Max Rowe Outduels Mike Rowe for Oxford Championship Series Win

It was a family feud on Saturday evening at Oxford Plains Speedway, as Max Rowe held off his grandfather, Mike Rowe, for the win in the Mid-Coast Excavation Super Late Models.

Max and Mike Rowe battled side-by-side in the closing laps of the 50-lap feature, with the younger Rowe holding on for his second career Oxford Championship Series Super Late Model win.

While the late-race battle was thrilling for fans and will certainly be a story the family will share for years to come, the last person Max Rowe wanted to see battling him for the win was the winningest driver in the history of Oxford Plains Speedway.

Still, he was up to the task, pulling away for the win by 1.2 seconds just before flashing under the checkered flag. He led all 50 laps of the contest, maintaining the pace

"That was definitely not what I wanted those last 10 laps," said Max Rowe in victory lane. "It stayed the same the whole race, it was great. I can't thank my team enough for all they do."

While Max Rowe topped the leaderboard the whole race, Mike Rowe drove from sixth up to second. When Mike Rowe moved into the second spot near the halfway mark on the race, Max Rowe's objective was simple.

"I better get going," said Max Rowe.

Mike Rowe didn't pull any punches in the battle with his grandson. However, he battled a loose handling race car in the closing laps and settled for second.

"He did a hell of a job to hold me off," said Mike Rowe. "I was giving everything I had. I want to thank everybody for coming out tonight. I hope you enjoyed that show.

"I would have if I could have. I got real loose there with three or four to go. I own this car. He did a hell of a job to hold me off, that was something else."

A regular at Oxford Plains Speedway, Tom Abele, Jr. finished fifth in Oxford Championship Series points one season ago, making the trip from Connecticut. After a battle of his own with Mike Rowe, Abele finished third in Saturday's contest.

"Four-hour ride every week," said Abele, Jr. "We did probably four or five runs this morning. Honestly, every run was getting better. We were on old tires, practicing, the car was just getting good all day long. We decided not to run a few rounds of practice, just scuff [tires] in the last round."

The next event for the Oxford Championship Series is scheduled for Saturday, May 23, with post time at 6 p.m. ET. Super Late Models, Limited Sportsmen, Street Stocks, Mad Bombers, Thunder Stocks, Runnin' Rebels and Rookies will all be in action.

Mid-Coast Excavation Super Late Models Unofficial Results
May 16, 2025