Michelle Theriault; Team GLOCK Robbed Of Top-10 In Connecticut

Topics:  Michelle Theriault, Pepsi Racing 100

Chris Knight
Spraker Racing Enterprises
July 17, 2007

“Rookie Driver Impressive Under The Lights”

THOMPSON, Connecticut (July 17, 2007) - - NASCAR Busch East Series (NBES) driver Michelle Theriault could feel her third top-10 finish of the season last Saturday night at Thompson International Speedway. It appeared as Theriault took the white flag that her goal was going to become a reality. Unfortunately, a unexplainable move from another competitor coming to the checkered flag robbed Theriault of a top-10 finish and instead delivered a mangled No. 37 GLOCK, Inc. Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS.

Despite not having any prior experience around TIS, Theriault looked more like a veteran throughout the day maneuvering her GLOCK, Inc. Chevrolet around the tricky facility as she’d been racing there for many years.

The first practice yielded Theriault 21st on the board with a time of 21.155 seconds at 106.358 MPH. Theriault was only sixth-tenths of a second off session leader Chase Austin.

“The GLOCK, Inc. Chevrolet is really good this weekend,” said Theriault. “I can’t say enough about the guys. They said they were bringing me a car competitive enough to run in the top-10 and I think a few more tweaks and we will be there.”

Theriault added, “I really can’t describe this track. It is a fun place to race. You have to run the outside or you have a good chance of being left behind. I’m planning on keeping that plastered in my mind.”

The Spraker Racing Enterprises team made a few adjustments to improve the handling on her automobile heading into Happy Hour.

Happy Hour brought fast times and plenty of smiles around the team. During the final practice, Theriault busted out a great lap of 20.587 seconds at 109.292 MPH netting her fourth on the final rundown, the best practice effort for Theriault this season.

“Hard work pays off. We made a few minor adjustments to make the car turn better and look what it did for us. I’m really looking forward to the race. I cannot tell you how this feels. I know it means a lot for the guys and my sponsor GLOCK, Inc. The car is really good and we’re going to be in contention.”

In qualifying, Theriault lost a little ground from her final practice efforts, but her two lap hustle around TIS garnished the 13th starting position after posting a lap of 20.780 seconds at 108.277 MPH.

“It wasn’t a bad lap, but not a great one either,” offered Theriault. “The good news is the car is still really strong and I’m looking forward to the race.”

At the start of the 125 lap event, Theriault wasted no time trying to slice and dice her machine into the top-10. With car owner and spotter Jeff Spraker at the top of the track, he reminded his driver to use the outside lane to make her charge to the front.

Quickly, Theriault began turning competitive lap times and forcing her way into the top-10 by lap 40 where he she remained for much of the race.

Pressure from her competition proved to be no match for Theriault as she continued to dig each lap to stay inside the top-10. Theriault was able to show her short track muscle keeping her competition at bay while gunning for her third top-10 finish of the year.

The race would be thrown into overtime with a couple of machines entangling themselves together. On the second attempt, Theriault was heading easily into a top-10 run when contact from another car sent Theriault’s machine for a wild spin before collapsing into the wall after contact with Jesus Hernandez. The incident dropped Theriault from ninth to 23rd in the final rundown.

“We had a good car all night. It was definitely a very intense and challenging race. We were going to show something here, but I guess the guy wanted my spot and he was going to do anything to get it. I’m just frustrated. We had a great night. Jeff and the team did a great job. Unfortunately, we don’t have anything to show for it. We are going to keep our heads up and head to Nashville .”

Craig Dutton, Director of Sales at GLOCK, Inc. stated, “We ran strong all day and it was unfortunate what happened during the final lap, but that is racing. We look forward to next Sunday’s race in Nashville .”

Theriault slipped to 15th in the championship standings, just three points from regaining the 14th position now held by Eric Holmes.

Next up for Theriault & Co. is a trip to the Music City Motorplex for the Music City 150 presented by Coyote Ugly this Sunday, July 22 scheduled to roll off at 7:00pm CST.

For more on Michelle Theriault, please visit MichelleTheriault.com

For additional information on GLOCK, Inc and Team GLOCK, please logon to GLOCK.com and TeamGLOCK.com

About GLOCK, Inc:

GLOCK, Inc. is proud to announce that the Tennessee Highway Patrol (G31 and G33), Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (G22, G23 and G27), Tennessee Wildlife Resource Center (G22) and the Metro Nashville Police Department (G22) currently carry GLOCK pistols.

Utilizing advanced technological methods, GLOCK, Inc. has a leading position in the world market as a pistol and accessories designer and manufacturer. With their commitment to uncompromised quality, GLOCK, Inc. uses high-tech engineering to provide the international benchmark for safety, reliability and ease of maintenance. GLOCK's, Inc. remarkable knowledge and experience from their applications and processing of steel and polymer are being used to design revolutionary products.

These products meet and exceed the ongoing demands of law enforcement, military and civilian customers for firearms that demonstrate the very best in reliability, durability and safety of use. Their high-tech engineering and construction create a handgun that can stand up to punishment that even the most unforgiving conditions can generate.

MEDIA CONTACT:

NAME: Chris Knight, Spraker Racing Enterprises
PHONE: 239.834.9797
EMAIL: knight849@aol.com