OXFORD -- In 2005, Travis Adams won a Late Model qualifying race that allowed him to race with Super Late Models in the Oxford 250. He did, but he went on to finish 40th in the 40-car field that year, his one and only career start in Maine's midsummer stock-car racing classic.

New rules and a new year have the Canton racer with a brand new attitude entering Sunday's TD Banknorth 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway, where qualifying gets underway at 2 p.m.

Adams has won the last three Late Model features at Oxford, bringing his win total on the season to five already. He's far and away the favorite among the track's Oxford Championship Series competitors to claim Sunday's $25,000 first prize.

"It's a really nice piece," Adams said of his car, though he also said he'd like to be able to stack up against a nine-time track champion from Mercer. "Jeff Taylor isn't racing with us anymore, and I really wish he was so we could put our machine up against his."

Several other of the state's Late Model competitors are entering the TD Banknorth 250 for the first time. Where it was previously a race for touring or Super Late Model teams, it's now in the grasp of American-Canadian Tour cars and weekly competitors from across the Northeast and Canada.

Wiscasset Raceway Late Model rookie Dan Trask of Chelsea has entered the race, after years of watching it without a car capable of running the event.

Wiscasset owner Dave St. Clair -- as well as his son Puncin St. Clair and grandson Josh St. Clair -- are also entered, some of a large contingent of small, tight-budget teams expected to take the plunge.

"It's been incredible," Oxford Plains owner Bill Ryan said of the interest in this year's race. "Once we got to November and we had 150 entries for the 250, I don't think anyone can make a credible argument that it wasn't a good decision."

With sealed engines, narrow tires and spec shock packages aimed at leveling the playing field, however, it appears Adams has the early edge.

Not only has he already matched his win total from his entire 2006 championship season, but his green and pink No. 03 Chevrolet is using the outside groove regularly at a track criticized for producing one-groove racing the last few seasons.

"I'm glad I'm carrying the torch for the green machines here," Adams said. "They say green is bad luck (for a race car), but I say bring on the bad luck, because this car is very, very fast."

Travis Barrett -- 621-5648

tbarrett@centralmaine.com