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