn’t raced full time at a track or on a tour since before his injury he has raced some Distance customers race cars at Oxford and Wiscasset. He even won his first super late model race in 2016 during a weekly race at Oxford racing Gary Smith’s SLM. He hasn’t completely gave up running his old reliable family owned 15ME late model yet,he has won the Coastal 200 at Wiscasset Speedway the last two years. Running the Coastal 200 has really  helped him keep race wise in shape and i’d imagine help him prepare for the Oxford 250.

“You have to be race sharp and mentally aware just to be able to contend with a lot of these guys because they do it every week,the tough part I have not racing weekly coming in and capitalizing on all the little stuff you have to have go right as simple as tires or going through tech just making sure you tie up all the loose ends.” Ashline explained.

For Ashline it's a lot of added pressure running a big event like that and not racing every week like everyone else. One of the biggest things for him and other drivers that don’t race big event often is making sure the pit crew is all on the same page,Luckily the pit crew he had at the Coastal 200 will be pretty much the same guys at the Oxford 250 with him.

Ben Ashline has a few memorable moments from running at Oxford Plains Speedway,5 wide at the 250,winning a race on the night of his high school graduation, but his favorites have been being able to spend time with his dad.

“We don’t get to do a lot together,but one thing we do together is we race.So being able to experience things with him that he didn’t get to do at this level,these moments he’s been a part of have probably been my favorite part from racing over here.” 

Although he hasn’t been an entry for the Oxford 250 since 2012,Ben has still been there the past few years crew chiefing for his boss and mentor Jeff Taylor. 9 time Oxford track champion, Taylor is also one of those drivers who has never really had all the pieces fall into place to win the Oxford 250.

“We had a solid performance going last year but we made wrong calls,stretching fuel a little longer than we should have.”

The years Ben Ashline attempted the 250 were years that the track was still ACT-late models in 2012 when the Mayberry’s took over they switched to super late models. This will be an adjustment having only ran 5 super late model races his entire career.

The 46th annual Oxford 250 will mark Ben Ashline’s 2nd run at Oxford Plains Speedway this season after an impressive run during the PASS 150 last months after leading at least a quarter of the race he finished in 6th place driving the  #99 super late model. 

“We had a solid showing at our first ever PASS race with only two days of prep time. I’m excited to see how it goes after a month of preparation.” 

The car is owned by Ajay Picard and his family good friends of Ashline,he drove it at Wiscasset once when Picard was busy a few years ago and found that he worked really well with Picard’s crew and  they have had a good working relationship having helped each other with each others cars. Ashline says Ajay Picard is the brother he wishes he had. Recently Ajay injured his neck and offered the car to Ben to race at the Oxford 250 because him and his family wanted to see the car on the track. Ashline was more than happy to accept the great opportunity,since he “has the time,just doesn’t have the funding to do it at this level quite yet.”

Experience is really important at Oxford especially at the Oxford 250,which Ashline doesn’t lack having probably turned thousands of laps at the track and having helped others race there.He’s not at all worried he won’t be able to able to handle racing with these guys who race all the time.

“All drivers can drive the car if it’s good,problem is you have to make them good and there isn’t anyone more hungrier to find speed then me.” he explained before adding that there is still a lot more speed to be found in the #99. 

“One thing i’m not afraid is: work,so we will do whatever it takes to find the speed and we will find it.”

Every driver dreams of winning the Oxford 250,Ashline is no different,being able to add his name to the list that includes drivers he grew up watching for him would really be great.

“Winning it is something I really want to do because I'd get to go racing more with that 25,000 dollars you would get to race 20 more races afterwards. I just want to race,you know?” Ashline admitted.

“As a business it would be great for us because we obviously want our cars to run as well as they can but it would be even better for them to get top 5 then it would be for me or a customer to win it. As a group we are trying to make them as good as we can make them,the search for speed never stops.”

The last Distance Racing super late model to win the Oxford 250 was the 7G- Curtis Gerry in 2016 since then he’s been one of the most dominant cars at Oxford  during the weekly 50 lappers and longer PASS races. 

Ben Ashline though still in his 20s has had enough experiences in racing to last a lifetime and shows by how selfless and thoughtful he is of the business he works for and the customers he’s helped on and off the track with their cars. More than anything he wants to be back in the car full time and he hopes if he does well at the 250 he will be.

When asked who his favorite competitors are he simply explained any driver in his rear view mirror.

“I love competition,and I love a challenge. I believe I am no better than anyone,I just try to be the best I can every time I climb in a race car. The competition is what drives us and there is a lot of good guys out there right now.” 

He looks forward to racing this year with the group of drivers he grew up watching and the drivers who came through the ranks similar to him.

Ben Ashline is ready to be the “dark horse” of this years Oxford 250 and accomplish one of his life goals by joining the likes of Curtis Gerry,Gary Drew,Scott Robbins who didn't bring a ton of money and big sponsors with them but had the support and encouragement from family and fans,luck and the passion for racing.

Come see the Ben Ashline in the #99 Picard family super late model this weekend at the 46th annual Oxford 250 at the historic Oxford Plains Speedway,Green flag drops at 1:30pm.

Oxford 250 Driver Spotlight: TJ Brackett

OXFORD- For many short track drivers in Maine the Oxford 250 is the biggest race they will ever race in, it’s their version of NASCAR’s Daytona 500. To win the race is a huge deal whether they are a big budget team who races in a late model touring series or just a family run team that races at a track weekly. Drivers from all over have ran the race over the last 45 years, only 12 of those drivers have been from Maine but more importantly is that only 3 of those drivers raced at Oxford weekly the year they won. Gary Drew was the first in 2001 followed by Scott Robbins in 2002 and finally the last was Jeremie Whorff in 2006. Since then many Oxford regulars have tried to add their name to this list and have failed but after 6 attempts another driver is hoping this is his year.

34 year old TJ Brackett is what you would call an underdog when it comes to long distance races. He’s made 6 attempts at winning the Oxford 250 since 2010 his best finishing being in 2014 when he finished in 5^th place.

The Buckfield native is no stranger to Oxford Plains Speedway, the 2^nd generation driver grew up watching his father Tim Brackett racing before starting his own career when he was only 13. His first championship came in 1998 when he won the mini-cup championship at age 14 becoming the youngest champion at the track. Since then he has accumulated 22 wins and won two more track championships: 2013 in the pro stock division and 2014 when they converted to the late model division.

What many weekly drivers quickly realize when racing a 150 lap race or the 250 is that it’s a lot of a bigger challenge than the weekly 50 laps. Some adjust and do fine but some others are never able to complete the big races.

TJ Brackett after a win in 2016

“During a 50 lapper we have to go hard from 0 to 50 while during the 250 you just need to ride it out to save your tires, equipment while keeping the leader in your sight.” Brackett said about the difference.

Pro All-star series races has always been a struggle for Brackett but this season he has finished on the podium twice when they came to Oxford, he finished 3^rd place in May and 2^nd place during the 100 lapper on July 1^st.

“I just seem to have a lot better car than we have had in the past. It seems to stay the same from the first lap until the finish, also we have gotten good starting spots when you start up front it makes it easier to maintain.”

In the Oxford Championship series TJ is currently 2^nd in points and won a race earlier in the season.

“We’ve been focusing on the bigger races this season not so much on  the weekly races we’ve just been using them to get better.”

In the past there has been weekly drivers who came close to winning the race but devastatingly lost most well-known being: Billy Clark almost won in 1987, Ben Rowe almost won the race his rookie year racing at Oxford in 1996 and of course we can’t forget when Alan Wilson lost in 2004 when he ran out of gas with only 10 laps to go. Rowe went on to win 2 Oxford 250’s but Clark and Wilson never redeemed themselves at the 250.

“Whatever the 7G (Curtis Gerry) has is what we need! Just when we think we’re goof he smokes us.” Brackett joked. Curtis Gerry has won all 4 PASS race held at Oxford since winning the Oxford 250 last August.

Over the span of his 21 years career at Oxford Plains some of his favorite racing moments has taken place during the Oxford 250.

TJ racing with his father Tim Brackett

“Starting pole and leading a bunch of laps during the 2013 Oxford 250 and finishing 5^th in the 2014 Oxford 250.” he admitted but one of his favorite racing memories occurred at a weekly Saturday night race in 2014.

“Dad, Vanna and myself all finished top 3 at Oxford that was a pretty big night.” The moment was a first for the track having a father, son and daughter finishing on top of the podium. TJ would love to be able to celebrate a 250 victory with his family.

“It would mean everything. It’s the last thing I feel like we have to do, everything I do after will just be a bonus.”

This weekend like every year drivers from all over will come for the race, 60 drivers have already signed up to try to win the prestigious race. Two of TJ’s favorite Oxford 250 competitors are actually a couple of the toughest guys to beat.

“The years we ran up front at the 250 Cassius Clark was always nearby he races hard but clean too, also Travis Benjamin. Those two stick out as guys I’ve enjoyed racing against the most with during the 250.”

This season TJ Brackett has had some great sponsors and people helping him with the car

“Emerson Toyota is the biggest one, CRF Chassis-Dean Clattenburg has helped a ton, Bond Suss, Seth Holbrook, Kyle Treadwell, Matty and Dwight their here helping in the shop all the time.”

Many drivers say racing is their life but for TJ it literally is when he’s not at the track he’s working on race cars.

“It’s what I do for a job and when I get done I just work on whatever is sitting around the shop.”

TJ has been working on race cars since he was 17. He first got his start working for Dale Shaw and learned the trade before eventually opening his own shop TJ Brackett Motorsports in 2006. He’s built many cars just recently building his father Tim a new super late model in only a few weeks.

Come watch TJ Brackett’ in his number 61 Emerson Toyota super late model race this weekend in the 45^th Oxford 250, trying to earn the title “Oxford 250 champion” that will prelude his name the rest of their career.

Driver Spotlight: Adam Sanborn

Photo Credit: Susan Johnson

Since joining the Saturday night series in 2015 the bandits’ class has quickly become one of the largest divisions currently racing at Oxford Plains Speedway. What started as a starter class has now turned in to an entertaining and competitive field filled with rookies, veterans and drivers that are a little bit of both.

Thirty-six year old Adam Sanborn of West Paris also known to race fans as Larry Bandito or Adam 12 is in his sophomore season in the bandits’ class after bringing home rookie of the year last season. Decades older than most of the rookies in that class, he really wasn’t a rookie to racing at all.

Sanborn was born into a racing family with both his parents owning race cars at Beech ridge Motor Speedway driven by the likes of greats Jim Gary and Bob “the bandit” Harrison. Adam grew up in the grandstands at Beech ridge watching his older brother Corey race weekly and as a teenager helped his younger brothers Dale and Trevor dominate in the go-carts at Beech ridge.

In 1998 his own racing career began when his dad purchased a 1979 Pontiac Lemans previously driven by Al Gasset in the Wildcats class at Beech ridge. They turned it into an outlaw and raced in Outlaws inaugural season that raced in Oxford’s Saturday night series.

“That year the class ran 10 races, I ended up bringing home 7 trophies, rookie of the year, 2^nd in points and most laps led. “He explained on how he got hooked on racing.

The following season in 1999 didn’t go as well for Sanborn. They had Conrad Childs build them a new car but after only a few races his season ended when he wrecked and the car was unrepairable. Sanborn sat out the rest of the season, and when life got busy didn’t end up returning to the racetrack.

After an 18 year hiatus from racing, Sanborn returned to the track last season when he was asked by Kyle Hewins if he would be interested in racing one of his bandit cars. Being friends with some of the other guys who were racing in the class: Chachy Hall, Travis Verrill and Shaun Hinkley made it an easy decision.

Adam raced the entire 2017 season in the Kyle Hewins Motorsports number 51 bandits car. He ended up finishing the season with four 2^nd place finishes and two 3^rd place finishes.

“Kyle and Monica are great people that do anything for their friends so I’m happy I was able to bring the KHM team a 2^nd place in points, a 3^rd in the Triple Crown series and secure a rookie of the year all in the same season.”

Sanborn’s favorite moments last season were getting to drive the #129 legend car on the day of the Oxford 250 and traveling to White Mountain Motorsports Park in New Hampshire for the bandits Triple Crown series where he finished in 2^nd on the high banked track.

“The thrill of fast cars, the smell of burning rubber and race fuel.” are Adam’s favorite things about racing and what he looks forward to the most on Saturday nights is seeing excited kids in the grandstands and being able to spend time with his friends/racing family.

Over the off season he decided to become a race car owner instead of renting a car from Kyle Hewins Motorsports who field 3 cars in the bandits the number 51, 52, and 53 cars which are identical to each other.

“I became good friends with Tyler Green last year through racing, car rentals for KHM were going up this season and Tyler happened to be selling his racecar that only has 6 races on it.”

It was a deal he just couldn’t pass up since the car included parts that were enough to build 2 or 3 more cars. The 2018 started off a little rough for Adam with only one podium finish before June 30^th.

On June 30^th Adam Sanborn finally nailed down his first bandits feature win. He led every lap of his heat race and went on to lead all 20 laps of the feature.

“It felt amazing and was such a relief! The car was fast as usual and I was able to hold my own line the whole race.” He said about the moment.

“The win was the only thing I had left to accomplish other than a championship.”

In the bandits division he’s had some pretty stiff competition but he loves racing with the best of the best.

“All of the drivers in that class have done their part of teaching me different lessons one should know. Kyle Hewins is my favorite person to race with.” He admitted before adding

“Not to discredit Shaun Hinckley and Jamie Heath, anytime you can run with those three you definitely have done your homework and earned it.”

Though he came close to winning the championship last year, wins don’t come easy when racing against guys like Hewins and Hinckley

“Winning a bandits championship would be a great achievement. The division has become a fairly stout field with a car count from 20 to 30 every week and about 9 or 10 of them being on the same competition level.”

Sanborn may not be a championship contender this season but he’s still having fun racing in the bandits.

“Racing is an adrenaline rush and I’m only there to have fun, any week I can bring my car home in one piece is a one for me.”

Adam has many people supporting his love of racing including his cousin Shawn and his brothers Corey, Dale, and Trevor Sanborn who also races weekly but in the pro stock series at Beech Ridge.

There’s a great support system at the track as the amount of fans that come to cheer the bandit class on grows weekly.  Vicki Verrill, Deb Smith, Matt Hiscock, Shelly Green, Tracy Tibbitts among others are some of the fans who come and cheer Adam on every week.

Last but not least one of Adam’s biggest supporters is his boyfriend Robby.

“He hates racing but knows how much I love it. He attends as often as he can to capture video but he has to put up with a lot of garage talk and my racing obsession and I couldn’t thank him enough for always wanting me to do whatever makes me happy.”

Along with great supporters he has some great sponsors keeping him competitive this season: Knight’s Archery, Maine Modern Tile, South Paris Portland Glass, Wallace Home improvements and Maine St Supply

.

When Adam isn’t racing he enjoys going on adventures with his kids and having cookouts with friends. Adam works full time as a floor installer and his nights are spent doing cosmetology work from his home.

Although the season is far from over Adam is already looking forward to next season.

“Next year Tyler Green will be back on the track as my teammate, we already have a car and will soon be searching for some team sponsorship's.”

You can catch Larry Bandito aka Adam Sanborn in his number 12 bandit car racing at Oxford Plains Speedway on Saturday nights during the Oxford Championship Series.

Morneau makes name for himself on winning NASCAR team

Motorsports racing is one of the biggest sports in Maine but only a handful of guys from Maine have made it to the premier level: NASCAR. Whether you’re a racecar driver or just a pit crew member making it to NASCAR is a dream come true.

32 year old Michael Morneau of Oxford, has been working in NASCAR for 14 years, 10 of them being for Stewart Haas racing in the cup series. As a member of Kevin Harvick’s pit crew he helped them win this year’s All-star race in May.

Morneau grew up in Oxford attending races at Oxford Plains Speedway just down the road from where he lived.

“Racing was something I enjoyed watching as a kid and I enjoyed working on cars”

As a teenager with the help from his father, grandfather, and uncle he raced in the Wednesday night Runnin’ Rebels division with his friend Charlie Hall who today still races at Oxford. When Oxford changed their age limit it ended his racing career and he began changing his focus.

Michael attended Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School where he ended up taking automotive technology with Mitch Green.

“He was a good kid your average teenager, all around good kid to have in your class. He sort of knew what he wanted to do towards his junior year and he worked pretty hard for it.” Green said about Michael’s time in his class.

 Green retired from teaching in 2008 is now the owner of Crazy Horse Racing in South Paris. It was in that class that Michael decided he wanted to pursue a career in motorsports.

“He had racecars in the shop every once in a while, we’d build strictly stock motors and I’d help Mitch and Mickey (Green) on their pro stock which was something I really enjoyed doing.” Morneau explained.

During his senior year of high school Morneau had a setback when he was in a severe snowmobile accident where he had to spend some time in the hospital.

“When he got into a snowmobile accident his senior year and it set him back he was worried he wouldn’t be able to graduate, being a teacher I was able to find a way to help him find a get through it. We became close during the process and I told him it would take some work but we’d figure it out, and we’ve been close friends ever since.” Green said.

He overcame the odds with lots encouragement from family and Green and was able to graduate high school with his class in 2003.

After high school he took a huge risk and moved down to North Carolina where he attended UTI NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, North Carolina. Education is something Michael thinks is one of the most important things you need if you want to pursue a career in motorsports.

“You have to be willing to take a gamble and move south where the racing teams are along with going to a school like Ohio tech or UTI NASCAR technical institute.”

Though NASCAR was his goal he knew that going to college gave him other options if a job in NASCAR didn’t pan out such as working for dealerships like Ford, Audi, Jaguars, etc.

“You always got to have a dream, the pieces lined up just right for me. The industry was booming and teams were hiring so I was fortunate to make it in the following year.”

Michael’s first NASCAR job was working for Haas CNC on the Jason Leffler #00 Nationwide car. He was a crew member for that car until 2009 when he became a crew member for Tony Stewart when he became co-owner of Stewart Haas racing. With Stewart he won his first race the 2009 all-star race and was part of his championship in 2011. He stayed with Stewart’s 14 car until the last 10 races of 2014 when there was a crew member switch and he became Kevin Harvick’s tire carrier. Harvick ended up winning a championship in 2014.

“Mike was always one that once he got his teeth into something he worked hard to get what he wanted, I had no doubt if racing was his sincere interest he would find his way there. “Green explained.

10 years and 34 cup wins later, his journey in NASCAR came full circle when he won the 2018 all-star race with Harvick.

“Winning that race was pretty cool, since my first ever win was the 2009 all-star race with Tony Stewart. The first time we won my wife, mother and grandmother attended and my wife came to victory lane with me, this year when we won I was able to bring my wife and my oldest son Griffin with me to victory lane.” He said about the special moment with his family.

Something that has stuck with Morneau and really helped him in school and during his career in NASCAR is a motto his parents use to tell him “work smarter, not harder.”

“I helped by encouraging and helping him find the avenue to do it what he wanted to do. We talked a lot along the way about pitfalls to stay away from in the motorsports world.” Green said about giving advice to Morneau even after he was no longer his student.

Michael Morneau now calls North Carolina home with his wife and two sons but still has roots here in Maine, His mother is the owner of Polly’s Variety in Oxford, and his cousin is former Ops street stock champion David Whittier whose car Michael actually owned in 2017.

“The thing I like about him is he’s still just Mikey, sometimes people who get to that level change because of the limelight but Mikey is still just Oxford Maine Boy. He’s very respectful to people and I think he genuinely appreciates what he’s got and doesn’t take it for granted.” Mitch Green said about his former student who has managed to stay humble.

“It’s neat being a local from Oxford, like it shows that you can make it in a sport such as racing even coming from a small track like Oxford, it’s been a fun ride.”

Michael learned a lot in his high school auto tech class but most importantly he got a lifelong mentor and friend in Mitch Green who helped him get where he is today pursuing his passion in NASCAR.

Once in a Lifetime