NASCAR driver wins House election in Maine
By Asher Fair
Austin Theriault, who has competed across all three NASCAR national series, won his election on Tuesday for state legislature in his home state of Maine.
2017 ARCA Racing Series champion and former NASCAR driver Austin Theriault switched gears earlier this year when he announced that he would be running for state legislature in Maine.
The 28-year-old Fort Kent native and business owner announced his bid for State House in District 1 back in early March and ran as a Republican. On Tuesday, he defeated Democrat challenger Dana Marie Appleby comfortably, though Democrats remained in control of both the House and Senate.
Theriault shared his thoughts on the election on Twitter following his victory and made clear that his primary goal goes far beyond partisan politics.
l'm humbled Maine District # 1 voted for me to represent them in the Legislature. The voters are frustrated with both parties and I hope to play a tiny part in reminding them it's not about politics, ego or conspiracies, but government for the people. It's time to move forward. pic.twitter.com/d0amqUCD3i
— Austin Theriault (@AustinTheriault) November 10, 2022
Throughout his NASCAR career, Theriault competed in races across the Cup Series, Xfinity Series, Truck Series, and K&N Pro Series East, in addition to the ARCA Racing Series, in which he won the championship with seven wins in 20 races during his lone full season back in 2017.
Theriault’s most recent NASCAR starts came in 2019, when he competed in a Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway for RBR Enterprises behind the wheel of the #92 Ford and finished in 22nd place before competing in five Cup Series races for Rick Ware Racing.
He made his Cup Series debut at his home track, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, behind the wheel of the #52 Chevrolet and then made two starts behind the wheel of the #52 Ford at Pocono Raceway and Michigan International Speedway. He then drove the #51 Chevrolet at Richmond Raceway and the #51 Ford at Talladega Superspeedway.
His top Cup Series finishes were his 32nd place finishes at Michigan International Speedway and Richmond Raceway.
In six career Xfinity Series starts, his best finish of 15th place came in his series debut Iowa Speedway in 2014, when he drove the #5 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports. In 13 career Truck Series starts, his best finish of fourth came in his series debut at Daytona International Speedway in 2015, when he drove the #29 Ford for Brad Keselowski Racing.
In 12 career K&N Pro Series East stats, his best finishes of second place came at Columbus Motor Speedway and Iowa Speedway in 2016, when he drove the #1 Toyota for Hattori Racing Enterprises.
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Theriault earned eight victories in his 22 career ARCA starts.