OXFORD – It was a night for the diehard racing fan and first-time winners.

A delayed, then abbreviated Big Apple Summer Racing Series program made every attempt to race at Oxford Plains Speedway Wednesday.

Rain delayed the green flag for about an hour, then at the halfway point of the final Runnin’ Rebel feature, a little more rain fell. But it was the lightning that halted the program for the evening.

Deb Penny picked up her first win of the season in the Ladies feature.

Starting in the third row, Penny was in contention from the start as she moved up to third place after one lap. She ran second behind Cherie Garnett till the midpoint of the race.

After a restart on Lap 10 that brought the field back together, Garnett was tapped and spun out by Diana Bisbee on the front stretch and Penny took control of the remainder of the race.

Bisbee took second place while Tina Springer, Tina Follett, and Jodee Constantino rounded out the top five.

Greg Sessions, James Wood, Ben Krauter, and Tyson Jordan claimed wins in the Runnin’ Rebel features.

Sessions led the pack only twice in winning his first Runnin’ Rebel feature of 2003. He sat on the pole in the beginning, and he regained the lead on the final lap to secure the win.

For 17 laps, the lead belonged to Richard Hall but Sessions remained visible in his mirror.

Hall crossed the line second and Perley Garland third, but both were disqualified in the post-race inspection.

Ken Whittemore was credited with second place, and Buddy Cooper third. Spanky Higgins and Greg Watkins rounded out the official top five.

Wood was dominating in his feature win, his first this season. The New Gloucester driver shadowed early leader Ian Roberts and took command on the fifth lap.

Wood and Jim May dueled far in front of the rest of the pack. May ended up third as Derrick Cairnes got in front of May in the final laps to claim second.

Krauter claimed his second win of the season by slipping past Ben Britton in turn four on Lap 12 to win his feature. He was the third leader of the race.

Josh Hicks led the first five laps before Britton took over on Lap 6.

Britton, Leo Auger, Jason Mannigan, and Jeremy Heath rounded out the top five.

Tyson Jordan, 16, earned his first checkered flag in the final Runnin’ Rebel feature that was shortened to 10 laps due to lightning. Jordan started on the pole in the No. 59 car and never trailed.

According to track officials, extra features will be scheduled in addition to the regular program over the next three Wednesdays for the Sport Truck and Outlaw divisions that were cancelled.

pmullen@sunjournal.com

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