PORTLAND – With the long, cold winter rapidly fading into memory, the sleds and skis have been put away and the race cars uncovered. As this incredible stretch of summer-like weather continues across Central Maine, the folks at Oxford Plains Speedway are preparing for another season of racing.

The 2008 short track season officially kicks off this Saturday, as Oxford plays host to the Vermont-based American Canadian Tour (ACT) and the New England Dodge Dealers 150. Speedway officials held their annual pre-season media gathering Tuesday. Once again the season’s highlight will be the TD Banknorth 250, set for Sunday, July 20. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star Kevin Harvick headlines a list of 107 drivers already entered, driving ticket sales into a frenzy even at this early stage.

Despite a heavy snow-pack as recently as two weeks ago, speedway president Bill Ryan says the white stuff is all gone and speedway grounds are dried out and ready for competition.

“Last year was a major transition for us with the change to Late Models as our premier division,” said Ryan. “I think overall it went smoothly, and this year will be a continuation of that. We’ve worked to make racing more affordable, control costs in every division while still giving our fans plenty of exciting racing. We hope to deliver more of that excitement in 2008.”

Eight drivers were on hand to talk about their goals and hopes for the upcoming season. In attendance was defending Late Model champion Travis Adams of Canton; former Late Model champion Shawn Martin of Turner; Zach Emerson, of Durham, who ran two divisions last year but will focus on his Late Model effort this year; former Mini Stock champion Jimmy Childs, who makes the jump up to Late Model for 2008; Strictly Stock powerhouse Sumner Sessions; along with two talented Ladies’ division drivers, Deanna Bisbee and Vanna Brackett.

Also on hand to discuss his role in how Oxford does business these days was Tom Curley, president of the ACT. Curley, who has promoted stock car racing for over 30 years, is responsible for bringing several New England tracks, Oxford included, under a universal rules package for Late Models which puts them all on the same page, makes it a whole lot easier for race teams to compete, and levels the playing field to where big money doesn’t buy success.

“It used to be when we came over to Oxford from Vermont, our tour guys had quite an advantage,” said Curley. “That’s not the case any more, because guys like Adams, Martin and (Ricky) Rolfe have learned how to run longer races. And they’ve gotten used to their cars with this rules package, so now you’ve got a terrific battle between us and the locals. That geographic rivalry is what fuels fan interest, and we have that now. We’re coming to Oxford three times this year, and there’s no guarantee that an ACT team will win any of them.”

While all the talk centers around the Late Models as they get ready to tackle the ACT 150 this week, teams from Oxford’s other two Saturday night divisions are hard at work, as well. Many feel that local favorite Sessions will contend for the title this year, yet veterans like Skipp Tripp and Auburn’s Mike Short have other ideas. With Childs moving up the ladder this year, his father takes over the wheel of the familiar No. 10 Mini Stock and will look to continue those winning ways. All in all, with drivers moving to different classes and new Wednesday night drivers coming in, this may indeed be a very exciting season of racing at Oxford.

And just as they did in 2007, one class from Oxford’s entry-level Wednesday night series will get to run on Saturday evenings as part of the regular championship series card. Qualifying heats for this Saturday’s ACT 150 take the green flag at 2 p.m.