People’s United Bank Milk Bowl: Emily Packard
Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl Race Report
BARRE, Vt. – Emily Packard of East Montpelier, Vt., finished 15th in the 51st annual People’s United Bank Milk Bowl at Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre, Vt., on Sunday, Oct. 6. After qualifying 24th for the 30-car field out of 49 cars, Packard posted segment finishes of 21st, fourth and 17th to earn a solid overall finish. She was on pace to finish in the top half of the field in the first segment, but the No. 9x Northstar Fireworks/Berlin Optical Expressions Chevrolet was turned from behind on the final lap. Packard recovered nicely to post the Top-5 finish in the second segment, and then she held on on a wet race track in the final segment.
WHO: Emily Packard, East Montpelier, Vt.
TEAM: No. 9x Northstar Fireworks/Berlin Optical Expressions Chevrolet
CREW CHIEF: Neal Woodward, Georgia, Vt.
WHAT: People’s United Bank Milk Bowl
WHERE: Thunder Road International Speedbowl, Barre, Vt. (.25-mile oval)
STARTED: 24th
FINISHED: 15th (21-4-17=42 pts)
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EMILY, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR FIRST MILK BOWL EXPERIENCE?
My first Milk Bowl was a total success. I’m so happy that we qualified for the race, and I’m so glad we got a Top-15 out of it. Definitely, after not qualifying for this race last year, it was a big deal for us.
I’m really glad with how the whole weekend went.
WAS IT HARD TO ADJUST TO THE GO-FOR-BROKE MENTALITY OF THE MILK BOWL SEGMENTS?
Back in go-kart days, we used to have a big segment race every year. I’m kind of used to that experience, but I’d never done it before in a stock car. It was definitely a change. You have to position yourself and try to do the best you could.
There’s just so many good cars out there, it’s tough to do that.
WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE NEW AMERICAN RACER TIRES THIS WEEKEND?
One of my sets of tires was acting a little strange, but for the most part, we learned the tires a lot. I think we still have a lot of work to do with them, but I think we’ll be ahead of the game for next year.