OXFORD — With just three points races remaining in the 2013 season headed into this weekend, the desire to win or bag a top-five finish is getting visibly stronger by the week.
Kevin Douglass had been gaining ground all summer, and this time, it all came together with a stunning upset in a career-best effort.
Douglass powered inside of point leader TJ Brackett with just four laps remaining and pulled away to claim the 75-lap Trophy Dash for Pro Late Models Friday evening at Oxford Plains Speedway.
Corey Morgan (Outlaw Sportsman); Justin Larsen (Mini Stock); and Ryan Robbins (Street Stock) were also feature winners on a cool yet perfect night for racing in western Maine.
Douglass, of Sidney, has been racing for 12 years, but 2013 is his first season in a Pro Late Model. After following Brackett for several laps, he started his charge to the front with flair. His car was fast in both grooves, making for an exciting conclusion.
Brackett helped his efforts to secure a title with second, while early leader Shane Green (led 50 laps) settled for third. Former champion (2005, 2010) Tim Brackett was rock-solid again to claim fourth, while former Mini Stock standout Adam Polvinen completed the top five.
“This happens to be my last week driving for car owner John Clark, and I’m happy to be going out on a good note,” Douglass said. “We’ve got a strong team here; and a lot of support from valued sponsors. I couldn’t run this well without the whole package. It feels awesome to reward that effort and support with a victory here tonight.”
Finishing sixth through 10th in the extended distance feature was Tommy Ricker, Vanna Brackett, Joe Decker, Scott Robbins and Chris Coolidge. Three cautions slowed the pace, something Green said he could do without. The pace was torrid throughout, as the Pro Late Models flashed around the oval.
In earlier feature action, Morgan earned his 12th victory of the season with yet another dominant performance. The veteran from Lewiston who does double duty each week and still achieves this level of success, wheeled around the outside of Corey Ober on lap five going through Turn 2 and pulled away for top honors as he’s done virtually all summer.
Matt Dufault tried to mount a challenge in the closing laps yet settled for second, while Mike Haynes finished a distant third. Jerry Freeve of Buckfield limped his way to fourth with a car that sent up sparks the entire feature, while Ober faded to fifth at the finish.
“It’s been a great season, for sure,” Morgan said. “The car continues to get around like it is on rails. We have plenty of competition in this class, although we’ve had them covered pretty well. I’m just thrilled with this year overall, and thank my team and family for helping to make it possible.”
Larsen notched his eighth victory of 2013 after a spirited battle with championship rival Calvin Rose Jr. The talented rookie from Peru wasted little time getting past early leader Mike Ward, taking command after just two circuits. Rose mounted a serious challenge after the second restart, yet settled for second.
Shane Kaherl recovered from two early spinouts to claim third, while former Sport Truck star Ryan Farrar fought an ill-handling machine to finish fourth. Brady Romano completed the top five with another solid effort.
“This is a big relief off my shoulders, and it sure feels good,” Larsen said. “The car wasn’t handling very well today, but my team turned it around 180 degrees since we unloaded. This victory is for them.”
Robbins picked up his first victory of the season with a brilliant performance. The savvy veteran from Dixfield hounded Zach Bowie for most of the race, finally powering underneath to take command with just six laps remaining.
After setting the pace early, Bowie settled for second, while Corey Morgan capped a solid night in third. Oxford veterans Zach Emerson and Rick Spaulding rounded out the top five.
“This is where we’d love to be every week, on the podium or in Victory Lane,” Robbins said. “The car was hooked up in a big way tonight, even in the closing laps. Zach was running fast tonight, as well, but we had enough car to run him down. To come out on top in a competitive division feels pretty nice.”
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