Oxford Plains Speedway and the Pro All Stars Series announced Saturday that NASCAR star Kyle Busch is entered to compete in the first Celebration of America 300, scheduled for July 2-3 at the Oxford track.

The multiple-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2011 Oxford 250 winner’s inclusion comes from a collaboration between former NASCAR Cup Series team owner and Maine native Archie St. Hilaire, Peter Petit of Maine-based Petit Motorsports, Busch’s Cup Series spotter and Maine native Derek Kneeland, and Gray, Maine-based Cushman Competition, according to a joint media release from Oxford Plains and the PASS tour. Kneeland is also entered into the race in a car that he owns.

“A few of us have been talking about doing this race with Kyle for a couple of months now,” St. Hilaire said in the release. “Kyle loves competing at Oxford Plains Speedway and we were finally able to get the right combination of people involved to make it happen.”

The car that Busch is scheduled to drive, which will sport the No. 51 that he often dons during his various short track competitions, will be prepared by Cushman Competition. According to the media release, it is the same car that Cushman driver Austin Teras claimed three victories with during the 2023 season. Teras, the son of Cushman owner Jay Cushman, is on the race’s entry list as driving a car for his father’s team.

“We are absolutely thrilled that Kyle wants to be a part of our first 300,” PASS president and Oxford Plains Speedway owner Tom Mayberry said in the release. “A lot of people in that group worked really hard to put this deal together. I think it’s going to be great for the fans and the competitors.”

Another NASCAR Cup competitor, Daniel Hemric, is also entered into the race. Hemric, who now competes for Kaulig Racing, formerly drove the No. 8 car for Richard Childress Racing that Busch now drives in the series.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.