After trying their hand at New Hampshire Motor Speedway last weekend, the North East Mini Stock Tour competitors returned to Oxford Plains Speedway on Sunday. The day’s events included two 10-lap heat races, where Jimmy Childs and Cody LeBlanc topped the leaderboard.

Eleven drivers took to the track for the 25-lap main event. Michael Viens took off with the early lead as his competitors lingered closely behind. Jimmy Childs was also on the move early, going 3-wide for the runner-up spot on lap 5. Childs ultimately took over the position, then setting his sights on the leader. Ryan Keniston took a spin on lap 6 in turn 1, resulting in an early-race caution.

Michael Viens restarted in the top spot, but Jimmy Childs was quick to take over the lead. As Childs pulled away, Cody LeBlanc was charging through the field, advancing to fourth on lap 8. He continued his pursuit to the front the following lap, overtaking Justin Faford for third. Just two laps later, LeBlanc found himself in the runner-up spot and began to track down the leader.

The field was widely spread out at the halfway mark, but LeBlond casually began reeling in Jimmy Childs in the second half of the race. Jason Kimball was also making a late-race run, breaking the top five with just 5 laps to go.

LeBlanc, still hungry for the lead, pulled to the outside of Jimmy Childs with just four laps to go. The two remained door-to-door until they were split by a lap car with just two laps remaining. The drivers quickly rid themselves of the lap traffic and found themselves head-to-head until the very end, where Jimmy Childs edged out Cody LeBlanc by a hair at the finish line.

The finish had the crowd up on their feet and hooting and hollering for their short track heroes who put up a fight until the very end. Michael Viens, Justin Faford and Erin Aiken rounded out the top five.

The NEMST sure brought the excitement to Oxford Plains Speedway on Sunday and will continue to provide great racing throughout the course of the summer, including their next event at Speedway 95 on May 8th.

Get out there and support your local short track and touring divisions. Continue chasing the checkered and I hope to see you soon!