Oxford Plains Speedway

Circuit History

George Damon's vision for a modern racing facility in Maine became reality in April 1950 when he purchased 200 acres of flat, lightly wooded land in Oxford. Engineer Harold Small proved instrumental in the rapid transformation, overseeing construction that took just six weeks from breaking ground to hosting the first race. The original Oxford Plains Speedway featured a half-mile dirt track, 70 feet wide with a four-foot grade in the turns, built at a cost of $35,000. The facility included a 600-foot-long wooden grandstand with bleacher seating for 5,000 spectators, parking for 1,000 cars, concession buildings and a dedicated pit area.

"Hutch" Hutchins earned the honour of winning the track's inaugural feature on 18 May 1950, piloting the #58 car for 15 laps at an average speed of 55.6 mph. The speedway quickly established itself as a major draw, setting a then-state attendance record when 12,000 spectators packed the facility for the Memorial Day race on 27 May 1950. Another milestone came on 4 July 1951, when the largest crowd in Maine's history to that point assembled for an Independence Day spectacular.

In 1961, Damon sold the speedway to a trio of local businessmen: Hayward Luck, Asa Packard and Thomas Ryan. The new owners immediately set about modernising the facility, transforming it from a half-mile dirt track into a 1/3-mile asphalt oval with short straights and sweeping turns. This dramatic reconfiguration marked the beginning of Oxford Plains' evolution into a premier paved racing venue.

The Bahre years and NASCAR glory

Bob Bahre's purchase of Oxford Plains Speedway in 1964 ushered in an era of unprecedented growth and national prominence. Bahre brought major improvements and prestigious events to the facility, starting with Maine's first NASCAR Modified Tour race on 25 September 1965, won by Bill Slater. That same year, he replaced the ageing wooden grandstands with a modern steel structure designed to accommodate nearly 15,000 spectators.

The late 1960s saw Oxford Plains host NASCAR's premier series, with future Hall of Fame drivers making history at the Maine oval. Bobby Allison claimed his first career NASCAR Cup Series victory at Oxford on 12 July 1966, winning the Maine 300 in a J.D. Bracken Chevrolet at age 28. Allison returned to victory lane the following year on 11 July 1967, notching his seventh career win. Richard Petty added to the track's NASCAR legacy on 11 July 1968, capturing his 83rd victory of an eventual record 200 wins while driving his famous Petty Enterprises Plymouth.

Beyond stock car racing, Bahre expanded the facility's offerings by constructing an NHRA drag strip adjacent to the speedway in 1969, which continues operating today. The track also launched the careers of local legends during this period. Mike Rowe, who would become known as the "King of Oxford Plains", scored his first victory on 31 May 1969 in the Charger division—the beginning of an astonishing run that would see him amass 152 feature wins over five decades, with his most recent victory coming on 17 August 2018 in a Super Late Model feature, more than 49 years after his debut win.

Birth of the Oxford 250

Bahre's most lasting contribution to Oxford Plains came on 14 July 1974 with the inaugural Oxford 200. Joey Kourafas of Sharon, Massachusetts, thrilled the crowd by charging from 19th starting position to claim victory and earn $4,500 of the $25,000 purse. The following year, the race was extended to 250 laps to incorporate a mandatory pit stop, creating the Oxford 250 format that endures today. The track received its second paving just weeks before the 1975 Oxford 250, ensuring a smooth surface for what would become the speedway's signature event.

Future NASCAR Cup Series champion Geoffrey Bodine dominated the early NASCAR North era at Oxford, capturing back-to-back Oxford 250 victories in 1980 and 1981. The race quickly gained a reputation as a must-attend event for both regional competitors and national stars.

The Liberty era and modernisation

Entrepreneur Michael Liberty purchased the speedway in 1987, immediately installing corporate skyboxes and an electronic scoreboard to enhance the spectator experience. The NASCAR Busch North Series (now K&N Pro Series East) made its debut at Oxford on 27 April 1987, with Bill Clark winning the inaugural event.

The most significant physical change to the speedway came in 1992 when a major repaving project widened the backstretch, transforming the track from its 1/3-mile configuration to the current 3/8-mile layout. This expansion created more side-by-side racing opportunities and established the track dimensions that remain today.

Despite these improvements, Liberty's tenure proved turbulent during the mid-1990s, with financial difficulties leading to multiple lawsuits. The instability ended when Bill Ryan assumed full ownership in 1999, bringing much-needed stability to the facility.

The Ryan years and diversification

Bill Ryan's ownership marked a period of steady growth and diversification for Oxford Plains. The speedway launched its official website in April 1999, embracing digital promotion. June 1999 saw the introduction of the Big Apple Food Stores Summer Racing Series, bringing Wednesday night racing at 6:30 pm to complement the traditional Saturday night programme.

The new millennium brought fresh excitement to Oxford Plains. On 19 August 2000, the International Super Modified Association made its debut at the speedway, with Nokie Fornoro of Pennsylvania besting 26 cars in the 75-lap main event. That same evening, Randy Ritskes of Brockville, Ontario, set the track's all-time speed record, completing a lap in 13.341 seconds—averaging over 100 mph in his ISMA Supermodified.

Ryan expanded beyond traditional racing by introducing Freestyle Motocross in July 2001, bringing X-Games stars to Maine for what became an annual spectacular. The speedway also began hosting go-kart racing with the launch of a Friday night series in 2003.

The Oxford 250 gained new prestige during this era when NASCAR Cup Series champions began entering the event. Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch competed in the 2004 edition, with Kenseth finishing third, establishing a tradition of Cup drivers participating during NASCAR's late-summer break that continues today.

The Mayberry era and PASS Partnership

Veteran promoter Tom Mayberry purchased Oxford Plains Speedway in October 2012, bringing significant changes to the facility's racing programme. As owner of the Pro All Stars Series (PASS), Mayberry shifted the track's focus from ACT-type Late Models to PASS Super Late Models as the weekly headline division. The Oxford 250 transitioned to PASS Super Late Model rules, allowing drivers from across North America to compete with the same cars they race in their home series.

After a brief hiatus, the American Canadian Tour returned to Oxford Plains in 2018, with Eddie MacDonald sweeping both events that season. The speedway continues to host multiple PASS events annually whilst maintaining its twice-weekly racing schedule. The current programme features diverse divisions including Super Late Models, Street Stocks, Bandits, Figure 8s, Legends, North East Classic Lites and the Wicked Good Vintage Racing Association.

Recent years have seen Oxford Plains attract an impressive roster of NASCAR talent to the Oxford 250, with 17 NASCAR Cup Series race winners having competed in the event, including eleven Cup champions and five NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees. The race maintains its status as one of short track racing's crown jewels, now held on the final Sunday in August with a guaranteed $25,100 to the winner.

Jump onboard