OXFORD — In one of the biggest surprise wins in recent memory, Oxford veteran Jeff White held off some of New England’s hottest short track drivers to win the claim the Big Jab 150 American-Canadian Tour (ACT) feature Saturday night at Oxford Plains Speedway. 

White, of Winthrop, took the lead for the second time at lap 47 and built a huge lead en route to his first-ever ACT victory. 

Seven-time and defending ACT champion Brian Hoar was the event’s only other leader (just two laps on two separate occasions) and settled for second, while Vermont veteran Brent Dragon came home third. Joey Polewarczyk Jr. and Buckfield’s T.J. Brackett completed the top five. 

“My pit crew made it look easy today,” White said. “My car builder (Jeff Taylor) made it look easy. This thing was as hooked up as I’ve ever had it in a long race. To hold off guys like Brian, Joey and Brent to win one of these things is unreal. All of us Oxford guys may not run long races like the ACT teams do every week, but we know how to get around this place. And when our cars run like mine did tonight, we can beat them at their own game.”

Hoar is off to a great start in his attempt to secure a record eighth ACT title in 2011, having won the season opner at Lee USA Speedway on April 17 and the most recent event at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Fair Haven, Vermont. 

“I had a strong car all day, and it ran great tonight in the feature,” Hoar said. “Yet I sure didn’t have anything for Jeff tonight. That car was fast, and I’m happy for him. I’m really starting to like racing at Oxford. We finally figured out what the car needs to get around here.”

Finishing sixth through 10th were Shawn Martin of Turner, Wayne Helliwell Jr., Eric Chase, Jeff Labrecque and Bradley Babb.

Twelve of the 33 starters finished on the lead lap, while 27 were still running at the finish. The feature took one hour and 20 minutes to complete, with only three cautions slowing the pace. 

Heat winners were Ben Ashline, Babb and Dragon. Tommy Ricker and Polewarczyk won the consolation rounds, while Turner’s Glen Luce transferred into the feature by winning the B main. 

Other notable finishers included Ashline (13th); Fort Kent native Austin Theriault (16th); 2010 OPS champion Tim Brackett (17th); and seven-time ACT champion Jean-Paul Cyr (24th).

More than 40 cars attempted to qualify for the feature. 

In earlier feature action, Scott Farrington powered his way to a dominant victory in the Runnin’ Rebel division, while Skip Tripp survived a wild finish to prevail in the Strictly Stock class.

The 2009 champion Tripp nearly spun out in an oil-covered turn 2 with just three laps remaining, then managed to hold off a hard-charging Vannah Brackett for top honors. Defending champion Kurt Hewins backed up his win last Friday night with a solid third-place finish. 

Hewins is part of the three-car B&B Motorsports team, which happens to include his son Ryan and runner-up Brackett. 

In the 30-lap Mini Stock tilt, Jimmy Childs went wire-to-wire in a caution-free affair. The talented veteran from Leeds checked out on the field, while former champion Danny Morris and Darrell Moore battled for position behind him. 
Moore got into the back of Morris as they came off turn 4 for the final time, but Morris held on for second. Opening Day winner Adam Polvinen and Lewiston’s Jeff Beaule completed the top five. 

“That was a pretty easy run tonight,” Childs said. “It’s easier when you start up front, but I was still looking for somebody to run with so I could gage the car. My father helps me keep this car competitive. I sure appreciate all of his hard work. I’m just frustrated with the Late Model tonight. I had some trouble with that and won’t be in the ACT feature. 

“I appreciate Frank Snow letting me run it, and my goal is to get that car competitive before the next ACT race.”

The American-Canadian Tour will return to Oxford on Saturday, June 25, for a final 150-lap tuneup for the TD Bank 250.  

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