’07 changes positive for auto racing

As the auto racing season in the state winds down, 2007 will have to be remembered as a year of positive change.

It could well be viewed as a breakthrough year.

Oxford Plains Speedway became the latest track to drop the expensive Pro Stock division, but the TD Banknorth Oxford 250 showed no ill effects with 97 Late Model cars attempting to qualify and 12,000 spectators on hand.

The 97 entrants were 19 more than the previous year.

Again, track owner Bill Ryan was able to secure a couple of Nextel Cup drivers in two-time Cup points champion Terry Labonte and Vermont native Kevin Lepage, although neither finished in the top 20.

The 35th TD Banknorth Oxford 250 will be held on July 20, another off week for the Nextel Cup drivers, and Ryan will again try to secure some Cup drivers for the fifth straight year.

Greg Veinote bought Spud Speedway in Caribou from Ralph and Nancy Nason and brought racing back for the first time since 2000.

Veinote’s wildest dreams have been realized as car counts and attendance have far exceeded his expectations.

On the surface, Spud Speedway always seemed like a diamond in the rough.

The track is steeped in tradition and provides a needed source of entertainment for people in Aroostook County and New Brunswick.

Veinote, who is from a racing family, did his homework and invested time and money into the facility to bring it up to the necessary standards.

He has gained sponsors for next year and has a list of improvements including the rest rooms and concession stands.

Wiscasset was also sold this year by Dave and Sandra St. Clair to longtime racer and sponsor Doug White.

Like Veinote, White had a strong desire to own a track and the two of them have brought an infectious enthusiasm to their new tracks.

White reinstituted the Pro Stock division and was ecstatic with his first season.

“We had a great couple of months,” said White, former co-owner of DNK Select Used Cars in Farmingdale. “The car counts were very good. We’re looking forward to next year.”

He had 18-20 Pro Stock cars weekly and intends to establish a points fund for each of his divisions next year that will pay the top 10 finishers in each class at the end of the year.

The Pro Stock champion will earn $10,000, the Late Model champ will earn $5,000, the Super Street winner will pocket $4,000, the Street Stock champ will net $2,000 and the Mini-Stocks winner will take home $1,500.

“That has created a lot of interest. There will be a lot of new cars next year,” said White. He will also have the DNK 250 Pro Stocks race on Aug. 17 that will put $30,000 in the winner’s pocket, and he has talked to Pro All-Stars Series President Tom Mayberry about a “huge Super Street race that will pay [the winner] $10,000.”

Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough and owner Andy Cusack had another strong year capped by the PASS 400 Weekend extravaganza, Speedway 95 co-owner Del Merritt has announced plans to establish a second racing groove which would significantly improve the quality of racing at the Hermon facility and the Nasons continue to offer a unique Friday night race card at Unity Raceway for those who want to devote their weekends to other activities.

And Mayberry continues to do an exemplary job with the constantly expanding PASS tour.

Larry Mahoney can be reached at 990-9231, 1-800-310-8600 or by email at lmahoney@bangordailynews.net.