OXFORD — Defending Pro All Stars Series North champion DJ Shaw made a rare weekly visit pay off nicely, as he dominated the 50-lap Super Late Model Trophy Dash Saturday night at Oxford Plains Speedway.

Shaw, of Center Conway, New Hampshire, started 10th on the 18-car grid and quickly made his way into contention. He drove around the outside of early leader JT Thurlow coming off Turn 4 to take over the point on Lap 12, survived two mid-race restarts and pulled steadily away to a convincing victory.

Two-time track champion TJ Brackett made a late-race charge into second position, unofficially taking over the top spot in the battle for the points championship. Brackett’s rise locks up a starting spot in next Sunday’s prestigious Scott’s Recreation Oxford 250, presented by Fastway Trailer Products.

Fourteen-year-old rookie Gabe Brown, also of Center Conway, claimed his second straight trophy with a third-place finish in just his fourth Super Late Model race. Scott Moore of Anson raced with the leaders throughout the event and finished fourth.

Winterport’s Ryan Deane made a last-lap move into the top five, just 0.019 seconds better than Alan Wilson of Hebron. Alan Tardiff, of Lyman, who entered the night leading the championship standings, got spun twice in the race, yet managed to finish seventh after passing more cars than any of his rivals.

The top 10 was completed by Connecticut’s Ray Christian III, Kyle Hewins of Leeds, and four-time track champion Tim Brackett of Buckfield.

Bryce Mains won his fourth event of the season in a hotly contested Street Stock feature. It was the Bridgton native’s seventh victory overall in 2017, including the new Quad Series races. Mains started 10th in the 15-car field and drove around the outside of Kurt Hewins to take command at Lap 17.

Livermore’s Tyler King crossed the stripe in second, while Hewins settled for third. Greene’s Zach Bowie and Jordan Russell of Norway finished fourth and fifth, respectively. 

Rob Crepeau of Minot led nearly the entire 20-lap Bandit feature to secure his first victory in the entry-level class. It was no easy cruise to the checkered flag, as runner-up Josh Knoll spent most of the race battling alongside the eventual winner.

Oxford’s Chad Wills claimed the third-place trophy, while New Hampshire-based Mike McKinney and Adam Sanborn of West Paris rounded out the top five.

Minot’s Eric Hodgkins raced to his fifth Figure 8 victory of the season, wasting little time getting to the lead after starting in the fourth position. Kyle Kilgore of South Paris claimed runner-up honors, while point leader Tommy Tompkins of Carthage filled out the podium in third.

Lisbon veteran Dale Lawrence and David Smith of Paris completed the top five. 

Nocella wins Mod Tour show at The Ridge

Twenty-four-year-old Massachusetts native Anthony Nocella drove to victory on Saturday night in the Valenti Modified Racing Series event at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway. 

Nocella of Woburn held off Troy Talman and Westbrook’s Tony Ricci for top honors. Andy Shaw of Center Conway crossed the stripe in fourth, while fellow Granite State racer Mike Willis (Grantham) completed the top five.

In weekly NASCAR All-American Series action, Reid Lanpher won the 40-lap Pro Series feature, Matt Dow earned the 30-lap Sport Series victory and Alfred’s Adam Lovejoy held off Chaz Briggs to win the Wildcat feature. 

Whitney bags first win at Wiscasset

Brian Whitney notched his first career victory at Wiscasset on Saturday, pulling away to claim the 35-lap Late Model Sportsman feature. The driver from Etna started 18th but held off Sidney veteran Chris Thorne by just under a second at the line. Wiscasset’s Nick Hinkley filled out the podium in third.

Liberty natives Ryan St. Clair and Josh St. Clair finished fourth and fifth, respectively. Local drivers who ran the LMS race at Wiscasset on Saturday include Farmington’s Ben Erskine (ninth); Shane Kaherl, of Jay (14th); and Turner’s Steve Barker (16th).

Adam Chadborne carried on his family’s rich racing tradition, edging defending champion Mark Lucas for top honors in the Midcoast Region NAPA Modified feature. Allan Moeller crossed the stripe in third, while Tom Young of Freeport and Dan Brown of Peru completed the top five.

Augusta’s Shawn Kimball prevailed in a hotly-contested 25-lap battle for the Outlaw Mini division. Kimball held Rob Greenleaf at bay until the end, with Leeds native Jimmy Childs earning another podium finish in third. Childs suffered through a rough start to 2017, but has been fast in recent weeks.

Other feature winners Saturday evening at Wiscasset include Zach Emerson (Strictly Street); Keith Smalley (Wicked Good Vintage Late Models); and Sid Smith (Wicked Good Vintage Outlaws). 

DJ Shaw
Defending PASS North Series champion DJ Shaw, of Center Conway, N.H., drives off Turn 4 during practice at Oxford Plains Speedway on Saturday, Aug. 19. Shaw won the final weekly Super Late Model feature before Sunday’s Oxford 250.