Austin Theriault

Austin Theriault

Summary

Austin Leo Theriault is an American professional stock car racing driver and politician who currently works in driver development.

Born: 1994 (age 30 years), Fort Kent, ME
Party: Republican Party
Parents: Steve Theriault
Office: Maine State Representative since 2022
Education: University of Maine at Presque Isle
Candidate for: 2024 Maine Member of the US House elections
Previous campaign: Maine House of Representatives District 1 general Election, 2022

OnAir Post: Austin Theriault

News

Nation’s eyes drawn to Maine’s 2nd House District
Central Maine. Com, Randy BillingsJune 16, 2024

About

Overview

Austin Theriault is an Aroostook County-born entrepreneur and former NASCAR driver who is committed to making Maine’s 2nd Congressional District a better place for working-class Mainers to live.

He hails from a multi-generational logging and farming family with deep roots in Aroostook County’s St. John Valley. His family has instilled in him a love of Maine, a respect for hard work, and a dedication to community service. That’s where his passion to help regular Mainers who are struggling comes from – and why he’s dedicated to making a difference.

At age 16, he took over the management of his racing career handling contract negotiations, sponsorship agreements and all administrative tasks. During this time he used these skills and hard work to pursue authentic partnerships and forge relationships across multiple industries.

Austin shared Maine’s “Open for Business” slogan on a national stage when he drove the “Maine Car” at Kentucky Speedway in 2014.
His efforts paid off in 2017 when he captured the ARCA Racing Series national championship in what many called a “dream season”. During this time he also started mentoring and training younger drivers in an effort to bring common sense and transparency to an industry with many barriers to entry – not that different from today’s political climate, where he strives to put “People over politics.”

After Austin stepped away from driving, he fully focused on the business side of the sport where he excels in mentoring, managing and training new drivers. Austin is someone who works to build bridges and will use all he has learned from his family and entrepreneurial efforts to do the same in Washington.

Austin’s family in 2003 and 2023
Following his successful racing career that took him across the country to NASCAR’s most legendary tracks, Austin returned to Fort Kent and chose to devote his time to serving the people of Maine.

Last year, he was elected to the Maine House of Representatives, representing much of the St. John Valley. Born and raised in Fort Kent, Austin knows what our state faces. Regular Mainers are being priced out and attacked by people in government who hold too much power and not enough common sense. It’s time for energetic and effective leadership for Maine at a national level.

During his first term in Augusta, Austin wasted no time – he got bipartisan legislation passed that will help fix Maine’s roads. He also helped create a new bipartisan law that will bring more manufacturing jobs and lower energy costs to rural Maine.

However, he also saw that much more needs to be done for rural Maine immediately – and that’s why he’s running for the United States House of Representatives.

Mainers in the Second Congressional District need a voice in Washington who understands their way of life – and will fight for that way of life while forging relationships that will benefit Mainers for years to come.

Web Links

Politics

Political career

Maine legislature
In March 2022, Theriault ran for the state legislature in Maine as a Republican in the 1st state house district. He won an uncontested Republican primary and was later elected with 71% of the vote. He assumed office on December 7, 2022.

2024 U.S. House election
Main article: 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine § District 2
Theriault won the 2024 Republican primary in Maine’s 2nd congressional district. He will face Democratic incumbent Jared Golden in the November 2024 general election.

Issues

No issue positions on campaign site as of July 12, 2024.

More Information

Wikipedia


Austin Leo Theriault (born January 23, 1994) is an American professional stock car racing driver and politician who currently works in driver development. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 52 for Rick Ware Racing, and part-time in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series, driving the No. 92 Ford F-150 for RBR Enterprises. He won the ARCA Racing Series championship in 2017, driving for Ken Schrader Racing.

Theriault is the representative of the 1st district of the Maine House of Representatives, serving since 2022.[1] He is the Republican nominee for Maine’s 2nd congressional district in 2024.

Racing career

Early career

A native of Fort Kent, Maine,[2][3][4] he made his racing debut at the age of 13 in 2007 at Spud Speedway in Caribou, Maine Driving in the local racing divisions before moving up part-time to the touring late model division in 2009 where he qualified for his first American Canadian Tour race at Oxford Plains Speedway.

Theriault competing in the ACT race at Circuit Riverside Speedway Ste-Croix in 2011

Theriault joined the ACT Late Model Tour full-time in 2010, finishing seventh in points driving the family-owned #57ME with a best finish of second. He started the 2011 season in a second car for RPM Motorsports, but returned to the family team mid-season, scoring eight top-ten finishes en route to third place in points. In 2012, Theriault finished no worse than ninth all year, scoring eight top-five runs and earning his first career ACT win at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway en route to another third-place points finish.

Theriault started his first Pro All-Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Model Touring Series event in 2010. He became a development driver for Brad Keselowski Racing during the 2012 season, and switched focus to Super Late Models following the ACT season, making selected starts throughout the Southeast for BKR while running part-time in the PASS North Tour in 2013 and 2014. Theriault won four PASS races between 2012 and 2014.

Theriault occasionally competed in other racing events and divisions from 2011 to 2014, including the ARCA Midwest Tour, World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing, CARS X-1R Pro Cup Series, Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour, Sunoco Gulf Coast Championship Series, CRA JEGS All-Star Tour, CRA Super Series Southern Division, CRA Super Series, ACT and the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East.

On July 20, 2013, Theriault competed in the prestigious IWK 250, along with car owner Brad Keselowski, in the No. 29X for BKR. After starting the race in 4th, Theriault had a clean race and brought the car home in an impressive 5th place, just two spots behind Keselowski who finished 3rd.[5][6]

Theriault has competed five times in the Oxford 250, finishing in the top five in his first four starts with a best finish of second in 2014.

Xfinity Series

On May 18, 2014, Theriault made his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut at Iowa Speedway, driving the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro for JR Motorsports where he finished 15th.[7][8] On June 13 of that year, he won his first ARCA race, in Theriault’s first start at Michigan International Speedway.

Theriault returned in the Xfinity Series, by practicing in the No. 22 Ford Mustang for Brad Keselowski at Iowa. Theriault later was picked up by Obaika Racing to drive the No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro, starting at Richmond.

Gander Outdoors Truck Series

In 2015, Theriault began racing part-time with Brad Keselowski Racing, driving the No. 29 Ford F-150. He is sharing the ride with Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, and Ryan Blaney. He got his career-best finish at Daytona International Speedway in February where he finished 4th.[9] He almost won at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Theriault’s home track where he led late in the race before fading to 8th.[10]

On October 3, 2015, Theriault was involved in a huge crash at Las Vegas Motor Speedway when his BKR teammate Tyler Reddick got loose in turn 4 and clipped him, causing the race truck he was driving to hit nearly head on into the front stretch wall where there were no SAFER barriers installed. Theriault’s steering wheel collided with and destroyed his helmet,[11] and he eventually suffered a compression fracture in his lower back as a result of the crash.[12][13] After missing the next four races, Theriault returned to racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway,[14] finishing 12th. In 2016, he returned to BKR at Daytona, driving the No. 2.[15]

On September 10, 2018, it was announced that Theriault returned to the Truck Series, driving the No. 30 Toyota Tundra for On Point Motorsports at Las Vegas. He finished in 8th place after avoiding multiple crashes.

On February 4, 2019, it was announced that Theriault would drive at least five races for RBR Enterprises, starting at Daytona.
Other tracks will include Martinsville Speedway (two races), Charlotte Motor Speedway, and Bristol Motor Speedway. The team failed to qualify at Daytona in their first attempt.

ARCA Racing Series

Theriault’s winning 2017 ARCA car at Road America

On February 18, 2017, Theriault won his second ARCA race in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway. The race was shortened by five laps after a red-flag was brought out for Justin Fontaine‘s flip, while rain forced ARCA officials to call the race. In late August, he won at Road America after sorting through two last-lap incidents.[16] He also won the following race at DuQuoin after taking advantage of a late restart,[17] and won the three-peat at Salem driving a Jack Bowsher throwback car.[18] On September 22, 2017, Theriault won at Kentucky Speedway and mathematically clinched the ARCA Racing Series championship for 2017.[19] He won the championship on the strength of seven wins.[20]

NASCAR Cup Series

On June 29, 2019, it was announced that Theriault would make his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series debut at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July, driving the No. 52 for Rick Ware Racing.[21] After qualifying 36th, he finished 35th in the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 upon retiring with a rear end issue on lap 185.[22] The following week, he stayed with RWR for the Gander RV 400 at Pocono Raceway.[23]

Driver development

Theriault has not raced in any major series since 2019. He now owns a driver development business where he teaches aspiring drivers to become better racers.

Political career

Maine legislature

In March 2022, Theriault ran for the state legislature in Maine as a Republican in the 1st state house district.[24][25] He won an uncontested Republican primary and was later elected with 71% of the vote.[26][27] He assumed office on December 7, 2022.

2024 U.S. House election

Theriault won the 2024 Republican primary in Maine’s 2nd congressional district. He will face Democratic incumbent Jared Golden in the November 2024 general election.[28]

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

(key)
(Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Monster Energy Cup Series

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series results
YearTeamNo.Make123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536MENCCPtsRef
2019Rick Ware Racing52ChevyDAYATLLVSPHOCALMARTEXBRIRCHTALDOVKANCLTPOCMCHSONCHIDAYKENNHA
35
35th17[29]
FordPOC
34
GLNMCH
32
BRIDARINDLVS
51ChevyRCH
32
CLTDOV
FordTAL
35
KANMARTEXPHOHOM

Xfinity Series

NASCAR Xfinity Series results
YearTeamNo.Make123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233NXSCPtsRef
2014JR Motorsports5ChevyDAYPHOLVSBRICALTEXDARRCHTALIOW
15
CLTDOVMCHROAKENDAYNHA
21
CHIINDIOWGLNMOHBRIATLRCHCHIKEN
18
DOVKANCLTTEXPHOHOM40th78[30]
2016Obaika Racing77ChevyDAYATLLVSPHOCALTEXBRIRCHTALDOVCLTPOCMCHIOWDAYKENNHAINDIOWGLNMOHBRIROADARRCH
DNQ
120th01[31]
25RCH
37
CHIKENDOVCLTKAN
Rick Ware RacingChevyTEX
29
Team Kapusta RacingPHO
27
HOM

Gander Outdoors Truck Series

NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series results
YearTeamNo.Make1234567891011121314151617181920212223NGOTCPtsRef
2015Brad Keselowski Racing29FordDAY
4
ATLMARKAN
14
CLTDOVTEX
5
GTW
10
IOW
12
KENELDPOCMCHBRIMSPCHI
13
NHA
8
LVS
31
TALMARTEXPHOHOM
12
24th279[32]
20162DAY
27*
ATLMARKANDOVCLT
DNQ
TEXIOWGTWKENELDPOCBRIMCHMSPCHINHALVSTAL53rd21[33]
Young’s Motorsports02ChevyMAR
20
TEXPHOHOM
2018On Point Motorsports30ToyotaDAYATLLVSMARDOVKANCLTTEXIOWGTWCHIKENELDPOCMCHBRIMSPLVS
8
TALMARTEXPHOHOM63rd29[34]
2019RBR Enterprises92FordDAY
DNQ
ATLLVSMAR
22
TEXDOVKANCLTTEXIOWGTWCHIKENPOCELDMCHBRIMSPLVSTALMARPHOHOM107th01[35]

K&N Pro Series East

NASCAR K&N Pro Series East results
YearTeamNo.Make1234567891011121314NKNPSECPtsRef
2012Go Green Racing38FordBRIGRERCHIOWBGSJFCLGYCNBCOLIOWNHA
19
DOVGRECAR69th25[36]
2016Hattori Racing Enterprises1ToyotaNSM
24
MOB
4
GRE
14
BRI
15
VIR
3
DOM
5
STA
7
COL
2
NHA
5
IOW
2
GLN
20
GRENJMDOV13th383[37]

ARCA Racing Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

ARCA Racing Series results
YearTeamNo.Make1234567891011121314151617181920ARSCPtsRef
2014Venturini Motorsports66ToyotaDAYMOBSLMTALTOLNJEPOCMCH
1
ELKWINCHIIRPPOCBLNISFMADDSFSLMKENKAN69th240[38]
201555DAYMOBNSHSLMTALTOLNJEPOCMCHCHIWINIOWIRPPOC
4
BLNISFDSFSLMKENKAN88th210[39]
2017Ken Schrader Racing52ChevyDAY
1
TAL
4*
1st4735[40]
FordNSH
4
SLM
5
TOL
6
POC
9
MCH
2
IOW
2
IRP
4
POC
8
WIN
3
ROA
1
SLM
1*
CHI
2
KEN
1*
KAN
25
ToyotaELK
1
MAD
1*
ISF
2
DSF
1

* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points

References

  1. ^ “Election Results”. WABI-TV. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  2. ^ “Fort Kent driver Austin Theriault lands part-time NASCAR Truck Series ride”. The Bangor Daily News. January 9, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  3. ^ Johnny Mehler (August 1, 2015). “Fort Kent’s Theriault finishes 4th in ModSpace 125”. WLBZ2. Archived from the original on October 5, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  4. ^ “Maine driver Austin Theriault signs NASCAR deal”. The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram. January 13, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  5. ^ “TUCKER HOISTS PRESTIGIOUS TROPHY AS VICTOR OF IWK 250 PRESENTED BY STEVE LEWIS AUTO BODY”. Maritime Pro Stock Tour. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  6. ^ “2013 IWK 250 Presented by Steve Lewis Auto Body”. Racing reference. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  7. ^ “Dale Earnhardt Jr. hires Austin Theriault for three Nationwide races”. FOX Sports. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  8. ^ “Hornish capitalizes on opportunity for win at Iowa; Fort Kent’s Theriault finishes 15th”. The Bangor Daily News. May 19, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  9. ^ “Tyler Reddick wins Daytona trucks race for first career victory”. USA Today. February 20, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  10. ^ “Fort Kent’s Theriault finishes 8th in NASCAR truck race”. The Bangor Daily News. September 27, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  11. ^ “Our Newest Driver”. Brad Keselowski. October 15, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  12. ^ “Brad Keselowski Racing teammates collide, driver takes vicious hit at Las Vegas Motor Speedway”. FOX Sports. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  13. ^ Joe Rodgers (October 3, 2015). “NASCAR driver Austin Theriault airlifted to hospital after head-on hit at Las Vegas”. Sporting News. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  14. ^ “AUSTIN THERIAULT CLEARED TO RACE AT HOMESTEAD-MIAMI”. NASCAR. November 19, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  15. ^ “AUSTIN THERIAULT TO RUN THIRD BKR TRUCK AT DAYTONA”. NASCAR. February 8, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  16. ^ “Austin Theriault survives to win wild ARCA race at Road America”. Autoweek. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  17. ^ Winkeler, Les. “Austin Theriault wins Du Quoin ARCA race in overtime”. The Southern. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  18. ^ “Austin Theriault wins third consecutive ARCA race at Salem”. Autoweek. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  19. ^ Reiman, Samuel (February 18, 2017). “Austin Theriault wins wreck-marred ARCA race at Daytona”. Foxsports.com. Retrieved February 18, 2017.
  20. ^ “Driver Austin Theriault 2017 ARCA Racing Series Results – Racing-Reference.info”. racing-reference.info. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  21. ^ Courchesne, Shawn (June 29, 2019). “Austin Theriault To Make Monster Cup Debut At NHMS With Rick Ware Racing”. Race Day CT. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  22. ^ Hale, Tom (July 22, 2019). “Maine driver Austin Theriault finishes 35th in NASCAR Cup debut”. Bangor Daily News. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  23. ^ Barrett, Travis (July 25, 2019). “Auto racing notes: Wiscasset Speedway gears up for golden anniversary”. Kennebec Journal. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  24. ^ Stockley, Leela (March 5, 2022). “Maine native and former NASCAR driver to run for Legislature”. Bangor Daily News. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  25. ^ “NASCAR driver Austin Theriault running for state legislature in Maine”. CBSSports.com. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  26. ^ “Election Results”. www.wabi.tv. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  27. ^ “NASCAR driver wins House election in Maine”. Beyond the Flag. November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  28. ^ Miller, Kevin (June 12, 2024). “Former NASCAR driver Austin Theriault to face Jared Golden in Maine’s 2nd District”. Maine Public. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  29. ^ “Austin Theriault – 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Results”. Racing-Reference. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  30. ^ “Austin Theriault – 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series Results”. Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  31. ^ “Austin Theriault – 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results”. Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  32. ^ “Austin Theriault – 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results”. Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  33. ^ “Austin Theriault – 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results”. Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  34. ^ “Austin Theriault – 2018 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results”. Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  35. ^ “Austin Theriault – 2019 NASCAR Gander outdoors Truck Series Results”. Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  36. ^ “Austin Theriault – 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results”. Racing-Reference. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  37. ^ “Austin Theriault – 2016 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results”. Racing-Reference. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  38. ^ “Austin Theriault – 2014 ARCA Racing Series Results”. Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  39. ^ “Austin Theriault – 2015 ARCA Racing Series Results”. Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  40. ^ “Austin Theriault – 2017 ARCA Racing Series Results”. Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2019.


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