AT Racing: TD Bank Oxford 250
Austin Theriault Oxford Plains Race Report
Austin Theriault of Fort Kent, Maine, finished third in the 39th annual TD Bank Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway in Oxford, Maine, on Sunday, July 22. After winning his qualifying race to start sixth in the main event, the Brad Keselowski development driver used tire strategy to post his second consecutive Top-3 finish in the open Late Model competition. Theriault ran as high as second in the first half of the race, got shuffled back in traffic on a mid-race restart, and then moved from 13th to third in the running order over the final 40 laps. After becoming the yougest driver in the race’s history to finish on the podium last year with a third-place finish, Theriault finished third again in just his second career start.
WHO: Austin Theriault, Fort Kent, Maine
TEAM: AT Racing No. 57 Pelletier Ford Ford Fusion
CREW CHIEF: Mickey Green, South Paris, Maine
WHAT: 39th annual TD Bank Oxford 250
WHERE: Oxford Plains Speedway, Oxford, Maine (.375-mile flat oval)
STARTED: 6th
FINISHED: 3rd
******
AUSTIN, YOU HAD ANOTHER REALLY GOOD NIGHT IN THIS RACE.
“I’m so proud of the guys. We played some strategy games midway through the race, and that’s why we headed towards the rear. Third-place again is a little bittersweet, but I’m glad Joey won… Maybe next year.
“The car was awesome. We were awesome there on the first set of tires, and I thought we had something. I knew if we had another 15-20 laps, we’d be right up there. We’ll try again next year.”
ON HOW THE CAUTIONS PLAYED OUT IN THE RACE:
“When you gamble with tire strategy, it can either work out, or you can kind of get screwed, to put it simply. Thankfully, that caution came around Lap 200 and we were able to come in and get right (side tires). I really had something for them, but you can’t complain.
“Like I said, I’m glad for Joey. The guys worked their butts off, and I’m looking forward to Beech Ridge (next weekend). I think we can get some more speed out of that car.”