Last fall and winter, there was no question which Maine track or series promoter fired the loudest shot of the hot stove racing season.

It was Pro All Stars Series boss Tom Mayberry, first announcing that he was taking the reins of Wiscasset Raceway, then declaring his intentions to pay out the largest winner’s share in the state’s history ($100,000) at the first-of-its-kind Big Dawg Challenge.

Although the official announcement hasn’t been made yet, there is no question that Bill Ryan and Oxford Plains Speedway are poised to make the largest waves of this off-season. On its Web site (www.asaracing.com), the American Speed Association has announced that it has added OPS to its schedule for a race on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2004.

While not affiliated with NASCAR, the Midwest-based ASA is essentially a Double-A division in the stock car feeder system. Just as the Portland Sea Dogs helped groom Florida Marlins World Series MVP Josh Beckett, the ASA is a cradle of Winston Cup champions. Darrell Waltrip, Rusty Wallace and Alan Kulwicki each spent time in the division before winning the most prestigious title in North American racing, as did 2002 Winston Cup runner-up Mark Martin.

Current drivers range from teenagers to Busch Series and Craftsman Truck veterans (Glenn Allen Jr. and Bryan Reffner) to regional short-track legends (Butch Miller). And although short tracks are the roots of ASA, the series also will travel to speed plants such as Lowe’s Motor Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2004.

Most ASA races are broadcast live on Speed Channel. Before that, the circuit was a staple on now-defunct TNN.

It’s another impressive move for Ryan, who said at last year’s OPS pre-season media luncheon, “I don’t want to have a race or series at our track just because everybody else is.”

Rather than pursuing a reunion with NASCAR or PASS as many pundits would like, Ryan, entering his sixth season as the track’s owner and promoter, has remained true to his word. He has joined forces with the International Super Modified Association, Northeast Midget Association, ACT Dodge Tour, Extreme Freestyle Motocross, and now, apparently, ASA.

What’s next, the Indy Racing League? You can bet Ryan would if he could.

Back to the future

Speaking of hot stove news at Wiscasset, Mayberry’s one-year lease is up, and unless another qualified management team steps forward, the St. Clair family of Liberty will resume running the facility in 2004.

Track owner Dave St. Clair’s daughter, raceway general manager Tammy Reynolds, began the process of spreading the word to drivers and spectators last week. The track will return to racing at 6 p.m. on Saturday nights, with all rules and divisions reverting to the 2002 format.

Mayberry hosted five PASS races at the coastal track this season, but with poor weather and low car counts saddling him throughout the summer, his weekly promotion struggled. Sixty to seventy cars filed into the track most Fridays, more than one-third less than the number of competitors who frequented the place during St. Clair’s first 12-year run.

The new/old regime has scheduled a meeting for Sunday, Nov. 16 at noon at the track to touch base with drivers about the upcoming season. For additional information, you may call St. Clair or Reynolds at 589-4780.

In memoriam

Local racing lost one of its good guys last Sunday when Bob Gerry, only 55, concluded his valiant fight with cancer.

Bob began his racing career in a Late Model Sportsman car at OPS in 1980. He won two career features and was a fixture in the top 10 in the point standings of the top division at his home track. A car salesman by trade, Bob consistently ensured that his dealerships were involved in sponsoring cars and activities at OPS.

His proudest moments in racing came late in life. In July 1999, he drove an under-funded, outdated car to 11th place in the True Value 250. Less than a year later, in the early stages of his illness, he still managed to run to victory lane to congratulate his son, Brockie, who had just become one of the youngest feature winners in the history of Oxford’s Pro Stock division.

Bob was a good racer and a better friend. His survivors include wife Brenda and four children.

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

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