OXFORD -- Ricky Rolfe has won five of the last six Late Model races at Oxford Plains Speedway. That was enough to make Rolfe the favorite to win the TD Banknorth 250 in a straw poll of drivers at Monday's media luncheon.

"He's been on a tear," Shawn Martin said of Rolfe.

"I'm hoping if we all pick Ricky, he won't win it," Eddie MacDonald joked.

Rolfe took the role of favorite in stride. "I'll trade (the other wins) all in," Rolfe said.

The TD Banknorth 250 will begin at approximately 6:30 tonight. More than 100 drivers are registered for the race. Last year's race was decided by less than a car length, with Roger Brown holding off Dale Verrill.

Rolfe continued his hot streak with a convincing win at Oxford Plains last week. The victory pushed Rolfe into first place past Travis Adams in the division point standings. With the points lead, Rolfe earned at least a spot at the rear of today's race.

"My dream every spring is to qualify for this race. I don't care if I come in first or last," Rolfe said.

Brown will try to become the first repeat winner since Ben Rowe in 2003 and 2004, and Brown will do it with a new team. After racing last year on a team run by friends and family, Brown is now with owners Mike Lux and Jerry Hicks.

Like most of the local drivers, Brown is excited to race against NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Kevin Harvick.

"I hope (Harvick) has a good car, and I hope I have a good car," Brown said. "I've got a million questions for him."

Harvick won the 2007 Daytona 500 and is currently ranked ninth in the Sprint Cup standings.

Last week, Harvick finished third in the LifeLock.com 400 in Joliet, Ill.

Harvick is the just the latest NASCAR driver to take part in the Oxford 250. Past NASCAR drivers to compete in Maine's signature race include Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Ricky Craven.

"Kevin, I think, is taking it seriously," Oxford Plains Speedway owner Bill Ryan said. "It's fun to race against these guys, and it's fun for the fans."

Rolfe, for one, hopes there's a big crowd for Sunday's race.

"The more people, the better," Rolfe said. "I'd rather race in front of a packed house than 500 people."

Other race favorites include MacDonald, who won a NASCAR Camping World East race June 27 at Loudon, N.H., and Verrill, last year's runner-up.

Travis Lazarczyk -- 861-9242

tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com