OXFORD PLAINS SPEEDWAY
Route 26, Oxford, ME 
Phone: (207) 539-8865 

ACCELERATION SERIES 
CHAMPIONSHIP NIGHT

Ballard has won more features than all but one other driver in the division since 1999, rarely missing a race and almost always finishing in the top five or top 10 in the series standings. But he'd never won a championship until Wednesday night.

He took care of that missing piece of hardware in dramatic fashion, running second to David Childs in the third and final Outlaw main event of the evening and winning the title by virtue of a tie-breaker over Steve Moon.

Moon entered the event leading Ballard by eight points, or the equivalent of four positions on the racetrack. Ballard owned the tiebreaker thanks to his two feature wins, compared to none for the smooth and consistent Moon.

When Richard Spaulding snuck underneath Moon for fifth place two laps from the finish, it sealed Ballard's elusive championship.

"I've been here since the beginning, and I've finally done it," exulted Ballard.

Ballard has announced his retirement from full-time racing. He toyed with the idea each of the past two years before friend and longtime sponsor Bruce White helped talk him into returning and chasing the championship.

White passed away this summer.

"I wanted to win this in his memory," Ballard said.

The Macdonald Motors Runnin' Rebel title was settled in equally thrilling fashion, with Tyson Jordan using a fourth-place finish and a crash by his friend and rival Kyle Hewins to claim his first career OPS crown.

Jordan, who celebrates his 21st birthday this week, entered the night tied with Hewins for the lead, making it a virtual match race. Jordan spent most of the race two to three spots in front of Hewins.

Hewins' hot pursuit hit an abrupt end when he veered high to try to avoid the spinning car of Doug Degroat, only to see Degroat's ride slide into his path and take out both cars with six laps remaining.

"I really didn't want to win it that way," Jordan said. "I wanted to race Kyle for it on the racetrack. We were so close all year, and whoever won it earned it. We both deserved it for the season we had."

Jake Burns (Call of the Wild RV Sport Truck) and Jamie Heath (Crazy Horse Racing Engines Renegade) clinched their track championships last week, but they finished with a flourish in the form of feature victories.

Burns' win was his seventh of the season and first since July 4. He swapped the lead with Yogi Hiscock on each of the final three laps before emerging on top.

"My truck had a bad push, and Yogi was going really good, so I didn't know if I was going to get it," Burns said. "It's been an awesome year."

Rick Hebert, Lee Spurling and Ryan Farrar completed the top five.

Heath bounced back from seeing his 10-race winning streak snapped by John Childs a week ago to claim his 13th victory, with Childs second.

"We just wanted to come out tonight and prove that this car is still fast," said Heath, who promptly sold the machine after the season-ending race.

Bob Morey occupied the third spot with Gerard Cote and Skip Turner at close range.

Vanna Brackett needed only to start her Allen's Coffee Flavored Brandy Ladies race to become a first-time champion, joining her father Tim (Pro Stock) and brother T.J. (Mini Cup) as OPS champions.

"I couldn't do it without my dad and my brother and the support of my family," Brackett said.

Rookie Maurice Martel Jr., Scott Ellis and David Childs were the Outlaw feature winners.

Ellis is a first-time conqueror after seven full seasons of trying

"That felt good, for a change," said Ellis, who surged from third to the lead when the three cars around him -- leader Gerry Richard, second-place Jim Archer and fourth-place Zach Bowie -- collided in turn two to bring out caution on lap 8.

Ron Abbott Jr., Kevin Plummer, a resurgent Bowie and Bruce Robertson completed the top five.

For the rookie Martel, it was his first Outlaw triumph after four Rebel wins from 2002 to 2005.

"We had a good night tonight, finally," said Martel, who was the second-ranking rookie in the division this season after joining forces with car owner Chuck Thompson.

Michael Haynes led the early stages of the event before Martel drove to the point on lap 5. Dillon Coburn ran a distant second for his third trophy finish of a partial summer schedule, trailed by Rodney Englehaupt and the team of Jay Wilkins and Cathy Manchester. It was the first start in the predominantly male Outlaw division for Manchester.

Jason Short captured his first Rebel checkered flag. He's a former winner in the Truck division.

"My stepbrother, Charlie Webster, owns the car, and my brother, John, helped me build the car," Short said. "It was a lot of fun and a good race."

Young Josh Brown finished second for his third straight top-three performance and will retain rookie eligibility in 2008. David Childs warmed up for his later Outlaw triumph by claiming third, just ahead of Mike Winslow and rookie Nick Seames.

Craig Farrington notched an exciting victory in round two, reeling in rookie and previous feature winner Calvin Rose Jr. with only three laps remaining.

Farrington notched numerous second and third-place runs this season before breaking through. He didn't get the win without a fight from Nathan Guptill, who charged all the way from 16th to second and fell short by less than a car length at the stripe. Troy Jordan made a similar charge from the back to third, with Rose sliding to fourth and Charlie Webster eking out fifth.

Derek Cook led a tight pack in the championship sprint for his second win in three weeks. He landed this one against the toughest competition in the class.

"It's my first win in the third feature," he said.

Scott Farrington, Josh Childs, Jordan and Brandon Munroe chased Cook, who wrestled the lead away from Bill Dunphy on lap 5.

Deanna Bisbee delivered her third Ladies victory of the summer. Lisa Brooks led the first two laps before Bisbee stormed to the top spot in the Robitaille Racing #51.

Kimberly Sessions stayed within striking distance before settling for another strong second-place run, followed by Manchester, Brackett and Christina Spaulding.

Wal-Mart Rookie of the Year honors went to Mike Rainville (Outlaw), Josh Childs (Rebel), Roger "Opie" Allard (Truck) and Missy Roussel (Ladies).

Previously crowned Agren Appliance Grand Slam champions were David Childs (Outlaw), Kyle Hewins (Rebel), Rick Hebert (Truck) and Dottie Patria (Ladies).

The Acceleration Series drivers will receive their season awards next Wednesday, August 29 at the speedway. The ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. at the start-finish line. The public is invited, and admission is free.

Two more events await the mid-week cars: The annual Showdown in Saturday, Sept. 8; and supporting events on the New England Dodge Dealers ACT 150 card on Saturday, October 6.

OPS returns to action with a full card of Championship Series action Saturday, August 25 at 6:30 p.m. Motor Mayhem, featuring Twin Enduros, is set for Sunday at 1 p.m.

CHIMNEY TECH OUTLAW #1 (20 laps)
Fin. (Start) No., Driver, hometown, laps completed
1. (9) #17 Maurice Martel Jr., Greene, 20
2. (2) #110 Dillon Coburn, Auburn, 20
3. (6) #43 Rodney Englehaupt, Oxford, 20
4. (14) #69 Jay Wilkins, Gray, 20
5. (15) #12 Cathy Manchester, Gray, 20
6. (11) #30 Scott Veinott, Turner, 20
7. (1) #67 Michael Haynes, Livermore Falls, 20
8. (5) #95 Justin Dennison, North Yarmouth, 20
9. (17) #58 Tim Hatch, Gorham, 20
10. (12) #40 Josh Morang, Norway, 20
11. (13) #27 Jacob Hethcoat, Norway, 12
12. (8) #54 Jonathan Baldwin, Auburn, 10
13. (7) #112 Dennis Morang, South Paris, 8
14. (16) #01 Justin Hynes, Windham, 4
15. (4) #35x Jamie Phillips, Falmouth, 2
16. (3) #K21 Phil Knowlton, Poland, 2
17. (10) #2 Kimberly Sessions, Auburn, 2
DNS #47 Robert Davis, Norway
Lap leaders: Haynes 1-4, Martel 5-20.
Cautions: 2 (laps 2, 4)
Time of race: 20 minutes, 51 seconds

CHIMNEY TECH OUTLAW #2 (20 laps)
Fin. (Start) No., Driver, hometown, laps completed
1. (5) #10 Scott Ellis, Lewiston, 20
2. (8) #39 Ron Abbott Jr., Lewiston, 20
3. (6) #60 Kevin Plummer, Oxford, 20
4. (4) #04 Zach Bowie, Lisbon Falls, 20
5. (11) #09 Bruce Robertson, Leeds, 20
6. (14) #116 Craig Coolidge, Auburn, 20
7. (16) #24 Kevin Lawrence, South Paris, 20
8. (12) #169 Jim Drake Jr., Hebron, 20
9. (10) #122 Mike Rainville, Littleton, N.H., 20
10. (18) #33 Tyler Belanger, Sumner, 20
11. (2) #6 Jim Archer, Chesterville, 20
12. (3) #06 Rick Vining, Bridgton, 20
13. (17) #52 Kevin Leighton, Minot, 20
14. (1) #57 Gerry Richard, Leeds, 18
15. (12) #34 John Patria, Turner, 17
16. (11) #09 Carey Robertson, Leeds, 14
17. (9) #35 John Spencer Jr., Auburn, 14
18. (19) #90 Keith Landry, Oxford, 0
DQ (15) #77 Jeremy Leavitt, Poland
Lap leaders: Richard 1-8, Ellis 9-20.
Cautions: 3 (laps 8, 8, 15)
Time of race: 16 minutes, 1 second

CHIMNEY TECH OUTLAW #3 (20 laps)
Fin. (Start) No., Driver, hometown, laps completed
1. (13) #5 David Childs, Oxford, 20
2. (15) #666 Mike Ballard, Mechanic Falls, 20
3. (12) #97 Shannon Judd, Jay, 20
4. (1) #63 Bob Ferguson, New Gloucester, 20
5. (14) #36 Richard Spaulding, Lewiston, 20
6. (16) #19 Steve Moon, Gray, 20
7. (7) #18 Thom Bell, Minot, 20
8. (11) #38 Addison Bowie, Auburn, 20
9. (8) #68 Bubba Collins, Lewiston, 20
10. (10) #3 Tom Averill, Peru, 20
11. (18) #75 Gordon Bell, Auburn, 20
12. (9) #83 Dan Brown, Peru, 20
13. (17) #71 Fred Clavet, Buckfield, 20
14. (6) #61 Mark MacDonald, Center Conway, N.H., 20
15. (3) #51 Randy Robitaille, Norway, 19
16. (5) #82 Josh Paradis, Sumner, 19
17. (2) #48 Tina Titus, Lisbon Falls, 18
18. (4) #139 Jerry Freve, Buckfield, 15
19. (19) #00 Guy Childs, Turner, 11
Lap leaders: Titus 1, Ferguson 2-10, D. Childs 11-20.
Cautions: 1 (lap 4)
Time of race: 8 minutes, 45 seconds

MACDONALD MOTORS RUNNIN' REBEL #1 (20 laps)
Fin. (Start) No., Driver, hometown, laps completed
1. (1) #75 Jason Short, Mechanic Falls, 20
2. (3) #05 Josh Brown, Conway, N.H., 20
3. (13) #5 David Childs, Oxford, 20
4. (10) #81 Mike Winslow, Poland, 20
5. (8) #70 Nick Seames, Greenwood, 20
6. (18) #3x David Cook, Lewiston, 20
7. (7) #57 Gerry Record, Poland, 20
8. (9) #79 Jason Cummings, Waterford, 20
9. (6) #03 Ryan Varney, Oxford, 20
10. (15) #2 Paul Cook, Mechanic Falls, 19
11. (12) #52 Jeff Trafford, Leeds, 19
12. (2) #148 Don Smith, Oxford, 19
13. (14) #555 Gerard Cote, Oxford, 19
14. (11) #0 Ken Daigle Jr., Lisbon, 19
15. (16) #44 George Tripp, Oxford, 18
16. (17) #14 Gene White, Lisbon, 16
17. (4) #23 Mike Anderson, Lewiston, 14
18. (19) #29 Brandon Palmer, Bridgton, 14
19. (5) #41M Logan Melcher, Livermore Falls, 10
Lap leaders: Short 1-3, Brown 4, Short 5-6, Brown 7, Short 8-20.
Cautions: 1 (lap 18)
Time of race: 12 minutes, 5 seconds

MACDONALD MOTORS RUNNIN' REBEL #2 (20 laps)
Fin. (Start) No., Driver, hometown, laps completed
1. (6) #333 Craig Farrington, Hebron, 20
2. (16) #106 Nathan Guptill, North Turner, 20
3. (18) #6 Troy Jordan, Turner, 20
4. (2) #12 Calvin Rose Jr., Turner, 20
5. (11) #7x Charlie Webster, Auburn, 20
6. (13) #91 Bill Grover, Topsham, 20
7. (9) #76 Randy Nutter, Auburn, 20
8. (7) #39 Jay Dufour, Lewiston, 20
9. (19) #84C Corey Beaulieu, Oxford, 20
10. (3) #34 Darrell Moore, Mechanic Falls, 20
11. (8) #77 Brad Dwinal, Freepor, 20
12. (15) #41 James Wood, New Gloucester, 19
13. (4) #65 Raymond Files, South Paris, 19
14. (1) #10 Chuck Higgins, Monmouth, 19
15. (5) #45 Ken Whittemore, Greene, 14
16. (12) #82 Martin Krauter, Raymond, 11
17. (17) #54H Larry Hewins, Leeds, 4
18. (10) #19 Zach Audet, Chesterville, 1
19. (14) #32x Brian Hawthorne, New Gloucester, 0
Lap leaders: Rose 1-16, C. Farrington 17-20.
Cautions: 3 (laps 0, 0, 4)
Time of race: 16 minutes, 16 seconds

MACDONALD MOTORS RUNNIN' REBEL #3 (20 laps)
Fin. (Start) No., Driver, hometown, laps completed
1. (3) #88 Derek Cook, Livermore Falls, 20
2. (17) #521 Scott Farrington, Oxford, 20
3. (11) #3 Josh Childs, Oxford, 20
4. (12) #59 Tyson Jordan, Poland, 20
5. (7) #32 Brandon Munroe, New Gloucester, 20
6. (14) #119 Gregg Norton, Lewiston, 20
7. (5) #83 Brady Romano, Livermore Falls, 20
8. (9) #16 Mike Ward, Harrison, 20
9. (16) #95 Mark Childs Jr., Mechanic Falls, 20
10. (4) #31 Jeff Beaule, Lewiston, 20
11. (8) #86 Nic Stanley, Buckfield, 20
12. (13) #84x Jerry Goss, Mechanic Falls, 20
13. (2) #93 Jamie Leavitt, Minot, 20
14. (6) #97 Jim Hart, Buckfield, 20
15. (10) #84x Doug Degroat, Oxford, 13
16. (15) #54 Kyle Hewins, Leeds, 13
17. (1) #4 Bill Dunphy, New Gloucester, 13
DNS #96 Matt Dufault, Turner
Lap leaders: Dunphy 1-4, Cook 5-20.
Cautions: 2 (laps 4, 14)
Time of race: 13 minutes, 45 seconds

CALL OF THE WILD RV SPORT TRUCK (20 laps)
Fin. (Start) No., Driver, hometown, laps completed
1. (18) #74 Jake Burns, Gray, 20
2. (15) #26 Yogi Hiscock, Jay, 20
3. (19) #19 Rick Hebert, Peru, 20
4. (14) #17 Lee Spurling, New Gloucester, 20
5. (12) #69 Ryan Farrar, Oxford, 20
6. (9) #68 Opie Allard, Harpswell, 20
7. (16) #84 Doug Degroat, Oxford, 20
8. (13) #39 Corey Williams, Sumner, 20
9. (17) #7 Marvin Hamilton, New Gloucester, 20
10. (8) #34 Joe Farrar, Oxford, 19
11. (5) #32 Brian Farrar, Sumner, 19
12. (21) #88 Geoff Griffiths, Lewiston, 19
13. (1) #13 Mike Blash, Oxford, 17
14. (7) #54x Devon Smith, Norway, 15
15. (2) #75 Tim Huggins, Oxford, 10
16. (11) #28 Kevin Oliver, Gray, 7
17. (20) #71 Rene Foster, Minot, 4
18. (22) #139 Mark Welch, Hartford, 3
19. (10) #1 John Lizotte. Mechanic Falls, 3
20. (3) #40 Tom Libby, Gorham, 3
21. (6) #41 Doug Stevens, West Sumner, 3
22. (4) #6 Herb Farrar, Sumner, 1
DNS #63 Brent Westberry, Buckfield
Lap leaders: Blash 1, Oliver 2-3, Hiscock 4-17, Burns 18, Hiscock 19, Burns 20.
Cautions: 3 (laps 3, 3, 4)
Time of race: 21 minutes. 42 seconds

ALLEN'S COFFEE FLAVORED BRANDY LADIES (20 laps)
Fin. (Start) No., Driver, hometown, laps completed
1. (5) #51 Deanna Bisbee, South Paris, 20
2. (7) #2 Kimberly Sessions, Auburn, 20
3. (10) #12 Cathy Manchester, Gray, 20
4. (11) #23 Vanna Brackett, Buckfield, 20
5. (9) #00 Christina Spaulding, Lewiston, 20
6. (8) #34 Dottie Patria, Turner, 20
7. (4) #13 Missy Roussel, Oxford, 20
8. (4) #18 Patty Brannon, Topsham, 20
9. (1) #30 Lisa Brooks, Auburn, 20
10. (3) #28 Sue Veinott, Sabattus, 20
11. (2) #29 Shannon Wheeler, Auburn, 20
12. (6) #92 Debbie Marston, Hartford, 19
13. (14) #44 Annie Chartier, Mexico, 19
14. (13) #8 Christi Blondeau, South Paris, 6
Lap leaders: Brooks 1-2, Bisbee 3-20.
Cautions: 2 (laps 5, 9)
Time of race: 11 minutes, 25 seconds

CRAZY HORSE RACING ENGINES RENEGADE (10 laps)
Fin. (Start) No., Driver, hometown, laps completed
1. (4) #91 Jamie Heath, Waterford, 10
2. (5) #3 John Childs, Leeds, 10
3. (2) #1 Bob Morey, Lisbon, 10
4. (3) #05 Gerard Cote, Oxford, 10
5. (1) #27 Skip Turner, Carthage, 10
Lap leaders: Heath 1-10.
Cautions: None
Time of race: 3 minutes, 38 seconds

(207) 645-4571
Photos by Trudy Marshall from 
all OPS divisions!