OXFORD – Denny Hamlin, a candidate for NASCAR Nextel Cup rookie of the year, will be returning to his racing roots July 30 as an entrant in the 33rd annual TD Banknorth 250 (formerly Oxford 250) at Oxford Plains Speedway.

Hamlin was one of the top late model stock car division drivers in his pre-NASCAR years and will be the third driver with NASCAR experience to enter the single-day short track race, joining J.J. Yeley and Newburgh native Ricky Craven, who won the race in 1991. The 25-year-old Hamlin, who won the Budweiser Shootout in February, will join forces with King Motorsports and driver Scott King of Livermore Falls for the 250.

The Chesterfield, Va., native drives the No. 11 FedEx Chevrolet in NASCAR Nextel Cup racing and the No. 20 Rockwell Automation Chevrolet in Busch Series racing for Joe Gibbs Racing. In 2003, Hamlin won 25 feature events as a late model stock driver.

Tickets for the TD Banknorth 250 are available for $50, $40, and $30. For more information, stop by the speedway office on Route 26 or call 539-8865 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.