OXFORD — As the summer heat settles in, one local short track driver is firing on all cylinders as teams continue to prepare for the biggest event of the year.

Auburn’s Travis Stearns powered his way underneath Shawn Knight on lap 31 and pulled away to post his second Late Model win of 2012 in the Time Warner Cable Trophy Dash on Saturday night at Oxford Plains Speedway.

Longtime OPS veteran and ACT regular Glen Luce came from deep in the field to claim second, while two-time champion Timmy Brackett drove from outside the top 10 to claim third. Knight faded to fourth at the finish, with most recent winner Shawn Martin completing the top five.

David Tripp (Strictly Stock), Jimmy Childs (Mini Stock), Tyson Jordan (Outlaw B), Mike Haynes (Outlaw A), Jason Berry (Rebel), Bill Grover (Renegade), Ryan Farrar (Sport Trucks) and Tasha Dyer (Ladies) were also feature winners.

Stearns built a new car for this season, but it took him several weeks to get it adjusted and dialed in to suit his driving style. With another win under his belt, Stearns’ confidence is building as the famed TD Bank 250 approaches.

“This car is by far the best thing I’ve ever driven,” Stearns said. “Every time we think we’re down, we try something else and it gets even faster. Crazy Horse Racing (the car builder) is the best around, that’s for sure. That was probably the roughest race I’ve been in since I started racing Late Models. I don’t know what’s going on, but this is a good group of racers. They’ll all get it figured out before the 250.”

Finishing sixth through 10th in the 40-lap Late Model tilt were Jeff White, Rowland Robinson Jr., Gary Chiasson, Shane Clark and Al Hammond. Four cautions slowed the pace, with a few multi-car melees wreaking havoc. As the 250 draws near, the level of aggression seems to be rising.

In earlier feature action, Tripp went wire-to-wire to record his second Strictly Stock victory of 2012. The veteran from Oxford started fourth on the 16-car grid but quickly positioned himself at the front. With no cautions to slow the pace, Tripp was impossible to catch. Maurice Young made his debut on the podium in second, while talented rookie Ryan Robbins claimed third. Defending champion Kurt Hewins and Zach Bowie completed the top five.

“We had to change a few things on the car today during practice,” Tripp said. “Other than that, this car has been fast and reliable this year. Two wins feels great, we’ll have to see if we can get a couple more before all is said and done.”

Childs earned the 43rd victory in his well-documented career of Mini Stock competition. The intense veteran from Leeds won his qualifying heat in dominant fashion, started on the pole in the feature and was never challenged. Division newcomer Rob Greenleaf put in his best effort to date with a solid second, while Jamie Heath finished third. Rookie George Fortin and Jake Burns completed the top five.

“I’m back where I belong,” a relieved Childs said in Victory Lane. “My father and I sold the other car I was using, then picked up this one and started getting it ready. I think we did a pretty good job to win a feature with it on its first time out, and I appreciate my Dad’s help to make this happen. I’ve been at this sport for years; I do it for my family and a pure love for racing. I’m thrilled to win one again tonight.”