Who is Dylan Kwasniewski? 18-Year-Old #NASCAR Star

Dylan Kwasniewski, driver of the #31 Rockstar/FOE Chevrolet, stands on the grid
during qualifying for the NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 at
Daytona International Speedway on February 21, 2014 in Daytona Beach, Florida.
(Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images North America)

Birthdate: May 31, 1995 (18)

Hometown: Las Vegas, Nev. 

At the age of 4 1/2 Dylan jumped into the seat of his first kart in Norwalk, Connecticut.Capturing his first win shortly after turning 5, he was hooked on racing.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion; first driver to win K&N East and K&N West titles.
• The youngest pole winner, race winner and champion in NASCAR K&N Pro Series West history.
• Member of NASCAR Next program.

YEAR-BY-YEAR NASCAR K&N PRO SERIES RECAP:

2013-EAST: Became the first driver in the history of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series to capture championships in both the East and West series … Earned the championship on the strength of six wins, three poles and 10 top 10s in 14 races … Wins came at Bristol, June Iowa (top East finisher), Langley, VIR, Greenville (Sept.) and Road Atlanta … His six wins are tied with Brad Leighton (1999) for the second-most in a single season in series history … Led a series-high 394 laps. 

2012-WEST: Captured championship in second season with three wins — Stockton, Iowa (top West finisher) and Roseville. 

2011-WEST: Finished fifth in points, with 13 starts … Became youngest series driver to win Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award, youngest to win a series race and youngest to win a series pole. 

NOTEWORTHY

Started racing go-karts in 2000 at the age of 5 … Moved to circle track racing at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway seven years later, competing in Bandolero Bandits class … Graduated to Semi-Pro Legend Car series in 2008 … Won three championships, youngest in the history of the track, and was awarded Rookie of the Year honor … Moved up to Pro Legend division in 2009, winning track championship and state championship and finishing seventh in national points … Raced ASA Speed Truck series in 2009 and 2010 … Also raced Lucas Oil Modifieds and Late Models in 2010 — competing at The Bullring; Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway; Havasu 95 Speedway near Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; and Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway in Blythe, Calif. … Named one of the NASCAR drivers 25 and under to watch in 2012 and 2013 by FoxSports.com … A member of the NASCAR Next program in 2011, 2012 and 2013 …

This youngster's last name is pronounced KWAS-ness-KEY.  Keep your eye on him . . . 2014 should prove very interesting. 

Dylan Kwasniewski claimed his first career NASCAR Nationwide Series pole for his first series start and back feat up with a top-ten finish

Kudos to Stewart and Kahne - Job well done!

Jason "LefTurn" Leffler, who had been based in Huntersville, died in a wreck during a heat race at a dirt car event at Bridgeport Speedway. Originally from Long Beach, Calif., Leffler made 423 starts in NASCAR's three national series, and won two Nationwide races and one Truck Series event in a career that began in 1999.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Drivers Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne continue in their efforts to help support Jason Leffler’s young son, Charlie Dean.

They spearheaded the drive to encourage individuals to donated to the Charles Dean Leffler Discretionary Trust and/or entered to win the Jason Leffler Tribute Car that Kasey Kahne drove in the 2014 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals event. Stewart drove the same car in the Chili Bowl in 2012 and 2013. 

The promotion made a $50,000 that was donated the Charles Dean Leffler Discretionary Trust.

“Jason Leffler was a good buddy of mine and it’s neat that Bob East and Tony Stewart asked me to drive his tribute car in this year’s Chili Bowl,” Kahne said.

“This success wouldn't have been possible without your help, or that of those companies that partnered with the team to sponsor the No. 71 entry. A special thank you goes out to Great Clips, Ultra Wheel, John Christner Trucking and Beast Enterprises.” Steward recently emailed participants.

This is why NASCAR Race Mom loves NASCAR so much.  Just like any large dysfunctional family; we always manage to pull together when necessary. 

Kudos to Stewart and Kahne - Job well done!

 

Riley Children’s Foundation teams with the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation

"Jeff and the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation are national leaders in helping children and in promoting the importance of cancer research. They have made a tremendous impact at Riley Hospital during our relationship." Kevin O'Keefe, president/CEO, Riley Children's Foundation

Riley Children’s Foundation is committed to improving the health and well-being of children through philanthropic leadership in support of Riley Hospital for Children and its research programs.

Riley Children’s Foundation raises funds for Riley Hospital for Children, Camp Riley for Youth with Physical Disabilities and the James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home. Please visit www.RileyKids.org/.

Riley Hospital for Children – More than 200,000 times each year, Riley families are grateful for the expert care they receive at Indiana’s only comprehensive children’s hospital.

Camp Riley – At Camp Riley, the strength of character that emerges from their achievements truly changes children’s lives.

James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home – We proudly preserve the home of Indiana’s beloved poet for thousands of visitors each year to enjoy.

Gray Gaulding Teams With Newberry

NASCAR Next driver Gary Gaulding joined NTS Motorsports for a full NASCAR
K&N Pro Series East slate and partial NASCAR Camping World
Truck Series schedule. (Getty Images for NASCAR)

Gaulding Teams With Newberry At NTS
NASCAR Next Driver Set For Camping World Truck Series Debut

KERNERSVILLE, N.C. – NTS Motorsports announced the addition of 15 year-old NASCAR Next driver Gray Gaulding to their lineup in 2014. Gaulding will make his debut in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) in eight races and will compete alongside Brennan Newberry in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (NKNPSE) full-time.

Virginia native Gaulding, has set NASCAR records as the youngest winner and pole sitter in NASCAR K&N Pro Series competition. With primary sponsorship from Gemini Southern, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and TruMoo Chocolate Milk, Gaulding hopes to claim the NKNPSE championship and contend for victories in the NCWTS. As a NASCAR Next driver, Gaulding has claimed one win, 11 top-10’s and five top-5’s in 18 NKNPSE starts in 2013.

“Signing with a competitive and successful team like NTS Motorsports is a tremendous opportunity for me,” stated Gaulding. “With our new sponsorship from Gemini Southern and continued support from Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and TruMoo Chocolate Milk, I am eager to return to the NKNPSE to build upon our success in 2013 and go after the championship. I look forward to achieving my goal of competing in the NCWTS and capturing the “Youngest Race Winner” title in that series as well.”

As Newberry enters his third season driving in the NCWTS, he is primed to use that experience to compete for the NKNPSE championship in the No. 24 Chevy Impala, where he is a three time pole award winner. Winning the Keystone Light Pole Award at Daytona International Speedway in the opening NCWTS race in 2013, is the momentum the 23 year-old driver will bring into each one of his 12 NCWTS races this season.

“I am extremely motivated to team up with Gray (Gaulding) to win races and contend for the NKNPSE championship. I look forward to my continued partnership with Qore-24 and my new relationship with GunBroker.com,” commented Newberry. “I truly enjoy competing in the NCWTS, so it was important for me to build a solid schedule for 2014 that included important NCWTS venues. I have had good success in the K&N Series in the past, so I know our No. 24 team will be highly competitive.”

“Gray Gaulding makes a great addition to NTS Motorsports as a driver and teammate to Brennan Newberry, in both the NKNPSE and NCWTS,” said NTS Motorsports owner Bob Newberry. “I am proud to debut the No. 20 Chevrolet truck with a phenomenal driver like Gray and I look forward to watching him as he continues to impress the NASCAR community with his drive and talent – far beyond his age. Brennan Newberry’s return to the NKNPSE marks a great opportunity for him to compete for the Regional Series Championship, while continuing to build and strengthen our NCWTS program.”

Dwayne Gaulding has moved into the role of Vice President of Operations at NTS Motorsports. As such, he is excited to reshape the organization into a competitive powerhouse in the NCWTS and NKNPSE. “Taking on the role of VP of Operations is a big commitment that comes with very important responsibilities,” states Gaulding. “The people we at NTS Motorsports have put in place are what will make this team successful. As a preacher once stated, ‘it’s not the building that makes up the church, it’s the people.” 

NTS Motorsports will compete full-time in the NCWTS with the No. 24 and No. 20 Chevrolet Silverado trucks. Newberry has been confirmed for 12 races, with the remaining 10 races to be filled by an unannounced driver. 

Gaulding will make his NCWTS debut at Martinsville Speedway on March 29th and will compete in an additional seven races in the series. The remaining fourteen races will be filled in by an additional driver to be announced. Gaulding will pilot the No. 20 entry in the full NKNPSE season.

Team Release

Newhouse Signs with JD Motorsports for Full SRL Schedule

After Hannah Newhouse’s first year in a full-time super late model series in 2013, it’s time for the next step in her career. The 16-year-old from Twin Falls will be running the full Spear’s SRL Southwest tour series under JD Motorsports in the No. 61.

Newhouse is familiar with the new series and team as she made her debut In the SRL and with JD Motorsports last season at Pike’s Peak International Raceway in the No. 79 tour car. The schedule consists of 11 races at a total of six different tracks. The SRL contains some of the West’s best competition, but Newhouse feels that she is up for the challenge.

“I’m really excited for this season and what it holds. Mike Doss has an amazing program and I’m thrilled to be part of the team this year and to get the chance to race and really prove myself in the SRL,” Newhouse said.

She will join 17-year-old Jeremy Doss as a teammate for the year as Doss returns for his second year in the series. Doss collected 2nd in points, Rookie of the Year, and Young Gun Honors in last year’s chase for the championship in the SRL. Mike Doss, owner of JD motorsports and father of Jeremy Doss, is excited as well to have Newhouse join his team.

“I am looking forward to having Hannah be on our team full time this year," Doss said. "She really impressed me when she ran for us previously and I feel we can really take her potential to the next level by competing in this series."

Newhouse, who raced for Thompson Motorsports in 2012 and 2013, is sad to be parting ways with the team but looks forward to the new adventure.

“I owe a ton to the team and Thompsons for all they’ve done for me. I wouldn’t be near as successful as I am without their help and all the opportunities they have given me,” Newhouse said.

Newhouse raced the Whelen All-American series in 2012 where she collected six wins, 10 poles, and third in points. She returned the following year under Thompson Motorsports and competed full-time In the ASA Pro Trucks and Rocky Mountain Challenge series. She collected fourth in points and Rookie of the Year in the RMCS and 2nd in points in the ASA Pro Trucks with one win, five poles and one track record.

“I’ve grown so close to everyone at Thompson Motorsports. They’ve become my second family and I really hope to get a future opportunity to work with them again,” said Newhouse.

Hopes for Newhouse are to get the chance to run some NASCAR K&N West for Thompson Motorsports this season. If sponsorship is acquired, Newhouse wants to make select starts in the K&N Pro Series West.

Also, Newhouse plans on trying to run the full Rocky Mountain Challenge Series as well as some of the money races such as the Southern Idaho 200 and Montana 200 to gain further seat time and exposure.