Interview

Editor’s note – In 1985, Dave Dion of Hudson, N.H., led just one lap of the Oxford 250 – the final lap. He took home $27,500 for his efforts and became the second driver, after Geoff Bodine, to win two Oxford 250s. Dion’s first win had come 10 years earlier.

In the 17-year history of the race, which has grown into the richest short-track race in the country, Dion has competed 16 times. He has 12 top finishes and has won more than $78,000 – second on the all-time list.

NEWS motorsports writer John Nash recently talked to the popular driver nicknamed “Dynamite Dave” about the Oxford 250 as well as Dion’s past, present, and future in the sport.

Bangor Daily News – That first Oxford 250 victory must seem like a lifetime ago. What goes through your mind when you look back on it?

Dave Dion – The first one was when the race was in its infant stage. We didn’t think, at that time, that the race would grow. It was big then, but in everybody’s mind we never thought we’d see the 18th annual. That first win happened during a tremendous year. It was just another stepping stone in that season. We won a lot of races and a few championships. When we won it the second time, it really sunk in.

BDN – Do you think win No. 3 will ever roll around?

D.D. – Well, we wouldn’t be trying if we didn’t think we’d have a chance. We’ll just take what the race gives us. We’ll just go in prepared and see what happens.

BDN – You’d probably like to put last year’s race well behind you.

D.D. – Yeah, it was the worst of worst. Hopefully, we won’t do that again. The entire north tour had a disadvantage because of the tire situation. I made a statement the other day that as long as we keep the playing field level, the best driver will walk away with the victory.

BDN – You’ve raced at Oxford many times in the past. Where would it rate on all the other tracks you’ve raced at and what’s your favorite track?

D.D. We (the crew) were talking about tracks today, talking about which tracks have deteriorated. We were saying that only two tracks have been upgraded lately, Lee and Beech Ridge. The others have basically existed. Oxford hasn’t done anything about the track. They haven’t done much to help the competitor. They make the fan happy and the competitors will just deal with it. That’s the way it is. My favorite track is Thunder Road (in Barre, Vt.) I’ve got a lot of friends and fans up there.

BDN – I don’t want to call you an outlaw racer, but you never seemed to fully committed to one tour. Why is that?

D.D. – Actually, I think we’re going back to that real quick. We’ve been running just the Busch series, but we can’t afford that too much longer. It seems that when we pick our races, we have more success. We usually have more fun, too. We’re not having that much fun right now chasing points on one tour.

BDN – You’ve raced NASCAR and ACT. What’s the biggest difference between the two tours?

D.D. – I think I’m asked that question every day. I think I should make a chart which says what I like about each. I think procedure is the biggest difference. I get out of one car and into another and don’t notice a difference. But in NASCAR, you’ve got to time trial well. In ACT, you have to run heats and that’s fine with me.

BDN – Do you think one tour will outlast the other?

D.D. – I think they’ll both just exist. I don’t see the ACT tour going away. They’re getting crowds. They draw tremendous. Whether it’s Little League vs. Major League, it doesn’t matter. The fans don’t care. The two tours have created even more fans. I just wish they could merge for one race. It’s pretty near impossible to make it even (between the cars). But, if you could, boy, you’d have a pretty great race.

BDN – How long are you going to stay racing?

D.D. – When I don’t have fun, I’m out. That’s why I’m getting out of Busch cars, cause I’m not having fun. There’s something missing. But, things will take care of themselves. We’re not down by any means. We’ll be O.K.