Battle For 2024 Kulwicki Cup Shaping Up As Closest Ever
Jul 30, 2024
Brandon Varney’s first full season of Super Late Model Racing at Oxford Plains Speedway has seen plenty of highs and lows.
Varney has been to victory lane at the historic Maine bullring this year, winning on May 26 in the Oxford Championship Series. That win came just one week after an engine failure while racing with the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) at White Mountain Motorsports Park.
Such has been the season for the Auburn, Maine driver. It's not an uncommon obstacle for drivers at the tricky and demanding track.
“It’s been super up-and-down, just because we race predominantly at Oxford,” said Varney. “Sometimes, you’ll be good. You won’t change anything the next week, and you’ll be 15th. It’s a super finicky track.
“To be good there consistently is very, very hard. For a rookie team like us, I’m learning the car, our whole team is new with the Super Late Models. It’s been a very trying year, but we’re grinding through it and we’re having fun, at least.”
This is especially true when PASS makes a visit to Oxford Plains. Along with the track’s regular drivers, locals must face some of the top racers in the Northeast.
“Especially when you race PASS, you have to be on your game. You have to compete with the D.J. Shaws, the Joey Doirons, the Mike Hopkins.
“Those guys are top-notch talent up this way, and really around the country. I think if you put them anywhere in the country, they’d be successful. On top of that, being Oxford, you’ve got to have your stuff together.
“Tim Brackett has more laps there than anyone else at that track. He’s been racing there since, jeez, you can almost make it 1920. The man has got a ton of laps and a ton of time, but for me, that’s awesome. I grew up watching Tim in the stands before I could even walk. That’s cool. It’s been a dream doing that.”
Dreaming of Racing at Oxford
Despite the highs and lows, this season is still a dream come true for Varney. Growing up watching racing at Oxford Plains, all he ever wanted to do was compete at his home track.
Over the years, Varney started racing – and winning – in a wide range of divisions at the track. After graduating from karting, Varney won track championships in Bandits (2017), Cruisers (2018) and Outlaws (2020, 2021).
Then there was the jump to the PASS Modifieds, where Varney won 10 races over two years and claimed the 2023 series championship. Furthermore, he won his first Super Late Model trophy at Oxford Plains in just his second start, thanks to an opportunity with Dennis Spencer Motorsports.
Brandon Varney celebrates following his first Super Late Model win at Oxford Plains Speedway in 2023. (Photo credit: Sandy Haley Photography)
That led to the Varney and Spencer operations teaming up for the 2024 season, giving Varney the chance to live out his dream.
“As a family, we are not the wealthiest people in the area,” said Varney. “To have the chance Dennis Spencer gave us, we are forever grateful. To work with the people at KDDP, we’re forever grateful for that.
“We’re just along for the ride, and we’re going to see how long we can ride this roller coaster. It’s been a blast my whole career. I’m just going to ride this roller coaster as far as I can go.”
To add to the excitement of preparing for his rookie Super Late Model season at Oxford Plains, Varney was then named a finalist for the Kulwicki Driver Development Program.
“It’s something I never thought would happen, even being in a Super,” said Varney. “To have my name etched with the Kulwicki name as far as being a finalist is remarkable. I’m very proud of what I’ve done in my career. We’ve progressed slowly through the ranks. It’s just been so cool to really take it all in and do what we can do.”
The Big Race in August
The next big stop on the dream ride is the 51st Annual Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Oxford 250. Oxford Plains’ crown jewel event is also one of the most highly recognized and sought-after trophies in all of Super Late Model racing, and Varney will be chasing it for the first time.
“I’ve dreamed of it my whole life. I never thought I’d be in a position to do this, to be a part of that weekend. I’m super excited. I can’t wait to take it all in.”
While he’s excited for his first Oxford 250 weekend, Varney is cautious in terms of expectations. With nearly 60 cars already on the entry list, it will be an accomplishment just to race his way into the field for the event in his rookie campaign.
“I’m not going to put a lot of stress on myself. It’s going to be harder than hell to make the race. It’s that tough. We’re going to have 60, 70 guys fighting for 40 spots. It’s awesome. It’s going to be a blast.”
Sign Up For Racer Travel Free Today For All Your Travel Needs
‘The Old Guy In the Group’
There’s a certain amount of irony in Varney’s role in this year’s KDDP class of finalists. As a Super Late Model rookie, he has significantly less Late Model experience than many of the others in the class.
However, fresh off his 27th birthday in July, he’s also the oldest driver in the group of seven. That fact is not lost on Varney as he talks to teenage finalists such as Chase Burda, Ty Fredrickson and Evan Goetz.
“I’ve embraced being the old guy in the group,” said Varney. “It’s funny, I’m the oldest guy in the group, but as far as Late Model experience, I think I have the least. It’s funny how that works, it’s just how my career has progressed.
“I’ve been so fortunate to be in a group of this caliber with Ty, Chase, Derek [Gluchacki], Levon [Van Der Geest], he’s killing it this year off the track and killing it on the track. It’s no joke, it’s tough, but I wouldn’t want to do it with any other people. It’s been a dream.”
RELATED: Battle For 2024 Kulwicki Cup Shaping Up As Closest Ever
Throughout the year, Varney has held several raffles and fundraisers for a variety of causes, including the Auburn PAL Center, the Travis Mills Foundation, Special Olympics and more.
“We’ve done fundraising for three or four groups throughout the year. What we decided to do this year was a raffle every month to support a different foundation.
“Our main goal throughout the year is to raise for the Auburn PAL Center. It’s like a Boys and Girls Club, but for the less fortunate kids in the Auburn and Lewiston area where I grew up. So far, with all of our donations, we’ve raised over $3500 for everything. Everybody’s been helping us out, and it’s been great.”
-Photo credit: Will Bellamy, Racing America
