3 min read

OXFORD — Two-time track champion Tim Brackett powered his way around early leader Chris Coolidge just before halfway and pulled away to claim the 40-lap Pro Late Model Trophy Dash on Friday night at Oxford Plains Speedway.

Corey Morgan (Outlaw Sportsman and Street Stock) and Justin Larsen (Mini Stock) were also feature winners on a cool, fall-like evening for racing.

Brackett was looking for redemption after finishing second to his son two weeks ago, and he found it with a dominant performance. With just one caution to slow the pace, the second-generation driver (his father Merton “Froggy” Brackett drove for a few seasons many years ago) had little to slow him down.

Coolidge had a strong horse under him all night yet settled for second. Two-time winner in 2013 Dale Shaw was rock-solid again and finished third, while Tim’s son TJ Brackett was right on his bumper in fourth. Pro All Stars Series (PASS) North regular Trevor Sanborn was piloting the No. 70 entry usually driven by Tommy Stilphen. Sanborn kept his nose clean all night and brought the car home in fifth at the finish.

“It’s getting harder for us old guys to win these things,” Brackett said. “We show up and do our best, but you never really know when or if another win will come. My son TJ did the chassis setup; the car ran just great and would go wherever I needed to go. It feels fantastic to end the long drought tonight.”

Finishing sixth through 10th in the Pro Late Model tussle were Vanna Brackett, Tommy Ricker, rookie Scott Farrington, Joe Turner and Joe Decker. Along with Sanborn, a few other PASS North regulars made an appearance, using the night as a tuning session to prepare for next Sunday’s PASS 150 makeup race announced a few days ago.

Advertisement

In earlier feature action, Morgan picked up another victory in what is turning out to be a dream season. The veteran from Lewiston wheeled around the outside of Jerry Freve on the second lap and pulled away for top honors. Addison Bowie never mounted a real challenge and finished a distant second, while Auburn’s Kyle Treadwell was third. Mike Short of Auburn and Gray-based veteran Steve Moon rounded out the top five.

“The car continues to run like a dream every week,” Morgan said. “We’ve won a few this season, and it feels good every time. Zach was strong here tonight, but we had just enough to get by when it counted. I really couldn’t ask for much more; I’m happy for everybody that helps out and makes my racing program possible.”

Larsen continued his successful rookie season of Mini Stock competition with a convincing victory. The former kart racer from Peru powered his way around Shane Kaherl on the second circuit and pulled easily away to grab the checkered. Point leader and defending champion Rob Greenleaf was a distant second, while Calvin Rose Jr. claimed third.

“This thing was on rails tonight,” Larsen said. “We’ve been tweaking on it every week, and it keeps getting faster and it stays consistent. These guys run hard every week in this class, so the car has to be just right and you can’t afford any mistakes. To win like this as a rookie is a dream come true.”

Comments are no longer available on this story