The roar of the engines, the smell of rubber, and the excitement of racing is in the air … it’s the TD Bank 250.

According to Bill Ryan, owner of Oxford Plains Speedway, over 70 of the region’s best, late-model drivers will attempt to qualify for New England’s most prestigious title in short-track racing.

“And there could be up to 90 drivers sign up for the July 24th event,” Ryan said. “That’s part of the excitement; guys can register even the morning of the race. And with only 40 spots on the asphalt, it’s possible that over half of the guys, instead of strapped into their cars, might find themselves sitting in the stands.

“That’s why many say that qualifying is worth the price alone,” he added.

The qualifying format for the TD Bank 250 consists of heat races, consolation races and multiple last-chance races.

“It is possible for a driver to qualify by virtue of placing in the top four of his 15-lap heat race,” said the owner. “Or for the less fortunate, run 55 laps without ever making the show. But there are three chances to make the race.”

In recent years, a long list of prominent, NASCAR drivers have traveled to Maine to swap paint and battle three-wide at Maine’s coveted 250. And this year is no exception with Kyle Busch returning to race against the region’s best drivers for the $25,000 purse.

“It’s no secret that I love to race, so I’ll be spending my weekend off from the Sprint Cup Series running the late model races at Oxford Plains Speedway,” said Busch. “The track is a lot of fun to drive. It’s very flat, the corners are very round and the straightaways aren’t very long.”

Busch made quite a mark on his first two attempts leading several laps in both races. A late pit stop in 2005 gave Busch a sixth place finish and after blowing an engine in 2006, he finished 22nd.

“Both years I ran for Steve Perry and SP2 Motorsports, but we weren’t able to seal the deal,” the driver said. “This year we decided to bring our own KBM Toyota Camrys. Hopefully, the third time will be the charm.”

In addition to Busch, spectators have heard the motors roar from over 40 NASCAR drivers; names like Ricky Craven, Matt Kenseth, Terry Labonte, Kevin Harvick, Kenny Wallace, Kurt Busch and Brad Keselowski. Of all the drivers, only Harvick took the checkered flag in 2007.

Local drivers have always had the TD Bank fever and 2002 winner, Scott Robbins, is no exception.

“It’s the rich history of the 250,” exclaimed the Dixfield native. “Watching it as a kid, then racing it … there’s nothing more exciting — and the money doesn’t hurt either.”

“For me personally, it’s even more than that,” he added. “You look back at the trophy through the years … Dave Dion, Geoff Bodine … they won and then went off to do better things. I wanted my name on that list; the list of past champions. And it is there, it’s pretty surreal.”

According to Robbins, the “big boys” don’t just show up, they are here to win.

“You bet,” he said. “Kyle is here to win this race, but you would be surprised at the respect those guys have for us. They want to beat the home boys. They know we are there to beat them and they aren’t going to get out of our way.”

What’s it like to race next to the big boys?

“At first it was pretty intimidating,” Robbins laughed. “Racing side-by-side with top-tier racers can make you pretty starry eyed, and then it turns into fun. I remember racing one year, side-by-side with Kyle Busch for 30 to 40 laps. You can’t explain it. It’s like a kid growing up with baseball and getting to go head-to-head with David Ortiz.”

“And now that I have a win, it’s like I’m at peace now,” he added. “I did it; my name’s on the list.”

One racer who is not at peace is, “The Hurricane from Minot Maine,” Bruce Haley, who after numerous 250s and a best finish of third, is coming back after 16 years for a chance to make the dance.

“I know I’m pretty foolish,” laughed Haley. “And my buddies tell me I should stay in the grave, but I’ve just got to try. I know my chances are pretty slim, so for me just qualifying would be reason to celebrate.”

But, Haley has the skill and the mindset to be the dark horse in this race.

“It’s not always the fastest car that wins,” said the popular driver. “It’s the guy that won’t give up because you never know what is going to happen in front of you till the checkered flag flies.”

And Haley knows all about losing with the fastest car.

“I was just a few laps from having the 250 in my pocket, and then I broke a rocker arm and ended up seventh. You gotta hang in there and be at the right place at the right time.

“That’s the guy who will win this great race,” he added. “The guy who won’t give up.”

As exciting as the 250 is, the owner of the track said it’s only the finale to an outstanding three-day weekend of side-by-side racing at the three-eighths mile track.

“It all starts on Friday night,” said the owner. “That’s when the Oxford Acceleration Series and PASS Modifieds will take center stage. Saturday brings the Brackett Mechanical/RB Performance PASS 150 and the Valenti Modified Racing Series, accompanied by Oxford’s Strictly Stock and Mini Stock divisions.”

“Making things even more exciting this year is the fact that Kyle Busch is racing in the PASS race on Saturday night as well as the 250,” he added. “Kyle is a threat, no matter what kind of car he is in and he’ll be a threat in both races.”

Saturday will also be the first day the TD Bank 250 Late Models hit the track for practice before the green flag flies for qualifying at 2 p.m. on Sunday. 

“It’s just going to be an electrifying weekend,” smiled Ryan. “For a lot of folks, this is the pinnacle to their racing success … it’s their Daytona 500. With a purse of $25,000 and $100 per every lap they lead, it’s bound to be a slugfest.”

TD Bank 250 tickets are priced at $50, $40 and $30. A seating chart is available online at www.oxfordplains.com. Tickets for the Brackett Mechanical/RB Performance PASS 150 are $25.  Special discount ticket packages are available for the weekend.  For more information about specific seat availability or to purchase tickets, stop by the Speedway office on Route 26 or call (207) 539-8865 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Copy the Story Link