Driver Spotlight: Brandon Varney

Photo Credit: Susan Johnson

In only 6 races of his sophomore season in the Bandits division at Oxford, 19 year old Brandon Varney has shown he’s no longer a rookie. Besides June 3^rd he hasn’t finished out of the top 10 so far this season.

After hitting the wall and not finishing on June 3^rd, Varney bounced back and led the entire 30 lap feature the following week on June 10th to win his first race of the season.

What some people may not realize is that the 3^rd generation driver Auburn native has been racing since the age of 8 starting out in the Oxford go-karts series. During his Go-Kart career he won 5 championships and holds the record for most go-kart wins at Oxford.

Brandon’s first visit at Oxford Plains Speedway was when he was only 4 days old.

“My parents actually met at the track so I’ve been coming to Wednesday and Saturday night races all my life” He explained.

You can say racing is in Varney’s blood with his grandfather Gardner "Gardy" Tripp, Uncles Skip and Kenny Tripp, Uncle Chris Varney and his dad Kevin Varney all spending time behind the wheels of race cars at Oxford Plains Speedway.

As a driver he looks up to his uncle Skip Tripp, Kyle and Ryan Hewins who he used to sit with in the stands as small child before they started their racing careers, and Jeff Moon, Brandon's parents actually used to own a mini stock that Moon raced and it was always one of his favorites to watch, now as a driver Moon has become one of Varney's biggest supporters and mentors.

While he hasn’t gotten the chance to race against any of his family members he loves racing with the other guys who he grew up watching.

“Those are the guys you need to learn from so you can better yourself and hopefully be as good as them to teach the next generation of drivers” Varney said without hesitation.

It’s no wonder his favorite competitors are Charlie “Chachy” Hall (Who is currently letting him drive one of his cars), Jamie Heath, Kyle Hewins and the guys who have a lot of racing experience.

Photo credit: Susan Johnson

“If I can hang out with those guys on the track I must be doing something right.” Varney said about the veterans.

On May 13^th he was able to “hangout” with Jamie Heath, he raced him hard and clean to finish in 2^nd place one spot better than last year’s bandit champion.

With this being only his 2^nd year behind the wheel of a race car Brandon is eager to learn and take any advice given to him by veteran drivers like Kyle Hewins and Dustin Salley who have really been great mentors for him. 


Advice Brandon would give a new driver starting out is don’t give up.

“No matter where you finish, no matter if your frustrated, in racing you have your ups and downs, Whatever it is you, have to keep on keeping on and don’t give up.”

Varney knows this from the experiences he’s had the past few weeks. He went from his lowest hitting the wall to a high point coming back the next week and winning.

“It was huge thing to go out there with a new car we’d just pulled out of the woods and win especially after last week that wasn’t fun and this week was so much fun!” He explained on June 11^th.

Two things that Brandon loves about racing is: the adrenaline that he gets from racing and  being able to watch his heroes, he hopes there are kids out there that think of him as their hero too.

Every race car driver enjoys winning but Brandon feels as though his greatest accomplishment so far is to just be able to get sponsors, spend time with his family and just getting to have fun on the racetrack.

Brandon has two wins under his belt already this season after winning in the Bandits on June 10^th and winning in his rebel on June 14^th. Since the beginning of last year he has collected 6 wins.

The people who help Varney and his 1 cars are his parents Jamie Tripp-Varney and Kevin Varney, Chachy Hall and Richard Kimball.

 Brandon has 26 sponsors this season including Maine Mobile service, AGF, Henry's Concrete, Craig Moore Trucking, R and R Automotive and Vinyl, Mainely Awards and Great Choice Vending.

When he isn’t racing Brandon keeps busy playing college baseball for Central Maine Community College along with coaching younger kids, working at Ingersoll arena,Auburn rec and at LL Bean.

Though Brandon Varney is still pretty early in his racing career and taking everything in stride, showing he’s got immense talent behind the wheel of a race car.

You can catch a glimpse of Brandon Varney and his black Kyle Hewins Motorsports sponsored 1 cars racing weekly at Oxford Plains Speedway on Wednesday nights in the Rebels division and on Saturday nights with the Bandits.

Driver Spotlight: Jamie Heath

39 year old Jamie Heath of Waterford has been racing for over a decade this weekend he will pick up his sixth championship, his first one in the Bandits class at Oxford Plains Speedway.

Jamie Heath became a fan of racing watching his father race from the grandstands as a kid. Eventually he began helping driver Chris Hatstat before beginning his own racing career in the early 2000’s.

He started out racing in the Outlaws in the acceleration series at Oxford before competing in rebels, mini stocks and just about every class in the acceleration series except trucks.

Photo Credit: Susan Johnson

 He’s managed to win a total of 3 championships at Oxford (2 in renegades 1 in rebels), 2 others at Beechridge and Groverton in New Hampshire.

Though he’s had such a great career his favorite racing moment isn’t one of his accomplishments.

“When my son won his 1^st go cart race his second time out there, that beats everything I’ve done.” He proudly admitted.

Among some of his favorite competitors Heath has raced with over the years has been Matt Dufault who also has helped him with some of his cars and Jimmy Childs.

“(Childs) He’s a great competitor he makes you step up your game a notch. I’ve raced against a lot of good drivers but he’s probably one of the better ones I’ve enjoyed racing with” Heath explained.

The bandit’s class is still a fairly new class only in its 3^rd season many drivers Jamie Heath races against don’t have much experience racing in a weekly class having started out racing in enduros

“There’s some guys out there who can drive pretty good it’s fun because you can learn from a rookies mistakes it makes you a better driver.”

Photo Credit: Susan Johnson

 Heath has been one of the fastest cars in that class this season usually racing up to the front in only a couple laps.

Along with the rookies are guys who’ve been racing OPS a while Charlie Hall who got his first career win this season, Gerard Cote who also races in the running rebels on Wednesdays and Tyler Green, Heath’s biggest competition this season.

“Tyler Green is really good and he’s only two or three years in.”

Not only did Heath pick up 3 wins in the Bandits class this weekend he also won his first New England Mini Stock Tour race on August 28^th in front of the biggest audience of the year.

While racing is a seasonal hobby for drivers at Oxford Plains Speedway it’s also a passion that they can’t easily deny.

“I love the competition and the agony of defeat. Also the fans, seeing all the kids cheering in the stands there wouldn’t be racing without them.” He said explaining what he loves about racing.

Photo Credit:Susan Johnson

Heath has a great team behind him this season helping him out, Wayne Smart Sr and Jr, Susan Johnson, Derek Cairns, fellow Waterford driver Bill Grover, Kurt Dumais who co-owns his race car and of course his wife and son.

Next year Jamie’s priority next year will be his son’s racing career. Some people have great hesitation putting their own child into a race car but Heath will have some great advice to share with him.

”Race other drivers the way you want to be raced and you’re not entitled to respect it’s earned.” Is a couple things he would tell his son about racing.

When Heath isn’t racing he spends time watching baseball and football and tries to get on the golf course one in a while but  most is time is spent with his 10 year old son.

With another championship under his belt, Jamie Heath plans on racing in the Northeast Mini Stock Tour in the 2017 season.

Winning the Oxford 250:Kyle Busch

Photo Credit:Trudy Marshall
 Winning the Oxford 250 is a once in a lifetime experience very few drivers have been able to win it more than once including the father and son duo Mike and Ben Rowe of Turner and legends like Dave Dion and Ralph Nason.

If you don’t keep up with New England short track racing these aren’t names you would remember. Something that has drawn casual race fans to the Oxford 250 in the past has been NASCAR drivers.

Only 3 NASCAR drivers who have raced in the event have won the Oxford 250 including two sprint cup champions.

 Friday afternoon I had the opportunity to speak with 2011 Oxford 250 winner and reigning 2015 sprint cup champion Kyle Busch about his Oxford 250 experiences.

“What makes the Oxford 250 different from other big short track races is the Payday.Its pressure packed for all the guys, they want to lead laps and they get money for leading those laps and of course the big paycheck of $25,000. It’s a big race for late model drivers anywhere in the country but especially up north there’s a lot of pride and pressure put on the event.”

During the 2015 season, Busch was sidelined with a broken leg for most of the season but he persevered to dominate the remainder of the season and took home the championship.

Kyle Busch made two attempts at winning the Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway in 2005 and 2006 before finally winning the prestigious event.  It just goes to show hard work pays off in the end.

“Just having everything go our way was what made our last 250 a success” He admitted.

In 2005 they had a lugnut fall off on pit road that got stuck in a brake caliber which led to blowing a tire and when he returned the in 2006 following the year he had engine failure when he was passing for the lead.

“Being able to come back and have a race where we didn’t have the car torn up or the engine torn up we were able to make it through the whole event and win. Obviously the greatest satisfaction was bringing home the checkered flag”

Though the Oxford 250 is held on a short track many drivers including Busch don’t consider Oxford Plains Speedway a very easy track.

“It’s kinda tricky the layout is very round but flat. There’s definitely different grooves you can but running on the bottom and keeping it tight against the curb on the inside is probably the best place to be. Also when the sun goes down in turns 3 and 4 you get a blast of sun as the day progresses.” Busch said about Oxford.

“Also pit road there’s a huge challenge the way pit road is laid out where you have a front stretch pit road and an back stretch pit road where you kind of have to weave through the infield.” He added.

Many short track drivers from Maine never get the chance to drive on the NASCAR level due lack of funding. Busch races every week with the same guys all across the country so when he raced at Oxford with different guys who knew the track well he had a disadvantage.

“sometimes it’s a greater challenge to race local short track drivers because there is some just as good as cup drivers but being on their home turf they know all the things about the track and how it changes. While racing against cup guys every weekend we travel around to different tracks, we’re always moving no guy who races cup races the same track every week.” He explained.

Behind every driver is a great crew during his runs at Oxford, Busch had help from a pretty well-known face around short track racing Seth Holbrook, a 4 time 250 winning crew chief for Mike Rowe, Ben Rowe and for Glen Luce last year.

“I’d been working with Seth a long time since coming up in 2005, Seth is really smart and has a great respect for competitors helping me or the guys he’s won races with for years. He has a lot of wins and does a good job preparing fast race cars.”

“A lot of people talk about the different drivers who have won the race it would interesting to learn about who the crew chiefs were for those races.”

To be on the list of 250 winners with the likes of Mike Rowe, Dave Dion and Jamie Aube it’s truly a great accomplishment.

“The 250 for me was a big deal, I’ve wanted to win any race that I’ve been in during my career. That was a race I knew was a big deal to a lot of people in the northeast it was great finally being able to win and add such a cool race to my resume.”

“To be a winner and championship winner in the sprint cup level is one thing but for me being able to go compete against some of the best talents out there that may or may not ever be recognized. It was cool to be able to beat out guys like Mike Rowe and Jeff Taylor that are well respected and know the Oxford 250 really well.” Busch admitted.

43 years ago Oxford Plains Speedway held its first Oxford 250 I don’t think they truly realized how big of an impact it would have on short track racing in New England. It’s become more than a race for most, it’s an event and a reunion with racing friends and family.

Driver Spotlight: Matt Dufault

OXFORD- 33 year old Matt Dufault driver of the blue 61 street stock, has quickly become a fan favorite in the Street stock class. So far he has 5 wins under his belt this season, just recently he’s won 3 in a row. Since getting his 2nd win of the season, he’s been fast favoring the high groove to pass other cars 3-wide.

Dufault has been a racing fan since he was a kid, when he became a fan of Maine native Ricky Craven after finding out his father a pilot and an FAA Certified Mechanic worked with guys who knew the driver pretty well.

Photo Credit: Susan Johnson

The Turner native has been racing on and off since 2003 starting out racing in enduros before eventually racing on Wednesday nights in the Rebels and outlaws classes. He won a championship in Rebels in 2010 and an Outlaw championship in 2012.

Though Dufault loves racing there's been seasons he just hasn’t been super into racing every week, even when he’s not racing he can usually be found helping found helping fellow drivers.

Among some of the drivers he’s helped over the years are Ben Ashline when he raced on the ACT tour, Troy Jordan, Jamie Heath and Kyle Hewins. The last few seasons Dufault has been helping Kyle Treadwell and Bryce Mains.

Dufault’s current car was driven by Mains during last season. When Mains got a new ride this season Dufault decided to get behind the wheel of the Rodney Williams owned car.

Dufault has many great memories at the track but one of his favorites was being on Treadwell’s crew during his first attempt at the Oxford 250 in 2014

Matt in victory lane after getting his 5th win

“Making the Oxford 250 with Treadwell his rookie year, as his spotter was great. I'll never forget when he came in after tech with tears in eyes, I knew we had done it.” Dufault explained remembering the big day.

His favorite moment so far this season was June 25^th when he spun out during the race and was able to make it back through the field to win the race.

“I had the car decent but it became really good after we got spun and won. I think we just found a few things that night and that run gave us a ton of confidence.” He said about his second win of the season.

Oxford Plains Speedway is said to be a tough track to figure out by many drivers but most enjoy the challenge.

“It's a brain teaser” Dufault explained. “You can either be a mile away from the right answer or you could be literally standing right next to it but when you solve Oxford, it’s so much fun.”

One of his favorite competitors to race against has been Kyle Hewins a guy he’s actually helped when he’s not racing.

“You can just tell a lot about someone by how they race you and he's always races me really good and really hard”

He owes this season’s success to his crew Zach, Bryce and Richard Mains, Matt and Rodney Williams and most importantly his Mother, Deb Dufault a middle school teacher in Turner.

“She always notices things I never really gave much thought, she goes to all of my races she's been a big part of my racing career” Dufault admitted.

Cruising in first during the Northeast Street Stock tour
Feature

He truly has a passion for the sport. Dufault has done it all from actually being a racecar driver to helping other drivers by being their spotter or setup guy.

“This is really what I love to do, I don’t really know how good I am at it but it’s what I like to do”

When he’s not wheeling a race car in the Oxford Championship series he can be found driving a truck for Central Distribution delivering alcohol to stores during the week, which he says is the most fun job he’s ever had.

Dufault has a pretty impressive run being on a 4 wins in a row streak, if he keeps it up there’s a good chance he will find himself a champion of the Street stock class.

Driver Spotlight: Eric Hodgkins

In only seven starts, Minot-based driver Eric Hodgkins has managed to earn three feature victories and is the current point leader in Oxford’s recently-revived Figure 8 division during his first full season racing.

Hodgkins, 40, grew up going to the races at Oxford Plains Speedway with his father watching drivers like Jon Lizotte, Larry Hewins, Jeff Taylor and Mike Rowe, who he’s greatly admired.

Photo credit: Josephsphotos

In 2016, he gets to race against a few of these veterans, a fact he often finds hard to believe.

“Last week I lined up next to Larry Hewins, and I thought that was unbelievable,” Hodgkins said. “I grew up watching and idolizing him, and here I was lined up right next to him.”

The Figure 8 division was very popular at Oxford from 1969 through 1988. Current drivers Lizotte and Dave Smith were two of the top racers in that previous era. When the class was brought it back in 2015, many of the original drivers came out of retirement.

Mixed in with those veterans was Hodgkins, decades younger than most of the field. With only a small group of cars competing, Lizotte dominated the field — winning his 100th career feature and the points championship. Hodgkins ended up finishing a respectable third in points last season.

Hodgkins first ventured into the racing world five years ago as a sponsor for Michael Haynes’ No. 67 Outlaw entry, then became Haynes’ car owner in 2015. Hodgkins went to the races every week to support his driver, and was proud to see him earn a solid second place in the points championship.

Photo Credit: Josephsphotos

Being a car owner and sponsor were the only roles Hodgkins had ever played before last season. He had no interest in racing himself, and had never even sat in a race car. After watching the first few weeks of the newly-revived Figure 8 division, he got the idea to join them on the track. He bought a car, tried it out driving it down the road, and that was it. The next time he drove it, it was week five for the Figure 8s and he was hooked.

“You have to be a little nuts to drive in this class, and I thought I was just crazy enough,” Hodgkins explained. “My parents have yet to see me race, which is probably a very good thing. My brother and sisters usually close their eyes when they come to watch me.”

This season, Hodgkins enhanced his program when he purchased a new car ( a Chevrolet Camaro) to make his goal of winning a feature possible. He credits his success this season to his former driver Haynes, the man who sold him his current car and helps him with chassis setup. He also credits his crew chief, Gary Powers.

“Gary keeps the car running right; he works on it more than I do,” Hodgkins explained.

One of his favorite things about racing in the Figure 8 class is the chance to compete against those drivers he idolized growing up. His favorite moments thus far came on Saturday, June 11, when he held off defending champion Lizotte for his third win of 2016.

 “I beat the King, and it was the only time anyone has done that without wrecking him.” he added.

Photo credit: Susan Johnson

Hodgkin’s father actually used to sponsor Lizotte many years ago. Lizotte,was inducted into the Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2013 after a 30-year career that included four class titles and nearly 100 feature wins. He was a big help to Hodgkins last year, acting as his mentor. Hodgkins has nothing but good things to say about the veteran driver. 

“Jon has had such an amazing career; it's nice just being able to talk to him, let alone to race against him.”

Hodgkins seems to have found his niche, and is enjoying competing in the Figure 8 division. Along with the Figure 8 class, he says he plans on running both a Bandit and Street Stock entry all in one night once at some point this summer. He does admit to being inexperienced in those classes. 

“I need a lot of practice with my Street Stock car; those guys are really good and I don't want to get in the way as they compete for a championship,” Hodgkins said.

When Hodgkins is not at the track, he enjoys skiing during the winter, boating during the summer, and spending time with his nine-year-old daughter, who recently entered her first Go-cart race, a fact which made him very proud.

With several races left this season, only time will tell if Hodgkins or Kyle Kilgore, the only other driver in the division under the age of 50, can defeat those veterans at their own game.

Life Changing Experiences

Out of my Comfort Zone