PHOTO: Joey Polewarczyk, Jr., (center) and Austin Theriault (left) receive a celebratory phone on the podium from Brittany Theriault, Austin’s sister and Joey’s fiancee. (T.J. Ingerson/VMM photo)
–by T.J. Ingerson
VMM Editor
The TD Bank 250 has come and gone. And sure, the battle for the lead was for naught most of the day, but there were plenty of highlights, and misfortunes, through the day that will be remembered.
By now, you know Joey Polewarczyk, Jr., led 205 laps, Jeff Taylor missed out again, Austin Theriault pitted late and charged through the field.
Here are some things that I’ll remember:
— Ben Ashline’s attempted five-wide pass to try to qualify for the TD Bank 250. Ashline was doing what he felt he had to do to make the big show, but unfortunately, ended up in the backstretch wall.
— Nick Sweet and Dave Pembroke both fail to qualify for the 250, and both were pre-race Vermont favorites.
— Dave Farrington, Jr.’s quite, but ultra-competitive run that netted him a sixth place finish in the biggest Late Model race of the year.
— Jeff Taylor keeping his witty demeanor moments after he lost the 250 once again. Taylor joked with Polewarczyk about his next car costing him more and enjoying a laugh.
— Austin Theriault and his team’s gutsy strategy that nearly won them the 250.
The one thing that I will probably remember the most, above all else, is the victory lane ceremonies with Joey Polewarczyk and Austin Theriault. Joey’s father, Joe Sr., was all emotional when I was able to grab him for a quick second. And the conversation Joey and Austin had with Joey’s fiancée and Austin’s sister, Brittany, was priceless.
“We’re talking to you from the podium,” may have been the words uttered. It was one of those timeless moments when the drivers take the curtain down and the true emotion flows.
Yes, folks, the TD Bank 250 weekend is behind us for 2012.
* * *
I was going to write this in here, but I don’t think I can say it any better than this.
There should be no excuse for announcing a driver’s name wrong, and a past champion’s name at that too. It left a lot to be desired, and I know we weren’t the only ones to make note of it.
(The twitter feed was filled all day long with complaints, if you were wondering).
* * *
Mother Nature must have talked to the people who went to the TD Bank 250 and were planning to go to Thunder Road tonight and decided to wash out the entire evening.
Thunder Road, as well as the Valenti Modified Racing Series 75-lap event at Thompson Int’l Speedway, both have been postponed until Sunday.
The Modsquad will take to Thompson at 2:30 on Sunday for their heat races, while Thunder Road will kick off at 4:30 for the We Dig Barre Tiger Heritage 100.
Let’s hope the Mods have a better go around this time at Thompson.
* * *
Hunter Bates winning the C.J. Richards Memorial race at Devil’s Bowl is as close to a fairytale as you’ll get in motorsports.
Bates wasn’t going to race in the Modified division at Devil’s Bowl this year, focusing strictly on their Late Model program. Richards purchased a car for Bates to pilot shortly before his passing, and Bates ran it to the win.
What could be more fitting?