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2009 SCHEDULE
December 1, 2008
Later race dates,
Thursday 'Summer Slam'
highlight 2009 OPS race schedule
OXFORD,
Maine - In hopes of courting the favor of Mother Nature, Oxford
Plains Speedway has announced one subtle adjustment and a major, new
wrinkle to its 2009 racing schedule.
After years of
traditionally employing a slate that progressed from just after
Easter until Labor Day, OPS will unfurl the green flag on Sunday,
May 17, with the New England Dodge Dealers ACT 150.
To accommodate
that change, the speedway will stretch the season deep into October,
concluding with the rebirth of “Halloween on Wheels” on Sunday,
Oct. 25.
Speedway
owner Bill Ryan also announced the creation of the Oxford
Championship Series Summer Slam -- three monthly events to be held
on Thursday nights. Those programs will feature added distances for
all three divisions and will count toward both the season
championship and the Agren Appliance Triple Crown.
“Every season
we evaluate the weather and the number of race dates, and we try to
organize a schedule that will give our drivers and fans the chance
to see the most racing in the most comfortable conditions,” Ryan
said. “We’re excited about the 2009 schedule because it provides
more opportunities to race in September and October as well as
moving some of those cold April and May nights to July and
August.”
The 2009 season
will commence with the traditional practice day for all divisions on
Saturday, May 9. Forty race dates dot an ambitious schedule from
there, covering the full spectrum of racing divisions and family
entertainment.
Some of the
highlights:
- The TD
Banknorth 250 Weekend presented by the New England Dodge Dealers
again will feature three full race programs, beginning with the
Acceleration Series and Strictly and Mini Stocks on Friday, July 17.
The True Value Modified Racing Series returns for the third-annual
Maine-Ly Action Sports 100 on Saturday, July 18, with the 36th
annual Late Model summer classic scheduled for Sunday, July 19.
- Summer Slam
races are set for three Thursdays: July 2, July 30 and August 20.
Each round will feature increasing feature distances of 50, 60 and
75 laps. In addition to being part of two different championship
series, those events also will be “Lucky Draw” nights, removing
the traditional handicap system from the equation.
“We wanted to
create an unpredictable format,” Ryan explained. “The lineups
will be different than usual. The races will be longer than usual.
And the drivers will have a race two nights later to think about. To
win the championship this year, you’ll have to be successful in
those Summer Slam races.”
- ACT will begin
and end the season. The New England Dodge Dealers Fall Finale is
Sunday, Oct. 11, featuring a 150-lap touring event, the 13th annual
Little Guy 100s and special events for the Outlaw and Runnin’
Rebel divisions.
- Championship
Night for the Oxford Championship Series is Saturday, Sept. 12.
There’s added incentive for the Oxford Networks Late Model
champion this year. That driver will earn a provisional starting
spot in the first-ever ACT event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway,
sharing the garage area with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series on Sept.
18-20.
- Maine State
Lottery Fireworks Night falls on the holiday this year: Saturday,
July 4. OPS again will present fireworks specials throughout the
season, falling on May 23, August 1 and Sept. 5.
- Motor Mayhem
returns in three installments on two Friday nights, July 10 and
August 7, and the Sunday special before Halloween. Each event will
have the traditional four-cylinder and full-size enduros. Additional
events would be added in the future. Each show will also include an
appearance by the Vertical Outlaws stunt bike team. The August 7
event features the return of Rammunition in a monster truck
exhibition.
- Fan
Appreciation Night is Saturday, May 30, with a pre-race autograph
session and rolled-back admission prices: $5 for adults, free for
juniors.
- It’s another
full season for the Acceleration Series, with two alternating
divisions competing along with the Champ Series every Saturday
night. The OAS “regular season” runs Wednesday nights from June
3 to Sept. 2.
All regular
Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday events will start at 6:30 p.m.
OPS will offer
the usual array of season pass options. For more information and a
full price list, visit www.oxfordplains.com.
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