Our best and brightest grow up before our eyes. Then, once the secret gets out, our only connection to their talents becomes a recliner and remote control.

OK, so it’s a happy problem to have. And even after “losing” Ricky Craven, Andy Santerre and Joe Bessey to the big time, two of the three have returned to our fair neck of the woods, and the third is among the best in the business at making time for the folks who helped him reach his dreams.

Given Tracy Gordon’s steady climb from Oxford Plains Speedway to the American-Canadian Tour to the NASCAR Busch North Series, winning at each level, it was nave to think we’d keep the Strong native to ourselves much longer than those blazing the trail before him.

Next Saturday night, Gordon begins life as a full-fledged TV racer when he commences his first full season with the American Speed Association at USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Fla.

Every ASA race this season will be telecast live on the Speed Channel. Lakeland receives the green flag at 9 p.m.

Gordon’s audition with car owner Tom Granelli last fall resulted in a full-season deal in 2003.

The team will field a Pontiac Grand Prix bearing the No. 16 and the colors of sponsor AutoVantage.

“I’ve been trying to hook up with (Gordon) for about a year now,” Granelli said. “He is a proven winner in the Busch North series, and he will be a winner in ASA.”

In only six full seasons, Gordon became one of the leading winners in Busch North history. He carried the checkered flag a dozen times, capped by a memorable victory over Matt Kobyluck for his first-ever triumph at New Hampshire International Speedway last September. Although not affiliated with NASCAR, ASA enters its 36th season as one of the premier proving grounds for national talent. Two products of the circuit dominated by Midwest short tracks, Rusty Wallace and the late Alan Kulwicki, went on to capture Winston Cup championships.

Getting closer

Today marks the seventh day of the three-week Oxford Plains Speedway Spring Preview at the Auburn Mall. Dozens of cars and competitors from OPS will appear throughout the event, which features a few new additions each Monday and runs through Sunday, March 30.

OPS officials are undoubtedly pleased with the forecast for warmer temperatures throughout the coming week. As is the case throughout the region, Oxford needs more than a foot of snow and ice to melt before it can commence preparations for opening day.

Practice sessions for all divisions tentatively remain set for April 5 and 12 prior to the Pro Stock Open and full slate of support features on Sunday, April 13.

There has a been a steady stream of off-season news from the historic Route 26 oval, which will introduce a third night of weekly racing this season.

Joining the Weekly Racing Series on Saturdays and the Big Apple Summer Series Presented by Texaco on Wednesdays is the new Go-Kart Series on Friday evenings.

Buoyed by a large turnout at several informational meetings over the winter, promoter Bill Ryan will launch the program on Friday, May 9. Ryan recently announced an 18-race schedule with an exhibition division for 5-to-7-year-old aspiring racers and multiple classes for the 8-to-12, 12-to-15 and 15-and-up age groups.

Oxford joins Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough, which has staged a Friday night summer go-kart league for many years.

Go-karts are the medium that gave NASCAR stars Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman and others their head start before they became old enough to drive full-sized vehicles.

OPS also made a sponsor announcement this week. All Pro Auto Parts of South Paris will be this season’s title sponsor for the Strictly Stock division. They join Oxford Networks, which enters its third season as underwriter of the premier division at OPS, the Pro Stocks.

And closer

Technically, Wiscasset Raceway hopes to be the first Maine track to unfurl a competitive green flag this spring.

First-year track promoter Tom Mayberry and his staff are gearing up for Strong Chevrolet Opening Day on Saturday, April 12, weather permitting,of course.

Once the warmer weather hits, Wiscasset will switch to Friday night racing, a format that made it a popular stop for drivers from Saturday night tracks when Dave St. Clair originally re-opened the facility in the early 1990s.

Adding intrigue to competition at the coastal track this season are the Big Dawg Challenge, a 400-lap Pro Stock bonanza set for the second weekend in October, and a new Modified division.

Twenty-two racers, including Pro Stock star Ben Rowe of Turner, have reserved a number for the Wiscasset Mods.

Kalle Oakes is sports editor. He may be reached by e-mail at koakes@sunjournal.com.