Racing is a family sport and nowhere is that more apparent than at Oxford Plains Speedway’s marquee event – the TD Bank 250.

Sons, and even a daughter, have inherited a passion for the race from watching their fathers compete in it throughout the years. The lessons learned from being the child of a successful race car driver have rubbed off on a few of this year’s pre-race favorites.

Mike Rowe, the winningest driver in Oxford Plains Speedway history, and his son Ben have both won the TD Bank 250 on multiple occasions. Mike visited victory lane after the race in 1984, 1997 and 2005. Ben won the event in 2003 and 2004. Both are among the pre-race favorites this year. The Rowes are both from Turner.

The Brackett family of Buckfield has not won a TD Bank 250 – yet. Tim Brackett is the 2005 and 2010 track champion at Oxford. He competes weekly in the Pro Late Model division against his son T.J. and daughter Vanna. All three Bracketts are expected to enter the TD Bank 250. Currently, Tim and T.J. are in the thick of a battle for the 2013 Oxford Plains Speedway track championship while Vanna is enjoying a strong sophomore season in the Pro Late Model division as well.

Center Conway, New Hampshire driver D.J. Shaw is one of the hottest drivers on the PASS North Super Late Model tour. He follows in the footsteps of his father Dale. Both Shaws have collected trophies this season as D.J. has won in PASS North competition and Dale is a multi-time winner in the Oxford Championship Series Pro Late Model division.

There are plenty of other second and third generation drivers who will go for glory in the TD Bank 250.

The 2012 PASS North champion, Travis Benjamin of Morrill, watched his father Ron race for years.

Multi-time PASS North champion Johnny Clark of Farmingdale learned the sport the same way by watching his father John compete at short tracks throughout Maine. Cassius Clark of Farmington grew up watching his father Billy, who is nicknamed “The Farmington Flyer” win NASCAR Touring races.

While none of those three fathers currently drive racecars themselves, all three are very active in their sons’ racing careers and will be hard at work in the pit area during this year’s TD Bank 250.

Young racer Austin Theriault of Fort Kent also developed a love of motorsports from his father Terry. The Theriaults have their roots at facilities other than paved racetracks though. Terry Theriault is an accomplished truck pulling competitor.

The family ties aren’t just limited to New England competitors. The father and son duo of Jay and Tate Fogelman are both heading up from North Carolina to compete in the race. Jay has a long history in racing – competing at levels as high as the NASCAR Nationwide Series – while son Tate is one of the most promising young drivers in the Carolinas.

Qualifying races for the 40th annual TD Bank 250 will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 21. For more information, visit www.OxfordPlains.com.