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Different Groups Face Different Challenges at Oxford 250

Posted By Tj Ingerson On July 18, 2013

Categories: Pro All Stars Series

Waddell CommunicationsJay Fogleman (#4) made his debut at Oxford in 2011 in PASS North competition, and will make his Oxford 250 debut this weekend. Fogleman is part of unique groups of drivers that will make up the TD Bank Oxford 250 challengers. (Eric LaFleche/VLFPhotos.com photo)PHOTO: Jay Fogleman (#4) made his debut at Oxford in 2011 in PASS North competition, and will make his Oxford 250 debut this weekend. Fogleman is part of unique groups of drivers that will make up the TD Bank Oxford 250 challengers. (Eric LaFleche/VLFPhotos.com photo)

--by Brandon Paul (@CLNS_Brandon)
VMM Correspondent

OXFORD, Maine --
On Sunday afternoon, drivers from Georgia, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, New Brunswick, Quebec, Rhode Island, Washington, and beyond will attempt to qualify for the 40th Annual TD Bank 250.

This year’s version of the 250 will bring in a diverse field of drivers unlike we have seen in recent years. That isn’t to take away from the 250’s of the past few seasons --as we have seen some great ones -- but the entry list for this year’s running of the Oxford 250 is as diverse as we’ve seen it in a long time.

Not only do we have drivers traveling to Oxford, Maine from different parts of the United States and Canada, but we also have diversity amongst the groups of racers attempting to qualify for the race.

Pro All Stars Series (PASS) North regulars, PASS National Series competitors, Oxford Plains Speedway Pro Late Model drivers, former Oxford 250 champions, Super Late Model stars from around the Country, and invaders from other New England race tracks are amongst the groups of drivers who will be attempting to qualify for Sunday’s race.

Pro All Star Series North

Berwick, Maine’s Joey Doiron will lead a long list of PASS North regulars attempting to qualify for the 40th Annual TD Bank 250. In addition to the $25,000-plus on the line on Sunday, the race could also have championship implications for this group of drivers.

Doiron, who currently sits atop the PASS North standings, will be joined by a strong cast of drivers including Cassius Clark, Travis Benjamin, DJ Shaw, and others. With the top-four drivers only separated by 31 points, none of the these drivers can afford a bad day on Sunday.

Other PASS notables such as multi-time PASS North Champion Johnny Clark and two-time Oxford 250 winner Ben Rowe will also be attempting to qualify.

Pro All Star Series National

In addition to the PASS North drivers attempting to qualify on Sunday, a number of competitors in the PASS National Series will be attendance. Durham, North Carolina’s Jay Fogleman leads a list of drivers that will be making the trip to Maine for the weekend. Fogleman currently sits in second place in the National point standings, just two points behind Center Conway, New Hampshire’s DJ Shaw.

Joining Fogleman from the PASS National Series will be Dawsonville, Georgia’s Spencer Davis, 13-year old Tate Fogleman, and Charlotte, North Carolina’s Clay Rogers.

It will be an interesting subplot on Sunday to see how these drivers matchup against the competition in the Northeast.

Oxford Plains Speedway Pro Late Model’s

Could this be the first time that an Oxford Plains Speedway regular wins the Oxford 250 since Jermie Whorff did it back in 2006?

Shawn Martin, current Pro Late Model point leader T.J. Brackett, Tim Brackett, and a list of others are hoping that is the case

During last Friday night’s PASS North event at Oxford Plains Speedway, Martin showed that he may have what it takes as he mounted a late race charge to grab the final podium spot and was one of the fastest cars on the track late in the race.

With an additional 100 laps on Sunday, Martin could be someone to keep an eye on at the end of the race.

Invaders from Local Tracks

Mike Rowe, Kelly Moore, and Alan Tardiff are among the pre-registered drivers who will look to invade Oxford Plains Speedway and bring the winners trophy back to their home track.

Rowe, who has won a total of 150 features at Oxford Plains Speedway, is a three-time Oxford 250 Champion with his last victory in the race coming in 2005. This time around he’s in a new ride with a new team that has shown they can compete with the best.

Moore and Tardiff, both Beech Ridge Motor Speedway regulars, have shown speed at their home track (Beech Ridge Motor Speedway) this season. Both drivers are currently in the top-five in the Pro Series division point standings at Beech Ridge and hope to carry their momentum into Oxford this weekend.

Former Oxford 250 Champions

Former Oxford 250 Champions Jermie Whorff (2006), Scott Robbins (2002), and Gary Drew (2001) are all expected to make an attempt to qualify for the 40th Annual TD Bank 250 this weekend.

For this first time in many years, the Oxford 250 will not have a provisional starting spot for a past champion. Whorff, Robbins, and Drew will all have to race their way into the 250 without a past champions provisional to lean back on.

Whorff, Robbins, and Drew have all enjoyed success at Oxford Plains Speedway, but it’s been awhile since they’ve been on the track. It will be interesting to see how they match up with the rest of the field on Sunday.

Super Late Model Stars

With the Redbud 300 taking place in Anderson, Indiana this weekend, the list of big names coming from around the United States isn’t as large as it could be.

Kannapolis, North Carolina’s Daniel Hemric is the biggest name making the trip up the East Coast for this weekend’s event. Hemric is a two-time winner in the Southern Super Series in 2013 and is coming off a win on Tuesday night in a Legends car at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Hemric is hoping to become the first driver since Tommy Ellis (1983) to bring the Oxford 250 winner’s trophy back to the Southern part of the United States.

Which one of these groups of drivers do you expect to come out on top in the 40th Annual TD Bank 250 on Sunday? Be sure to join the conversation throughout the weekend on Twitter by tweeting @VMMUpdates and using hashtag #Oxford250.