Locals hold their own vs. stars

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It is always interesting to see local stock car drivers compete with the best.

That’s what we saw during the Banknorth 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway on Sunday.

Matt Kenseth won the Winston Cup points championship a year ago and is in good position to make a run at the Nextel Cup title this year.

He is currently fifth in points.

Kurt Busch is another Nextel Cup contender, currently sitting ninth in the points.

It’s easy to see why they are two of the top drivers in the Nextel Cup series.

But you also gained an appreciation for the local drivers and their abilities.

Kenseth and Busch were at a distinct disadvantage by driving cars they weren’t familiar with at a track they didn’t know.

Kenseth hadn’t even tested his Chevy Monte Carlo.

Busch had tested his Ford Taurus weeks earlier.

Kenseth is known for his even-keeled demeanor and remarkable consistency.

That is exactly what he exhibited.

He didn’t qualify in a heat race, consolation race and last chance race so he was given a Nextel Cup champions provisional that could have been better termed as a we-paid-for-you-to-come-here-and-a-soldout-crowd-wants-to-see-you-race provisional.

Kenseth started last (41st) and despite having run 90 laps already while trying to qualify on the brutally hot day, he calmly and patiently negotiated wrecks and stayed on the preferred inside groove en route to a third-place finish.

He would give slower cars in front of him a little tap on the rear bumper to let them know he was coming through.

If they didn’t heed, he would get up under them and nudge the left side quarter-panel.

If that didn’t work, he would slide them up the track and make the pass.

Busch has always been known as an aggressive driver and he didn’t alter his style.

He bumped and banged and even drew the ire of Falmouth’s Scott Mulkern.

Busch started 35th and finished 13th. He drove a smart race and displayed an ability to cleverly maneuver his car out of danger and minimize the damage.

But the Maine drivers were also impressive.

They certainly had the home track advantage.

Turner’s Ben Rowe started 25th but won the race for the second straight year thanks to his patience, willingness to occasionally run the slower outside groove when it proved beneficial, and his ability to make intelligent split-second decisions.

When Hebron’s Alan Wilson got loose and slid into the dirt while leading with 11 laps to go, Rowe seized the opportunity and cruised to the win.

Farmingdale’s Johnny Clark, the Pro All-Stars Series’ 24-year-old points leader, started on the pole and led the most laps (127) before a wreck ended his day.

Clark began lapping cars just 16 laps into the race.

He is one of the real up-and-comers and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him head south some day to race if he can obtain the financial backing.

And that’s a huge if.

Albany Township’s Ricky Rolfe ran consistently in the top 10, stayed out of trouble and quietly nursed his car to an impressive second place finish.

Local favorite Wilson also drove an exceptional race and rode home fifth after coming so close to winning. He started 30th.

It was a memorable evening of racing.

Larry Mahoney can be reached at 990-8231, 1-800-310-8600 or by email at lmahoney@bangordailynews.net.