The old-timers will be out in full force for the TD Banknorth 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway next month, as word comes down that former Nextel Cup Series driver Kevin Lepage will join 2-time Cup champ Terry Labonte in the July 22nd race.Who's next? Dick Trickle? James Hylton?
This will be the 5th 250 for the Shelburne, Vt., driver who has more than 200 career Cup starts on his resume. Lepage, 45, has never finished higher than 11th in the 250.
Of course, his addition does nothing to dispel notions that -- with the race running under American-Canadian Tour Late Model rules -- that it's now a "Vermont" race. Critics of the race as a Super Late Model event in recent years suggested it was a "Maine" race, favoring Maine race teams.
“It’s going to be fun to go back to where it all began, to see some old faces and see how I stack up against some of the young guns,” Lepage said. “When I heard about the TD Banknorth 250 going to the late model rules package and bringing all those Vermont drivers into the mix, I thought it would be fun to give it a shot.”
Lepage will drive for Archie St. Hilaire of Old Orchard Beach. Todd Graffam of Lyman will serve as the crew chief.
Lepage's entry is the 171st for the race.
2 comments:
I personally am excited Kev is racing the race...I grew up with him on the ACT tour my family was always part of his team back in the late 80s and still keep in touch with him to this day in fact you'll see me at the trailer all weekend :) True he's no Jeff Gordon or Tony Stewart or even Kyle Busch but his roots are from late models and the good 'ol days so I think he'll be great to watch!
Actually what the Oxford 250 has become since the switch to Late Models is a "Northeastern" race. Yes there will be teams from VT, but also from NH, ME, MA, RI, CT, NY, QC, ON, and who knows from where else.
I guess when it's names like Aube & Lepage in Late Models it's a senior tour, but when it's names like Moore & Dion in a Pro Stock it's something different?
Maybe it's not the name or age, but rather the type of car they are racing?
I'm glad to see former New England racing stars like Kevin coming back even if it's only for one or two shows. I know he'll race with a lot more respect than those clowns who were masquerading as big time stars at last year's 250.
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