Beech Ridge Veteran Curt Gerry Crowned Victor Of ’17 Oxford 250

Column By: AMY HARROP / RPW – OXFORD, ME – The entire state of Maine was buzzing with excitement all week in anticipation for the 44th annual Oxford 250, Maine’s premier racing event. After two days filled of exciting racing action, Sunday came around and it was time for the big show. 65 Pro Stock drivers tirelessly worked on their race cars in the pits with their crews on Sunday morning, counting down the hours until they got the chance to attempt to qualify for the 250-lap event.

After a handful of practices in the morning, qualifying heat races began at 1:30. Oxford 250 qualifying would feature 6 20-lap heat races, where the top 4 drivers from each heat would advance to the main race. Three 20-lap consolation races followed, where the top 3 drivers from each race would advance to the 250. Finally, there was a 50-lap “last chance” race, where just the winner would advance to the 250. The remaining 8 drivers in the field were to be set by provisions.

The first heat race was full of familiar Maine drivers, like Ben Rowe, Cassius Clark, Reid Lanpher, and more. After capturing the lead from Mike Hopkins on lap 8, Cassius Clark took the lead and ran away with it. Clark went on to win the heat and advance to the 250, along with Mike Hopkins, Travis Benjamin and Reid Lanpher. Derek Kneeland, spotter for Chip Ganassi driver Kyle Larson, returned to the race track in heat 2 in attempts to qualify for the 250. Other drivers in the heat included Justin Drake, Eddie MacDonald and defending Oxford 250 champion Wayne Helliwell, Jr. Eddie MacDonald jumped into the early lead and never looked back, taking home the heat victory. Wayne Helliwell, Jr., Justin Drake and Glen Luce also advanced to the 250. 2016 Beech Ridge track champion Curt Gerry, Derek Griffith, Scott McDaniel and Kodie Conner were among those making a qualifying attempt in heat 3. After rocketing into the lead early, it was smooth sailing for Scott McDaniel. He secured his spot in the 250, as did Travis Stearns, Ben Lynch and Curt Gerry.

Scarborough, Maine natives Donnie Colpritt and Garrett Hall tried their hand at qualifying in the fourth heat, as did Bobby Timmons, John Flemming and a handful of others. Donnie Colpritt shot into the early lead in his #16 Texas Roadhouse car, but Bobby Timmons was coming fast. Timmons stole the lead away on lap 7, only to have it stolen from him on lap 16 by Scott Robbins. Robbins won the heat, securing himself into the 250. Bobby Timmons, Garrett Hall and Joe Squeglia also qualified for the main event. DJ Shaw was one of the heavy hitters in the fifth qualifying heat. Cole Butcher, Calvin Rose, Jr., Jeff White and Kyle Hewins were among the remaining drivers in the heat. Butcher maintained his lead throughout the heat, but DJ Shaw was on the move, fighting through the pack until he landed himself in P3 on lap 16. Cole Butcher secured himself into the big show, as did Jeff White, DJ Shaw and Calvin Rose, Jr. Maine racing legend Mike Rowe was one of the drivers in the final qualifying heat. Shawn Martin, Trevor Sanborn, Bryan Kruczek and Andy Saunders were among the remaining drivers in the heat, staying hopeful about snagging a spot in the 250. Shawn Martin took the early lead and ran away with it. But, throughout the race, there was a hard fought battle for the coveted fourth place position between Andy Saunders, Joey Doiron, Joey Pole and Kyle Desouza. Shawn Martin, Trevor Sanborn and Bryan Kruczek made up the top 3. Joey Doiron managed to hold off Joey Pole and Andy Saunders for fourth place, securing himself into the 250.

Johnny Clark was one of the key players in the first consolation race, as were Lonnie Sommerville, Donnie Colpritt, Ben Rowe and Corey Bubar. Johnny Clark surged into the early lead, but Lonnie Sommerville made his way around him on lap 2 in turn 2. Ben Rowe quickly filtered through the field, settling into the runner-up spot on lap 11 after clearing Corey Bubar on lap 11. Sommerville took the win and advanced to the 250. Ben Rowe and Johnny Clark followed, also earning themselves spots in the big show. The second consolation race was packed with heavy hitters like Tracy Gordon, Dave Farrington, Derek Kneeland, Alan Tardiff and others. Eddie MacDonald was DQ’d after his heat race win, forcing him to compete in the consolation race. Tracy Gordon pulled into the early lead, but Dave Farrington was right there. Fan-favorite Eddie MacDonald faced troubles early, taking a spin on lap 3. Dave Farrington went on to win the consolation race. Alan Tardiff and TJ Brackett drove to the front, securing their spots in the 250. 2012 Oxford 250 winner Joey Pole was one of the feature drivers in the final consolation race, as were Derek Griffith, Mike Rowe and Kelly Moore. Derek Griffith was determined to make it into the show, pulling into the early lead. Joey Pole had the same mindset, quickly moving into the runner-up spot. Veteran drivers Mike Rowe and Kelly Moore tangled on lap 7, as Moore spun Rowe around in turn 2, collecting Kodie Conner in the midst. Joey Pole challenged Derek Griffith for the lead on the restart, but Griffith was too quick. Griffith won the consolation race, advancing into the 250 with Joey Pole and Kyle Desouza.

The 50-lap “last chance” race was the final qualifying event for the Oxford 250. The event featured all the of the drivers that failed to make it into the 250 in the heat races and consolation rounds. This list of drivers included Derek Kneeland, Ray Christian, Dennis Spencer, Corey Bubar and more. Corey Bubar surged into the early lead, but Derek Kneeland was right there. Kneeland captured the top spot on lap 4, hoping to pull away from the pack. Dennis Spencer was on the move, clearing Kneeland for the top spot on lap 11. Dennis Spencer, Jeremy Davis and Mike Rowe wound up putting on a show for the finish, coming into the checkered in a 3-wide photo finish. Jeremy Davis gave it all he had to push himself into victory, securing himself the final spot in the Oxford 250. From there, the rest of the field was to be set by provisions and the field was set for the start of the 44th annual Oxford 250.

After 65 drivers attempted to qualify for the 250, 42 drivers were lucky enough to make it into the big race. Andy MacDonald and Mike Rowe were among the handful of drivers given provisions after failing to make it into the race during the qualifying heats. Cassius Clark, Wayne Helliwell, Jr., Scott McDaniel, Scott Robbins and Cole Butcher made up the top 5. When it came time for the big show, Cassius Clark pulled into the early lead. There was already drama in the first 10 laps, with Ben Rowe going around in turn 3, collecting Mike Rowe, Eddie MacDonald, Derek Griffith, TJ Brackett and a handful of other big names. After the extended caution, Cassius Clark pulled away with the lead once again, proving strong in his #13 car. After starting 19th in the race, Reid Lanpher had chopped the field in front of him in half, making his way into P8 on lap 20. By lap 37, Cassius Clark had caught the tail end of the field and began to lap slower cars, creating traffic for the leaders. Lanpher continued his voyage to the front, finding his way to P4 on lap 48 after clearing the #94 of Shawn Martin. Curt Gerry, DJ Shaw, Travis Stearns and Joey Doiron were among the drivers collected on lap 62 in turn 2, leading to another extended caution. While others came out of the wreck with minor cosmetic damage, Joey Doiron suffered from extended cosmetic damage.

After spinning on lap 62 due to the pile-up in turn 2, Curt Gerry had found his way back up to P9 by lap 70. He continued his journey to the top of the leaderboard in the coming laps, breaking into P6 on lap 80 after clearing Dave Farrington in turn 3. Former PASS North champion Joey Doiron had more troubles on lap 87, cutting down his RF tire, unable to successfully make it back into the pits. This started a chain of cautions. Ben Rowe and Lonnie Sommerville were among the drivers caught up in an incident on lap 92 in turn 1, leaving Ben Rowe with extensive damage on his car. After fighting to make it into the big show, Derek Griffith smacked the wall on lap 97 in turn 3, leading to another caution. As all of this was going on, Cassius Clark maintained his lead, consistently pulling away from the pack on every restart. After another caution involving Andy Saunders and Kodie Conner on lap 102, Garrett Hall powered himself into the runner-up spot on the restart, hoping to catch up to the dominant Cassius Clark. Hall pulled to Clark’s outside, hoping to make something work. But, Cassius Clark was simply too fast, pulling away from the #94 car once again. Scott McDaniel and Cole Butcher were among the drivers caught up in a wreck in turn 3 on lap 115, leading to another caution.

Cassius Clark pulled away once more on the restart as Johnny Clark quickly fell to the back of the pack after being shuffled to the outside by the sea of cars at the front of the pack. Curt Gerry was still determined to get out front, challenging Travis Benjamin for P3 on lap 118. He eventually cleared Benjamin for the spot on lap 119 in turn 4. By lap 121, he was knocking on Cassius Clark’s door, hungry for the top spot. Johnny Clark’s RF tire went down on lap 123, sending him into the wall at the start/finish line. Curt Gerry was determined on the restart, immediately pulling to Clark’s outside. After having a strong car all day, Bobby Timmons made an unexpected turn to the pits after the restart, ending his night early after suffering from mechanical failures in his #48 car. Gerry was nose-and-nose with Cassius Clark, leading laps 123 and 124 by a nose before fully clearing him for the lead on lap 127 in turn 4. Derek Ramstrom was also on a mission, breaking into the top 3 on lap 130. By lap 140, Gerry began lapping more cars at the tail end of the pack, which allowed him to create more space between him and Cassius Clark. After having a solid day, Dave Farringtion succumbed to Curt Gerry on lap 140, going down a lap. Derek Ramstrom was still on the move behind Gerry, clearing Cassius Clark for the runner-up spot on lap 155 in turn 3. By lap 160, Gerry was displaying dominance that Cassius Clark had showcased prior, leading by ½ a straightaway. The #09 of Justin Drake went around on lap 172 in turn 2, which completely changed the game for all of the leaders.

All of the leaders elected to pit during the caution. Race leader Curt Gerry had his team members waiting for him in the pits to perform a vital pit stop for the #7 driver. Gerry’s crew members included fellow Beech Ridge drivers Chaz Briggs and Zach Nicholson, who are also weekly competitors at Gerry’s native Beech Ridge Motor Speedway. Gerry’s crew was meticulous on the pit stop, making sure that every nut and bolt was secure before Gerry pulled back onto the track. There was a little hiccup with the gas can on the restart, as Gerry began to pull away with the gas can still connected to his car. Pit crew member Chaz Briggs snagged the can, saving Gerry from potential disaster. The change in the leaders put Scott McDaniel into the temporary top spot for the restart. Gerry was back in action by lap 190, where he found himself back in the top 3. He cleared Jeff White for the runner-up spot on lap 192, setting his sights on Scott McDaniel. Trevor Sanborn, Travis Benjamin and Ben Lynch got collected in an incident on lap 197 in turn 2, bringing out another caution. Curt Gerry powered into the lead once again on the restart, pulling away with a wide-open track in front of him. By lap 210, Gerry was lapping cars at the tail end of the field once again, proving that the #7 car was a force to be reckoned with. After coming out on top in the last chance race, Jeremy Davis got caught up with Kodie Conner on lap 219 in turn 4, leading to another caution.

DJ Shaw immediately challenged Curt Gerry for the lead on the restart, but Gerry proved to be too strong for the #60 car. Eddie MacDonald made his presence known on the restart, shooting into the runner-up spot. The #99 of Sarah Cornett-Ching got into the backstretch wall on lap 221, leading to another caution. Gerry got a good jump on the restart, pulling away from the #17 of MacDonald. Lanpher began his pursuit back to the front on lap 225, pulling back into the top 5. The #99 of Cornett-Ching went around again on lap 228 in turn 4, leading to another quick caution. MacDonald got a better jump on the restart this time around, immediately challenging Curt Gerry for the lead. Gerry remained resilient, pulling away from MacDonald in turn 3. Reid Lanpher was on a roll, making his way to the outside of DJ shaw on lap 232 for P3. Bryan Kruczek and DJ Shaw both went around on lap 238 in turn 4, leading to a late-race caution. Gerry maintained his edge on the restart, pulling away from the rest of the leaders once again. Reid Lanpher was still on a mission, challenging MacDonald for the second spot on the restart. He captured the spot from Eddie on lap 238 in turn 3, setting his sights on the #7 of Gerry. This was a familiar position for Curt Gerry and Reid Lanpher to be in, seeing that Reid Lanpher is the 2015 Beech Ridge track champion and Curt Gerry is the reigning Beech Ridge track champion. Both drivers race each other clean every week, but they are locked in a tight points battle at Beech Ridge, where a new champion will be crowned this upcoming Saturday. Lanpher has topped Gerry in recent weeks at Beech Ridge. But, this time around, Gerry held Lanpher off for the win, securing himself as the victor in the 44th annual Oxford 250.

It’s an incredible feat for any driver to win the Oxford 250, but this was Gerry’s first ever PASS win. Gerry has said time and time that one of his “major” career goals every season is to win a PASS race. In the best race possible, he got it done on Sunday night. Gerry was full of emotions in Victory Lane as he celebrated the victorious moment with his many friends, family members and crew members. There were a lot of tears shed as Curt climbed out of the car. Gerry’s spotter Jason Thompson was full of emotion, showcasing so much love, support and over joyousness about his driver and friend getting it done in the biggest yearly Maine racing event.

Reid Lanpher, Cassius Clark, Eddie MacDonald and Mike Rowe rounded out the top five. Gerry, Lanpher and Mike Rowe are all weekly competitors at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, making the results a great representation of the pool of talented drivers that race weekly in Scarborough. As soon as Curt Gerry climbed out of his car, Reid Lanpher ran over to give Gerry a huge hug and congratulate him, showing the pure respect and admiration that he has for his fellow weekly competitor.

As an underfunded race team, this victory was the icing on top of the cake for the entire Gerry Motorsports team. What the team lacks in funding, they have always made up for in teamwork, determination and sincerity toward one another and all competitors on the track. The $35,000+ payout from the win is sure to help Gerry and the #7 team be at ease for a little while, as racing is a very costly sport for all involved.

This is sure to be a win that Curt Gerry will remember for a lifetime, and a win that will motivate him coming into Championship Night at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway this upcoming Saturday, as his battle with Reid Lanpher isn’t over yet.