Oxford 250 Rewinds: A Look Back at Some 250 Milestones

As we approach the 52nd Annual Oxford 250 weekend, we look back on some of the milestones that mark 10 years, 20 years, and so on at this historic event. We all have our favorite memories at the event, but these are some good ones for every fan.

2015 - It was a surprising night to the average race fan, but for those who knew Glen Luce and his track record, it was the night all the stars lined up and he became a winner of the Oxford 250. The day started in the 22nd position, which was one of the last spots to make it into the field from the heat races.

From there, Luce worked his way forward and took the lead for the first time on lap 189. Luce went back out in front on lap 201 and played the waiting game as the late race caution seemed to be around every corner. The yellow never came, and he pulled away from rookie Reid Lanpher and scored the biggest win of his career.

2005 - A fairy tale might not have as much magical stuff as the 2005 Oxford 250. Veteran Mike Rowe came into the race seeking his 150th win at the famed Oxford Plains Speedway oval. Rowe was teammates with a young Kyle Busch, who was strong in the morning practice. The day went wrong for Rowe on several occasions, and the elder Rowe found himself in the last-chance race. Rowe won the 50-lap hooligan race and marched on for the 250.

A long ride to the front seemed impossible, but by mid-race, the reality seemed a possibility. Busch was leading when the cars hit pit road the final time, and a lugnut got caught in the wheel, and Busch had to pit again, forfeiting track position. He made it back to sixth while Rowe got by Johnny Clark with 10 to go for the 250 win and his 150th win at the track.

1995 - The 1995 running of the Oxford 250 had a lot of lasts for the 250. It was the final Pro Stock ACT-sanctioned 250, and it was the last of three-straight Canadian winners as Dave Whitlock scored the win. It was also the biggest purse handed out at the 250 as Whitlock took home $52,500 for the victory. That’s close to $75,000 today with the exchange rate.

1985 - When the white flag came out in 1985, fans knew that they were about to see a driver win their second Oxford 250. What people didn’t expect was for it to be Dave Dion. Ten years after his first win, Dave Dion was back in the spotlight, but this time it was a lucky hand with a lap car that crossed up race leader Joey Kourafas, who slipped back to second in the final moments of the race. Kourafas would later say this was the hardest loss that he never got over.

1975 - It was the first year of 250 laps, and it was the first year of Dave Dion. From the pole, Dave Dion drove his Ford Torino to the win in dominating fashion. It was no surprise, as the entire season saw him finish every NASCAR-sanctioned race in New England in the top five with 11 wins. 1975 almost continued a year later when Dion sat on the pole and led the race early on before finishing sixth.

-Story by: Elgin Traylor
-Photo credit: Oxford Plains Speedway