OXFORD — Since 2004, at least one high-profile NASCAR driver has competed in the TD Bank 250. Without argument, the addition of these racers has added drama and excitement to the show.

Two of the big-league invaders have even managed to win the midsummer classic with their own cars and hand-picked crews.

As the 39th annual edition gets set to go green, local Late Model drivers sounded off on the topic, answering the question, “Does having NASCAR stars (like Trevor Bayne, who will compete Sunday) in the TD Bank 250 change the way you prepare for or approach the biggest race of the year?”

“It doesn’t change the way I prepare at all,” Buckfield native TJ Brackett said. “It’s the 250, and we’ll treat them like any other racer. Those NASCAR guys can only go so fast here at Oxford. Looking at the race in recent years, I think you have to look at guys like Eddie MacDonald, ACT stars Brian Hoar, Wayne Helliwell, and maybe Joey Polewarczyk Jr. as the odds-on favorites.”

Brackett, a second-generation driver with a very fast car in recent weeks, also spoke regarding the possible outcome Sunday. His opinion is shared by many in the pit area who keep a close eye on regional Late Model racing.

“I think this will be the first time in a long while that four or five Oxford regulars will have a real shot at a 250 victory,” he said. “You look at the way Travis Stearns has been running, along with Shawn Martin, Shawn Knight, my father, and Donnie Wentworth, they’ve all got fast cars this year. We as weekly racers here want the big check and trophy to stay local, and I hope one of us, like me or my Dad, get it done.”

Chris Coolidge is gaining speed by leaps and bounds in 2012, just his second season in Oxford’s top division. The soft-spoken driver knows where his focus needs to be.

“It doesn’t change my outlook of the 250 at all,” Coolidge said. “With no disrespect to what Trevor has accomplished in NASCAR, when he gets here he’s just another racer. You can’t be intimidated by a NASCAR driver, you just have to focus on your own effort and get the most out of it.”

Shawn Martin won the Late Model crown at Oxford in 2004, has two ACT wins to his credit, and returned to Victory Lane earlier this season. Martin has his own agenda.

“Having a high-profile NASCAR driver adds excitement for the fans, yet it doesn’t change the way our team approaches the 250,” said Martin. “I feel it is very important to focus our energy on our own team, and not get caught up in what other teams are doing.”

Tim Brackett is a two-time Oxford champion, with a Pro Stock title in 2005 and a Late Model crown in 2010. If both his daughter Vanna and son TJ make the race with him, it will be a first for the 250.

“No, it doesn’t really change things as far as race preparation goes,” Brackett said. “What is does do, however, is add credibility to the race. Bill (Ryan) brings in these NASCAR guys to draw fans and sell tickets, and it has done just that. Having Kyle Busch up here was a different story, because his entire focus was to win the race. He’s a short track expert, and we all knew he’d be tough to beat.”

It seems the opinion is shared by many – the NASCAR stars are to be respected yet can’t affect how locals prepare for the race. Will Trevor Bayne wheel the Kendall Roberts-owned entry to victory and take the big trophy and check south yet again?

At least two dozen Maine-based Late Models teams are working overtime to ensure that doesn’t happen.