TURNER — After one of the most competitive seasons in many years that saw 11 different winners in 13 races, an ultra-close championship battle in the premier class at Oxford Plains Speedway will close things out in fine style. 

Two-time Oxford Late Model champion (2004 and 2012) Shawn Martin now trails defending champion T.J. Brackett by three points with just one race remaining on the 2014 Pro Late Model schedule. The title will be decided Saturday, Sept. 6, in the season’s final points race. 

“The car has been really strong all season long,” Martin said. “When this whole Pro Late Model class was first created, we really didn’t know what we were getting into. Our car is kind of a hybrid that was built for the old style racing, but we converted it over to see how it would react. It turned out to be very fast. Every time we ran it at Oxford in 2013, we finished in the top three. 

“This year, we started out strong with a pair of podium finishes. We did have one race where we missed the setup a little and had a bad run, but we figured it out quickly and found the speed again. We’ve been a top-five car just about every week lately; just the consistency we needed to contend for a title.”

Martin started racing at Oxford in 2001 in the Late Models when Pro Stocks were still the premier class.

His resume includes some pretty impressive stats and numbers — two ACT victories (2004, 2006), 19 Late Model/Pro Late Model wins at Oxford, five years of competing in the prestigious ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (with a best finish of third), and solid performances at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough and Lee USA Speedway in southern New Hampshire.

Before the 2014 season began, Martin asked his crew where they’d like to race this year. They had choices of chasing points at Oxford, running select PASS North or ACT races along with some events at Oxford, or a combination of the above. They chose to compete weekly at OPS, and it’s been both fun and a challenge for Martin.

“Even though we take this deal very seriously and love to do well, we’re in it to have fun,” Martin said. “This isn’t professional super speedway racing with millions at stake. It’s hobby level racing at the local short track. This season has been a ton of fun for me, especially when we had a good night. We’re facing some stiff competition, but that just drives us to stay focused and work hard. It’s been a blast.”

Since Oxford made the transition from the ACT-style limited Late Model cars to the more racy Pro Late Model class in 2013, Martin has been on fire. He notched three wins last season and didn’t finish out of the top five very often. This year, the No. 94 machine has been one to watch every time out.

“I think this Hoosier tire we’re on is a big reason I do so well in this type of car,” he said. “Back when we were running on Goodyears in the other type of cars, it had a very stiff sidewall. We won a title on those tires, but they never really suited my driving style. These soft-sidewalled Hoosiers allow the car to get down into and grip the racetrack more. I like the feel they provide, and love getting up on the wheel to power forward. They give me the confidence I need to be aggressive when it’s go time.”

Having such a strong field of cars in Pro Late Model this season has not only been good for fans, it has kept the drivers on their toes, as well. Martin says the depth of talent at Oxford in 2014 is a good thing.

“I think this year, a lot of teams have figured things out and improved their programs,” he said. “There are several cars capable of winning on any given week. The Bracketts (Tim and T.J.) are always strong. Trevor Sanborn came up and won a race, Jeremy Davis has been fast, and some of these rookies like Kyle Treadwell are running fast every week. I think we’ve had a very exciting season in our class.”

Martin’s successful 2014 campaign has come with assistance from a number of people. Veteran crew chief Greg Letourneau heads the list.

“When I get to the track, I can focus on the driving. Greg has been with us since 2002. He ensures the car is prepped and ready every time out,” Martin said. “I also want to thank crew members John Randolph, Keith Emerson, Tim Akers, Dwayne White and Jim Varney. I could never do any of this without all the sacrifice and work they put into this program.”

Martin also recognized valued marketing partners: BRP Recreational Products, Oxford Networks, Reed & Reed Construction, The Step Guys, Temp Setters, Pepsi, AMSOIL, Log House Snacks, Lake City Auto and Emerson Chevrolet.

“This points racing deal is tough; you can’t afford to make mistakes, especially when it comes down to the last few races,” he said. “I would have loved to carry a 40-point lead into the finale, but it didn’t pan out. At least it will be exciting for the fans. I hope they’ll come out for what promises to be a dramatic end to our season.

“We’ll just try to get a little more speed out of our car in the finale and let the points fall as they may. No matter how it turns out, I’ll look back on 2014 as one of the best seasons of my career.”

pwhipple@sunjournal.com

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