OXFORD – There was thunder and lightning Friday night at Oxford Plains Speedway and for once it had nothing to do with the weather.

ISMA (International Supermodified Association) point leader Chris Perley made it three straight wins as the Rowley, Mass., driver ran away with the fifth annual Maine Classic on the Oxford oval.

Supermodifieds are the fastest cars to run at the Oxford track, approaching speeds of 130 mph.

When Perley took the lead in the 75-lap event on lap 53 it was the fourth lead change of the race. It was also the last.

“I think this is my first three-peat,” said Perley. “I can’t believe it. The car is just dead on. I don’t know if we found something or the Gods are with us but the car was perfect tonight.”

Perley had to work his way into position after starting 12th on the grid.

Not to be overlooked was the performance of Pat Abold of Pennellville, Penn. Abold started in the same row as Perley and didn’t crack the top five until about the time Perley took the lead. He worked his way into second place by lap 64 and that is where he stayed, usually quite a distance from the points leader.

Abold is currently second in the standings.

“Chris was really good on the outside and in traffic,” said Abold. “On a long run we’d get a little bit loose. We’ve got our work to do but we are gaining on this car. We’re keeping the points thing alive.”

Also in the mix was Brad Lichty of Innerkip, Ontario. He led for seven laps and was the last to hold the point before Perley took command.

“We’ve always had great success here,” said Lichty. “It’s a great enjoyment. The people are wonderful and the fans are wonderful. Thanks for having us here.”

Sandwiched around the ISMA feature were local races in all but the Pro Stock divisions.

Corey Morgan of Lewiston took home his first checkered flag of the season, winning the 40-lap Late Model Stock feature.

It wasn’t easy for Morgan despite leading the final 24 laps. He had to fight to keep the lead on two restarts.

Morgan had followed Steve Reny for the first 15 laps before overtaking the No. 12 car. Morgan fought off a serious challenge from Buddy Leavitt of New Gloucester on a restart on lap 22 and Dale Verrill on lap 27.

“It really does feel good, said Morgan. “The car wasn’t as fast as it could have been and the track is really slick with the modified rubber on it. But we got them behind us and we got it done.”

Rookie Jon Brill broke into the top five on lap 12 and steadily worked his way up to a second place finish. He thought about challenging Morgan but thought better of it.

“I was kind of tight in the center, said Brill. “I didn’t dare to pull out, I would have gone backwards I think. We had a good run, I’m happy with second.”

Steve Bennett Sr. took advantage of a tough situation to post a win in the Limited Sportsman race. The Buckfield driver started in the middle of the pack in the fifth row, but only took five laps to find a home in third.

Bennett patiently waited while Troy Morse and Shawn Knight battled it out for the lead and on lap 14, he passed Knight for second. He then got past Morse on lap 28 and took the win. Morse finished second.

“We had a great car tonight,” said Bennett. “It’s been handling good all year but this old timer ain’t driven it right a few times.”

Terry Merrill of Saco finished third.

Jason Gaboury had it, lost it, and got it back to win the Strictly Stock B feature. The rookie driver claimed his first outright win when leader Jim Duguay lost a tire on lap 19 of the 20 lap feature.

Gaboury took the lead on lap 2 when he let Duguay get past him. The pair reversed roles and it appeared Duguay would take home the trophy but a flat tire changed everything. Duguay limped home to finish eighth.

“It was great. I am just ecstatic,” said Gaboury. “The car was great, I just got driving it too hard. Duguay got by me and I was content with second. Then I just went for it in three and four and we were either going to go or wreck, one or the other. I could see his tire going down.”

Jerry Freve of Buckfield took advantage of the late-lap happenings to maneuver into second. Before Duguay’s flat, he wasn’t in the top five.

In the Strictly feature, Kim Tripp found himself in only two positions all evening – second or first. The Oxford driver took the lead on lap 8 and built a commanding lead over Ben Tinker of Gray.

The race tightened up when the yellow came out on lap 16. Despite the opportunity, Tinker could not catch him.

“Kim was real fast on the outside,” said Tinker. “With a couple of laps to go he was getting a little wide down the backstretch and I tried to poke it in but I couldn’t. It was just good hard racing and it was a lot of fun.”

Jeff Merrill of Roxbury, after running most of the race in fourth, pulled in behind Tinker to claim the third spot.

The Mini-Stocks also took to the track and a driver named Childs swiped two of the top three spots. Bill Childs Sr. took the lead from Darick Barker just past the midway point and didn’t look back.

Childs is the defending Mini-Stock champion at Oxford Plains.

Jim Childs, also of Leeds, moved into fifth position on lap 12 and steadily worked his way up. He held third place for the last 14 laps.

Sandwiched in between was Barker, who spent most of his time in second before and after his brief run on the point.