IPSC Oxford Plains Speedway 1999-07-04

True Value 250 Tradition Continues As Nason Wins

Oxford, Maine (July 4) - Fans of the True Value 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway have come to "Expect The Unexpected" in the biggest one-day short track race in North America and the 26th Annual running of the event was no exception. "Racin" Ralph Nason from Unity, Maine became only the second back-to-back winner and picked up a check for a whopping $42,700 (USD) for his efforts. 98 cars were on hand for Round 3 of the 1999 International Pro Stock Challenge (IPSC). "It was one of those deals where I had to slow down to go faster," said Nason, a veteran racer who first win in the prestigious event came in 1998. "The track was so slippery with the heat out there, you basically had to get in a comfortable rhythm and stay there." Nason's started second on the 46-car field and picked up the lead in his No. 10 Jim's Salad Ford on the second circuit. With the 1/3-mile track being packed with cars Nason had to avoid more than one bullet as the race progressed. On lap 91 he dodged a wreck right that occurred right in front of him. Just six circuits later he and Tracy Gordon got together with Nason spinning and Gordon being held in the penalty box for one lap. Nason had to come from the rear of the field but set sail on the outside groove and reclaimed the lead on lap 125. In all, he led 177 of the 250 green flag laps. Nason also picked up a premium lightweight aluminum jack for winning the Pace Race Jack Halfway Award. More than 10,000 enthusiastic fans endured the sweltering 100 degree temperatures to watch the race that is known far and wide for more action in one day than any other pro stock car race in the country. Ben Rowe from Turner, Maine came from an 11th-place start to finish second in his first run in the Hi-Tech Motorsports Tartan Textile/Louis Pontiac Grand Prix. Scott Fraser from Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia started 38th and finished third in the Atlantic CAT Chevrolet. Sam Sessions from South Paris, Maine, driving the Stripper Tree Delimbers Chevrolet was fourth and Tim Brackett from Oxford, Maine, rounded out the top five in the Dunkin Donuts Chevrolet. Polesitter Pete Sheppard, Brampton, Ontario, led the first lap and finished 34th after retiring from the race on lap 134. Motor Mart Heat Race winners were Sheppard, Nason, Kirk Thibeau, Johnny Clark, Tommy Tompkins, Jr., and Danny Bubar. Consis went to Andy Shaw, Mike Maietta, Jr., and Nick Nichols. The top four finishers from the heat races and consis transferred to the True Value 250. The C Feature was won by Scott Moore (top six transferred to Last Chance Race). Tommy Rowe from Turner, Maine won the Last Chance and turned down $2,000.00 to transfer to the True Value 250 starting field. Tommy Rowe joined his father, Mike Rowe (two-time True Value 250 winner) and brother, Ben Rowe, in the field. Ben Rowe will take over the IPSC points lead by just one point over Fraser (441-440), followed by Adam Friend at 420, Tim Brackett at 410 and Scott Robbins at 382. The champion will receive a check for $15,000 (CDN) and the Kelly Cup at season end. Round 4 is set for July 24th at Scotia Speedworld in Halifax, Nova Scotia. For more information on the IPSC, check our web site at www.ipschallenge.com.

FINAL RESULTS: 1. Ralph Nason - Unity, Maine; 2. Ben Rowe - Turner, Maine; 3. Scott Fraser - Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia; 4. Sam Sessions - S. Paris, Maine; 5. Tim Brackett - Oxford, Maine; 6. Scott Chubbuck - Wiscassett, Maine; 7. Adam Friend - Pittsfield, Maine; 8. Jeff Taylor - Farmington, Maine; 9. Kirk Thibeau - Fort Fairfield, Maine; 10. Bub Bilodeau - Standish, Maine; 11. Bob Gerry - Fryeburg, Maine; 12. John Flemming - Halifax, Nova Scotia; 13. Stan Meserve - Mooresville, North Carolina; 14. Chuck Lachance - Rockland, Maine; 15. Scott Robbins - Dixfield, Maine; 16. Glen Luce - Turner, Maine; 17. Andy Shaw - Center Conway, New Hampshire; 18. Mike MacKenzie - Dartmouth, Nova Scotia; 19. Dennis Spencer, Jr. - Turner, Maine; 20. Tommy Tompkins, Jr. - Carthage, Maine; 21. Jeff Crowley - Groton, Mass.; 22. Dana Staples - Farmington, Maine; 23. Gary Drew - W. Buxton, Maine; 24. Johnny Clark - Hallowell, Maine; 25. Dave Dion - Hudson, New Hampshire; 26. Tracy Gordon - Strong, Maine; 27. James Brown - Barrington, New Hampshire; 28. Chris Staples - Brunswick, Maine; 29. Danny Bubar - Windham, Maine; 30. Tommy Rowe - Turner, Maine; 31. Bruce Haley - Minot, Maine; 32. Nick Nichols - Farmington, Maine; 33. Jim McCallum - Fall River, Mass.; 34. Pete Sheppard - Brampton, Ontario; 35. Mike Maietta, Jr. - S. Portland, Maine; 36. Jerry Babb - Windham, Maine; 37. Kenny Wright - Woolwich, Maine; 38. Richie Dearborn - Hollis, Maine; 39. Jeff Morgan Scarborough, Maine; 40. Chuck Dockerty, Jr. - W. Springfield, Mass.; 41. Mike Weeden - Haverhill, Mass.; 42. Mike Rowe - Turner, Maine; 43. Alan Wilson - Hebron, Maine; 44. Steve Knowlton - Ipswich, Mass.; 45. Dale Shaw - Conway, New Hampshire; 46. Jim Emerson - Windham, Maine.