OXFORD — Second generation driver TJ Brackett opened the local weekly racing season in fine fashion, notching a convincing wire-to-wire victory in the 40-lap Late Model feature Saturday night at Oxford Plains Speedway.
Brackett, of Buckfield, started on the pole in the main event and was challenged only once on a lap-14 restart. With a superior setup in his machine, the young gun had little trouble staying out front. Auburn’s Travis Stearns edged his pal Shawn Martin for second after a thrilling side-by-side battle, while Shawn Knight and veteran Tommy Ricker completed the top five.
“Man, I’m glad that is over,” Brackett said in Victory Lane. “I had a really long week as far as getting work done. I was at White Mountain (Motorsports Park, North Woodstock, N.H.) this morning and missed the first practice here. It’s pretty awesome to come out of opening day in one piece, let alone to be where we are now. There are a lot of people who make this possible, and I want to thank them all.”
Finishing sixth through 10th in the Late Model trophy dash was Donnie Wentworth, defending champion Jeff White, Shane Green, Gary Chiasson and two-time champion Timmy Brackett. Only one caution slowed the pace, that coming out for a multi-car melee in turn 1. The battle between Stearns and Martin was easily the most entertaining of the evening.
In earlier feature action, Matt Williams chased down a rocket-fast Zach Bowie and pulled away to claim the 30-lap Strictly Stock feature. The cagey veteran from Brownfield powered his way around the outside of Bowie at lap 24 and hung on for top honors. Bowie settled for second, while Skip Tripp was third. Former champion Larry Emerson of Durham and defending title holder Kurt Hewins completed the top five.
“This car really surprised me tonight,” Williams said. “The frame rail is bent, and some of the suspension parts are bent. By rights, it shouldn’t be anywhere near this fast. A lot of people helped me get this thing ready, and I sure appreciate their efforts.”
Rob Greenleaf turned a lot of heads in Mini Stock action Saturday night. The driver from West Bath drove underneath early leader Matt Moore on lap 23 and pulled away to post his first win of 2012. Defending champion Darrell Moore came from ninth on the grid to finish second, while Matt settled for third. Former champions and brothers Chris and Danny Morris finished fourth and fifth respectively.
“I’ve been doing this a long time,” Greenleaf said. “It’s been a while since I’ve been here, but I’ve got five championships in my career. The car was just hooked up perfectly tonight. It would go anywhere I wanted to go high or low. Those Moore boys are fast, for sure, but it was my turn here tonight.”
Other feature winners Saturday night include Pat Maloy (first Outlaw feature) and Guy Childs (second Outlaw feature). Both drivers survived wild races that saw mayhem and madness around nearly every corner.
Oxford Plains Speedway returns to action next Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. with a full card of championship competition.
pwhipple@SunJournal.com
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