Austin Hubbard: The Newest (and youngest) Driver of Beitler's Famed N0. 19
11/18/09
Veteran Owner Taps 17 Year-Old for Touring Team
WEST FRIENDSHIP, Md. (November 18, 2009) - It is official - veteran dirt late model team owner Dale Beitler has tapped a new pilot for his familiar Reliable Painting/Beitler Enterprises' No. 19 Rocket team. However, Beitler’s choice of a successor for 42 year-old former World of Outlaws Late Model Series’ Champion Steve Francis, who has spent the past two seasons behind the wheel of the No. 19, may come as a surprise to some. After years of fielding entries for experienced championship competitors, Beitler is looking forward to his new alliance with 17 year-old Austin Hubbard.
The Beitler Enterprises team has a long-standing history in dirt late model competition including with Davey Johnson, Gary Stuhler and Steve Casebolt. Most recently, Steve Francis had a spectacular World of Outlaws Late Model Series’ championship bid that ended only at the season finale with a mere 14-point deficit to winner Josh Richards.
“We had a great season this year and the plans were for Steve to return to his own equipment but I enjoy dirt late model racing too much to stay at home," shared Beitler from his Maryland race shop. “I would ride to some shows with Austin’s team since my place in Maryland and their base in Delaware are pretty close so I got to know him and see his enthusiasm, work ethic and talent. Austin is young but a very talented racer and I appreciate how much he just loves to race, enjoys the sport and every minute he’s at the track.”
Hubbard is not the cagey professional competitor many would have assumed to be Francis' successor. Rather, the Delaware native is a high school student who will graduate early to focus all efforts on his racing program. Now, he will have the opportunity to race for one of the most decorated car owners in modern dirt late model racing.
While his name is still unfamiliar to many outside of the Mid-Atlantic region, Austin is no stranger to racing or success. After years of karting and mini-sprint championships, he took to the limited late model division at Virginia Motor Speedway in 2005 and earned distinctions as the "Most Popular Driver" in 2006 and 2007 as well as the 2007 "Late Model Championship" title. In 2007 and 2008, he participated in the track's complete late model schedule, plus ventured to a sampling of regional super late model shows. In his outings, Austin became the youngest super late model winner in the history of Delaware International Speedway.
Driving his family-owned No. 11 Rocket for an introductory season in super late model competition, Hubbard gained a lot of favorable responses from series' personnel, fellow competitors and industry leaders. He qualified for a main event during the 2009 "Alltel DIRTcar Nationals" at the age of 16 as well as the $50,000-to-win "Circle K Colossal 100" at The Dirt Track at Lowe's Motor Speedway just a month after his 17th birthday. Soon after, experienced crew chief Robby Allen joined the team and the pairing has continued to excel. Accomplishments include fast qualifying honors at the World of Outlaws Late Model Series' event at Bedford, PA, and the prestigious "Dirt Track World Championship" plus three Top-5 and eight Top-10 finishes during occasional participation in the WoOLMS as well as making the historic "World 100" at Tony Stewart's Eldora Speedway. Hubbard hopes that these highlights are only a preview of what is yet to come.
"I really appreciate the opportunity that Dale Beitler has given me and it is an honor to be able to race with his team and crew chief Robby Allen," Hubbard shared while making the hour trip back to Delaware from the Maryland shop. "The team that we have is one of the best in the business and I am looking forward to being behind the wheel of the No. 19 for my first season following a national series. Robby and I were able to start learning one another's styles this year so I think that will help us in 2010 and especially as I compete at many tracks for the first time."
Beitler's new youth movement will continue competing with the nationally touring World of Outlaws Late Model Series. Rather than entering with a defending championship titlist, Hubbard's bid will be for the "Rookie of the Year" honors. Showing some of the passion that captured Beitler's attention, Hubbard is quick to note, "I just love to race and in order to be the best, you have to be able to compete with them and learn from them. I haven't ever seen most of these tracks on the schedule but I still will show up to each race with the intent to win. Rookie titles, championships and all are nice but I want to be able to be competitive and be a better racer after every single event."
Acknowledging the departure from the traditional veteran competitor, Beitler summed up, “Racing is about more than championships and titles - I really enjoy the competition and people. I am looking forward to sharing some of my knowledge and experience with Austin. He loves racing and is very eager to learn so I am excited to be apart of what should be a very long and successful career that’s ahead of him. I am confident that we will have a strong 2010 season and a lot of fun while on tour.”
For more information on Austin Hubbard including additional news during the off-season, visit http://www.austinhubbard.com
Confirmed sponsors for the No. 19 Rocket team include Reliable Painting, "The Commonwealth 100" at Virginia Motor Speedway, Trinity Transport, Salisbury Door & Hardware and Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic.
Contact: Michelle Petroff, Austin Hubbard/Beitler Enterprises, michelle@michellepetroff.com
WEST FRIENDSHIP, Md. (November 18, 2009) - It is official - veteran dirt late model team owner Dale Beitler has tapped a new pilot for his familiar Reliable Painting/Beitler Enterprises' No. 19 Rocket team. However, Beitler’s choice of a successor for 42 year-old former World of Outlaws Late Model Series’ Champion Steve Francis, who has spent the past two seasons behind the wheel of the No. 19, may come as a surprise to some. After years of fielding entries for experienced championship competitors, Beitler is looking forward to his new alliance with 17 year-old Austin Hubbard.
The Beitler Enterprises team has a long-standing history in dirt late model competition including with Davey Johnson, Gary Stuhler and Steve Casebolt. Most recently, Steve Francis had a spectacular World of Outlaws Late Model Series’ championship bid that ended only at the season finale with a mere 14-point deficit to winner Josh Richards.
“We had a great season this year and the plans were for Steve to return to his own equipment but I enjoy dirt late model racing too much to stay at home," shared Beitler from his Maryland race shop. “I would ride to some shows with Austin’s team since my place in Maryland and their base in Delaware are pretty close so I got to know him and see his enthusiasm, work ethic and talent. Austin is young but a very talented racer and I appreciate how much he just loves to race, enjoys the sport and every minute he’s at the track.”
Hubbard is not the cagey professional competitor many would have assumed to be Francis' successor. Rather, the Delaware native is a high school student who will graduate early to focus all efforts on his racing program. Now, he will have the opportunity to race for one of the most decorated car owners in modern dirt late model racing.
While his name is still unfamiliar to many outside of the Mid-Atlantic region, Austin is no stranger to racing or success. After years of karting and mini-sprint championships, he took to the limited late model division at Virginia Motor Speedway in 2005 and earned distinctions as the "Most Popular Driver" in 2006 and 2007 as well as the 2007 "Late Model Championship" title. In 2007 and 2008, he participated in the track's complete late model schedule, plus ventured to a sampling of regional super late model shows. In his outings, Austin became the youngest super late model winner in the history of Delaware International Speedway.
Driving his family-owned No. 11 Rocket for an introductory season in super late model competition, Hubbard gained a lot of favorable responses from series' personnel, fellow competitors and industry leaders. He qualified for a main event during the 2009 "Alltel DIRTcar Nationals" at the age of 16 as well as the $50,000-to-win "Circle K Colossal 100" at The Dirt Track at Lowe's Motor Speedway just a month after his 17th birthday. Soon after, experienced crew chief Robby Allen joined the team and the pairing has continued to excel. Accomplishments include fast qualifying honors at the World of Outlaws Late Model Series' event at Bedford, PA, and the prestigious "Dirt Track World Championship" plus three Top-5 and eight Top-10 finishes during occasional participation in the WoOLMS as well as making the historic "World 100" at Tony Stewart's Eldora Speedway. Hubbard hopes that these highlights are only a preview of what is yet to come.
"I really appreciate the opportunity that Dale Beitler has given me and it is an honor to be able to race with his team and crew chief Robby Allen," Hubbard shared while making the hour trip back to Delaware from the Maryland shop. "The team that we have is one of the best in the business and I am looking forward to being behind the wheel of the No. 19 for my first season following a national series. Robby and I were able to start learning one another's styles this year so I think that will help us in 2010 and especially as I compete at many tracks for the first time."
Beitler's new youth movement will continue competing with the nationally touring World of Outlaws Late Model Series. Rather than entering with a defending championship titlist, Hubbard's bid will be for the "Rookie of the Year" honors. Showing some of the passion that captured Beitler's attention, Hubbard is quick to note, "I just love to race and in order to be the best, you have to be able to compete with them and learn from them. I haven't ever seen most of these tracks on the schedule but I still will show up to each race with the intent to win. Rookie titles, championships and all are nice but I want to be able to be competitive and be a better racer after every single event."
Acknowledging the departure from the traditional veteran competitor, Beitler summed up, “Racing is about more than championships and titles - I really enjoy the competition and people. I am looking forward to sharing some of my knowledge and experience with Austin. He loves racing and is very eager to learn so I am excited to be apart of what should be a very long and successful career that’s ahead of him. I am confident that we will have a strong 2010 season and a lot of fun while on tour.”
For more information on Austin Hubbard including additional news during the off-season, visit http://www.austinhubbard.com
Confirmed sponsors for the No. 19 Rocket team include Reliable Painting, "The Commonwealth 100" at Virginia Motor Speedway, Trinity Transport, Salisbury Door & Hardware and Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic.
Contact: Michelle Petroff, Austin Hubbard/Beitler Enterprises, michelle@michellepetroff.com
