Theriault Invited To 2nd ACT Invitational
Fort Kent Teen Will Race On New England’s Biggest Stage

FORT KENT, Maine — One year ago, he was toying with the idea of racing a Late Model for the first time. In a few weeks, he’ll race one on New England’s largest speedway.

Austin Theriault was one of the first 20 drivers named to the starting grid for the 2nd annual ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The 43-car field for ACT-legal Late Models will compete in a 60-lap race at the 1.058-mile oval on September 18 as part of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sylvania 300 weekend — the first of 10 races in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

“It’s hard to put into words,” Theriault, 16, said. “That’s how big this is to me.”

Theriault joined nearly 80 Late Model teams from the northeast and Canada for a two-day test at New Hampshire on Aug. 17-18. It was his first time on the track.

“It’s really unbelievable,” said Theriault, who just one year ago entered his first Late Model race, the Spud 150 at Spud Speedway in Caribou, Maine — and won. “It’s unbelievable with the amount of people that were there and the amount of talent that was there testing those two days.

“Everyone there deserves to go back, in my opinion, but it’s an honor to be chosen to be part of it.”

Last Saturday night, Theriault finished fifth in the ACT Showdown At Chaudiere — a race pitting 12 of the best United States-based ACT teams against 12 of the best Canadian-based ones. Once again, he opened eyes to the potential he has behind the wheel of his No. 57 Varney Insurance/Hogan Tire/Daigle&Houghton Ford Fusion.

“There’s nothing like racing in Canada, that’s for sure,” Theriault said. “The fans are just awesome, and the teams up there were all really good. It was another great run for our team.

“To have all those caliber of drivers up there and for us to get a Top-5 finish, it’s just very encouraging for us. Then to come home and wrap it up with a (New Hampshire) invite is just awesome.”

In his NHMS test appearance, Theriault adapted quickly to the fastest track on the ACT circuit.

“I was more comfortable than I expected,” Theriault said. “I think what people were setting it up to be was a lot different. But I’ve got some experience now on some half-mile and 5/8-mile tracks, so I was a little more used to the speed. It was just funny how long the straightaways were — sometimes you thought they were never going to end.”

Theriault leads the 2010 ACT Late Model Tour Rookie of the Year standings with three races remaining, and he sits 9th in the overall ACT standings.