OXFORD — Three former 250 winners were among the 82 drivers who tried to qualify for Sunday’s race.

The trio included two-time defending champion Eddie MacDonald of Rowley, Mass., Jamie Aube of North Ferrisburgh, Vt., and Larry Gelinas of Buxton. Aube, who runs regularly at Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre, Vt., won the event in 1987 and 1989. Gelinas, who now runs regularly at Thompson International Speedway, was the 1996 winner.

Gelinas earned his spot on the 38-car starting grid by finishing second in the sixth qualifying heat.

MacDonald, who traveled to Maine Sunday morning after racing in a K&N Pro Series East race Saturday night at Columbus, Ohio, got a chance to defend his title by winning the second consolation race.

As a past champion, Aube received a provisional spot in the final. He was slotted last on the starting grid.

In the race, MacDonald finished fourth, Gelinas was 14th and Aube came in at 37.

SEVEN DRIVERS who competed in Saturday night’s Pro All Star Series race at the speedway returned Sunday to try to qualify for the TD Bank 250. That group included Sprint Cup series star Kyle Busch, seven-time American Canadian tour champion Brian Hoar, Jimmy Childs of Leeds, Patrick Laperle of St. Denis, Joey Polewarczyk Jr. of Hudson, N.H., and Brad Babb of Windham.

THE DAY ENDED early for Babb, who graduated from Windham High last month. During the sixth 20-lap qualifying heat, he and Brett Wheeler of Waterbury Center, Vt., slammed into the wall in front of the main grandstand, in the sixth qualifying heat. Both cars were towed into the pits; neither was able to run in the consolation round.

RICKY ROLFE of Albany Township appeared to have a spot on the outside of the second row when he won the fourth qualifying heat, but his car failed to pass inspection.

Then, he finished sixth in the second round of consolations, when the top three finishers moved on. Finally, he finished third in the second last-chance qualifier, where only the winner advance.

BEFORE THE consolation round began, Childs won a 30-lap feature in the speedway’s mini-stock division. When that race was completed, he didn’t go to to pick up his trophy.

Instead, Childs drove directly to the pits to climb into his Late Model to race for a spot in the final. Childs didn’t qualify for the 250.

IN OTHER OPS ACTION, Rick Spalding of Lisbon won a 30-lap Strictly Stocks feature.

Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at:

pbetit@pressherald.com

Twitter: PaulBetitPPH