OXFORD, Maine – After giving up the lead in her last three Allen's Coffee Flavored Brandy Ladies division starts, Missy Blash wouldn't be denied in her second try of Wednesday night at Oxford Plains Speedway.
Blash finally finished what — and where — she started, holding off six-time feature winner Dottie Patria and first-race rival Deanna Robertson to earn the first 20-lap Acceleration Series victory of her career.
"I almost went onto pit road, because I'm not used to being here," Blash said in victory lane. "I have to thank my one and only boyfriend, Dana Stevens, for putting together the car and making this possible."
The 2007 Ladies Rookie of the Year, Blash led the first 12 laps of a make-up feature to start the evening before a tussle for the lead with Robertson left both cars sideways in turn one.
Reigning champion Vanna Brackett sped to her second straight victory of the season and fourth of the season in that encounter.
Lisa Vining charged to second and Patria steered to third in the ope ner. Blash faded to sixth, while Robertson wound up 11th after a stop-and-go penalty.
Kristen Brown, Debbie Marston and Annie Chartier also were involved in a wild wreck, one that symbolized things to come on a busy and contentious night.
"I think some of them forgot we have another race tonight," Brackett said.
Brackett and Vining completed the top five in the Ladies' encore. Marston rallied to fourth with Kimberly Sessions fifth in the first go-round.
While a first-time winner highlighted the 10-feature card, it was Jake Burns moving into sole possession of the Call of the Wild RV Center Sport Truck career lead with his ninth win of the season and 20th overall.
Burns swapped the lead with Marvin Hamilton three times before taking the advantage in a mid-race battle for the point. He broke a tie with Terry Warren as the all-time Truck top gun at OPS in the process.
"I didn't know if I could get by (Hamilton) on the outside tonight," Burns said, "but I got lucky and I did."
Hamilton's return after roughly a one-month hiatus broke Opie Allard's recent string of second-place finishes behind Burns. Allard settled for third, with John Lizotte edging Tom Libby at the front of a terrific, five-truck battle for fourth.
Bruce Robertson's inside pass of Fred Clavet in the final corner made Robertson a Chimney Tech Outlaw winner for the first time this season and third in his career. Kevin Leighton and Rick Spaulding followed Robertson into the Outlaw winners' circle.
Clavet took the lead from Robertson on lap 2, but Robertson remained in touch throughout a rare caution-free scramble in the night's proceedings. Gerry Richard caught the leaders, and traffic intervened. Still, Clavet appeared safe until the fourth turn coming to the checkers.
That's when he drifted off the curb just enough to give Robertson daylight. The two cars swapped paint from their door panels in a drag race to the line, where Robertson prevailed by a fender.
"Eric Brown has stuck with me from the beginning. Joe Hutter and Mike Blue are helping me out back in the pits, and my wife has put up with a lot for this," Robertson said.
Richard, a two-time winner this season, was a comfortable third ahead of Shannon Judd and Tim Hatch.
Round two gave Leighton the opportunity for a true victory celebration. Leighton inherited his first career win July 2 after another driver failed the post-race inspection. This one belonged to him throughout.
"It was just get out and go," said Leighton, who started on the outside of the front row and led from wire-to-wire.
Saturday's winner Steve Brill moved into second midway through the event but couldn't mount a challenge to the eventual winner. Josh Paradis fought off Scott Ellis for third with two laps remaining, with a fast-closing Bob Ferguson rounding out the lead pack.
Spaulding's fourth of the season was his first since June 18. Bubba Collins and Jim Drake both enjoyed the early edge before Spaulding moved to the front of the train on lap 4.
"It's good to be back in victory lane and having the car gong the way it's supposed to go," Spaulding said. "Scott Jordan has put in a lot of work helping me get it back, and I'm very happy with it."
Drake kept pace with Spaulding for a spell before Jerry Goss' late charge became his chief concern. Drake warded off that challenge and staked his claim to second. Steve Moon denied Ron Abbott Jr., Addison Bowie, Dan Brown and Keith Landry in a frantic jumble for fourth. Abbott took fifth.
Macdonald Motors Runnin' Rebel features went to Zach Audet, his second of the season, and Josh Childs, his division-leading fourth.
Jason Hannigan inherited the first two Goulet Home Inspections Renegade feature=2 0wins of his career when apparent winner Jamie Heath lost both his make-up and regularly scheduled wins in tech.
Audet wasted no time backing up his previous July victory after a four-year drought. He charged from 10th to second, missing the carnage of an opening-lap caution before hammering down and leaving behind Bob Danforth on the ensuing restart.
"They told me an oil change and a new filter would be a winning combination, and they were right," Audet said of his pit crew.
Bill Sprague returned to the speedway after several years away from the steering wheel. The former Limited Sportsman driver nearly got to Audet's back bumper but ultimately settled for second in Jeff Hebert's #85.
Jay Dufour was a solid third in front of Dwayne White, making his first Acceleration start, and Cole Flagg.
The high-point half of the equation was equally rough at the outset. Childs steered clear and worked his way around Jeff Beaule on lap 5 before setting sail.
"That was a fun race. A couple of times I just missed getting in a wreck, but I got out of it," Childs said.
Derek Cook kept several of the division's heavy hitters in his mirror to collect second. Gregg Norton was third in a back-up car in his=2 0first start since a vicious crash two weeks ago. Point leader Kyle Hewins and Beaule followed.
Hannigan's point lead grew with his breakthrough Renegade wins. The former Runnin' Rebel standout topped Phil Knowlton in the revised running order of both races.
Gerard Cote, Mark Turner and rookie Dan Ellis completed the top five in the first race of the evening. Joe Morey stepped up to the third-place trophy in the do-over, with Ellis fourth and Robert Lowe fifth.
Acceleration Series action resumes for all five divisions next Wednesday, August 6 at 6:30 p.m., but three of the classes get a chance to showcase their talents before that.
The Chimney Tech Outlaws are part of Friday's Unicel Motor Mayhem card, which includes Twin Enduros, a Smoky Donut Show and Spectator Drags.
Rebels and Trucks are part of a six-division card on Saturday's New England Dodge Dealers Summer Celebration Night, highlighted by a giant fireworks display. Race time both nights is 6:30 p.m.
CHIMNEY TECH OUTLAW #1 (20 laps): 1. Bruce Robertson, Leeds; 2. Fred Clavet, Buckfield; 3. Gerry Richard, Leeds; 4. Shannon Judd, Jay; 5. Tim Hatch, Standish; 6. Maurice Martel Jr., Greene; 7. Don Veinott, Sabattus; 8. Jay Wilkins, Gray; 9. Mike Kyllonen, Mechanic Falls; 10. Ron Parker, New Gloucester; 11. Justin Vining, Peru; 12. Walter Connell II, Norway; 13. Jonathan Baldwin, Auburn; 14. Curt Chapman, Lewiston; 15. Bill Sprague, Minot. DNS: Travis Bennett, Harrison; Arthur Chartier, Mexico.
CHIMNEY TECH OUTLAW #2 (20 laps): 1. Kevin Leighton, Minot; 2. Steve Brill, Bridgton; 3. Josh Paradis, Sumner; 4. Scott Ellis, Lewiston; 5. Bob Ferguson, New Gloucester; 6. Jeremy Leavitt, Poland; 7. Randy Robitaille, Norway; 8. Jim Archer, Chesterville; 9. Dennis Morang, South Paris; 10. Carey Robertson, Leeds; 11. Gordon Bell, Auburn; 12. Rick Vining, Bridgton; 13. Jerry Freve, Buckfield; 14. David Childs, Oxford. DNS: Guy Childs Sr., Turner; David Brown, Gray.
CHIMNEY TECH OUTLAW #3 (20 laps): 1. Rick Spaulding, Lewiston; 2. Jim Drake, Hebron; 3. Jerry Goss, Mechanic Falls; 4. Steve Moon, Gray; 5. Ron Abbott Jr., Sabattus; 6. Addison Bowie, Mechanic Falls; 7. Dan Brown, Peru; 8. Keith Landry, Oxford; 9. Thom Bell, Minot; 10. Zach Bowie, Mechanic Falls; 11. Bubba Collins, New Gloucester; 12. Kevin Lawrence, South Paris; 13. Tina Titus, Lisbon; 14. Nik Coates, Lisbon; 15. John Patria, Turner; 16. Tyler Belanger, Buckfield.
MACDONALD MOTORS RUNNIN' REBEL #1 (20 laps): 1. Zach Audet, Chesterville; 2. Bill Sprague, Minot; 3. Jay Dufour, Lewiston; 4. Dwayne White, Livermore; 5. Cole Flagg, Livermore; 6. Gerard Cote, Oxford; 7. Errol Smith, Stow; 8. Brian Nason, Lewiston; 9. Mike Kyllonen, Mechanic Falls; 10. Dustin Couture, Auburn; 11. Ken Whittemore, Greene; 12. Cody=2 0Smith, Oxford; 13. James Record, Oxford; 14. Carl Conant, Lewiston; 15. Tyler Smith, Oxford; 16. Don Smith, Oxford; 17. Bob Danforth, Stoneham; 18. Jim Hart, Buckfield; 19. Chris Giguere, Minot; 20. Nate Dubuc, Lewiston. DNS: Gene White, Lisbon; Paul Cook, Mechanic Falls; Brian Hawthorne, New Gloucester; Doug Degroat, Oxford.
MACDONALD MOTORS RUNNIN' REBEL #2 (20 laps): 1. Josh Childs, Oxford; 2. Derek Cook, Livermore Falls; 3. Gregg Norton, Lewiston; 4. Kyle Hewins, Leeds; 5. Jeff Beaule, Lewiston; 6. Troy Jordan, Turner; 7. Jamie Leavitt, Minot; 8. Mike Ward, Harrison; 9. Martin Krauter, Raymond; 10. Archie Watt Jr., Auburn; 11. Calvin Rose Jr., Turner; 12. Jason Berry, Turner; 13. Charlie Webster, Auburn; 14. Bill Dunphy, New Gloucester; 15. Brandon Munroe, New Gloucester; 16. Craig Farrington, Hebron; 17. Logan Melcher, Livermore Falls; 18. Randy Nutter, Auburn; 19. John Childs, Leeds; 20. Brady Romano, Livermore Falls; 21. Matt Dufault, Turner. DNS: Scott Farrington, Minot.
CALL OF THE WILD RV SPORT TRUCK (20 laps): 1. Jake Burns, Gray; 2. Marvin Hamilton, New Gloucester; 3. Opie Allard, Harpswell; 4. John Lizotte, Mechanic Falls; 5. Tom Libby, Gorham; 6. Ross Spurling, New Gloucester; 7. Devon Smith, Norway; 8. Ryan Farrar, Oxford; 9. Doug Stevens, West Sumner; 10. John Pinkham, Auburn; 11. Jeff Schmidt, Mechanic Falls; 12. Cprey Williams, Sumner; 13. Steve Anderson, Bethel; 14. Ron Cummings, South Paris; 15. Kevin Oliver, Gray; 16. Joey Bedard, Hartford.
MACDONALD MOTORS RUNNIN' REBEL #2 (20 laps): 1. Josh Childs, Oxford; 2. Derek Cook, Livermore Falls; 3. Gregg Norton, Lewiston; 4. Kyle Hewins, Leeds; 5. Jeff Beaule, Lewiston; 6. Troy Jordan, Turner; 7. Jamie Leavitt, Minot; 8. Mike Ward, Harrison; 9. Martin Krauter, Raymond; 10. Archie Watt Jr., Auburn; 11. Calvin Rose Jr., Turner; 12. Jason Berry, Turner; 13. Charlie Webster, Auburn; 14. Bill Dunphy, New Gloucester; 15. Brandon Munroe, New Gloucester; 16. Craig Farrington, Hebron; 17. Logan Melcher, Livermore Falls; 18. Randy Nutter, Auburn; 19. John Childs, Leeds; 20. Brady Romano, Livermore Falls; 21. Matt Dufault, Turner. DNS: Scott Farrington, Minot.
CALL OF THE WILD RV SPORT TRUCK (20 laps): 1. Jake Burns, Gray; 2. Marvin Hamilton, New Gloucester; 3. Opie Allard, Harpswell; 4. John Lizotte, Mechanic Falls; 5. Tom Libby, Gorham; 6. Ross Spurling, New Gloucester; 7. Devon Smith, Norway; 8. Ryan Farrar, Oxford; 9. Doug Stevens, West Sumner; 10. John Pinkham, Auburn; 11. Jeff Schmidt, Mechanic Falls; 12. Cprey Williams, Sumner; 13. Steve Anderson, Bethel; 14. Ron Cummings, South Paris; 15. Kevin Oliver, Gray; 16. Joey Bedard, Hartford.
ALLEN'S COFFEE FLAVORED BRANDY LADIES #1 (20 laps): 1. Vanna Brackett, Buckfield; 2. Lisa Vining, Turner; 3. Dottie Patria, Turner; 4. Debbie Marston, Hartford; 5. Kimberly Sessions, Auburn; 6. Missy Blash, Oxford; 7. Cathy Manchester, Gray; 8. Lisa Brooks, Auburn; 9. Shannon Wheeler, Auburn; 10. Sue Veinott, Sabattus; 11. Deanna Robertson, South Paris; 12. Kristen Brown, Gray; 13. Annie Chartier, Mexico.
ALLEN'S COFFEE FLAVORED BRANDY LADIES #2 (20 laps): 1. Missy Blash, Oxford; 2. Dottie Patria, Turner; 3. Deanna Robertson, South Paris; 4. Vanna Brackett, Oxford; 5. Lisa Vining, Turner; 6. Lisa Brooks, Auburn; 7. Cathy Manchester, Gray; 8. Kimberly Sessions, Auburn; 9. Debbie Marston, Hartford; 10. Shannon Wheeler, Auburn; 11. Sue Veinott, Sabattus; 12. Annie Chartier, Mexico. DNS: Kristen Brown, Gray.
ALLEN'S COFFEE FLAVORED BRANDY LADIES #2 (20 laps): 1. Missy Blash, Oxford; 2. Dottie Patria, Turner; 3. Deanna Robertson, South Paris; 4. Vanna Brackett, Oxford; 5. Lisa Vining, Turner; 6. Lisa Brooks, Auburn; 7. Cathy Manchester, Gray; 8. Kimberly Sessions, Auburn; 9. Debbie Marston, Hartford; 10. Shannon Wheeler, Auburn; 11. Sue Veinott, Sabattus; 12. Annie Chartier, Mexico. DNS: Kristen Brown, Gray.
GOULET HOME INSPECTIONS RENEGADE #1 (20 laps): 1. Jason Hannigan, Greene; 2. Phil Knowlton, Poland; 3. Gerard Cote, Oxford; 4. Mark Turner, Norway; 5. Dan Ellis, Brunswick; 6. Robert Lowe, Auburn; 7. Joe Morey, Lisbon. DQ: Jamie Heath, Waterford; Craig Bartlett, Waterford.
GOULET HOME INSPECTIONS RENEGADE #2 (20 laps): 1. Jason Hannigan, Greene; 2. 2. Phil Knowlton, Poland; 3. Joe Morey, Lisbon; 4. Dan Ellis, Brunswick; 5. Robert Lowe, Auburn; 6. Gerard Cote, Oxford; 7. Mark Turner, Norway. DQ: Jamie Heath, Waterford; Craig Bartlett, Waterford.
GOULET HOME INSPECTIONS RENEGADE #2 (20 laps): 1. Jason Hannigan, Greene; 2. 2. Phil Knowlton, Poland; 3. Joe Morey, Lisbon; 4. Dan Ellis, Brunswick; 5. Robert Lowe, Auburn; 6. Gerard Cote, Oxford; 7. Mark Turner, Norway. DQ: Jamie Heath, Waterford; Craig Bartlett, Waterford.