OXFORD, Me. -- American-Canadian Tour point leader Scott Payea's name was on the list of 109 "probable" entries released by Oxford Plains Speedway on Wednesday for the track's $25,000-to-win TD Banknorth 250 this Sunday, but the Milton driver confirmed on Thursday afternoon that he will not be participating in the event.Payea says he has too much on the line. "We can't afford it this year from a money and risk standpoint," he said via text message. "With only one car this year my focus is on the Tour."
Payea leads Hudson, N.H. driver Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. by 23 points after seven ACT Late Model Tour events. The '250' is not an ACT championship event, although, like all ACT races this season, the winner will become qualified for the ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September.
Payea finished third in the TD Banknorth 250 in 2007. (Payea photo by Justin St. Louis/VMM)
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Driver Webster Killed at OPS on Wednesday
Oxford Plains Speedway Acceleration Series driver Charlie Webster, 38, of Auburn, Me., died after a crash at the track on Wednesday evening. Webster was racing in the Runnin' Rebel division when his car struck a retaining wall off Turn 2; he was pronounced dead at Stephens Memorial Hospital in nearby Norway, Me. shortly after.
Oxford Plains Speedway released the following statement on its website: "The entire Oxford Plains Speedway family expresses our deepest condolences to the family of Charlie Webster. Charlie was a valued member of our community, and we will miss him."
