10 Things to Know About the 49th Oxford 250

The Oxford 250 weekend has finally arrived. But before the main event at Oxford Plains Speedway (ME) kicks off, let’s explore 10 important facts about the 49th Annual Oxford 250.

A huge thank you to the track and partners that ensured all the laps for this year’s Oxford 250 were sold. The leader of each lap will receive a minimum of $100. In addition to the $25,000 first-place prize, a driver could potentially earn an extra $25,000 in lap money. One driver is in for a significant windfall.

READ MORE: Lap Sponsorships Sold Out for Oxford 250

Ralph Nason holds the record as the all-time lap leader in the Oxford 250, having led 796 laps during his career. He also had an impressive three consecutive wins in the late 90s. Despite not having any wins in the race, Jeff Taylor has led 442 laps. Ben Rowe is currently the most successful active driver with 352 wins. The Oxford 250 has seen a total of 40 different drivers lead at least 100 laps.

THE THIRD TURN: Oxford 250 Central

RacingAmerica.TV will serve as the hub for live, uninterrupted coverage of the Oxford 250 this weekend. The coverage will span across both Saturday and Sunday of the Oxford 250 weekend.

READ MORE: How to Watch the Oxford 250 on Racing America

The Oxford 250 on Sunday is expected to have around 70 entries on the list. However, there is always a possibility of additional entries on the morning of the race day.

READ MORE: Nearly 70 Entries Filed for 49th Oxford 250

We often discuss attaining success in heat races, yet in six out of the last eight Oxford 250 victories, the winner has emerged from beyond the top 20. Take 2005 for instance, when Mike Rowe won the last chance race and subsequently claimed victory in the Oxford 250 for the third time in his career.

A few of the drivers, such as DJ Shaw, Jimmy Hebert, and Jason Corliss, are planning to participate in the ACT Late Model race and the Oxford 250 the following day. As we approach the race day, we anticipate the potential for more participants.

READ MORE: American-Canadian Tour Returns to Oxford Plains Speedway

The entry list for the weekend includes 12 previous Oxford 250 victors, namely Ben Rowe, Bubba Pollard, Curtis Gerry, Johnny Clark, Eddie MacDonald, Joey Polewarczyk, Travis Benjamin, Gary Drew, Jeremie Whorff, Cassius Clark, Scott Robbins, and Glen Luce. Together, these drivers have amassed 16 Oxford 250 wins in total.

This weekend at the 250, a few drivers are set to make historic starts. Ben Rowe will be making his 25th start, DJ Shaw his 10th, and Tracy Gordon, Scott Robbins and Jeff Taylor are all aiming for their 20th start in this significant race. Mike Rowe was due to make his 40th run in the 250, but a health issue prevented him from participating this year. Hopefully, he will be able to make the historic run next year at the race’s 50th occurrence.

READ MORE: Ben Rowe Driving Father's Car in 49th Oxford 250

If you dominate the heat races, not only can you get into the show, but you can also stay among the leaders throughout. Eddie MacDonald has topped six heat races and DJ Shaw has secured four victories in recent years. Similarly, Cassius Clark has four wins. However, his most notable achievement is his rise from the Consi race in 2021 to win the 250.

The Oxford 250 is set to consist of 250 laps under a green flag, with caution laps not contributing to the overall distance.