Austin Theriault

Austin Theriault
Theriault in 2019
Member of the Maine House of Representatives
from the 1st district
In office
December 7, 2022 – December 4, 2024
Preceded byKristi Mathieson
Personal details
Born
Austin Leo Theriault

(1994-01-23) January 23, 1994 (age 30)
Fort Kent, Maine, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationCentral Piedmont Community College (AA)
University of Maine at Presque Isle
NASCAR Cup Series career
5 races run over 1 year
2019 position35th
First race2019 Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 (Loudon)
Last race2019 1000Bulbs.com 500 (Talladega)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 0 0
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
6 races run over 2 years
2016 position120th
Best finish40th (2014)
First race2014 Get To Know Newton 250 (Iowa)
Last race2016 Ticket Galaxy 200 (Phoenix)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 0 0
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career
13 races run over 4 years
2019 position107th
Best finish24th (2015)
First race2015 NextEra Energy Resources 250 (Daytona)
Last race2019 TruNorth Global 250 (Martinsville)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 5 0
Statistics current as of November 17, 2019.

Austin Leo Theriault (born January 23, 1994)[1] is an American professional stock car racing driver and politician who recently served in the Maine House of Representatives for the 1st district from 2022 to 2024. As a driver he currently competes part-time in Asphalt Super Late Model competition, driving the No. 57 Chevrolet Camaro for Mark Henderson Racing. He won the ARCA Racing Series championship in 2017, driving for Ken Schrader Racing.

He was the Republican nominee to be U.S. Representative for Maine's 2nd congressional district in 2024, and was defeated by incumbent Democrat Jared Golden.

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 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

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. His state house district covers much of the congressional district's northern portion.[28] He was narrowly defeated by Democratic incumbent Jared Golden in the November 2024 general election.[29]

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
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 MENCC Pts Ref
2019 Rick Ware Racing 52 Chevy DAY ATL LVS PHO CAL MAR TEX BRI RCH TAL DOV KAN CLT POC MCH SON CHI DAY KEN NHA
35 		35th 17 [30]
Ford POC
34 		GLN MCH
32 		BRI DAR IND LVS
51 Chevy RCH
32 		CLT DOV
Ford TAL
35 		KAN MAR TEX PHO HOM

Xfinity Series

NASCAR Xfinity Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 NXSC Pts Ref
2014 JR Motorsports 5 Chevy DAY PHO LVS BRI CAL TEX DAR RCH TAL IOW
15 		CLT DOV MCH ROA KEN DAY NHA
21 		CHI IND IOW GLN MOH BRI ATL RCH CHI KEN
18 		DOV KAN CLT TEX PHO HOM 40th 78 [31]
2016 Obaika Racing 77 Chevy DAY ATL LVS PHO CAL TEX BRI RCH TAL DOV CLT POC MCH IOW DAY KEN NHA IND IOW GLN MOH BRI ROA DAR RCH
DNQ 		120th 01 [32]
25 RCH
37 		CHI KEN DOV CLT KAN
Rick Ware Racing Chevy TEX
29
Team Kapusta Racing PHO
27 		HOM

Gander Outdoors Truck Series

NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 NGOTC Pts Ref
2015 Brad Keselowski Racing 29 Ford DAY
4 		ATL MAR KAN
14 		CLT DOV TEX
5 		GTW
10 		IOW
12 		KEN ELD POC MCH BRI MSP CHI
13 		NHA
8 		LVS
31 		TAL MAR TEX PHO HOM
12 		24th 279 [33]
2016 2 DAY
27* 		ATL MAR KAN DOV CLT
DNQ 		TEX IOW GTW KEN ELD POC BRI MCH MSP CHI NHA LVS TAL 53rd 21 [34]
Young's Motorsports 02 Chevy MAR
20 		TEX PHO HOM
2018 On Point Motorsports 30 Toyota DAY ATL LVS MAR DOV KAN CLT TEX IOW GTW CHI KEN ELD POC MCH BRI MSP LVS
8 		TAL MAR TEX PHO HOM 63rd 29 [35]
2019 RBR Enterprises 92 Ford DAY
DNQ 		ATL LVS MAR
22 		TEX DOV KAN CLT TEX IOW GTW CHI KEN POC ELD MCH BRI MSP LVS TAL MAR PHO HOM 107th 01 [36]

K&N Pro Series East

NASCAR K&N Pro Series East results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 NKNPSEC Pts Ref
2012 Go Green Racing 38 Ford BRI GRE RCH IOW BGS JFC LGY CNB COL IOW NHA
19 		DOV GRE CAR 69th 25 [37]
2016 Hattori Racing Enterprises 1 Toyota NSM
24 		MOB
4 		GRE
14 		BRI
15 		VIR
3 		DOM
5 		STA
7 		COL
2 		NHA
5 		IOW
2 		GLN
20 		GRE NJM DOV 13th 383 [38]

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
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 ARSC Pts Ref
2014 Venturini Motorsports 66 Toyota DAY MOB SLM TAL TOL NJE POC MCH
1 		ELK WIN CHI IRP POC BLN ISF MAD DSF SLM KEN KAN 69th 240 [39]
2015 55 DAY MOB NSH SLM TAL TOL NJE POC MCH CHI WIN IOW IRP POC
4 		BLN ISF DSF SLM KEN KAN 88th 210 [40]
2017 Ken Schrader Racing 52 Chevy DAY
1 		TAL
4* 		1st 4735 [41]
Ford NSH
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
Toyota ELK
1 		MAD
1* 		ISF
2 		DSF
1

* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points

References

  1. ^ "Austin Theriault - R Maine, 2nd, Candidate - Biography | LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  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. March 10, 2022. 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. ^ Wu, Nicholas (November 15, 2024). "Democrat Jared Golden wins reelection in tight Maine House race". Politico. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  30. ^ "Austin Theriault – 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  31. ^ "Austin Theriault – 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  32. ^ "Austin Theriault – 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  33. ^ "Austin Theriault – 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  34. ^ "Austin Theriault – 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  35. ^ "Austin Theriault – 2018 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  36. ^ "Austin Theriault – 2019 NASCAR Gander outdoors Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  37. ^ "Austin Theriault – 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  38. ^ "Austin Theriault – 2016 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  39. ^ "Austin Theriault – 2014 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  40. ^ "Austin Theriault – 2015 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  41. ^ "Austin Theriault – 2017 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2019.