OXFORD, Maine — Almost 35 years have passed since the roar of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour has been at Oxford Plains Speedway.
That changes Saturday night when the series takes center stage for the running of the All States Materials Group 150.
The track, which opened for business in May of 1950, previously hosted NASCAR’s oldest division five times during the series’ inaugural season in 1985. That event was won by Richie Evans, his final Modified Tour triumph prior to his passing a few weeks later.
The series raced at Oxford Plains from 1985-88 and again in 1991, with Jimmy Spencer, Mike McLaughlin and Jeff Fuller collecting wins. The NASCAR Cup Series also hosted events at Oxford Plains Speedway in the 1960s, with Bobby Allison and Richard Petty collecting wins in the three events there.
There is no NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver hotter than Stephen Kopcik.
The driver from Newtown, Connecticut has won the last two Modified Tour events — at Martinsville Speedway in March and Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park in April — and finds himself atop the series standings for the first time in his young career.
In fact, by winning his first and second career races in consecutive events, Kopcik made a bit of history. He is now just the second driver to win his first two Modified Tour events in consecutive races, joining 1993 series champion Rick Fuller.
If Kopcik wins Saturday’s event at Oxford Plains, he will become the first driver in series history to win his first three career events in consecutive races.
A strong field of competitors will try to deny Kopcik’s pursuit of history Saturday evening. Among them are Matt Hirschman, who is one of the few drivers in the field with ample experience and at least one previous victory at Oxford Plains Speedway.
Another likely contender is Jon McKennedy, who has won at Oxford Plains Speedway in Supermodified competition.
Austin Beers, who continues to ride an incredible top-10 streak that has reached 33 consecutive events, should also be among the contenders Saturday as he continues pursuit of his second straight Modified Tour championship. Ron Silk, who has finished second in the last two Modified Tour events at Martinsville and Thompson, will try to break into Victory Lane for the first time this year.
Justin Bonsignore will attempt to get his season back on track after a few subpar events with a strong performance at Oxford Plains Speedway.
Other notable entrants include Patrick Emerling, Tyler Rypkema, Kyle Bonsignore, Craig Lutz and Eric Goodale.
