Maietta opens season with victory

OXFORD – Mike Maietta Sr. of South Portland got his second season at Oxford Plains Speedway off to a rousing start as he notched his first career victory at the three-eighths-mile oval track Sunday.

After being unable to win a single race despite having won multiple championships at other tracks before the 2002 season, Maietta was able to end the pro stock drought by winning the Oxford Network Weekly Prop Stock Series. He took the lead early, surrendered it to West Paris’ Mickey Green on lap four, and then held on for good two laps later despite a late challenge from Green during the last two laps.

Green finished second and Andy Shaw of Center Conway, N.Y., was aided by a caution flag on lap 33 and finished third in the 35-lap feature race. South Paris’ Al Hammond was fourth and Scott King of Livermore fifth.

OTHER OXFORD PLAINS RESULTS:

Late model stock: 1. Ricky Morse (St. Albans), 2. Jerry Harrison (Freeport), 3. Shawn Martin (Turner), 4. T.J. Brackett (Oxford), 5. David Raymond (Scarborough)

Limited sportsman: 1. Dana Grover (Waterford), 2. Kenny Harrison (Pownal), 3. Doug Poland (Livermore Falls), 4. David Raymond (Scarborough), 5. Carey Martin (Denmark)

Strictly stock: 1. Billy Childs Jr. (Leeds), 2. Gerry Freve (Buckfield), 3. Sumner Sessions (Norway), 4. Kurt Hewins (Leeds), 5. Peter Hafford (Greene)

Mini stock: 1. Billy Childs Sr. (Leeds), 2. Chris Varney (Scarborough), 3. Bill Thibeault (Oxford), 4. Wayne Warren (Waterford), 5. Ted Audet (Greene)

Bessey wins PASS race

Joe Bessey’s first race at Wiscasset Raceway was a profitable one and a successful debut as he topped an all-star field of pro stock drivers throughout the northeastern United States and Canada at the Wiscasset Quik Stop PASS 150 Saturday.

The Scarborough native took the lead from Dale Shaw on the 85th lap and held onto it the rest of the way to take a $4,000 payday. Turner’s Ben Rowe, the 2002 PASS Tour champion, was the lone Maine driver in the top five all race long. He finished as race runnerup.

The race had just three lead changes, but was slowed by 13 cautions, 10 in the first half, and one red flag. Bessey took the lead from the outset and held it for 44 laps until a crash left him running 18th. After retaking the lead 40 laps later, his only challenge came from Rowe, who made a run at Bessey on lap 120, but couldn’t make up the distance.

Chuck Lachance of Cushing finished third; Dale Shaw of Center Conway, N.H., was fourth; and Bangor’s Gary Smith was fifth.

OTHER WISCASSET RESULTS:

Strong Chevrolet modifieds: 1. Duane Love (West Gardiner), 2. Steve Reno (West Bath), 3. Allen Moeller (Dresden), 4. Jason Taylor (Appleton), 5. Wayne Allard (not reported)

Super streets: 1. Brett Mank (Rockland), 2. Dan Trask (Chelsea), 3. Shawn Dinsmore (Lincolnville), 4. Will Collins (Appleton), 5. Ben Jewett (Jefferson)

Strictly streets: 1. Maurice Young (Chelsea), 2. Doug Ripley (Thomaston), 3. Alan Higgins (Brunswick), 4. Jason Gabory (not reported), 5. Mike Schooley (Dresden)

Mini stock: 1. Seth Wills (Sidney), 2. Alton Sinclair (Waterville), 3. Mac Hannan Jr. (Union), 4. Ryan Gero (West Gardiner), 5. Scott Grant (West Gardiner)