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OXFORD – Bobby Dragon of Milton, Vt. knows a few things about the TD Banknorth Oxford 250.
After all, he finished fifth in the inaugural 250 in 1974.
The 62-year-old was back in the race again Sunday. His nephew, Brent, was also entered and his son, Scott, would have also been involved if he hadn’t wrecked his car a week ago.
Bobby Dragon has been running in the American-Canadian Tour this season.
“I’ve probably missed only half a dozen [Oxford 250s] over the years when we were running the Busch North series,” said Dragon, who added that it has always been a special race for him.
“This was THE big race of the year in the early days. When it was over in July, it was almost like the season was over,” said Dragon. “It was one we always prepared especially hard for. The notoriety of this race is second to none as far as short track racing goes, the way that I see it. That’s why it attracts the Kenseths, the Buschs and the Harvicks and all these guys because the best of the best have all been here over the years.
“From the short track days of the midwest when Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin were running ASA. Long before their Cup careers, they were all here because of this race. I think a lot of your Cup stars want to know the history of it. They want to say they’ve been there and done that at least once.”
Dragon has a pair of fourths and two fifths representing his best finishes in the 250.
“We had it going our way a couple times and it just didn’t work out [for the win],” said Dragon.
He said his most memorable 250 was when Kennebunkport’s Dick McCabe and Geoffrey Bodine of Chemung, N.Y., got tangled in the waning stages of the race. Neither wound up winning.
“Dick did what he had to do. He put [Bodine] out. That was probably my highlight. I was on the sidelines early that year so I go to see it. I think I was the first to congratulate Dick on his move on that one,” said Dragon.
He said the highlight of this season has been getting the chance to race against his son and his nephew.
“That’s what’s been fun about this year, getting the chance to race against them before we call it quits at some point,” said Dragon.
He said the move from Pro Stocks to Late Models, implemented by OPS owner Bill Ryan last year, made perfect sense to him.
“With the number of [Late Model] cars in New England and around the country, basically, I think it was a good move truthfully,” said Dragon.
Victory bolstered Whorff
Bath’s Jeremie Whorff came out of nowhere two years ago to win the last TD Banknorth Oxford 250 with Pro Stock cars. It was the first time he had ever tried to qualify for the 250.
He wound up beating his father, Bill Whorff Jr., across the finish line.
That win and the $36,600 paycheck put him on the map.
“That was a momentum builder for me. Your momentum, your thoughts and your confidence [benefit]. You’re able to go out and win some more races [after that],” said the 24-year-old Whorff.
“Guys are out here for 15 years trying to win the 250. I was lucky that day. I had a good race car and a good crew. Our day was perfect and that’s what you need to win the 250,” Whorff said.
He said he hasn’t had a real good year this season as a regular at Wiscasset Raceway and also runs a “few PASS [Pro All-Stars Series] here and there.”
“Luck hasn’t been on our side this year. I think we have one win and a second and the rest were DNFs [did not finish]. Not a real good year for us but we go over and have some fun anyway,” said Whorff.
He said he has been starting in the back of the pack because the top points drivers often wind up in the same heat races. As a result, he has been involved in a number of wrecks.
“They have a lot of inexperienced drivers over there. They’re still learning and we wind up getting caught up in some of those [wrecks],” said Whorff.
Whorff wound up 16th in the 250 last year.
“We had a pretty good run. We didn’t have a fast car. We were patient and worked out way to the front. We were third or fourth with 20-25 laps to go and the third place car ended up blowing a motor and we got tangled up with him and ended up going off the bank,” said Whorff, who felt he had a “real good shot” to win Sunday’s race.
Eight races for Leighton
Brad Leighton of Center Harbor, N.H,. has won 24 races on the Camping World East series and he was in his fourth TD Banknorth Oxford 250 Sunday.
His best finish was second behind Junior Hanley in 1993.
He was 13th a year ago.
“There’s a lot of history behind [the 250]. I’ve always looked at it where getting in is one part of the victory and then finishing the race,” said Leighton. “[Qualifying] is definitely a struggle. If you had a so-so car and had a bad draw, you’re probably not going to make the main event.”
Drivers’ numbers are drawn at the drivers meeting to determine where they will start in the 20-lap heat races. The top four finishers in each heat race qualify and then there are three consolation races, also 20-lappers, with the top four again qualifying. Then there are three 20-lap last-chance races in which just the winners earn a spot.
“We’ve been fortunate. The last three times we attempted, we ended up drawing pretty well and had a decent car and got in to all three events,” said Leighton. “That’s really what we’re looking for.”
The 46-year-old Leighton drives a part-time schedule these days, running Camping World East series races, ACT races and a few others.
“I think I’m doing eight races in all,” said Leighton. “That’s just enough for me.”
He has no desire to race a full-time schedule like he used to. He prefers to try to make up for lost time with his family. Leighton is the father of two children.
“I’ve been pretty selfish through my career in terms of spending time with my kids,” said Leighton.
Irving [Fuel and Mainways] has sponsored him for five years and has nothing but praise for his sponsors.
“It is a lot of fun right now. These guys are great. It has been a great relationship,” said Leighton.
He said he has a good car but again pointed out the importance of the draw especially for Late Model cars.
“You could have a top five car and have a bad draw and not make the field. These [cars] are so close,” said Leighton. “The rules are so tight and generic. It’s tough to gain any edge at all.”
lmahoney@bangordailynews.net
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