Fort Kent's Austin Theriault is teaming up with Ken Schrader Racing to run full-time in the ARCA Series in 2017. It is a 20 race series and starts with a race at Daytona Speedway next month.

Theriault will drive the #52 car for the Schrader team and testing starts Friday down in Daytona, Florida. No primary sponsor has been named but Federated Auto Parts is a long time partner with Schrader, who is a former NASCAR  cup series racer. Cross Insurance Company is also expected to be a sponsor.

ARCA is a synonym for Automobile Racing Club of America. It is a feeder system for drivers to get to the NASCAR series. Races are held at many of the NASCAR tracks, like Daytona, Talladega, Michigan and Pocono.

“We are looking forward to an exciting season with Austin," said team owner Ken Schrader. "He has proven to be a fierce competitor at every level of racing since his first mini stock race at the age of 13. I see a great deal of potential for the 2017 season. Austin has competed at a number of the tracks on the ARCA schedule and his previous success offers a great boost for our team.” 

Theriault spent most of 2016 racing in the NASCAR K&N Series. He also race in some NASCAR Truck Series and Xfinity Series events.

In 2014, Theriault won an ARCA race in Michigan and finished in fifth place in another ARCA race in Pocono.

“It’s a huge opportunity for me to be able to run my first-ever full season at a national level with KSR,” said Theriault. “With the support of Kenny and Donnie, I believe we can challenge for wins race-to-race and be in contention for a championship. Returning to tracks such as Daytona, Iowa, and Michigan will allow me to build on my previous experiences. Driving at historic places like Salem and DuQuoin for the first time will be fun. Let’s go.” 

 

More From