Touring Series News
Hoar Wins TD Bank Oxford 250 Pole
PHOTO: A pack of Late Models navigates Turn 4 at Oxford Plains Speedway during qualifying for tonight's TD Bank 250. (Troy Germain/VMM photo)
OXFORD, Me. -- A year ago Brian Hoar was excited just to have qualified for his first TD Bank Oxford 250. This year he entered the race as one of the favorites to win.
Now he’s one of the favorites to dominate.
The Williston racer pulled chip No. 3 of 80 in the pre-race random draw to determine qualifying race lineups. Starting third in the first of six heats, Hoar made quick work of Steve Knowlton and Shawn Knight to take the lead on the first of 15 laps, then cruised to the win.
By virtue of winning the first heat race of the day, Hoar starts on the pole position for the richest Late Model short track race in the country, scheduled to start at 6:30 tonight.
“Actually it’s all talent,” Hoar joked, dumbfounded by his good luck. “It’s all the technique of the draw.”
As if Hoar needed the luck. In his regular gig on the American-Canadian Tour, Hoar has two wins and has yet to finish worse than fifth in six starts. He needed only an hour’s worth of practice on Saturday to dial his car in.
“The car was good and we’ll tweak it to get ready for the race,” Hoar said. “I just can’t believe we’re on the pole for the 250.”
East Montpelier’s Jay Laquerre beat Colchester driver Scott Dragon to win the second heat and will start outside Hoar on the front row of the TD Bank Oxford 250. Thunder Road point leader Dave Pembroke of Middlesex won the third heat and will start third next to Shane Green of South Paris, Me. Brad Leighton of Center Harbor, N.H. and Jeff White of Winthrop, Me., will make up row three.
Vermonters Cris Michaud, Brent Dragon, Nick Sweet, and Eric Williams also qualified for the main event.
