OXFORD — Veteran short-track driver Ben Ashline of Pittston made his long-awaited return to Victory Lane after dominating the 50-lap Super Late Model trophy dash Saturday night at Oxford Plains Speedway.  

After the event’s one and only caution period during the initial start, Ashline wheeled the Gary Smith-owned No. 75 entry wire-to-wire to top honors in just his third career start in a Super Late Model. His last win at Oxford came on July 19, 2014 (on Oxford 250 weekend) aboard his family-owned No. 15 Late Model. 

Ashline became the seventh winner in seven races to keep the streak of no repeat winners intact for Oxford’s premier class in 2016.  

Former Oxford 250 winner Scott Robbins chased Ashline throughout, yet settled for second, while point leader and three-time track champion Tim Brackett powered his way up to third at the finish. Winterport’s Ryan Deane and previous week’s winner Adam Polvinen completed the top five.  

“This thing was on rails tonight, and I’m glad that feature wasn’t full of cautions,” Ashline said. “I have to thank Gary Smith for this opportunity; I’m amazed we were able to win one of these already against such stiff competition. I also have to thank Jeff Taylor, who taught me everything I know about getting around this place. I still love racing here at Oxford; these cars are a blast to drive.”  

Finishing sixth through tenth behind Polvinen was two-time champion Shawn Martin, 2015 H.P. Hood Oxford 250 winner Glen Luce, third generation hotshoe Gunnar Rowe and two-time champion TJ Brackett. The race went caution-free after the melee on the initial start.

Former Mini Stock standout Calvin Rose Jr. of Turner came from deep in the field to notch his second win of the season in a hotly-contested Street Stock feature. Oxford veteran Matt Dufault followed Rose across the line in second, while Zach Emerson filled out the podium in third. Kyle Hewins of Leeds and recent winner Richard Spaulding rounded out the top five.  

Point leader of Jamie Heath of Waterford prevailed in a rough and tumbled feature for the Bandits. After being bounced around in the early laps, the king of four-cylinder competition took command mid-race and held off Tyler Green for top honors. Kyle Hewins did double-duty in relief of Brandon Varney to come home third, while Josh Knoll and defending champion Dustin Salley completed the top five.  

Eric Hodgkins powered his way to victory for the third time this season in a hard-fought Figure 8 feature. Multi-time and defending champion Jon Lizotte of Lewiston came home second, while David Smith of South Paris was third. Kyle Kilgore and Larry Hewins finished fourth and fifth respectively.  

Zych earns top honors at Wiscasset 

Headlining the card at Richard and Vanessa Jordan’s facility were the high-flying Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA) Midgets and NEMA Lites. John Zych Jr., of Mendon, Massachusetts, earned top honors in the Midget feature over veteran Randy Cabral and Avery Stoehr. Jim Chambers and Paul Scally completed the top five. 

In the 25-lap feature for NEMA Lites, Ryan Bigelow of East Hampton, Connecticut powered his way to victory ahead of P.J. Stergios and Dan Cugini. Chambers did double duty Saturday night and came home fourth, while Anthony Payne rounded out the top five.  

Rob Greenleaf of West Bath came out on top of a hotly-contested feature for the Outlaw Mini Stock warriors. Brent Roy followed Greenleaf across the line in second, while Cole Robinson filled out the podium in third. Bryan Lancaster and Mini Stock veteran Jimmy Childs (the all-time Mini Stock winner at Oxford) finished fourth and fifth, respectively.  

Chris Thorne was fortunate enough to survive a crash-filled 25-lap tilt for the Late Model Sportsman. The veteran from Sidney, who claimed this year’s high-stakes Coastal 200, went door-to-door with Josh St. Clair for several laps before taking command for good. St. Clair settled for second, while Nick Hinkley finished third. Shane Clark and Andrew McLaughlin completed the top five. 

New Gloucester’s Ben Tinker drove to victory in a 30-lap battle for the open-wheeled Modifieds. Adam Chadbourne gave chase throughout yet settled for second, while open-wheel veteran Mark Lucas was rock-solid in third. Jariet Harrison came home fourth, while Nick Reno finished fifth.  

A 25-lap battle for the Strictly Street class filled out Saturday night’s program. Leeds-based veteran Kurt Hewins earned top honors, with Mike Hayes finishing in the runner-up position. Maurice Young wheeled his way to third, while Dan Somes and Dean Rice rounded out the top five.  

Rain washes out PASS North and Beech Ridge

Persistent rain showers forced officials at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway to cancel their NASCAR Nite program on Saturday. A full field of teams was ready for action, yet Mother Nature decided they would have to wait another week to do battle on Andy Cusack’s historic Scarborough oval. 

Over in scenic North Woodstock, New Hampshire, off-and-on showers forced Pro All Stars Series (PASS) officials to postpone the Foley Oil 150 at Donnie and Teri Avery’s beautiful White Mountain Motorsports Park.

A few of the Maine-based PASS teams, including Turner’s Glen Luce, hightailed it for Oxford, while a few of the Beech Ridge guys did the same when their races were canceled. With OPS the only track in action, the car count was higher than normal.  

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