Austin Theriault: ACT Late Model Tour
Oxford Plains Speedway Race Preview
THE STORY
Austin Theriault of Fort Kent, Maine, joins the ACT Late Model Tour as he returns to one of his favorite tracks in the northeast for the Q 97.9 ACT 150 at Oxford Plains Speedway in Oxford, Maine, on Saturday, August 20. Theriault is coming off an impressive second-place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway last weekend in the AT Racing No. 57 Varney Insurance Ford and returning to the site of his eye-opening podium finish in last month’s TD Bank Oxford 250. Theriault’s run last weekend jumped him two spots in the ACT standings to fifth.
THE FACTS
WHO: Austin Theriault, Fort Kent, Maine
TEAM: No. 57 Varney Insurance Ford
CREW CHIEF: Mickey Green, West Paris, Maine
BEST CAREER OXFORD PLAINS SPEEDWAY FINISH: 10th (June 2010)
LAST RACE AT OXFORD PLAINS SPEEDWAY: 16th
WHAT: ACT Late Model Tour Q 97.9 ACT 150
WHERE: Oxford Plains Speedway, Oxford, Maine (.375-mile oval)
WHEN: 6:30 p.m., Saturday, August 20
ACT LATE MODEL TOUR
LAST RACE: August 13, ACT All-Star Challenge, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, N.H. (2nd)
NEXT RACE: August 27, ACT 200, Riverside Speedway, St. Croix, Que. (.625-mile oval)
POINTS POSITION: 5th
DID YOU KNOW?
Austin Theriault became the youngest podium finisher in the 38-year history of the TD Bank Oxford 250 when he finished third in the event last month.
Austin Theriault is fifth in the ACT standings – the highest he has been in his two-year career.
Austin Theriault, 17, started his senior year of high school this week at Fort Kent Community High School
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
AUSTIN THERIAULT, Driver of the No. 57 Varney Insurance Ford, on his impressive run at New Hampshire Motor Speedway last weekend: “It was really important. I had some doubts going into Loudon. After the test (the week before), I wasn’t sure how good we’d be – but I knew after the first practice that we’d have a pretty good weekend.
“It really meant a lot to finish up front. It was right up there with the (Oxford) 250, but I still think the 250 was a lot bigger to me.”
On returning to Oxford Plains Speedway: “I like that it’s a momentum track. I know every track we go to is some sort of momentum track with the ACT cars – but Oxford is even more so. You’ve got to save your stuff, and you’ve got to be much more balanced with your stuff for the weekend. We’ve had a good setup this year there, so I don’t see why it would let us down now.
“Coming off the good finish at the 250, we were so close – but still, I think we can work on getting a little better there. We’re pretty confident going in. Probably this weekend will be the best chance we have to win a race this year. I think we can do that before the end of the year, and Oxford’s probably going to be the best chance to do it.”
On where the team has improved from 2010: “We learn every week. Compared to last year, we’re a much better team as far as paying attention to details and fine-tuning at the track. I think that’s made the biggest difference.
“It’s not something we have that no one else has – it’s something we’ve been able to put into one good package. Right now, we’re a pretty respectable team when it comes to racing on the ACT Tour, as far as being able to put everything together.”
UP NEXT
The ACT Late Model Tour heads north to Riverside Speedway in St. Croix, Que., for the ACT 200 on Saturday, August 27… Austin Theriault finished sixth the caution-marred event last season after starting deep in the field in 20th-place on the grid.
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