So, I have been extemely busy in my personal life lately. Sadly this site has suffered from that. Also, Austin if your reading this I want to thank you and apologize at the same time. I did not in anyway intend on this entry to take this long. This is where I hope to pick up with this entry in the series. A few weeks back, I sent one young man a message on twitter. This young man is Austin Theriault who was the 2017 ARCA champion, and has raced for the likes of Dale Earnhardt Jr and Brad Keselowski in the truck and Xfinity series. This young man is from Fort Kent, Maine not exactly a part of the country known for it's deep roots to the sport but this guy has proven he can drive. Austin in his championship winning season won seven races, had sixteen top fives, and nineteen top tens. All of which came in a 20 race span pretty impressive right? That means this young man won a third of the races he entered. He has won the most popular driver award in the K&N East series and would you believe he doesn't have a ride this year at this point in any series? Well without further ado here is my Q&A with Austin Theriault!
Q: You’ve raced for Brad Keselowski and Dale Jr in two different series. What was it like driving for this guys? Knowing what they’ve done in the sport.
A: It was an amazing time especially in 2014, because here I am coming outta late model series. Getting the opportunity to drive three races for Dale Jr. Which to be honest was a huge step in my racing. It was one of the most difficult transitions I've had I'd say just because the car's are so different and your going from somewhat of an amateur league, but I hate to call late models an amateur league because it's not there are a lot of good quality veterans in the sport. Your also putting yourself in a position where the TV's are on you, your getting a lot of exposure especially driving for Dale Jr. So, the pressure was definitely up there and I had to learn as quick as possible in the three races. At the end of the day it put me in a good position because I had to expect a lot of myself in a short amount of time. In 2015 I went back to drive for Brad, after driving for him in 2013 in the late model series which he shut down at the end of that season. It was good to be back with that team because I made some friends and built some relationships during my late models days. so going back to drive for him in the same truck that Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano and Brad himself that season. Getting to drive with them gave me the ability to listen to what they had to say there were times that I wasn't as quick as them but they also had many more laps at some of the track we visited so to me I had many more races to run. I was suppose to race I think a total of 13 races but was only able to race 8 due to a crash at Vegas. I was able to get more comfortable through the season with those guys on a weekly basis going to the races. Even if I wasn't driving it was important. As i started getting more races down about halfway through the season I think it was New Hampshire the season was starting to turn around and we were gonna have more success. Unfortunately the wreck at Vegas cut that short, but it was great working with those guys because they are so successful. You just know your at the right place, and they have the information to answer your questions to the best ability. Most of the information they give you is A1 information because they were young at some point and know the things that young drivers have to go through.
Q: Your racing career spans throughout a bunch of series, late model, super late model, ARCA, trucks and xfinity. What is the biggest difference in the driving and handling of all those cars? and do you think the competitiveness is any different in the different levels of racing?
A: The cars are definitely different especially from late models. I have driven super late models and late models that are not quite supers in the fact that they have crate motors and other differences in the chassis but that would be the biggest difference. Especially once you get going in ARCA, trucks and Xfinity were your racing on a much different tire. You go from racing on a bi spiral to a radial tire. A radial tire is what everyone runs on there passenger vehicle, the bi spi tire are more found in late model racing around the country. Those are the biggest things a young driver when transitioning between the ranks notice. Also your going on these mile and half race tracks that you don't see as much of on a super late model schedule. Obviously aero dynamics will play into affect even if you've got a fast race car when you get behind someone else it really affects the aero and sometimes you'll go from being faster to whenever your behind someone to slowing down and not being able to pass someone and that is frustrating learning to navigate on the track. The competitiveness I'm a big believer that there are a lot of different area's of racing where you can go race for a championship where you have to race hard to get it. I raced back in 2012 or 2013 in the Midwest and some of the big super late series races and that was challenging as well. I dont believe there is one any harder than the other, until you get past Xfinity we all know that the cup series has some of the best drivers in the country and possibly the world and its a completely different animal. Going from either Trucks to cup or Xfinity to cup everyone see's that there is a huge learning curve and some of that is because the cars are different but a lot of it has to do with the other drivers being so good. When everyone around you is so good it makes you look like you have a lot to learn and we see that as young drivers come up to that series.
Q: The 2017 season was a pretty good one for you, but how can you as a driver improve on such a good season?
A: That's a good question, I've considered that too myself as I talk to people. What i find is after a really standout season drivers and teams have slumps. Not because it's an over all bad season but because your comparing to the previous season which was really good. So, if you go from winning seven races to winning two or three that may seem like a failure, but you have to put it into perspective. Of all the different scenarios that could happen during the season and during the races. Such as did you have mechanical issues, or did you run outta gas, or even get involved in a wreck. What we had put together last season was just a combination of all that. Some situations went our way. Other situations didn't it wasn't like we lucked into everything. We had situations were we could've won, but didn't end up winning. Because the scenario didn't work out for us. So we have to be honest with ourselves when we are looking at trying to do better than a standout season. The chances are that percentage wise you are not going to be able to match it. So you cant let yourself get to frustrated with that and its important to take it one season at a time. Fans and other people on the outside will look at a season as say something must've happen because they didn't win as many races, but that's not the case. With all the different scenarios your looking at such as this year if I could've won three races and been caught up in other peoples accidents. So, I wouldn't have won less races because the performance wasn't there but other factors. That's the nature of racing though you have to put things in perspective. You cant get caught up in the number's because they don't always tell the whole story.
Q:Have any truck or xfinity teams talked to you about running any races this year? If not what are your plans to maybe get a couple races in the trucks or xfinity cars?
A: I have talked to some different teams. I definitely would like to get back into competition full or part time. The sponsorship landscape is a little bit difficult, not because there aren't any wanting to come into the sport because I think there is still value for some of them. It's just that sometimes it has to be the right time and right place. We have talked to some sponsor's and teams, right now it's more realistic to think that hopefully I'll have some opportunities to race this year in any series, but nothing is line up right now unfortunately. It's very difficult for me, especially coming off a championship season where we won seven races and had the best average finish in 33 season of ARCA taking that into account. The main thing is staying positive and being seen at the track. Helping other people win whenever that allows. Going to the race track whether im spotting or coaching other drivers is important. Because if your not at the race track other people will forget about you. They'll start to think that your ok or have something else going on if I'm not at the track. So you have to make sure that people realize that your there, but you don't have anything else going on so your available.
Q: Out of anyone you've seen race, currently or past drivers. Who do you think your driving style relates closest to?
A: That's an interesting question, maybe we can go a little bit of a different route. I'd say someone I always looked up to was Mark Martin. He was very respected in the garage and he was fast. He definatly left a mark on the sport. Unfortunately he never won a championship but he was one if not the best driver in the cup series to not win a championship. I've been a fan of his..well since as long as ive been a NASCAR fan. I have never had the chance to meet him but it would be cool to sit down and talk to him. To ask him how things have changes and ask him what he see's that have stayed the same. Like I said, he was very respected on the racetrack. He was calm but also aggressive without putting himself into a lot of bad situations. He really raced the race track sometimes and didn't race other cars around him. Like early on in the race if someone else was faster than him he would give that spot up but would race really hard to get that spot back when it really counted. That is something I personally try to do myself.
Q: What is something that future fans, sponsors or even team owners should know about you as a person and as a racer?
A: There are a lot of people that understand when I'm involved with a team that I like to give as much input as possible. I also want people to do the same thing with me. If they have some idea's or recommendations on how I could maybe approach driving differently. I am all ears and will listen, but I like to be active with the spotter, and crew chief. I wanna know what we can do better. I don't like staying the same, I don't like being happy with just sorta showing up to the racetrack jumping in the car. I like as much background information as possible. So, that it give me as a driver a much better idea of the box we are working with. For example, If I know the general idea of the setup we are running at a certain track I'll know we really can't go anymore in this direction, because were maxed out as far as tolerances are concerned so maybe lets go a different direction. If you have a driver that shows up and maybe has no idea will tell the crew chief to go one direction and while the crew chief will try as much as possible to get there. It will be very difficult to get anymore so the crew chief will have to communicate back to the driver. Then the driver has to take 5 to 10 mins to communicate back a different direction. If you already have an idea when you get to the track the weekend will flow a lot better.
Q: I know you've got your pilot license, but beside flying and racing. What is something people may be surprised to know about you?
A: As far as flying is concerned I really can't find the time right now. Flying is something in my opinion especially starting off I don't have hundreds of hours of experience. If I did it wouldn't be as big of a deal for me to take a year off and went back out because you have all the time, and you learn a lot of information. I'm still in a position were I am learning, so I don't wanna just go up to "dust off the cob webs" so to say. Because I think flying you have a lot more going on. Not to say its more dangerous but you have to have all your I's dotted and T's crossed. Hopefully in the next few year's I'll have the time to go up flying again. I wanna go up with an instructor so they can make sure I'm not doing anything wrong, and really refresh my memory. Mainly so that ill feel more comfortable when I get up there again. Something besides flying, well a lot of people may not realize but I'm just a regular guy from a small town in Maine, with a population of five thousand. My town is just a couple miles away from Canada. Most of my family speaks french. As a kid we had some friends that lived in Canada, and would travel up there on a regular basis. Since I've been down here I haven't been able to practice my french with my family. So whenever they come down or even whenever my grandpa talks to me on the phone he won't realize he's speaking french. So sometimes I have to remind him to speak english because I understand some of what he's saying, but I also feel like I'm missing some parts. Being part of an American family, in a bilingual community really gives you an interesting view on international relations. It will really give you a better idea of how to treat other people as well because it shows you that they are really just like you. I actually raced in the american Canadian tour when I was around sixteen, had tons of fun and built a lot of friendships with well known racers that are still friends to this day.
This young man, who is a champion is without a ride as of right now. I have had a chance to watch some of his 2017 races when he won the championship and let me tell you he is a wheel man. There is no reason in my opinion why he does not have a ride right now. I mean not only does he drive pretty decent he can spot another young driver around the track. In May he helped get Zane Smith an the #41 for MDM Motorsports into victory lane. He is a very knowledgeable driver and young man. Hopefully someone in the very near future will give him a chance in any series. I know he wont disappoint you on purpose that's for sure. He gave a "wanna be" NASCAR blogger a chance to talk to him without even knowing who I was or caring. For that respect I will be forever grateful.
Everyone Austin's twitter, facebook, and personal website are listed below go check them all out.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/austintheriaultracing/
Twitter: @AustinTheriault
Personal Website: http://www.austintheriault.com/
A: That's an interesting question, maybe we can go a little bit of a different route. I'd say someone I always looked up to was Mark Martin. He was very respected in the garage and he was fast. He definatly left a mark on the sport. Unfortunately he never won a championship but he was one if not the best driver in the cup series to not win a championship. I've been a fan of his..well since as long as ive been a NASCAR fan. I have never had the chance to meet him but it would be cool to sit down and talk to him. To ask him how things have changes and ask him what he see's that have stayed the same. Like I said, he was very respected on the racetrack. He was calm but also aggressive without putting himself into a lot of bad situations. He really raced the race track sometimes and didn't race other cars around him. Like early on in the race if someone else was faster than him he would give that spot up but would race really hard to get that spot back when it really counted. That is something I personally try to do myself.
Q: What is something that future fans, sponsors or even team owners should know about you as a person and as a racer?
A: There are a lot of people that understand when I'm involved with a team that I like to give as much input as possible. I also want people to do the same thing with me. If they have some idea's or recommendations on how I could maybe approach driving differently. I am all ears and will listen, but I like to be active with the spotter, and crew chief. I wanna know what we can do better. I don't like staying the same, I don't like being happy with just sorta showing up to the racetrack jumping in the car. I like as much background information as possible. So, that it give me as a driver a much better idea of the box we are working with. For example, If I know the general idea of the setup we are running at a certain track I'll know we really can't go anymore in this direction, because were maxed out as far as tolerances are concerned so maybe lets go a different direction. If you have a driver that shows up and maybe has no idea will tell the crew chief to go one direction and while the crew chief will try as much as possible to get there. It will be very difficult to get anymore so the crew chief will have to communicate back to the driver. Then the driver has to take 5 to 10 mins to communicate back a different direction. If you already have an idea when you get to the track the weekend will flow a lot better.
Q: I know you've got your pilot license, but beside flying and racing. What is something people may be surprised to know about you?
A: As far as flying is concerned I really can't find the time right now. Flying is something in my opinion especially starting off I don't have hundreds of hours of experience. If I did it wouldn't be as big of a deal for me to take a year off and went back out because you have all the time, and you learn a lot of information. I'm still in a position were I am learning, so I don't wanna just go up to "dust off the cob webs" so to say. Because I think flying you have a lot more going on. Not to say its more dangerous but you have to have all your I's dotted and T's crossed. Hopefully in the next few year's I'll have the time to go up flying again. I wanna go up with an instructor so they can make sure I'm not doing anything wrong, and really refresh my memory. Mainly so that ill feel more comfortable when I get up there again. Something besides flying, well a lot of people may not realize but I'm just a regular guy from a small town in Maine, with a population of five thousand. My town is just a couple miles away from Canada. Most of my family speaks french. As a kid we had some friends that lived in Canada, and would travel up there on a regular basis. Since I've been down here I haven't been able to practice my french with my family. So whenever they come down or even whenever my grandpa talks to me on the phone he won't realize he's speaking french. So sometimes I have to remind him to speak english because I understand some of what he's saying, but I also feel like I'm missing some parts. Being part of an American family, in a bilingual community really gives you an interesting view on international relations. It will really give you a better idea of how to treat other people as well because it shows you that they are really just like you. I actually raced in the american Canadian tour when I was around sixteen, had tons of fun and built a lot of friendships with well known racers that are still friends to this day.
This young man, who is a champion is without a ride as of right now. I have had a chance to watch some of his 2017 races when he won the championship and let me tell you he is a wheel man. There is no reason in my opinion why he does not have a ride right now. I mean not only does he drive pretty decent he can spot another young driver around the track. In May he helped get Zane Smith an the #41 for MDM Motorsports into victory lane. He is a very knowledgeable driver and young man. Hopefully someone in the very near future will give him a chance in any series. I know he wont disappoint you on purpose that's for sure. He gave a "wanna be" NASCAR blogger a chance to talk to him without even knowing who I was or caring. For that respect I will be forever grateful.
Everyone Austin's twitter, facebook, and personal website are listed below go check them all out.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/austintheriaultracing/
Twitter: @AustinTheriault
Personal Website: http://www.austintheriault.com/
