OXFORD, Maine — When TJ Moon takes the green flag at Oxford Plains Speedway from August 28–30, the weekend will represent much more than another racing opportunity. It will be a homecoming, a tribute to one of New England’s most recognizable race cars and the continuation of a family legacy built at the historic Maine speedway.

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Born in Poland, Maine, and now residing in Taylorsville, North Carolina, Moon will pilot the Dean Hanscom-owned No. 29 in the Limited Sportsman division. The official Oxford 250 weekend schedule includes Limited Sportsman racing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, giving Moon three opportunities to compete during one of the most celebrated weekends in Northeast short-track racing.

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A New Chapter in Oxford 250 History

The Oxford 250 traces its roots to July 14, 1974, when Joey Kourafas won the inaugural Oxford 200 after starting 19th. The event was expanded to 250 laps the following year to incorporate a pit stop, beginning its transformation into one of the country’s premier short-track races.

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Over the decades, the event has attracted accomplished racers from across New England and beyond while creating some of the most memorable moments in regional motorsports. The 2026 edition marks the 53rd running of the race, with the main event scheduled for Sunday, August 30. 

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An Iconic No. 29 Tribute

The No. 29 that Moon will drive is immediately recognizable with its vivid orange body, black hood and nose, and oversized silver-white numerals outlined in blue. Its appearance is a modern tribute to the familiar orange No. 29 Fords driven by New England racing legend “Dynamite” Dave Dion.

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Dion’s No. 29 became one of the most recognizable cars in Oxford 250 history. He captured three victories in the prestigious event—winning in 1975, 1985 and 1992—and became the first driver to win the race in three different decades.

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The Dean Hanscom car’s orange design draws inspiration from Dion’s famous machines, giving Moon’s entry a meaningful connection to one of Oxford’s greatest champions.

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Generations of Moon Family Success at Oxford

For TJ, the history surrounding Oxford Plains Speedway is also deeply personal. His father, Jeff Moon; uncle, Steve Moon; and great-uncles, Ron Moon and Dan Ashley, all contributed to the family’s racing legacy at the track.

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Dan Ashley earned the 1978 Limited Sportsman/Super Street championship at Oxford, making TJ’s opportunity in the same division especially meaningful nearly five decades later.

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Jeff Moon recorded 17 career feature victories at Oxford and captured the 2006 Triple Crown championship. Eleven of those victories came in Outlaw or Outlaw Sportsman competition, establishing him as one of the track’s most successful drivers in those divisions.

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Steve Moon established himself as one of Oxford’s most accomplished Outlaw competitors. He earned 13 feature victories, placing him among the top 10 drivers in the speedway’s recorded Outlaw and Outlaw Sportsman history, and captured the 2015 Outlaws championship.

 

Ron Moon’s history at Oxford spanned several decades and multiple levels of competition. He won the pole for the 1985 Oxford 250 and later competed in several NASCAR-sanctioned editions of the prestigious race. Oxford’s official records credit him with 11 career feature victories. Decades after his early Oxford 250 appearances, Ron remained a competitive force in weekly racing, capturing the 2017 Outlaws championship—his first career championship—behind the wheel of the #9 car owned by Jeff Moon. The milestone was even more meaningful because Ron celebrated his first title alongside TJ, who earned his own first championship that same year. 

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Together, their accomplishments represent decades of dedication, competition and success for the Moon family at the Route 26 oval.

 

A Meaningful Return to His Racing Roots

TJ has built an impressive career competing in Bandoleros, Legend Cars, Pro Late Models, Spec Late Models and ARCA West competition across the country. However, returning to Oxford provides a special connection to where his family’s racing story was written.

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Driving the No. 29 during Oxford 250 weekend brings several pieces of history together: the legacy of the Oxford 250, a paint scheme honoring Dave Dion, the Limited Sportsman championship won by Dan Ashley and the accomplishments of Jeff, Steve and Ron Moon.

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The Moon family extends its sincere appreciation to Dean Hanscom for giving TJ the opportunity to compete during this historic three-day weekend. When TJ takes the green flag, he will be carrying much more than a familiar number—he will be carrying generations of Maine racing history with him.

For TJ Moon, Oxford 250 weekend will truly be a full-circle return to where it all began.