Theriault Leads Laps at Loudon

Episode 74

September 28, 2015

Austin Theriault pit crew leaps into action on pit road at New Hampshire Motor Speedway action. HTF Motorsports photo

Austin Theriault pit crew leaps into action on pit road as Timothy Peters pulls into his pit area in front of the #29 pit box at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. HTF Motorsports photo

Austin Theriault Leads Laps at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Fort Kent native Austin Theriault made his New England debut in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Saturday. Theriault made it into the third round of qualifiers and started the race ninth.Theriault’s team mate, Tyler Reddick, started 14th and finished 13th.

For Theriault the race had its highs and low points. After starting in the top 10, he slipped back into the mid teens until the first pit stop. A pit crew member was over the wall early. Theriault was assessed a penalty which put him near the back of the pack.

After another pit stop for tires and Sunoco racing fuel Theriault picked off truck after truck working his way forward. When the leaders had to come in for tires and fuel he found himself in first place on lap 122.

View of the big screen/timing tower at New Hampshire Motor Speedway showing the #29 Austin Theriault in first place. HTF Motorsports photo

View of the big screen/timing tower at New Hampshire Motor Speedway showing the #29 Austin Theriault in first place. HTF Motorsports photo

After a yellow flag on lap 136 he came out near the front. Lap 161 another yellow was thrown when Kyle Busch was smoking and left a trail of debris along the wall on the front stretch. After the restart Theriault had a tough time with his inside line and slipped back a couple spots and finished 8th just behind Erik Jones in his Toyota.

Austin Theriault finishing the UNOH 175 just behind Erik Jones in the #4 Toyota. Jones is also a rookie in the Camping World Truck Series. HTF Motorsports photo

Austin Theriault finishing the UNOH 175 just behind Erik Jones in the #4 Toyota. Jones is also a rookie in the Camping World Truck Series. HTF Motorsports photo

Theriault Remarks About His Race

After the race I spoke with Austin about his race at what is called his hometrack on the NASCAR Camp World Series.

“We had a pretty decent weekend overall,” said Theriault. “It is very important to qualify up front at Loudon. We did the best we could; we got a top ten starting spot.”

“We had an issue early on with pit road. We had a pit road violation. That is definitely hard to overcome.”

“We kept fighting and we made sure we did not let it get to our heads. If you drive over your head you’ll wash up in the corners and the guys will put you in a bad situation.”

“I made a few mistakes during the race during the race, probably more than a few like any young driver. Chad (Kendrick the crew chief) up on the pit box had a pretty good call. We were able to take fuel and stay out longer. Then the leaders came in. We recycled back and made up a few spots.”

“It’s exciting to lead here at Loudon. I’ve never won here but hopefully have a few more years where I will be able to run here and take home a checkered flag in whatever series I run”

“On the final restart we lost a few spots on the bottom. That was disappointing.”

Linda Bean's Maine Lobsters served lobster roll meals to all the Brad Keselowski Racing team Saturday noon. HTF Motorsports photo

Linda Bean’s Maine Lobsters served lobster roll meals to all the Brad Keselowski Racing team Saturday noon. HTF Motorsports photo

“We’ve got six more races to go. I’ve got a lot more to learn. I am very fortunate to have Linda Bean’s Maine Lobster come on board with us. A lot of partners came together for my homecoming if you want to call it that.”

The crowd roared it’s support for the Maine driver during introductions prior to the race, “It was really humbling,” said Theriault. “I figured Loudon would be the most attended truck race. I think we had that today. I cannot say it was all because of me, but we have really good fans in New England.”

Miscellaneous New Hampshire photos

The Austin Theriault pit crew huddling together before the start of the UNOH 175. HTF Motorsports photo

The Austin Theriault pit crew huddling together before the start of the UNOH 175. HTF Motorsports photo

Austin Theriault prepares for interview by Fox Sports 1 motorsports reporter who I think is Kaitlyn Vincie. HTF Motorsports photo

Austin Theriault prepares for interview by Fox Sports 1 motorsports reporter who I think is Kaitlyn Vincie. HTF Motorsports photo

Joel and Diane Deprey of Wallagrass at the UNOH 175. The couple traveled to the track from the St. John Valley joining several others to support fellow Aroostook County native Austin Theriault. HTF Motorsports photo

Joel and Diane Deprey of Wallagrass at the UNOH 175. The couple traveled to the track from the St. John Valley joining many others to support fellow Aroostook County native Austin Theriault. HTF Motorsports photo

Retiring Sprint Cup driver Jeff Gordon in his final season was mobbed wherever he went at the track. He eventually finished 7th in the race. HTF Motorsports photo

Retiring Sprint Cup driver Jeff Gordon in his final season was mobbed wherever he went at the track. He eventually finished 7th in the race. HTF Motorsports photo

Wyatt Alexander Racing (WAR) in the garage area. left to right Wyatt, Brett, Dale Averill, and Jenn Alexander. Will Wyatt be with NASCAR in the future? HTF Motorsports photo

Wyatt Alexander Racing (WAR) in the garage area. left to right Wyatt, Brett, Dale Averill, and Jenn Alexander. Will Wyatt be with NASCAR in the future? HTF Motorsports photo

Wyatt Alexander on left with Austin Theriault prior to UNOH 175 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Could they both be involved in NASCAR in the future? Photo courtesy Chris Roy Photography

Wyatt Alexander on left with Austin Theriault prior to UNOH 175 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Could they both be involved in NASCAR in the future? Photo courtesy Chris Roy Photography

Post race smoke show courtesy of race winner Austin Dillon. Dillon st a new qualifying record, was fastest in all practice sessions, and of course won the race. HTF Motorsports

Post race smoke show courtesy of race winner Austin Dillon. Dillon set a new qualifying record, was fastest in all practice sessions, and of course won the race. HTF Motorsports

County Youngsters Garner Racing Honors

 

Senior Champ Kart top three. Third place Jason Morse Senior, Ripley, middle Damian Theriault points champion of Caribou, right Caleb Ladd of Sebec. Theriault is the only County racer to win two track championships in the same year. He is 13 years old.  Photo courtesy JRT Customs

Senior Champ Kart top three. Third place Jason Morse Senior, Ripley, middle Damian Theriault points champion of Caribou, right Caleb Ladd of Sebec. Theriault is the only County racer to win two track championships in the same year. He is 13 years old. Photo courtesy JRT Customs

Points Champion Mason Allen from Mapleton and second place Bryan Searles of Presque Isle. Both County kids were top racers at Thundering Valley Speedway. Photo courtesy JRT Customs

Points Champion Mason Allen from Mapleton and second place Bryan Searles of Presque Isle. Both County kids were top racers at Thundering Valley Raceway. Photo courtesy JRT Customs

And Finally Kody Swanson News

Kody Swanson accepting the applause of the crowd at Eldora Speedway as he was named the 2015 USAC Silver Crown Champion. Photo courtesy T-K Motorsports

Kody Swanson accepting the applause of the crowd at Eldora Speedway as he was named the 2015 USAC Silver Crown Champion for the second year in a row. Photo courtesy T-K Motorsports

My friend Kody Swanson clinched the USAC Silver Crown 2015 Championship after finishing second at the Four Crowns Nationals at the famous Eldora Speedway dirt track in Rossburg, Ohio. Swanson was beat by Christopher Bell who won his first career  Silver Crown race. Those attending the Oxford 250 will remember Bell in the Kyle Busch Super Late Model sponsored by Toyota.

Hot Off the Press

Tony Stewart at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Stewart announced he will be retiring at the end of next season. HTF Motorsports photo

Tony Stewart at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Stewart announced he will be retiring at the end of next season. HTF Motorsports photo

If you have not heard by now Tony Stewart will be stepping away from Sprint Cup as a driver in 2016. More about this in next weeks episode. Maybe a little trivia about Stewart.

Let’s Go Racing

Tom Hale

Soli Deo Gloria

 

 

 

Tom Hale

About Tom Hale

Tom wrote 14 years as freelancer for the Bangor Daily Sports covering motorsports in Maine. Now blogging and concentrating on human interest stories about people and places in racing. He races Champ Karts and owns HTF Motorsports in remote Westmanland, Maine