Austin Theriault: Oxford Plains Speedway
Oxford Championship Series Race Report
OXFORD, Maine – Austin Theriault of Fort Kent, Maine, finished 15th in the Oxford Championship Series 40-lap Late Model event at Oxford Plains Speedway in Oxford, Maine, on Saturday, July 2. Despite finishing fifth in his first-round heat race, Oxford’s handicapping system dictated that Theriault would start deep in the 30-car field in 21st. Without the benefit of a caution flag in event, Theriault had to pick his way through traffic on his way to the 15th-place finish in a tuneup for the TD Bank Oxford 250 in three weeks.
WHO: Austin Theriault, Fort Kent, Maine
TEAM: No. 57 Varney Insurance Ford
CREW CHIEF: Mickey Green, West Paris, Maine
WHAT: Oxford Championship Series 40-lap Late Model Feature
WHERE: Oxford Plains Speedway, Oxford, Maine (.375-mile oval)
STARTED: 21st
FINISHED: 15th
LAST RACE: June 26, Carquest Vermont Governor’s Cup, Thunder Road Speedbowl, Barre, Vt. (16th)
NEXT RACE: July 9, Jim’s Captown/Trailers ACT 100, Twin State Speedway, Claremont, NH (.33-mile oval)
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AUSTIN, SUM UP YOUR DAY.
“Well, we came down here for track time and to make preparations for the [TD Bank] 250. We have a big race coming up, and I need all of the lap time I can get. We took our old 57ME out for its debut. The race went well – it was just the way things worked out.
“We had a good night. We learned some good information. We’ll probably come back a couple more times before the 250 to get some more lap time.”
HOW DO THESE 40-LAP SATURDAY NIGHT EVENTS COMPARE TO THE ACT RACES THAT YOU ARE USED TO?
“Definitely a 40-lap race is a lot different than a 150-lap ACT race. You obviously have to be less patient. I showed that tonight. I busted up our right front fender. There’s a couple guys that I’m keeping notes on for the next time we come.”
HOW DOES RACING YOUR OWN CAR COMPARE TO RACING YOUR RPM CAR?
“There’s definitely differences between the two, but I think that driving any car is better than driving no car. The more seat time you get at a track the better you get.”