OXFORD — Derek Kneeland relaxed in his trailer before Sunday’s TD Bank 250 and reflected on the North-South journey that got him into the first race he ever loved.

“I can’t believe that I’ve watched it for this many years, and to finally be here to do it, or attempt it, is great,” said the 24-year-old Windham native.

Kneeland ended up failing to make the final field of 39 cars. He said he hopes to try again next year, but getting there in the first place was a tribute to hard work and help from some friends he’s met in NASCAR.

Kneeland started racing as an 8 year old and was a regular at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway before money dried up for his family-owned team.

He took a job at a decal company down South, but feeling restless after a couple of years, he moved back home, but he wasn’t there for long. It was just three days before Brian Scott called and asked Kneeland to spot for his Super Late Model operation.

“Since I started spotting for him, it’s been nothing but downhill cruise control. I’ve gotten a lot of opportunities,” he said.

Now a mechanic for Turner Motorsports and spotter for Joe Gibbs Racing development driver Brett Moffitt in the Pro East Series, Kneeland hasn’t been able to spot for Scott in this, his rookie season on the Nationwide Series. They are roommates in North Carolina, though, and Scott, who finished sixth in Saturday’s Nationwide race, flew up with another driver making his 250 debut, Brad Keselowski, on Sunday morning to watch his friend.

Kneeland got his Late Model Pathfinder from former crew chief Greg Peters and, with some sponsorships from Ron Hornaday and Steven Wallace, got the car ready for Oxford. He tested it out at the ACT 150 at Oxford last month. While he didn’t make it past qualifying, he gained some knowledge from his first spin on the legendary oval.

“We learned we had way too much gear. Those guys aren’t winding their motors as much as what we thought we were going to have to, so we changed a lot of gear. I mean, a lot. And we really fought stagger. We had, like, 3 ½ inches of stagger in the 150 and that was just way too much, especially with the gear. It made it way too loose. We were great getting down in the corner and through the center at the 150, but getting off the corner, it wasn’t good for us.”

Kneeland felt good enough after the first practice session Saturday to make it his only practice session of the day and spent Sunday’s session scuffing up his new tires.

“We got the car dialed in really well Saturday,” Kneeland said. “I think we were one of the only ones to put the cover over it, and we were done for the day. As long as we get a good draw, I think we’ll have something to at least get into the show.”

Kneeland drew the eighth spot in the fifth qualifying heat. He failed to make the top four, then missed out in the consis. On the pole to start the final last-chance qualifier Sunday afternoon, he held the lead before losing it in the final three laps of the day’s wildest race.

“I’ve just been lucky enough to be surrounded by great people,” Kneeland said before qualifying began Sunday. “It’s just been a dream come true. I wish I could race full time, but to be able to race part time and have great people like this to help me is great. We’ve learned a lot, and whether we make it or not, I’m very grateful for the opportunity.”