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

Driver Spotlight: Kyle Kilgore

It’s been 4 years since Oxford Plains Speedway revived the figure 8 division after taking a 27 year break. Figure 8 legends Jon Lizotte and David Smith along with some new faces who showed they could run with the best of the best.

Kyle Kilgore, 33, driver of the number 4 figure 8 car is currently the youngest driver in the division driving with guys in their 40s all the way up to their 60s.

“My first year racing figure 8 it was pretty intimidating racing with them. Now that I’ve been racing with them for a while, I'm pretty comfortable out there.”

The South Paris native Kilgore, began attending races at a young age at Oxford and when he was 15 convinced his father to let him race. Soon after he with help built an enduro car. Along with racing enduros at Oxford, Kilgore also raced in the Wednesday

After taking a 15 year break from racing Kilgore decided to get back behind the wheel in 2015.

“I bought a 1981 Oldsmobile cutlass in the fall of 2015 and planned on building an outlaw car with it. I decided instead to build a figure 8 car with it.

“ I really wanted to race with David Smith.” Kilgore explained

After Jon Lizotte dominated the season in 2015 winning all but one race, Kilgore finally got his first win in the figure 8’s in May of 2016. Kilgore ended up finishing 2^nd in points with two wins at the end of the 2016 season.

In 2017, Kyle Kilgore became teammates with fellow figure 8 driver Eric Hodgkins when they became part of Gary Davis Racing.

“Gary Davis started helping with my car then Eric’s and Rob’s, it just sort of happened, a small group of us just formed a friendship and started helping each other with our race cars.”

Both drivers have improved by becoming teammates at the end of the 2017 season, Hodgkins had 6 wins and Kilgore had 2 with quite a few podium finishes.

Only 3 races into the 2018 racing season Kilgore is off to a strong start with one win, two 2^nd place finishes and a 3^rd place finish. With it only being the beginning of the season a championship isn’t even on Kyle’s mind.

“Anything could happen, I could misjudge the X and turn my car into a pretzel.”

Kilgore doesn’t have a favorite racing moment but also can’t remember ever really having a bad moment in racing.

“Gotta keep racing fun. A bad night of racing is still better than a good day at work.” He remarked.

Not many people can say they’ve liked racing with everyone in their division but then again not everyone has gotten to race with veterans drivers like Jon Lizotte, David Smith, Larry Hewins and Mike Rowe.

Kyle’s favorite thing about racing doesn’t actually take place at the race track. His favorite part is getting to spend time at the garage with his race team, working on the race cars and eating the good food his friend’s wives feed them while they are there.

Figure 8 is a very unique division at Oxford, while other division just go around the oval, these guys actually race in the shape of an eight and risk colliding in the middle with another car. To a fan it looks intimidating and many probably think it might be fun but are too scared to do it.

“Quit thinking about it and just do it, you only live once. We figure 8 drivers really aren’t crazy and going to the X with someone isn’t as scary as it seems, though it is bit of an adrenaline rush.” Kilgore replied when I asked what advice he would give someone who want to try racing in the figure 8 division.

Behind every driver is crew members and sponsors who help the car continue racing every week. Kyle’s sponsors that help pay for expenses are: Flanders electric, Affordable pest care, Maineline plumbing and heating, Willie's repair, Turnkey homes of Maine, Rhodes concrete, Daryl D. Gushee heavy rigging and hauling, Wicked water graphics, Russell and sons towing and recovery, Custom engines, Pleasant hill property services and last but not least the Gary Davis Family.

The guys who keep his car running are “Wildman” Sam, Eric Hodgkins, Chris Smith, Poppa K(Barry Kilgore), Gary Davis, Mr. Snowman, Rob Crepeau, Jason Cummings and Dale Lawrence.

Kilgore enjoys racing in the figure 8’s but his favorite division to watch at Oxford over the years has been the street stock division which is also a division he’d like to race in the future.

 “The thought has crossed my mind to build a Street stock, it might happen in a year or two.”

When Kyle Kilgore isn’t racing at Oxford he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, fishing, hunting, trapping and tinkering on stuff in the garage.

You can catch Kyle Kilgore racing through the X without hesitation in his red, white, and blue, number 4 figure 8 car at Oxford Plains Speedway on Saturday nights during the Oxford Championship Series.

Oxford 250 Driver Spotlight: Cassius Clark

Photo Credit: Oriana Lovell

A champion is someone who has defeated or surpassed all rivals in a competition. 43 drivers have done just that at the Oxford 250. Only 9 drivers have achieved it more than once. Late model drivers come from all over North America in attempt add Oxford 250 Champion to their list of accomplishments. For any driver that competes in the race it’s a huge accomplishment but for someone who’s from Maine and has roots at Oxford Plains Speedway it means even more.

35 year old Cassius Clark has competed in 9 Oxford 250’s, finishing 6th or better the last 4 years he's competed but has never won.  The Farmington native grew up watching his dad Billy Clark race in the NASCAR Busch North series. His Father actually won the first Busch North race in 1987 that happened to be held at Oxford Plains Speedway. Billy Clark won 21 races at Oxford during his career.

“I was hooked back then and wanted to race for as long as I could remember.” explained the 2nd generation driver.

 In 1999, when Clark was 17 years old he finally found himself behind the wheel of a Legends car. He raced in legends for three years, winning the 2000 NELCAR championship along with winning Beech Ridge’s Thursday Thunder Legend division championship two years in a row in 2000 and 2001.

Cassius moved up to late models in 2002 driving for Ed Chapman. He raced the PASS tour along with racing 5 Oxford 250s with that car. His best 250 finish in that car being 11th in 2003. When the Oxford 250 began racing pro stocks instead of late models in 2007, Clark took a hiatus from the event until they brought them back in 2013.

One of Clark’s favorite racing moments was winning the inaugural Mason- Dixon Meltdown race in 2006 at South Boston Speedway in Virginia.

“I have a lot of great racing moments, but there were a lot of great competitors in that race from all over the country, it’s my most memorable win to date.”

Cassius Clark at the Oxford 250 in 2016
Photo Credit: Sandy Haley 

In 2006, Clark also won the first Pro All Star Series (PASS) National championship. Cassius continued racing PASS with Chapman until 2010, he ran with Woodman Racing in 2011 before teaming up with Hight Motorsports the last few races of the 2011 season.

Clark began racing the 77 Hight Motorsports car in 2012.  He returned to the Oxford 250 in 2013 finishing in 5th. With Hight Motorsports he won the PASS North Championship in 2013 and finished 4th in the 2014 Oxford 250.

When he parted ways amicably with Hight Motorsports in 2015, Clark went north of the border to race for King Motorsports based in Canada. He’s found success in King racing late model, getting the chance to compete in big race events in Canada and New England even winning recently July 29th at the Best of the Best 150 held at Speedway 660 in New Brunswick.

Cassius has competed in many big races during his career such as the Snowball Derby, World Crown 300, Speed fest and the North South shootout but the one race that trumps them all for him is the Oxford 250.

“I’ve raced in a lot of prestigious races but The Oxford 250 is the race I want to win the most. It’s close to home, pays a lot of money and a lot of my idols growing up have competed in it or won it.”

His heroes growing up were his dad, Dick McCabe (1988 Oxford 250 winner) and the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. 

Cassius Clark races to win and is always so determined that if his car has the capability he does just about whatever it takes to try to win even if he has to make questionable moves on the track that may at times upset others.

Cassius believes having great teams has been his secret to success the last few years at the 250.

“We’ve had a fast car every year since the 250 went back to super late models, but haven’t been able to pull off a win.”

Even though he hasn’t won an Oxford 250, Clark has won 4 PASS races at Oxford along with a few legend wins.

The last time Cassius ran at Oxford on July 30th during the PASS 150 he had a really solid run. He led all but the last 12 laps of the feature and still managed to take home 3rd place behind two former 250 champions, Glen Luce and Travis Benjamin.

Winning the Oxford 250 would mean a lot to not only Cassius but also his family and race team.

“My dad tried several times and has gotten close and I’ve been in contention to win too. Rollie Macdonald owns the car and he competed in the Oxford 250 as a driver and as car owner he’s also came close to winning it.”

“I would love to have a picture with my dad, my son and the rest of my family in victory lane holding the trophy.”

Photo Credit: Oriana Lovell

When Cassius isn’t race the number 13 King Motorsports car on the PASS tour and races on the Maritime Pro Stock tour, He runs his own business Nichols Trailers. Clark‘s life isn’t all racing he also enjoys spending time with family and friends, skiing, snowmobiling /racing vintage snowmobiles during the winter and boating in the summer.

Cassius Clark has ran so well at Oxford in the past few years that it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s a front runner on Sunday, August 27^th at this year’s 44^th annual Oxford 250. He’ll be competing against an expected 70 drivers all itching to win 25, 000 dollars and become part of Oxford Plains Speedway history.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to pull off the win this year. With my best friend, Andrew Hicken, as my crew chief and the rest of the King racing team if we were to pull it off, it would be one hell of a party.”