Austin Theriault will make his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut this season, as JR Motorsports has signed him to drive three races in the #5 Chevy. Theriault, a 20-year-old late model racer from Fort Kent, Maine, will make his debut on May 18 at Iowa Speedway, driving the #5 Chevy replete with primary branding from SPY, the eyewear brand behind Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Signature 88 Collection and innovative Happy Lens’ technology. 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. Nationwide Series races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (July 12) and Kentucky Speedway (Sept. 20) will fill out Theriault’s three-race schedule. The seat of the #5 is filled by multiple drivers throughout the season. 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. Theriault’s Super Late Model success in 2013 included three Pro All Star Series wins.(JRM)
