Oxford Plains Speedway unveils 2009 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 â?oHalloween on Wheelsâ? 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.

â?oEvery 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. â?oWeâ?Tre 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 commenc
e 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 â?oLucky Drawâ? nights, removing the
traditional handicap system from the equation.

â?oWe wanted to create an unpredictable format,â? Ryan explained. â?oThe
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, youâ?Tll 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 Runnin8
0 Rebel divisions.

- Championship Night for the Oxford Championship Series is Saturday, Sept.
12. Thereâ?Ts 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.

- Itâ?Ts another full season for the Acceleration Series, with two
alternating divisions competing along with the Champ Series every Saturday
night. The OAS â?oregular seasonâ? 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 informa
tion full schedule, visit www.oxfordplains.com.