NAPLES, Maine – With a few days left before on track activity begins at Oxford Plains Speedway for the 46th annual Oxford 250 and hundreds of campers already dotting the property, Pro All Stars Series super late model teams are making final preparations for one of the biggest events on the racing calendar.
While many eyes will be on Georgia’s Bubba Pollard as he attempts to defend his Oxford 250 crown, the short track star might not enter Sunday’s race as the favorite.
Curtis Gerry, the 2017 winner, has concentrated all his efforts on competing at Oxford Plains this season, with several wins in weekly competition and a PASS North win there as well.
Championship contender Garrett Hall sits 15 points behind the three-time PASS North titlist D.J. Shaw, largely in part due to his two wins at Oxford Plains earlier this year. After advancing from the last chance race a year ago before going on to win the 250, Pollard is still the driver many feel will be the one to beat in 2019.
“Before the race I was a nervous wreck just not knowing what to expect or how these guys race,” said Pollard, who will be driving the Harrison’s Workwear Ford No. 26. “After we started and got about 50 laps in, I was like, these guys are good and race with respect. I had a blast.”
Pollard has won virtually every major super late model event from Florida to Washington state and even Canada. With nearly 100 checkered flags over the last decade and more accolades than one could count, Pollard says his experience at the 2018 Oxford 250 was an eye opener.
“I’ve traveled up and down the road and raced at a lot of places, but the Oxford 250 is probably the coolest race I’ve ever been a part of,” said Pollard. “I’m excited to get there this weekend and race in front of that awesome crowd.
Competitors will once again have the opportunity to race for one of the richest winner’s purses in asphalt short track racing, with $25,000 to win, plus an additional $25,000 in lap leader money. Pollard took home more than $28,000 last year for his efforts in becoming the first southern driver to win the race since Tommy Ellis in 1983.
While no one in the last two decades has led more than Joey Polewarcyzk Jr.’s 205 laps in 2012, if a driver could somehow manage to lead all 250 laps, they would take home $50,000 for the win.