Five Drivers Who Are Due at the Oxford 250

When an event has been around for nearly a half-century like the Oxford 250, it comes with plenty of history, prestige and storylines. Over 48 prior runnings, there have been plenty of heroes and triumphs.

However, for every winner there are dozens of drivers who leave Oxford Plains Speedway wondering what could have been. Some of the top drivers in the region have gone their entire careers without a win in the Oxford 250. The last two years have seen two such winless streaks in the event end, with Johnny Clark winning in 2020 and Cassius Clark taking the checkered flag in 2021.

After back-to-back years of long awaited victories, we look at the trends to see who might be in line for that this year.

READ MORE: How to Watch the Oxford 250 on Racing America

- DJ Shaw, winner of the most recent PASS race at Oxford, is long overdue for a 250 win. He, like his dad, has yet to taste victory in the summer classic event. Shaw will be making his 10th start in the 250 where he looks to improve on two third-place finishes. Shaw is really strong in the heat races, having won four heats in his 250 career. Shaw will be looking for a third-straight heat race win come Sunday. A win for the whole family would come on the 30th start in the race, as father Dale ran 20 times with no wins.

- With 12 PASS wins in the north, two in the south and eight prior Oxford 250 starts, it looks as if Joey Doiron could be on the verge of that 250 win. His last three starts in the 250 have resulted in a fifth, a third and a fourth to give him four top-five runs in the historic race. He’s been on the lead lap six times and has led 128 laps in those events. His three heat wins and a second last year in a heat has given him five top-10 starts.

- Getting ready for his ninth try in the Oxford 250, Trevor Sanborn wants simply to not dig himself a huge hole before the start of the feature. Sanborn recently won the Super Late Model Triple Crown, locking himself into the race. His finishes of first, third and eleventh have to have him excited for the big show. Maybe the idea of knowing he’s locked in will put him at ease for the heats. Sanborn had to win the last chance race a year ago, coming from 41st in the feature lineup to finish eighth for the second year in a row.

READ MORE: Locked and Loaded, Trevor Sanborn Likes His Oxford 250 Chances

- You have to look at Dave Farrington, Jr. and wonder if his time has come. He has 10 starts under his belt and is always strong in the weekly series, but the solid runs seem to elude him in the big race. He was fourth in 2020 and normally completes the distance having run 99.68% of the laps in the race. If they can get the 23 ride in a good situation, he could be there for the party at the end of the race.

- Is there enough magic in the moonlight for Jeff Taylor to finally get his Oxford 250 win? The misfortune and heartbreaks have added up way too many times for the multi-time track champion. Taylor is set to make his 20th start, and he’s led 440 laps and scored 11 top-10 runs along the way. He has finished second three times in the race, with the most recent coming in 2020. Maybe this will be the year.