photo by RPM 360
EAST MONTPELIER, Vt. – Emily Packard and the 9x Northstar Fireworks/Packard Fuels team is ready to get this season rolling this weekend at Oxford Plains Speedway. For the second straight year, thanks to the New England weather, the American Canadian Tour kicks off at OPS and Packard and the team are more focused and better prepared this season than ever. After announcing back in March the partnership with Joey Pole Racing to maintain her cars for a minimum of 9 races, the Polewarczyk’s have spent the last few weeks making a number of changes to her race car to prepare for this event. “The first couple of laps on Sunday are going to be exciting,” said Packard, “I am going to be focusing on shaking the car down and getting used to the new set-up.”
“It’s been an adjustment not having the car here in our shop,” Packard said, “but the guys (Joe Sr. and Joey Jr.) have kept me updated, texting and sending pictures as they make progress on the car. They have made a bunch of changes, and I am really looking forward to getting the car out on to the track to see how it handles.” Last year, in her first visit to the track, Packard qualified in the 20th starting position, and spent the race calculating her moves around cars towards the front. Eventually, the laps would run out as she challenged for a top three, and settled for a fourth place finish. On the second trip back to the track, Packard went in to the race with a high level of confidence from her earlier season finish here and raced her way to a sixth place finishing position when the checkers fell.
Emily is hoping to continue her success at the 3/8 of a mile race track on Sunday. “Oxford is a track that just clicked with me last year,” said the 19 year old, “and I felt pretty comfortable there almost immediately. I am really looking forward to heading back there this weekend. Joey (Pole) has run well at Oxford and I think the combination of my comfort level here and their set-up is going to be a perfect way to start the season.”
This season, the East Montpelier native is looking to better her finishing position here and possibly battle for the win. “The 17th of April marks the one year anniversary of the passing of my grandmother, and I would really like to go out and win this one for her,” said Packard. “I think this year I have the best chance to win, especially with the support on the car I am getting from the Polewarczyk’s. I am excited and ready for the season to start.”
The American Canadian Tour cars hit the track at 9:30am on Sunday April 17th, for the first of 3 scheduled practices with heat racing beginning at 2pm. The ACT Husqvarna 100 presented by Dave’s Small Engines will run later that day. Don’t forget to follow along on social media if you can’t make it to the track this weekend.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Emily Packard on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EmilyPackardMotorsports
Emily Packard on Twitter: @EmilyPackard9