In a battle of third-generation drivers whose last names are synonymous with Oxford Plains Speedway, reigning champion T.J. Brackett took over from Gunnar Rowe late in the race Saturday night and held on for his first Super Late Model win of the season.
Brackett swiped the lead from Rowe after the Leavitt Area High School student set the pace for the first 35 circuits. Rowe nearly took advantage of a restart with 10 laps to go, but Brackett used the preferred inside line to keep the youngster at bay until the checkers.
Brother and sister graced the victory lane photo after Vanna Brackett drove around Alan Wilson on the final lap to claim third. The Bracketts’ father, series point leader Tim, finished fifth.
Only 12 cars were running at the finish, with a half-dozen involved in a crash near the front of the pack on lap 11.
Richard Spaulding snagged his first Street Stock victory of the season. Jonathan Emerson emerged from a tangle with Josh Childs on the next-to-last lap and held on for second, trailed by Keith Stuart, point leader Zack Emerson and Calvin Rose Jr.
Scott Alexander slowed Ryan Robbins’ early-season domination of the Modified division with a victory in the open-wheel class. Robbins was runner-up ahead of Matt Sanborn and Nik Coates.
Shawn Hinkley charged to the win in the Bandit division, holding off Shawn Knight, Jamie Heath, Cam Childs and Mike Cleveland.
Five cars took the green for the second week of the Figure Eight resurrection, with ageless Jon Lizotte returning to the winner’s circle.
King, Farrington continue success
For the second time in less than a year, Tyler King of Livermore Falls led Dave Farrington Jr. of Jay across the line in a NASCAR Pro Series scramble at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway.
It was the first victory of the season for King, who was the hottest driver in the division at mid-summer last year before engine woes soured the team’s campaign.
Farrington, the defending track champion, unofficially surged into the division point lead once again with his best finish of the spring and third consecutive top-10. Don Colpritt was third, with Reid Lanpher of Manchester racing from 10th starting position to fourth.
In what was a big night for his family at tracks throughout the state, Ryan Hewins of Leeds raced to the top spot at Beech Ridge for the first time in his Wildcat career. Hewins took advantage of two late incidents at the front of the field to complete the evening sweep after winning his heat race. Chaz Briggs and Cole Watson complete the top three.
Craig Smith collected his first Sport Series victory in six years with Brandon Barker and Tom Bennett in tow.
Hewins family one-two punch
There was more hardware in line for the Hewins family down at Wiscasset Speedway, with Kurt and younger brother Kyle going one-two in a 35-lap Strictly Street main event. Dan Brown of Peru completed an all-local podium.
Shane Clark was victorious in the Late Model Sportsman feature, topping Will Collins and Nick Hinkley, Mark Lucas showed the way in the Modified ranks, keeping Gary Thorne and Jairet Harrison in his tire tracks.
Justin Trombley led the Outlaw Mini event as Bryan Lancaster and Brady Romano of Livermore Falls gave chase. Mathew Bourgoine picked up another win in NELCAR Legends over Matt Grant and Tyler Braunschweig.
No yellow fever at Devil’s Bowl
Defending American-Canadian Tour champion Joey Polewarczyk Jr. took over from current point leader Wayne Helliwell with 25 laps remaining to win a caution-free 10o-lap race at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in West Haven, Vt.
Polesitter Nick Sweet rallied to second ahead of Helliwell. Josh Masterson and Brad Babb of Windham rounded out the top five.
It was Polewarczyk’s third win of the season.
Other Maine finishers: Jeff White of Winthrop, 12th; Rowland Robinson Jr. of Steuben, 17th; and Travis Stearns of Auburn, 26th, with mechanical trouble after running in the top 10.
Local racing schedule
Wednesday, June 10
OPS: NAPA Acceleration Series, opening night, 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 13
OPS: Championship Series, 7 p.m,
Beech Ridge: NASCAR weekly racing, 7 p.m.
Wiscasset: Weekly racing, 6 p.m.
Sunday, June 14
PASS: Hight Chevrolet 150, Speedway 95, Hermon, 1:30 p.m.
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