Two of the top eight drivers in the Nextel Cup points standings; three of the eight leaders in the Busch Series points and the state of Maine’s most nationally prominent driver will join 80 other racers who will try to win the state’s most prestigious race on Sunday evening when the flag drops for the TD Banknorth Oxford 250.

The heat races begin at 2 and the 250 will start somewhere between 6:30-7:30 at Oxford Plains Speedway.

Turner’s Mike Rowe will seek to defend his title and become the race’s first four-time winner. His son, Ben, won the previous two 250s.

Kyle Busch, who is fourth in the Nextel Cup points and eighth in the Busch standings, will be back as Mike Rowe’s teammate and will look to improve upon last year’s sixth-place finish. Busch had a dominant car but a loose lug nut cost him a possible trip to Victory Lane in his first Oxford 250.

Hamlin, eighth in Cup points and fourth in the Busch series, and Yeley, who is 26th and fifth, respectively, will be making their Oxford 250 debuts.

Craven will be running in his first Oxford 250 since 1992. He won the 1991 race ahead of eventual Cup drivers Todd Bodine (third), Jeff Burton (6th), Bobby Labonte (seventh), Kenny Wallace (eighth), Ward Burton (14th) and David Green (17th).

Craven will be teammates with Johnny Clark of Farmingdale and will be driving a new Chevy Monte Carlo provided by Clark and his team.

He is looking forward to the 250.

“It’s an excellent track that fits my driving style. The track has always been a favorite of mine. The event is a favorite of mine,” said the 40-year-old Craven, who raced for the first time since Nov. 19 last Saturday and finished 39th in the Goody’s 250 Busch series race.

Craven said posting a strong finish isn’t going to be easy.

“These guys [local drivers] are very good at what they do and they do it every week,” said Craven. “It’s going to be very difficult to beat them at their own game.

“Fortunately for me, Johnny Clark has been a big help,” added Craven.

There are always two keys to winning the 250.

“You’ve got to have a lot of patience and stay out of wrecks,” said Mike Rowe.

“I don’t think you can have too much patience,” said Farmington native Jeff Taylor. “You’ve got to finish 250 laps. Leading the first lap doesn’t count. Leading lap 125 doesn’t count.

“And you need a lot of luck,” added Taylor.

The luck begins before the racers drive onto the track.

They draw numbers for their starting position in one of the six, 20-lap heat races. A poor starting spot can cost you.

The top four finishers in the six 20-lap heat races and top three finishers in the three 20-lap consolation events qualify as does the winner of the 50-lap last-chance race.

The highest OPS Late Model Stock finisher in Saturday’s American-Canadian Tour 100 will earn a spot as will the highest non-qualifier in OPS weekly series points and the most recent non-qualifying Oxford 250 winner.

OPS owner Bill Ryan can also hand out provisional starting spots to non-qualifiers.

The list of potential winners is a long one according to the drivers.

“When I used to go watch the race [several years ago], there were probably up to five drivers who could win it. Now there are 20 to 25,” said Bill Whorff Jr. of Topsham. “The cars are so close and it’s so competitive. All of us have the same technology.”

Farmington’s Cassius Clark agreed.

“There are so many guys with great equipment. It’s going to come down to who has luck on their side and who has the best handling race car,” said Clark.

The winner earns $25,000 and drivers receive $100 for every lap they lead.

OXFORD 250

PAST CHAMPIONS

Year, Driver, Earnings

1974 – Joey Kourafas, $4,500

1975 – Dave Dion, $4,500

1976 – Butch Lindley, $6,375

1977 – Don Biederman, $6,000

1978 – Bob Pressley, $7,050

1979 – Tom Rosati, $10,000

1980 – Geoff Bodine, $11,200

1981 – Geoff Bodine, $21,400

1982 – Mike Barry, $16,000

1983 – Tommy Ellis, $21,150

1984 – Mike Rowe, $26,475

1985 – Dave Dion $26,600

1986 – Chuck Bown, $28,950

1987 – Jamie Aube, $31,100

1988 – Dick McCabe, $34,100

1989 – Jamie Aube, $35,075

1990 – Chuck Bown, $51,872

1991 – Ricky Craven, $50,025

1992 – Dave Dion, $37,150

1993 – Junior Hanley, $40,475

1994 – Derek Lynch, $33,975

1995 – Dave Whitlock, $52,150

1996 – Larry Gelinas, $50,000

1997 – Mike Rowe, $39,800

1998 – Ralph Nason, $46,400

1999 – Ralph Nason, $42,700

2000 – Ralph Nason, $31,900

2001 – Gary Drew, $35,400

2002 – Scott Robbins, $36,900

2003 – Ben Rowe, $34,700

2004 – Ben Rowe, $29,600

2005 – Mike Rowe, $26,000