DURHAM — While defending track champion Dave Farrington Jr. of Jay strives to defend his crown each week at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough, another talented young hot-shoe from Durham is working to get his program turned around and headed in the right direction.

Twenty-two year old Evan Beaulieu is already in his 11th season of racing, having come up through the ranks in Karts and Legends cars like Farrington and a host of others. With 83 career feature wins and multiple class titles, he’s paid his dues.

The past few weeks, he’s been consumed with trying to get his No. 56 Pro Series entry dialed in and hooked up with the oval on Holmes Road.

“We’ve had the car over at Dale Shaw’s shop, and his son DJ can’t seem to find what is throwing us off,” Beaulieu said. “For some reason, the chassis over-reacts to every adjustment we make. The thing is either way too tight, or way too loose. We’ll get it figured out soon, and when we do, it’s going to make that top five or podium finish all the more satisfying.”

When he isn’t working for Hancock Lumber, Beaulieu can often be found designing or applying graphics for various motor sports clients. As owner of Nitro Designs, he stays busy making other cars, apparel and promotional items eye-catching and professional.

“I’m actually working on a new website for AR Bodies right now,” Beaulieu said. “The cool thing about this business is I am able to develop relationships with great companies like that. My father never raced at all, so when we first started out, we didn’t know anybody. Our travels in racing and my design work allows us to meet people and learn faster. I enjoy working for other teams to enhance their image.”

After his five-year stint racing Legend cars, Beaulieu is still fond of them. He finds the time to promote the NELCAR Legends series here in Maine, plus he works with his friend Wyatt Alexander at Wiscasset when time allows.

“We had a great run in the Legends cars. The NELCAR series is where a lot of kids learn how to race. I know what a key role it plays in driver development. Whatever we can do to promote it and the young drivers competing there is time well spent. I enjoy working with young aspiring talent, like Wyatt, for example. It can be very rewarding.”

Beaulieu made the step up to Pro Series (Super Late Model/Pro Stock cars) competition at Beech Ridge in 2013. He won a feature late in the season and claimed Rookie-of-the-Year honors. His car is a fine piece purchased from PASS North winner Joey Doiron, but Beaulieu has yet to reach its full potential.

“Last year and the first half of this season have been very frustrating,” Beaulieu said. “As we worked our way up through Karts and Legends cars, we were used to running up front and winning races. To be struggling like this now forces us to work harder and dig deep. We know we’re surrounded by good people, and that we’ll get back on track soon. Yet I’ll be the first to admit, it’s tough.”

Along with weekly racing at Beech Ridge, Beaulieu has also run a few PASS North shows since he bought the Super Late Model. While the Pro Series is considered one of the most competitive weekly divisions in New England, PASS North can be a daunting challenge.

“Whenever you unload at a PASS North show, you’re up against the region’s top drivers. I’ve always hads guys like Mike Rowe and Kelly Moore on a pedestal; they’re skilled veterans with decades of experience. Once we get our car hooked up and competitive again, we may try our hand at another PASS race or two. We’ve got a lot of work to do before that happens, but it’s a goal.”

Like so many other young racers, and older ones as well, Beaulieu hopes he can take a shot at the famed AIM Recycling Oxford 250 in late August. It’s the biggest show most New England teams will ever be part of, and a race hundreds have dreamed about winning.

“If we get our car figured out so that it runs fast at Beech Ridge, and we can get the proper funding, I’d love to attempt qualifying at the 250,” Beaulieu said with cautious optimism. “I’ve never attempted that race; I grew up watching it and know it’s a huge deal just to make the show. Nothing is set in stone yet, but we’re hoping to get back to Oxford and take our shot. Right now, we have other priorities.”

His focus is on getting back into competitive shape at Beech Ridge. As he toils away on the job or in his design studio, figuring out those handling issues is always on his mind.

“I want to get back to Victory Lane in the worst way,” Beaulieu said. “For me, that’s what it has always been about. That is my main goal in the weeks ahead. If I can be competitive in the second half of 2015 and have a shot to win, I’ll be happy.”

pwhipple@sunjournal.com