Big news for Fort Kent's own Austin Theriault. The 20-year-old Theriault will make his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut this season, as JR Motorsports has signed him to drive three races in the No. 5 Chevrolet.

Theriault has been working hard over the years to break in to the racing industry, and his day has finally come.

Austin Theriault Racing Facebook Page
Austin Theriault Racing Facebook Page
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Theriault will make his debut on May 18 at Iowa Speedway, driving the No. 5 Chevrolet replete with primary branding from SPY, the eye-wear brand behind Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Signature 88 Collection. The upper-rear quarter-panels of the car will carry the logo of Dirty Mo Radio, the internet home for Earnhardt Jr.-related podcasts throughout the NASCAR season.

If you're a NASCAR fan, you'll have a chance to catch Theriault fairly close to home this summer as well. Nationwide Series races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (July 12) and Kentucky Speedway (Sept. 20) will fill out Theriault’s three-race schedule.

Theriault was the 2012 Maine Vintage Race Car Association’s Driver of the Year, and he made his NASCAR K&N Pro Series debut after winning “Maine Young Guns” inaugural competition in 2012. It was that same year he became a part-time developmental driver for Brad Keselowski Racing.

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