OXFORD – More than 225 cars converged on Oxford Plains Speedway Wednesday night for the opening night of the Big Apple Summer Racing Series for 2003.

Stephanie Bowie and Tina Follett got the series underway in exciting fashion as the pair battled in the 20-lap ladies’ feature. Bowie, the series champion in 2001, started fourth on the grid, but it didn’t stop her from holding the lead the first time the field crossed the start-finish line.

The winner was never in doubt as Bowie led all 20 laps, but Follett, the defending champ, did all she could to catch her. Follett jumped over Kim Robitalle and Alicia Coolidge on the fifth lap to move into second and that’s where she finished.

Jodee Constantino was third.

Bowie also sent a message by claiming third place in the first Outlaw feature later in the evening.

Maurice Martel, Sr., Derrick Cairner, Erwin Carey, and Greg Norton all posted wins in the the Runnin’ Rebel Division.

Martel claimed his win in dominating fashion, taking the lead on Lap 2 and never looking back in the fourth feature. Phil Desmaris and Jeff Beaule provided the dramatics as the pair battled to follow Martel. Desmaris moved in front of Beaule on Lap 14 to finish second.

Cairner was awarded the win in his feature when Jim Hart was disqualified after the race. Cairner had held the second-place spot since Lap 9. Doug Degroat, who crossed the line in fourth was moved to second as Mark Childs was also disqualified.

Norton started at the back of the field in his feature, but took only five laps to crack the top three. He moved past Matt Dufault into second on Lap 6 and into the lead on Lap 10 when he passed Cutis Fanjoy.

John Parent finished second and Fanjoy third.

In contrast, Gary Chaison won his race in the final inches. He had battled Erwin Carey throughout as the pair took turns leading the field.

Parent took control on Lap 11 when Chaison was forced wide in Turn 4, but Chaison regained the pace and edged Parent at the stripe. Mike Whittier finished third.

Ed Prevost made the 20-Lap Sport Truck feature a ho-hum event as the No. 04 truck started on the outside of the front row and never trailed. David Sullivan moved into the second spot on Lap 6 but could not get any closer. Jim Short was third and Oscar Dargie slid into the fourth spot in the later laps.

Bob Washburn, Glenn Henderson, Dale Reno, and Jim Davis all took home wins in the four Outlaw features.

Washburn battled consistent pressure from Nick Hoyt in winning his Outlaw feature. Stephanie Bowie worked her way up through the field to finish behind Hoyt.

The Hendersons went 1-2 in the second feature. Glenn took the checkered flag with Jamie close behind in second.

Don Veinott was credited with a third place finish after Randy Robitaille was disqualified. Keith Landry was moved up to fourth.

Dale Reno drove to a win in the third Outlaw feature. Reno outdistanced Jeremy Leavitt who finished in second place. Mike Ballard was third.

In the nightcap, there were four lead changes before Jim Davis took advantage of the open door on Lap 15.

Zach Hatch had moved into the lead on eighth lap and Davis fell in behind four laps later. Hatch made a crucial mistake, allowing Davis to take control.

Richard Spaulding, Ken Farrington, and Addison Bowie shuffled around behind the leaders, finishing third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

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