OXFORD — Multi-time champion Tim Brackett and rising star Josh Childs earned points championships in their respective divisions during the 2015 regular season finale Saturday at Oxford Plains Speedway.
Ryan Robbins (OPS Modifieds), Shaun Hinkley (Bandits), and Jon Lizotte (Figure 8) also locked up their class championships on a perfect afternoon and evening for racing in western Maine.
Two-time track champion Shawn Martin held off a hard-charging Kyle Treadwell in the final 50-lap tilt for the Super Late Models, while Brackett struggled his way to a third career title. Treadwell settled for second in the feature and in the points, while girlfriend Vanna Brackett wheeled her way to third.
Beech Ridge regular Corey Bubar and Waterford native Spencer Morse completed the top five.
“I have to thank all my guys, this has been a very difficult year for us,” Martin said. “We lost my dad back in February; that’s why we did the polish victory lap in his honor. I want to dedicate this win to him. It’s been hard racing without him this season. The last race he attended was the finale last year, so this was a great one to win.”
Brackett’s third premiere class crown comes after winning the old Pro Stock title in 2005, followed by a title in the ACT-style Late Models in 2010. Because of the immense pride he has in his heritage (his father Merton, aka ‘Froggy,’ also raced) and his children, the emotions were visible in Victory Lane.
“It’s really been a great year,” Brackett said. “We won the points and tied for most wins, which is all we could hope for. I have to thank my wife and kids for all the support; tonight was very special to me. I also want to thank Tom Mayberry and his staff for rebuilding this place; the glory days are definitely back at Oxford Plains.”
Childs wrapped up a super-consistent season in Street Stock action with a solid runner-up finish behind weekly rival Zach Emerson. Richard Spaulding capped his career-best season in third, while red-hot rookie Calvin Rose Jr. and Gary Davis filled out the top five.
“I can barely even talk, I’m so full of emotions right now,” Childs said. “After getting so close last year to actually pulling it off this season, it’s just so satisfying. We had awesome racing in this class all year; so it took a big effort to make this happen. I have a father who works tirelessly on my car, a great team, and several supportive sponsors who make it all possible. I’m just very thankful to be here.”
Emerson was easily the class of the field beyond Childs this season, and he was solid again on Saturday.
“I’d like to congratulate Josh on winning this title,” Emerson said in Victory Lane. “He deserves it, he ran hard all season and he races clean every week. This was a brand new car for this season, it performed well and I’m proud to finish up like we did. We’ll look back on this year as a very successful one.”
In earlier feature action, Shaun Hinkley capped an incredible championship season in the Bandit class. Tyler Green won the final feature of 2015 after Troy Smith lead the field early on. Hinkley secured his title in second, while Brandon Varney wheeled his way to third.
Ryan Robbins wrapped up a hard-fought battle for supremacy in the weekly OPS Modified ranks. The skilled wheelman from Dixfield finished third behind winner Ron Henry of New Gloucester and 2015 feature winner Matty Sanborn. Scott Alexander gave it his all in the finale yet settled for fourth, while multi-time feature winner Evan Armington came home fifth.
In Figure 8 competition, veteran driver Jon Lizotte capped a dominant season with another feature victory. The Maine Motorsports HOF member was emotional in Victory Lane after losing a close friend in recent weeks. Lizotte was thankful the Mayberry family brought Figure 8 back to weekly racing in 2015.
Oxford’s Wednesday night Acceleration Series teams also wrapped up their 2015 campaigns Saturday evening. Feature winners in those classes include Maggie Ferland (Ladies); John Childs (Cruisers); Cody Childs (Rebels); Matt Dufault (Outlaws); and Daniel Vachon (Sport Trucks).
Earning the 2015 class titles in Acceleration Series action was Shelby Shurtleff (Ladies); William Dunphy Jr. (Cruisers); Dustin Salley (Rebels); Steve Moon (Outlaws) and Mark Grantham (Sport Trucks).
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