OXFORD – Far away from the media luncheons, trophy ceremonies and post-race press conferences are scores of drivers just trying to make the show, reaching for the next step on that racing ladder.

Mickey Green of West Paris counts himself in that category.

Somewhere in the vicinity of 80 drivers will take a shot at qualifying for the 30th Annual True Value 250 this afternoon at Oxford Plains Speedway, and between 35-40 will take the green flag after the pre-race ceremonies scheduled for 6 p.m.

For Green, if he makes it to the show, it will be his first time. But he will have done it in only his second attempt.

“This is my seventh year racing,” said Green. “I raced two years in Strictly Stock and four in Late Model Stock. This is my first full year in Pro Stocks.”

The West Paris driver made an attempt at last year’s 250 but didn’t qualify. He spent a lot of time and energy only to put the car back on the hauler and head home.

It started with drawing a bad number in the heat draw and failing to place high enough in the heat race, a consolation race, and the last chance hooligan race. He drove 80 laps all for naught.

“We got a little too agressive in that first heat race and got in a wreck,” said Green. “That made the rest of the day real hard.”

Green’s experience points out the dilemma many of the drivers find themselves in on 250 Sunday.

“Us OPS Saturday regulars run 35 laps or so and here you are in a qualifying heat that’s 20,” said Green. “The only way you qualify at the heat level is to pass people. Even if you don’t qualify in a heat race, the number of people you pass set the starting order for the consolation race. You can’t just lay back. It’s a balancing act between being careful and being too agressive.”

Green not only has the uphill battle of competing against some of the best drivers in the northeast, but he has to do it with what he calls a practically new car.

Two weeks ago Green was put into the wall when a car on his inside broke a stabilizer arm.

“So we’ve had to go through the No. 29 car 100 percent for this,” said the driver. “Not that we wouldn’t anyway. Everybody does for this. This is our Daytona 500 and if you don’t take that kind of time preparing, then you shouldn’t be here.

“Preaparation and the people working with you are so important. The last thing you want to do is lose to someone because they out-prepared you.”

While the race itself is drawing the usual cast of competitors from all over New England and the Maritimes, the landscape around it is changing. With the PASS series and other opportunities, there are more longer races throughout the racing season. This presents a debate as to who has the advantage, the touring drivers, or the OPS regulars.

“It would be easy to say that the touring guys have the advantage,” said Green. “They are used to running the longer distances and their crews are used to pit stops and stuff, but I think that with the changes to the track this season here, I think maybe a local guy can win it. With the new pavement and tire wear, we just might have the edge.”

As of yesterday afternoon early practice session, Green and crew were pleased with what they were seeing regarding tires and how they have the car set up.

If Green qualifies, he feels that he is ready for the challenge.

“You need a couple of good nights sleep,” he said. “Eat well and drink plenty of fluids as well. I’ve run in quite a few 100 lap races so I have some idea of what it takes. I think OPS is fairly easy on your body and on the car as well.”

The best way to qualify is as quickly as possible. The way the competition is set up, it is possible to run 80 laps throughout the afternoon, simply to earn the right to run 250 more. That can make for a long day.

Of course the names are here: Sessions, Rowe, Robbins, Maietta, Shaw, and others. Mickey hopes to add one more. By coincidence, it happens to be the same as the color of the flag that gets it all rolling.

Green.

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