Kyle Busch is back in Maine to race at Oxford Plains Speedway this week. Busch won the Oxford 250 in 2011. KeynoteUSA Photo
OXFORD — Standing by his car before practice as he talked about his competition, a smile slowly crept across Kyle Busch’s face.
No, Busch wasn’t referring to his fellow competitors at Daytona or Talladega. The NASCAR champion was instead referring to the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) drivers he’ll race against Wednesday night in the Celebration of America 300 at Oxford Plains Speedway.
The race will pay $40,000 to the winner, one of the largest Super Late Model prizes this year, and nearly double the $25,000 awarded to the winner of the Oxford 250.
Busch, 39, is one of the most controversial drivers in NASCAR history, thanks in part to his aggressive driving style. He made his NASCAR debut 23 years ago and won Cup Series championships in 2015 and 2019, but he still competes in several small-track races each season.
Because?
“I love grassroots racing, always have, always come back to late models,” said Busch, who is 17th in the Cup Series standings. “I’ve been doing it a little bit more these days with Brexton Busch, my son, racing the Micros and Bandoleros, stuff like that. It’s always fun to do the weekday programs, where you get a chance to race. Obviously, my weekend job gets in the way of (grassroots racing) on the weekends.
“It’s still a competition, you want to go out there and win,” Busch continued. “You want to beat everybody everywhere you go, whether it’s Oxford, Maine or the Daytona 500. That’s the main thing.”
Last season, Busch competed in a 125-lap race at Lee USA Speedway in New Hampshire, finishing second behind PASS driver Derek Griffith, who will also compete Wednesday night.
“The different racetracks I’ve been to, I’ve had different relationships in different races with a lot of the guys,” Busch said. “Whether it’s (PASS drivers) Johnny Clark, Cassius Clark, Derek Griffith, all the dogs that have traveled all over the country. Not only have we raced here, but we’ve raced all over the place. It’s been a lot of fun to be able to race against them over the years. I’ve won a couple; they’ve won a couple. We’ll see who gets it this time.”
NASCAR star Kyle Busch checks out his car before practice at Oxford Plains Speedway on Tuesday. Busch will drive in the Celebration of America 300 on Wednesday night. Dave Dyer/Kennebec Journal
Busch is no stranger to OPS: He won the 2011 Oxford 250, beating Nick Sweet and Austin Theriault, who finished second and third, respectively.
“I remember being able to come here to race (in 2011) and the grandstands were packed at this place,” Busch said. “The grandstands were always packed, the campground always looked really nice. The pit area looked solid, too. It’s a little different now, since it’s a midweek event, a Fourth of July event.”
Busch will drive the white No. 51 Cushman Competition car. The team is led by driver Austin Teras, who is currently fourth (1,198 points) in the PASS North standings. He arrived in Maine early Tuesday afternoon and was driven directly to the OPS pit area. After quickly changing into his blue racing suit, Busch immediately climbed into the car to familiarize himself with the vehicle before taking it to the track for practice.
“I’ve always had my own late models for a long, long time and I was able to have success with them,” Busch said. “I’ve won some contests with other people’s teams. It’s nice to come here and try my luck with the Austin car.”
Busch isn’t the only NASCAR driver racing at OPS on Wednesday night. Daniel Hemlic, 30th in the Cup Series standings, will also race, along with NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Bubba Pollard. Both drivers have competed at OPS before, with Pollard winning the Oxford 250 in 2018.
“Super Late Model racing has been a part of my life for many, many years,” Hemlic said. “I’ve been here a couple of times, just to see another part of the country. I love it. I’ve always had fun and enjoyed the people and the camaraderie… I’m just here to have a little fun, and I think the racer in all of us takes over during the first few laps.”
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