OXFORD — Even though several of today’s top short track and super-speedway racers seem to be young men barely old enough to shave, some cagey veterans love to prove they’ve still got what it takes to win.

Longtime Maine short track veteran Donnie Wentworth wheeled around the outside of Kyle Desouza at lap 24, held off a hard-charging Shawn Martin and pulled away to win the 40-lap Pepsi Trophy Dash for Pro Late Models Friday evening at Oxford Plains Speedway.

Matt Dufault (Outlaw Sportsmen); Justin Larsen (Mini Stock); and Spencer Morse (Street Stock); were also feature winners in their respective divisions in the next-to-last points-paying races of 2013.

The season will conclude on Sunday, Sept. 8, when champions will be crowned in all classes. Unofficially, Corey Morgan of Lewiston clinched the Outlaw Sportsmen title with his 12th win last week.

Desouza, a veteran Super Late Model driver from southern New England, set a blistering pace up front early in the Pro Late Model tilt. Wentworth started eighth on the grid but wheeled his way into contention by halfway.

Martin settled for second in one his best seasons ever, while Desouza faded to third in the closing laps. Adam Polvinen and Scott Moore completed the top five.

“It’s been a long time coming,” a relieved Wentworth said. “This is a new division for us. These cars are quite a bit different than the Late Models we were running here. It took us a while to get it figured out, but I think we’re there. It’s fun racing with these guys; Shawn has been quick all year. It’s about time somebody beat him.”

Finishing sixth through 10th in the Pepsi Trophy Dash was Vanna Brackett, Chris Coolidge, Joe Decker, TJ Brackett and Shane Green. Three cautions slowed the pace, the worst coming after just two laps when Tim Brackett suffered extensive damage to his car during contact with another machine.

In earlier feature action, Dufault made a triumphant return to Victory Lane after a spirited battle with Troy Jordan. The veteran from Turner fought side-by-side with Jordan lap after lap, edging him out for the lead with just three laps remaining.

Point leader and unofficial champion Corey Morgan powered his way to second, while Jordan faded to third in the closing laps driving Deanna Bisbee’s machine. Steve Moon and Mike Haynes completed the top five.

“That was kind of a wild win, but we’ll take it,” Dufault said. “I had a real good time racing with Troy for the lead. I know he and Corey got together, but I’m sure he didn’t mean to spin him. I’m just happy to get our second win of the season before it’s all over.”

Larsen picked up his ninth victory of the season with a smooth move to down low in the early going. The skilled rookie from Peru dove to the bottom lane down the front stretch on lap two, leaving Mike Ward in his wake. Chief points rival Calvin Rose Jr. spun early but recovered to finish second, while Shane Kaherl came home third. Ryan Farrar and former champion Chris Morris rounded out the top five.

“This is kind of a surprise to get this one tonight,” Larsen said. “The car was loose during the qualifying heat. We came in and made some adjustments that worked very well. This team has been pretty incredible all summer long.”

Morse earned his first victory of 2013 in a hotly-contested Street Stock affair. The veteran from Waterford held off a hard-charging Matt Williams in the closing laps for top honors. Two-time and defending champion Kurt Hewins slid sideways as he finished third, while early leader David Tripp and Ryan Robbins completed the top five.

“I need to thank Matt for running me so clean. He is a great racer and I expected nothing less from him,” an elated Morse said in Victory Lane. “To be on top with this top three, I couldn’t have dreamed it any better. It feels fantastic to pull out a win in this tough division.”

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