When Bob Bahre created the Oxford 250 back in 1974 (it was actually 200 laps the first year), the high purse and good promotion attracted teams from across the northeast.

They came from Quebec, Ontario, Vermont, New York – even as far as North Carolina – with hopes of gaining fame and fortune at Oxford Plains Speedway.

Part of the special appeal that turned the 250 into one of the nation’s most prestigious and respected short-track events was that wide-reaching geographic coverage. It pitted drivers from those areas against each other and gave all of their respective fans somebody to support.

Yet, as the cars and the sport evolved, that trend changed. No longer part of the old NASCAR Busch Grand National schedule, the race went through a transition and eventually became the biggest pro-stock race in the northeast. Because Maine and the Maritime provinces were the last holdouts to run pro stocks, the 250 became basically a race between Maine drivers and those from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

From 1996 to 2006, no driver from outside the state won the 250. When Roger Brown edged Dale Verrill at the finish line last July, he became the first driver from New Hampshire to win since Dave Dion bagged his second 250 in 1992.

The race went through a transition last year when Oxford Plains switched from pro stock to late-model cars for their premier division.

So what has this latest twist done to that geographic reach? It brought the race back to where it was in the event’s heyday. While there won’t be any drivers from south of the Mason-Dixon line – NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Kevin Harvick lists California as his home – there will be drivers from at least five New England states (a few late entries from Connecticut are also expected) and three Canadian provinces.

Of the 115 drivers currently entered, Maine dominates with 44, but the Vermont contingent is strong at 28, followed by New Hampshire with 17. Quebec and Massachusetts have nine each, Ontario has five, while one driver each from New Brunswick, Rhode Island and California.

When qualifying heats begin Sunday afternoon, Quebec’s Patrick Laperle, Scott Payea of Vermont, Hudson, N.H.’s Joey Polewarczyk and Massachusetts native Eddie MacDonald lead their respective regions. Each driver appears to have the equipment, skills and resources to stand in Victory Lane after the race.

Laperle, of St. Denis, has momentum on his side after winning the Summer Sizzler 200 at Ontario’s Kawartha Speedway for the second straight year last Saturday. He has also run strong at several other ACT races in 2008 and is hitting full throttle this month.

“Everybody in stock car racing knows about the Oxford 250,” Laperle said in a recent telephone interview. “To win that race would be very big for me, this team and for all fans from Quebec. I’ve had success there in the past, but to win the 250 would be special.”

Laperle says since Oxford made the move from pro stock to late model, interest among Quebec teams has risen significantly. He also cites ACT’s Castrol Late Model Series as the reason for more teams from his province.

“When I first competed in the 250 back in 2003, I was the only driver from Quebec to bring a pro stock to Oxford,” Laperle said. “This year, I think 10 of us are planning to run the 250. And because of the rich history that race has, regardless of the kind of car we’re in, it would mean just as much to each of them to win, as it would to me.”

Payea, of Milton, Vt., is the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) points leader. He has already earned two ACT victories in 2008.

“If I could win that race Sunday night, it would be absolutely incredible,” Payea said. “With the level of competition that will be there from all over, it would be big for our entire team. We’ve got four wins overall on the ACT circuit, but to win the 250 would be the highlight of my career by far.”

No driver from Vermont has won since Jamie Aube notched his second victory in 1989. Payea says the 250 has been legendary across the Green Mountain State for as long as he can remember and knows how much a win would mean for his ACT counterparts.

“All those guys that run the ACT tour would absolutely love to win the 250 as much as I would,” he said. “Most of us have followed the race for years, and now that we can actually compete with our type of car, it’s nice to have a chance at the big prize. After finishing third last year, I’d love to hoist that winner’s trophy come Sunday night.”

Polewarczyk won the most recent ACT race at Oxford on June 21. The 19-year-old sensation also won the ACT season opener at Lee USA Speedway back on April 26 in dominating fashion. Known affectionately as “Joey Pole,” the New Hampshire teen has shown the skills to run up front.

“Winning the TD Banknorth 250 would mean the world to me,” Polewarczyk said last week. “My family has been going to that race for years. I sat in the stands as a kid and watched my heroes run the biggest race of them all. To be going in as one of the favorites this year because of our ACT tour success is just incredible.

“Dave Dion is from here in Hudson and has won that race three times, so to bring that big trophy back to Hudson would be special. My family puts their heart and soul into my career. A win there would be huge for me and rewarding for them. For any of us from southern New Hampshire, winning the 250 would be life-changing.”

MacDonald, of Rowley, Mass., has enjoyed success in both the NASCAR Camping World East Series and the ACT tour. He and New Gloucester-based crew chief Rollie Lachance are on a roll this summer with one NASCAR victory already at Loudon, N.H.

“It would be a huge accomplishment to win this race,” MacDonald said. “Rollie and I set some goals this year that included winning at New Hampshire and winning the Oxford 250. We have one big one checked off. Now it’s time to go after the next one.

“I think winning the 250 would be pretty special for any of us from Massachusetts. It’s a huge race with a rich history, and we all want to be on that list of winners.”