Jimmy Renfrew, Jr. started a doubleheader weekend at Oxford Plains Speedway by punching his ticket to this year's Oxford 250.

Story courtesy of Racing America

Jimmy Renfrew, Jr. started a doubleheader weekend at Oxford Plains Speedway by punching his ticket to this year's Oxford 250.

Fan Appreciation Night at Oxford Plains was headlined by a 125-lap feature for the Mid-Coast Excavation Super Late Models. The contest also served as a qualifier for the 53rd Annual Nitro Trailers Oxford 250 on August 30.

Renfrew charged from 17th to first in the first 26 laps, then maintained the top spot to score the victory in the pivotal Super Late Model showcase. The win also marks the first Super Late Model win at Oxford for Renfrew, a former American-Canadian Tour winner at the Maine facility.

"It feels great," said Renfrew about the win. "This car was really good today. I tried to get it wound up there in the third groove for you guys, coming from 17th. I figured we started too far back. I just can't thank all my guys enough.

"Beating Mike Rowe here is like winning the Daytona 500, the way you guys cheer. Just can't thank everybody at Donnie Wilson Motorsports, Renfrew Motorsports, Dennis Dean, my parents, all my crew guys back there that bust their ass every week I make them go to the racetrack with me, 65 times a year. This is awesome."

With the win, Renfrew is guaranteed, at minimum, a provisional starting spot in the Oxford 250. He hopes to add some more Super Late Model wins at Oxford this year, whether it be in the 250 or the Celebration of America 300 next month.

"I've wanted to win a Super Late Model race here for a long time," said Renfrew. "We've won in the ACT car, and hopefully, we're going to come back and either get a 300 or a 250."

Young Cole Robie started on the pole and led the first 25 laps before turning over the top spot to Renfrew. Robie felt it was an easy decision at the time, believing Renfrew was pushing too hard on his tires to keep his pace for 125 laps.

Instead, Renfrew stayed strong and Robie brought home a runner-up finish.

"We had a great day. We had some brake problems here at the beginning of the day in practice. I have a great team behind me, they worked on this car steady. They were able to get me out here and have a fast car.

"We started on the pole, and Jimmy was coming. We let Jimmy go, I thought he was gonna burn his tires up. He didn't, and we fell short by one position today."

Mike Rowe, coming off a win one week ago, finished third on Saturday night. Rowe also drove from deep in the field, adding to his points lead in the Oxford Championship Series standings as Scott McDaniel struggled after an opening lap incident.

"We knew that Renfrew was real quick," said Rowe. "I want to thank everybody for coming out. I tell you what, you guys all come back next week, because this is a hell of a crowd.

"My crew did a hell of a job. They're doing a good job, they're making me look good."

Should Renfrew, Jr. qualify into the Oxford 250, the provisional goes to the highest finisher in Saturday's race who does not qualify into the marquee race.

Thomas Abele, Jr. finished fourth, with Brandon Varney rounding out the top five.

Super Late Model competitors will be back in action Sunday at Oxford Plains Speedway with the Pro All Stars Series battling for 150 laps. The PASS Modifieds and Mad Bombers will also be on track, with racing starting at 2 p.m. ET.

Naples, Maine — 6/20/2026 — Officials with Oxford Plains Speedway (OPS) and the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) announced today that Nitro Trailers out of Pittsfield, Maine has signed on to the title sponsorship of the 53^rd annual Oxford 250.   The 53^rd annual Nitro Trailers Oxford 250 will be contested on August 30^th, 2026, with an approximate post time of 6:00 p.m. 

“We couldn’t be happier to work with Chad (Dow) and a top-notch company like Nitro Trailers,” said OPS President Tom Mayberry. “The work and craftsmanship that goes into every trailer they build is second to none, and we are proud to have them as a partner for such a marquee race.”

Nitro Trailers is the Northeast's Premier Manufacturer of Custom Aluminum Trailers.  Each unit is built with top-rated designs and quality craftsmanship and designed for a wide variety of needs. From high-end race trailers to cargo trailers, car haulers, and a wide variety on snowmobile trailers, the Nitro Series combines exceptional fit and finish with the flexibility to tackle any job.

“When this opportunity arose, I knew I needed to jump on board,” said Nitro Trailers CEO Chad Dow. “Not only is this a great chance to expand the Nitro Trailers name, but it’s also a chance to give back to a community that has helped build my business.”

Nitro Trailers was founded in 2013 by owner Chad Dow. A lifelong racing enthusiast, Dow has been involved in the motorsports industry since the late 1990s, working on race crews for some of New England’s most accomplished drivers, including three-time Oxford 250 Champion Ralph Nason, DJ Shaw, and 2020 Oxford 250 Champion Johnny Clark. Through these experiences, he developed valuable fabrication skills and a strong work ethic that would later become the foundation of his own business.

After the trailer manufacturing company where he worked closed its doors in 2009, Dow launched his own company specializing in race car and trailer accessories, many of which are still in use today. In 2013, he decided it was time to return to trailer manufacturing and founded Nitro Trailers.

Starting in a small three-bay garage with just one employee, Nitro Trailers focused on building high-quality trailers while offering the innovative features and options customers wanted most. That commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and customer satisfaction fueled the company's growth.

Today, more than a dozen years later, Nitro Trailers employs over 70 people, and more than 20,000 Nitro trailers are traveling roads across North America, serving customers in a wide range of industries and recreational markets.

A laundry list of notable racers over the previous years has made the Nitro Trailers Oxford 250 one of the most renowned short track races in the land that seems to sit on the bucket list of some of the most successful drivers. From humble beginnings in 1974 to a nationally recognized race in 2026, the roster of noteworthy drivers is a who’s of auto racing.  Drivers like Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth, Geoffrey Bodine, Harry Gant, Bobby Labonte, Chuck Bown, Kurt Busch, and the late Kyle Busch have all competed in the prestigious event.

“The caliber of racing we have seen so far in 2026 has me excited to get to see this year’s race.   The caliber of teams racing on PASS and at OPS weekly seems to get better and better each year.  And every few years there seems to be a Cinderella story.  That could happen this year, too,” said Mayberry.

With $25,000 plus lap money up for grabs, 42 hopeful drivers have already entered the 53^rd annual Nitro Trailers Oxford 250.  Drivers like Johnny Clark, Jimmy Renfrew Jr, Scott McDaniel, and Caden Kvapil are on the list.  Youngsters like Cole Robie, Sylas Ripley, and Brandon Barker have showed they are up to the task, while veterans like Mike and Ben Rowe, Tim Brackett, and Scott Robbins look to re-live the glory days. With still two months before the race, the entry list is expected to grow.  To see the current and up to date list please go to the Pro All Stars Series website at www.proallstarsseries.com.

For his part, Nitro Trailer owner Dow is already thinking of things he can do to make this already huge event even bigger.

“I plan to work with Tom and his staff to support this race in any way I can,” said Dow.  “We have already kicked around a few ideas for fans and drivers.  I am excited to see what we come up with.”

“The 2026 Nitro Trailers Oxford 250 is shaping up to be one of our biggest yet,” Mayberry added.

A full event schedule with support divisions is set to be released within the next couple of weeks.

Officials also noted that laps for the 53^rd Annual Oxford 250 are now open.  To buy a lap or many please contact Mary Mayberry at 207-749-6968 or Kevin Varney at 207-577-1836.  Businesses buying a block of three or more will get to use their logo!

For more information on open partnerships at the Nitro Trailers Oxford 250, OPS, or with PASS, please contact Kevin Varney at 207-577-1836 or at opsmarketing50@gmail.com or inquire via social media.

For more information about the Pro All Stars Series, visit www.proallstarsseries.com.

For more information about Oxford Plains Speedway, visit www.oxfordplains.com.

To take advantage of marketing opportunities at the Pro All Stars Series or Oxford Plains Speedway or to buy a lap or many for the Nitro Trailers Oxford 250, please call 207-577-1836 or inquire at OPSmarketing50@gmail.com.

For technical information concerning all PASS divisions please contact passracing@roadrunner.com or call Jason Ricker at 704-881-4429.

Don't forget to "Like" the Pro All Stars Series, NESS, and the PASS MODS touring series on Facebook: 

facebook.com/ProAllStarsSeries

facebook.com/p/Official-Page-of-Oxford-Plains-Speedway

https://www.facebook.com/NESupers

facebook.com/p/PASS-MODS-Touring-Series

 

Photo by Norm Marx