Fort Kent native Austin Theriault is an American professional stock car racing driver. The 23-year-old currently competes full time in the ARCA racing series, driving the No. 52 Chevrolet Impala for Ken Schrader racing.
His website, AustinTheriault.com, details his start in the sport at age 13 in the summer of 2007. His first race was in Caribou, Maine at Spud Speedway. Growing up in a small northern Maine town provided him ample opportunity to work with his father and grandfather on building and setting up race cars. Early on in Theriault’s career, he purchased his first V6-powered late model stock car and one week later, captured the win at the inaugural Spud 150. Several weeks later, he qualified for his first American-Canadian Late Model Tour (ACT) race at Oxford Plains Speedway in Oxford, Maine.
From 2010 to 2013, Theriault participated in over 60 races throughout New England and the United States, gathering seven wins in large races and numerous top-five and top-ten finishes. In addition, he spent two years as a Brad Keselowski Racing (BKR) super late model development driver. He currently holds the position of being the youngest driver to get a podium finish in the TD Bank 250 held at Oxford Plains Speedway.
Theriault has been able to build up his fan base with his easygoing nature and positive attitude at every track with meet-and-greets and autograph sessions across the country.
Outside of the track, Theriault enjoys piloting airplanes, working on stock cars, mountain biking, running, reading and catching up on current events. On his 20th birthday, he earned his Private Pilot’s license and has continued with his aviation studies.
Theriault currently resides in Cornelius, N.C. After graduating high school in 2012 as part of the National Honor Society, he moved to continue his professional racing career. More recently, Theriault has received sponsorship from Cross Insurance of Bangor for the remainder of the racing season. According to an article in the Bangor Daily News (BDN), they will serve as an associate sponsor for the season finale, the Kansas 150, at Kansas Speedway on Oct. 20.
Theriault reportedly leads the series in virtually every category this season with six wins and 15 top-five finishes over 18 races. Theriault said in a team press release that he was pleased to display Cross Insurance on his car. He told the BDN that he is excited to be sponsored by Cross Insurance because Maine is where it started for him.
On Friday, Sept. 22, Theriault captured his seventh consecutive win of the season at the Crosley Brands 150 at the Kentucky Speedway. He also has a profile on the NASCAR website. Sponsors for Theriault include Austin Theriault Racing; Ken Schrader Racing, Inc.; Wiley X; Federated Auto Parts; Orlando Longwood Auto Auction; Everett J. Prescott, Inc. and Unicover, Inc.
