OXFORD — Oxford Plains Speedway driver Kyle Hewins suffered serious burns when his car caught on fire at the speedway Saturday night.

Rescue crews said the driver suffered third-degree burns and was airlifted to Maine Medical Center in Portland.

The incident happened around 7 p.m., said Oxford Fire Department Assistant Chief Ed Adams. “His race car caught fire. He has burns on his hands,” Adams said. Rescue units rushed to the Oxford airport from which Hewins was flown to Portland. He was listed in satisfactory condition late Saturday night.

Hewins' car caught fire “as it came off turn two,” said Sun Journal Staff Writer Phil Whipple who was covering the race. Hewins' car “spun around toward the outside wall and caught fire.”

The cause won't be know until Hewins' vehicle is examined, Whipple said.

John Clark, 58, of Farmingdale, whose family has long been involved in racing, said the Hewins family, from the Leeds area, “are a staple at Oxford for as long as I can remember. Larry is the father.” Kyle is a younger sibling, Clark said.

Hewins drives a race car with the number 54, the same number as Clark's son, he said. He was racing in the Runnin' Rebel Series.