The points race in the top racing division at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway appears destined to again come down to the final day.

A year ago, Bill Rodgers, a veteran from Old Orchard Beach, nosed out Aaron Ricker of Tamworth, N.H., by one point to capture his first Pro Series championship at the track.

This season, with two feature races to go, Rodgers is one of the nine drivers within striking distance of Ricker, who leads the division in points despite not winning a race all season.

“I don’t know what the recipe is that makes it such a tight point battle,” track owner Andy Cusack said. “It’s just good cars and good drivers. It’s not a division where you have 20 cars and three of them are really good. All of these cars and drivers are good.”

The final two races in the Pro Series division are scheduled for Saturday night and Sept. 1.

Going into this weekend, Ricker, who has accumulated 493 points by consistently finishing in the top 10 in the weekly feature, holds a three-point lead over Brad Babb, a young driver from Windham back in the division after a two-year absence.

“Anybody in the top 10 still has a chance at winning it,” said David Oliver, a veteran driver from Standish, in third place with 486 points.

Rounding out the top 10 are Charlie Colby (477 points) of Newcastle, Donnie Colpritt (468) of Scarborough, Alan Tardiff (465) of Lyman, Dan McKeage (464) of Gorham, Rodgers (464), Mike Landry (462) of Oakland, Bobby Timmons (455) of Windham and Corey Bubar (453) of Windham.

A feature win is worth 50 points with points declining in two-point intervals for the next 24 drivers. Drivers also can pick up 10 points for winning one of the 12-lap qualifying heats, with points declining in one-point intervals for the next nine drivers.

MATT DOW of Buxton appears on the verge of winning his first Sports Series title at Beech Ridge.

Going into the weekend, Dow, who has collected 545 points this summer after finishing 14th in his first season in the division last summer, holds a 14-point lead over Donnie Morse, a perennial contender from Windham.

“We’ve just got to be consistent, stay on the track and avoid any wrecks,” he said.

The 25-year-old Dow, who won the championship in the track’s Roadrunner Division two years ago, could be peaking at just the right time. Last Saturday night he worked his way from near the back of the pack to capture his first 35-lap feature win of the season.

Garrett Hall (506 points) of Scarborough, Sally Gherardi (498) of Gorham and Frank Wear (471) of Buxton round out the top five.

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

pbetit@pressherald.com

Twitter: PaulBetitPPH