PORTLAND, Maine -- Ricky Rolfe hasn't been in this position before, but it's a role he's happy to embrace.

As the most dominant driver this season at Oxford Plains Speedway, both in weekly and regional touring competition, the driver from Albany Township, Maine, is hands-down considered to be the favorite to win the 34th annual TD Banknorth 250 at the track this Sunday. More than 110 cars are already entered in the open Late Model competition -- but all eyes are on the one with the No. 51 on the side.

"That's me!" Rolfe said, when Oxford Plains owner and promoter Bill Ryan said that he only hoped to see a local Oxford competitor get a chance to win the race during Monday's annual pre-race press conference.

Of the seven drivers on hand, only two -- including Rolfe, who was precluded from doing so -- didn't select Rolfe as their choice to collect the $25,000 winner's share. Rolfe not only rolls into the race having won one of the two American-Canadian Tour races held at Oxford this season, but he also is currently one of only two drivers guaranteed a provisional entry into the main event.

Rolfe has won five of the last six Late Model features at the facility, taking over the championship standings lead from Travis Adams. Rolfe has said several times he's not racing for the track title, but he is breathing easier knowing that he will be in the 250 by virtue of having the standings lead in mid-July.

"My dream every spring is always just to qualify for this race," Rolfe said. "Whether I finish last or first, it doesn't matter. I just want to be in it."

NASCAR Camping World East Series driver Eddie MacDonald, whose crew chief Rollie Lachance has fielded several cars with aims of winning the '250,' tried putting a hex on Rolfe.

"I'm hoping if we all pick Ricky that he won't win it," said MacDonald, himself a serious threat at victory lane in limited Late Model appearances at Oxford in recent years.

Defending champion Roger Brown of Lancaster, N.H., who had been without an ACT ride for most of the first half of the current season, is the only other driver guaranteed of being in the race. Brown will drive the No. 24 Mike Lux-owned car that Mike Rowe drove in previous seasons.

"It was completely out of my place in racing," said Brown, noting that until Late Models were handed the race, he never could have afforded to compete. "It doesn't mean that you're a lesser driver or a better driver, it's just that a lot of people can't run the other style cars."

Interestingly enough, not a single person polled listed NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick -- who will bring his own Late Model with him -- as one of the favorites.

Nope, the honor of playing the role of favorite goes to Rolfe, who finished 2nd in 2004, one spot ahead of Matt Kenseth. It's not a role he's accustomed to, certainly, but it is one he's embracing.

"Last year was the first time I ever led a lap," Rolfe said. "That was my main accomplishment last year, that was what I wanted to do. This year it's win the race."

Posted at 10:45 p.m. by TBarrett