How The Field Is Set: Qualifying For The Oxford 250

Among the crown jewels of the pavement Super Late Model world, the Oxford 250 features a unique format that produces a full day of exciting racing. In many ways, the battle to simply be part of the Oxford 250 field is as exciting as the race itself.

As is the norm in Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Model Series events, there is no single-car time trial or qualifying against the stopwatch. Instead, an expanded format with heat races, consis and a last-chance qualifier determine which of the 60-plus drivers entered will make up the starting field for the main event.

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Here is a breakdown of how Sunday, August 25 will look for Super Late Model competitors in the 51st Annual Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Oxford 250. As always, specific details are tentative and subject to change, and you can stay up to date on race day by following Racing America.

The Draw

While most Super Late Model teams will be at Oxford Plains Speedway throughout the weekend practicing, and perhaps even competing in Friday's Open Comp 200, the entirety of the Oxford 250 racing program takes place on Sunday. The day begins with a blind drawing on the frontstretch to determine heat race lineups. It may be one of the most anticipated draws of the year in short-track racing, as fans will already be in the grandstands eagerly awaiting to see where their favorite driver will start the day.

One by one, numbers are written onto the lineup board as drivers - or their crew members, children, or other "lucky charms" - draw their fate, setting the stage for the upcoming heat races. This draw could give a driver a front-row seat for their heat race, or a long day of trying to pass cars to make the show.

The Heat Races

Following the draw, teams will prepare for the heat races. While the exact number of heat races and transfers varies based on entry counts, last year's Oxford 250 saw five heat races, with the top-five finishers in each heat race transferring directly to the Oxford 250. These drivers will have the best starting spots for the 250, with the winner of the first heat race starting on the pole for the main event. However, the last driver to win the Oxford 250 from pole position was Ben Rowe in 2003.

Perhaps more importantly, those drivers who transfer get to keep their car off track for the rest of the afternoon until the start of the 250, and teams can make any necessary adjustments to prepare for the big race. For those missing the cutoff, there is still more racing ahead.

The Consolation Races

The next stop for drivers who haven't yet earned a spot in the Oxford 250 are the consolation races. This is where intensity and desperation will begin to ramp up, as no driver wants to face the prospect of having to win the Last Chance Qualifier. However, competitors will only have 20 laps to work their way into a transfer position.

The Last Chance Qualifier

At this point in the program, just one starting spot in Oxford 250 grid is available on merit. Only the winner of the Last Chance Qualifier will move on to the main event. It may seem like a lot of effort just to start behind so many cars, but anything can happen once you're in the big race. After all, Mike Rowe won the 2005 Oxford 250 from the 37th starting position after winning that year's Last Chance Qualifier.

Once the field of qualifiers is set, there will be select provisionals awarded based on qualifications set forth by PASS and Oxford Plains Speedway. For instance, we know Trevor Sanborn and Austin Teras hold provisionals after winning qualifiers for those respective sanctioning bodies in the past month. However, they'll both be eager to earn a much better starting position by racing their way into the 250. Drivers must make every attempt to qualify into the field on their own merit to officially be granted a provisional on race day.

Fans can watch every lap of the action live on RacingAmerica.TV this weekend. Click here to order your broadcast today and watch all weekend long, including every lap of qualifying for the 51st Annual Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Oxford 250.

-Photo credit: Will Bellamy, Racing America