OXFORD — In one of the wildest and most unpredictable races of the entire season, Shawn Martin captured his second career Late Model crown Saturday night at Oxford Plains Speedway.

The 2004 champion had been second in points behind longtime friend (and rival) Travis Stearns virtually all season. Coming into Saturday night’s finale, just 17 markers separated the two drivers as they prepared to do battle.

Unfortunately for Stearns, he saw his championship hopes go up in smoke on lap 13 of the final 40-lap feature. After contact with 2011 champion Jeff White, Stearns’ machine spun around and smacked the outside retaining wall coming off turn 4.

The damage was extensive to the front end of Stearns’ No. 85 entry, ending his night early and putting Martin in the catbird seat to secure his second title. As sophomore Late Model driver Chris Coolidge was running away from the field to record his first feature victory, Martin was carefully working towards a decent finish. With his solid sixth place run, the likable veteran from Turner locked up his second Oxford crown.

Oxford veteran Donnie Wentworth claimed second in the final Late Model tussle, while Shawn Knight was third. Former Oxford champion Timmy Brackett of Buckfield drove to a respectable fourth-place finish, while Billy Childs Jr. completed the top five.

George Fortin and Ryan Hewins were also feature winners on a cool, almost fall-like evening for racing in western Maine.

Rob Greenleaf played it conservative in his feature, finishing 14th while Fortin drove to victory. The veteran from West Bath won the Northeast Mini Stock Tour (NEMST) crown last summer and decided to pursue the Oxford weekly crown in 2012. His efforts produced strong runs all season long.

Kurt Hewins made a terrific late-race charge in the Strictly Stock feature, yet fell just short of overtaking his son Ryan in the closing laps. Ryan bagged his first points win, while Kurt slipped back to third at the line trying to block Skip Tripp. Zach Bowie, the runner-up in points, came home fourth, while Tripp settled for fifth.

In support division action, Gerard Cote led a long list of newly crowned 2012 champions. Cote earned his second straight title in the Renegade division, while Bill Grover won the final feature. Tasha Dyer not only won the Ladies division finale but also locked up the class title, as well.

Jerry McKenna was crowned champion in the Sport Truck division, while Opie Allard wheeled his machine into Victory Lane in the 20-lap feature. Mike Ward notched his first championship in the Runnin’ Rebels, while Craig Bartlett edged Jamie Leavitt by inches to claim the feature. Deanna Bisbee and Guy Childs each earned wins in two exciting Outlaw features, while Matt Dufault claimed the 2012 class championship.