TURNER – One of Maine’s most recognizable stock car racers has a new gig for 2009.

Mike Rowe, three-time winner of the TD Banknorth 250 at Oxford and just about every major short track event ever held in the Northeast, will be racing in the Pro series at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway on a weekly basis.

Rowe will drive for team owner Dickie Fowler this summer, starting with the season opener at the historic 1/3-mile oval in Scarborough this Saturday night.

In a telephone interview Tuesday evening, Rowe shared his enthusiasm for the new ride.

“I don’t have anything to prove these days,” Rowe said. “I’ve enjoyed a great deal of success at just about every track in the state, including Beech Ridge. I didn’t have anything lined up when Dick called, so I jumped on it. I know he has excellent equipment.”

Rowe has been running the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) in recent years, first for car owner Mike Lux and more recently for P.T. Watts. While his son, Ben, is still active in the PASS tour, Mike has yet to race in 2009. Ben is carrying on the Rowe’s tradition of winning with a great start on the PASS South circuit, winning in Dillon, South Carolina, and Hickory, North Carolina, already this spring.

“There won’t be any pressure in this deal,” Rowe added. “Dickie knows I’m familiar with the track down there and I feel confident going into the season.

“While we’re going to try and win races, this should be a pretty fun deal. I’m anxious to strap in this weekend and get things started.”

Rowe is the all-time leader for feature wins at Oxford Plains Speedway, with 150 victories to his credit.

For Bub Bilodeau and the rest of the Pro series regulars at Beech Ridge, the competition just got a whole lot tougher. Qualifying races begin Saturday at 6:30 p.m.