By Phil Whipple,Staff Writer

OXFORD – Ted Audet grabbed the lead away from a slowing Don Mooney on lap 65 of the 100-lap Mini Stock feature and sailed home to the win as the local short track season finally got underway on Saturday night.

After two consecutive weekends of heavy rain, teams from Oxford’s five weekly divisions finally took to the speedway to shake off the cobwebs.

Audet, of Greene, first took over the point on lap five and led for much of the race.

“I didn’t think we could win it once Don (Mooney) got by,” said an elated Audet after the race. “I was pretty surprised to see him off the pace with 30 to go, but I’m thrilled we had car enough to capitalize.

“The car was strong the whole distance, and I hope this is a sign of how 2005 will unfold for us.”

Gary Drew, Chuck Colby, Kenny Harrison, Ben Tinker and Joe Hutter were also feature winners Saturday on Fan Appreciation Night at the speedway.

Tinker went wire-to-wire to capture the first of two 20-lap Strictly Stock features. The Gray native started on the outside of Row One, and got the early jump over polesitter Josh May of Norway.

“What a great way to start off a new season,” said Tinker. “This is a brand new race car and it ran perfectly tonight. I’m happy for my whole team, I couldn’t do this without their help.”

Lewiston’s Ben Alden came from fourth on the grid to finish second, while Zach Emerson claimed third.

Hutter held off a hard-charging Larry Emerson to win the second Strictly Stock feature. The Durham driver drew the pole position and made the most of it, while Auburn’s Mike Short came from sixth to finish third. David Vaughn and Don Duval rounded out the top five.

Harrison powered around the outside of early leader Doug Poland on a lap 23 restart and held on to win the 35-lap Limited Sportsman feature. Poland did his best to run down Harrison, but settled for second, while Dennis Spencer Jr. finished third. Carey Martin and Archie Watt stayed within sight of the leaders the entire race and finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

Colby drove to victory in the 40-lap late model stock feature. Defending divisional champion Shawn Martin of Turner looked to have the race well in hand early on. Martin made a banzai move to the bottom lane on a lap-9 restart to take the lead, but was given a stop-and-go penalty for passing the pace car on a lap 18 restart. Colby survived three cautions and some tense restarts to prevail, with Ricky Morse coming from deep in the field to finish second, and Carey Martin third.

Shawn Martin worked his way back up to fourth by the finish while Kurt Hewins rounded out the top five.

Drew took the lead away from Andy Shaw on a lap 18 restart and went on to win the first 50-lap pro stock feature of the new season. The race was plagued by several cautions as drivers fought tooth-and-nail for positions.

Bill Whorff Jr. and Timmy Bracket had the best battle of the night going for much of the closing laps, running side-by-side as the crowd roarded in approval. Jeff White followed Drew across the line to claim second, while Whorff finally got the better of Brackett to take third. Former champion Ricky Rolfe looked strong all night and finished fifth.