With six racing dates left, points races remain tight in the top racing divisions at southern Maine’s three speedways.

Drivers at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, Oxford Plains Speedway and Wiscasset Raceway can pick up 50 points per win, so there’s plenty of opportunity for upward mobility in the standings between now and the end of the season in September.

At Beech Ridge in Scarborough, the Sports Series division is especially tight. The spread between the leader, Donnie Colpritt of Scarborough, and fifth-place Nathan Leavitt of Scarborough is just nine points. Russell Morse of Buxton, Chris Smith of Buxton and Sally Gherardi of Gorham are in between them.

In the Pro Series, the top division at the Ridge, Dan McKeage, a veteran from Gorham, holds a 28-point lead over Ben Rowe, a veteran from Turner. But Bill Rodgers of Old Orchard Beach, David Oliver of Standish and Jeremie Whorff of West Bath remain in striking distance, all within 43 points.

In the Wildcat Division at Beech Ridge, Dan Wink of North Berwick holds a two-point lead over David Vaughn of Naples. Alby Ovitt of Barrington, N.H., and Cole Watson of Naples are within 42 points of the top.

Matt Dow of Buxton holds a 41-point lead over Ryan Phillips of Buxton in the Roadrunner Division at Beech Ridge. But Ed Connolly of Scarborough and Shawn Brackett, who won last Saturday night’s feature, are both within 54 points of the top spot.

 

AFTER A two-week absence, the Championship Series returns Saturday night to Oxford Plains Speedway, and the point races have tightened in all three of its divisions.

Veteran Tommy Ricker of Poland holds a six-point lead over Tim Brackett of Buckfield in the Late Models, the top division at the speedway. But Scott Luce of Turner, Don Wentworth of Otisfield, Dennis Spencer Jr. of Oxford, Shawn Martin of Turner, Corey Morgan of Lewiston and Ricky Rolfe of Albany Township are all within 49 points of the leader.

In Strictly Stocks, Kurt Hewins of Leeds holds a 19-point lead over Gene Hatch. But Larry Emerson of Durham and Zack Emerson of Sabattus are both within 31 points of the leader.

In Mini Stocks, Ashley Marshall of Gray holds a nine-point lead over Calvin Rose Jr. of Turner.

Darrell Moore of Mechanic Falls and Jeff Beaule of Lewiston are within 48 points of the top spot.

 

BECAUSE OF Saturday night’s Oxxfest 2010 music festival, no racing is scheduled this weekend at Wiscasset Raceway.

Most of the top racing divisions at the midcoast track have turned into runaways.

In the Late Models, Rowland Robinson Jr. of Steuben has amassed 500 points and holds a four-point lead over Nick Hinkley of Danforth. Danny Smart of Buxton is the only other driver within 20 points of Robinson.

In Super Streets, Ryan Ripley of Waldoboro has accumulated 504 points and holds a 180-point lead over Adam Chadbourne of Woolwich.

In Strictly Streets, Ian Bresnahan of Bath holds a 48-point lead over Dan Nesmith of Chelsea. But Nate Yeaton of Lisbon Falls is within 50 points of the top spot.

In Mini Stocks, Rob Greenleaf of West Bath holds a commanding lead with 534 points.

 

THE RACE has tightened up in the American-Canadian Tour’s rooking standings.

Brad Babb, 17, of Windham maintains a one-point lead over Austin Theriault, 16, of Fort Kent.

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

pbetit@pressherald.com