NAPLES, ME :: Circles are pretty important in short track stock car racing. And unfortunately for the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) North Super Late Model division, the weather has seemed to be a never ending circle of rain, clouds, and race cancellations. The PASS North Super Late Models have not competed since May 18 at Quebec’s Autodrome Chaudiere. Rainouts at White Mountain Motorsports Park and Speedway 660 led to PASS officials adding a make-up event at Oxford Plains Speedway on June 22 and, despite a glimmer of hope that saw cars make it on track for heat racing, a summer shower sent teams packing once again. And, you guessed it, last weekend’s event scheduled for New Hampshire’s Canaan Fair Speedway had to be cancelled due to soggy conditions in and around the speedway.
As the month of July dawns, fans and racers are hoping the weather has cleared for what will be a big month of racing in Maine for the PASS North Super Late Models. On Saturday night, teams will celebrate the Independence Day holiday weekend with a return to Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, one of the most popular stops on the circuit. Then, all the attention will shift to New England’s most iconic short track, the Oxford Plains Speedway. On Friday night July 12, teams will compete for 150 laps, just a week before the legendary 40th Annual TD Bank 250 at Oxford July 19-21.
But before focusing on the major events at Oxford Plains, PASS North Super Late Model competitors hope to tame Beech Ridge Motor Speedway this weekend in the Southern Maine Motors 150. With such a long layoff since the last race at Autodrome Chaudiere, the early season points leaders hope their momentum will continue. Joey Doiron, winner in last year’s season opener at Beech Ridge, is atop the standings on the strength of being the only driver to finish in the top five in every race so far this season. DJ Shaw comes into the Southern Maine Motors 150 fourth in points, but is considered by many to be the favorite. After all, he won the PASS North race there in May and won the local Pro Series race at Beech Ridge last weekend, just edging out his dad, Dale.
On the flip side, several drivers will be hoping to put the early season behind them and take advantage of the month or so not racing in hopes of turning their respective seasons around. Johnny Clark and Ben Rowe have won a total of 10 PASS North championships between the two of them and both currently find themselves in the top 10 in points. Despite that, the two only have one finish in the top five this year, that being Rowe’s fourth place effort in the season opener at Oxford Plains.
Each of those drivers will have a lofty group of challengers as another full field of the Northeast’s best drivers will be assembled for this weekend’s 150 lapper. Defending PASS North champion Travis Benjamin hopes his strong start to 2013 continues and will be looking for his first win of the season. Cassius Clark is also in the thick of the championship hunt and will be seeking to become the first two-time winner in PASS North this year. Veterans Mike Rowe and Kelly Moore probably have more laps around Beech Ridge than any other drivers in the field Saturday night and are both former PASS winners there. Trevor Sanborn and Scott Dragon have found success at Beech Ridge in the past. While New Hampshire’s Bryan Kruczek, a two-time heat race winner this season, and the Southern Maine Motors sponsored entry for veteran Scott Mulkern will both be hoping for a shot at the front of the field. Maine drivers Curtis Gerry, Corey Bubar, Chad Dow, David Oliver, and Mike Landry, will be joined by Massachusetts veteran Tony Ricci and New Brunswick’s Matt Matheson in seeking win at Beech Ridge.
Action gets underway Saturday afternoon at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway for the Southern Maine Motors 150 with rotating practice for the PASS North Super Late Models and PASS Modifieds beginning at 2 PM followed by heat races and main event racing afterwards.
Entry list and schedule for this weekend’s PASS North event at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway can be found at ProAllStarsSeries.com.
PASS North Super Late Model entry forms for Beech Ridge Motor Speedway and the 40th Annual TD Bank 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway can be found at ProAllStarsSeries.com.
