OXFORD – Get in and go.

That’s kind of how Matt Kenseth wanted it to be Sunday.

When he arrived at Oxford Plains Speedway yesterday morning, he wanted his car warmed up and ready to go.

While other drivers, including his Nextel Cup and Roush teammate Kurt Busch, were on hand Saturday to practice, Kenseth wasn’t concerned about trying to do too much in one day.

“I thought it would be fine,” said Kenseth. “I had three hours of practice this morning. They’ve been running the car all the time. They’re comfortable with it, and I was comfortable with that.”

Busch had boasted Saturday that he had “one-up” on Kenseth, being there a day ahead of him, but Kenseth was out to even the score Sunday.

Kenseth wasn’t breaking in a new car like Busch was. Instead, Kenseth had borrowed a ride from Whorff Motorsports. Bill Whorff Jr. had a spare car for Kenseth to use. So he didn’t have too many concerns about his wheels.

“They run the car every week and it runs good,” said Kenseth. “These guys know what they’re doing. For me to run laps and try to make it better, I didn’t think that would do much good.”

So all Kenseth felt he needed to do when arriving to Maine was get accustomed to the shorter track.

“The car has driven good since I’ve been here,” he said. I haven’t really changed anything. It was a great car they prepared. I’m just getting used to the track.”

Like Busch, Kenseth had gotten some tips from Maine native Ricky Craven about running at OPS. That made getting used to the track that much easier. Of course, Kenseth wouldn’t reveal the secrets that Craven shared.

“It was cool,” said Kenseth. “Ricky Craven told me about the track. That really helped me a lot. That really made a big difference. It was really a lot like what he told me. It’s a really fun track.”

Deja vu all over again

Johnny Clark of Hallowell may have captured his first pole, but there was a face familiar with the No. 2 slot beside him on the front row.

Mike Rowe of Turner won the second qualifying heat to earn the outside front-row starting spot for the second consecutive year. Last year he started opposite his son Ben who went on to win his first 250. Father Rowe finished fourth.

Rowe has two 250 wins under his belt, in neither case was he near the front when the green flag dropped. In 1984 he started in 10th position and in 1997 he was way back in 26th position. His last win, along with Tommy Ellis in 1983, mark the furthest back a winner of the race has started the 250.

Lucky No. 17

Joyce Richardson is a Matt Kenseth fan, but even she was flabbergasted when she got her tickets for the Banknorth 250.

As many racing fans know, Kenseth races a black and yellow Ford during the Nextel Cup season, sponsored by Dewalt Tools, and his racing number is 17.

“Look at my tickets,” Richardson said. “Isn’t that the funniest thing?”

In an ironic twist, Richardson’s ticket was a yellow and black ticket in section K, and her seat number as 17.

Her hopes to see Kenseth win the race were nearly dashed in qualifying, with Kenseth failing to qualify in his three races, but received a provisional into the final race thanks to his status as the reigning Nextel Cup champion.

Triumphant return

The last time Stan Meserve of Mooresville, N.C., took the checkered flag at Oxford Plains Speedway was during his Pro Stock championship season in 1998.

Meserve, who moved to North Carolina after that season and now works in the DEI garage for Michael Waltrip, earned the fourth slot in the 31st annual starting grid this year by winning the fourth qualifying heat.

This is his first appearance in the 250 since the 1999 race, when he finishing 13th.

— Peter Mullen, Kevin Mills, Kalle Oakes, Phil Whipple and Justin Pelletier all contributed to this report.



Two big names fail

There are only so many slots in the starting grid for the Banknorth 250, but two names in particular were missing from the starting lineup.

Ted Christopher of Plainville, Conn., although not necessarily a Pro Stock driver, is having a successful season in Busch North and modified competition. Christopher made three attempt to qualify, but could not make it into the starting lineup.

Ryan Moore of Scarborough, who is enjoying a breakout season in Busch North, attempted to qualify in the first heat race, but finished ninth out of 13. He did not return for either the consolation race or the last-chance qualifier.

Joining the club

Seven drivers earned their first start in the championship race.

Tony Ricci of Westbook, Brockie Gerry of Fryeburg, Jay Sands of Seabrook, N.H., Andy Saunders of Ellsworth, and Dan McKeage of Gorham all qualified for the first time.

Gerry’s father was Bob Gerry, who qualified for the 250 twice – 1995 and 1999. He passed away this past winter after fighting cancer.

The list of first timers also includes defending Nextel Cup champion Matt Kenseth of Mooresville, N.C. and Nextel Cup driver Kurt Busch of Concord, N.C.

Injured driver OK

Glen Luce of Turner lost control of his car on the backstretch and hit the retaining wall during morning practice for the Banknorth 250 Sunday, briefly rendering himself unconscious.

Luce was able to walk away from the wreck but withdrew from attempting to qualify for the race.

Peter Mullen, Kevin Mills, Kalle Oakes, Phil Whipple and Justin Pelletier all contributed to this report.