OXFORD — Let the points chasing begin.

Last Sunday’s New England Dodge Dealers 100 Pro Stock open competition race christened the new season and new asphalt at Oxford Plains Speedway.

For the real weekend warriors, however, today’s weekly racing program at OPS marks the beginning of the earnest championship chase.

Drivers in five weekly divisions will take the green flag for a full slate of heat and feature racing beginning at 1 p.m.

Mike Maietta Jr., Scott Robbins and Brad Hammond were among the weekly OPS Pro Stock competitors who enjoyed strong runs in the 100 and established themselves as early threats to succeed eight-time champion Jeff Taylor atop the headline division.

Taylor is expected to run a limited Oxford schedule this season. Alan Wilson, Mike Maietta Jr. and Tim Brackett also hope this year will represent the open door to their first Pro Stock title.

Ron Henry (Late Model Stock), Kenny Harrison (Limited Sportsman), Roy Weymouth and Gerry Burgess (Strictly Stock) and Billy Childs Sr. (Mini Stock) launched their season with victories last Sunday.

This week’s race was moved to Saturday due to the Easter holiday. Following the final race program of April next Sunday, OPS moves to its summer Saturday night schedule beginning May 3.

He shoots, he scores

Pro All Stars Series president and Wiscasset Raceway promoter Tom Mayberry hopes to add another flourish to his touring circuit’s credit this afternoon. Mayberry has purchased an AMB electronic timing system that is expected to be ready for the PASS Wiscasset Quick Stop 150.

“We feel that we’ve taken a major step forward by purchasing the AMB system to time and score all of our events,” said Mayberry. “This is the same timing and scoring you see in use by the national sanctioning bodies, and it will virtually eliminate the headaches of clock scoring.”

PASS teams and fans can expect immediate qualifying and race results at the track and on their home computers.

Mayberry said that teams will be able to purchase an inexpensive hand-held setup that will allow them to monitor the system in their pit area later this season.

A transponder rental fee will be included in each teams’ entry fee to cover the costs. Teams will no longer need a volunteer scorer.

“The system is a proven one and should add another level of professionalism to the PASS series,” Mayberry said.

Defending series champion Ben Rowe of Turner and Sam Sessions of South Paris lead the entry list at Wiscasset.

Time trials begin at 1 p.m.

koakes@sunjournal.com