Brandon Varney Wins Opening Day SLM Feature at Oxford Plains

Brandon Varney announced his presence in his return to Oxford Plains Speedway, winning the Mid-Coast Excavation Super Late Models feature during the 77th Applebee's Oxford Championship Series Opening Day.

The former Kulwicki Driver Development Program finalist led every lap of his heat race and the 50-lap feature, earning his third career win in Oxford Plains Speedway's premier division.

It was anything but smooth sailing leading up to Sunday's race for Varney. There were times he wasn't sure if he'd get to take part in the Opening Day festivities. After overcoming some mechanical issues during the day, however, Varney was unstoppable.

"What a ride it's been," said Varney in victory lane. "It's been a long week. I've had a lot of gremlins, we had gremlins today. We just got it running right before the heat.

"We busted ass today. It's been a tough day, having to hold Mike off at the end was pretty cool. It's just been a ride."

Varney also had to hold off one of the all-time greats at Oxford Plains Speedway for the win in Mike Rowe. Rowe won Opening Night one year ago, earning his 127th career win in Oxford's premier division in the process.

The seven-time track champion applied plenty of pressure to Varney early in the race, but lost the handling on his No. 24 and had to play defense for a runner-up finish.

"I got real loose," Rowe said. "Brandon was going good. I don't know if I could have got him anyway. I just wanted to protect."

Scott McDaniel, last year's Super Late Model champion in the Oxford Championship Series, opened his 2026 bid for a repeat title with a third-place finish. He had modest goals for Opening Day, but found momentum running the outside during Sunday's race.

"I was hoping just to survive for, like, a top eight or something today. Once we were able to get to the outside, it's kind of where my car was good."

The Mid-Coast Excavation Super Late Models will be back in action on Saturday, May 2, along with the Dow Excavating Limited Sportsmen, Spaulding Roofing Specialist Street Stocks, Green Lawn Solutions Mad Bombers and KHM Thunder Stocks. They're all taking part in a special event for Oxford Plains Speedway, as the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour returns to the Maine facility for the All States Materials Group 150.

Post time is 3:15 p.m. for next Saturday's event, with the All States Materials Group 150 scheduled to take the green flag at 6:15 p.m. For more information, visit oxfordplains.com.