WEST FRIENDSHIP, Md. — Dale Beitler has selected a new pilot for his familiar Reliable Painting/Beitler Enterprises No. 19 Rocket late-model, 17-year-old Austin Hubbard.
Hubbard replaces former World of Outlaws Late Model Series champion Steve Francis, who has spent the last two seasons behind the wheel of the No. 19.
“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. “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.”
The Beitler Enterprises team has a long-standing history in dirt-late-model competition, fielding entries for Davey Johnson, Gary Stuhler and Steve Casebolt in the past. Most recently, Steve Francis fell just short of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series championship, losing the title by a mere 14 points to Josh Richards.
Hubbard, a Delaware native, is a high school student who plans to graduate early to focus all efforts on his racing program.
“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 said. “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."
Driving his family owned No. 11 Rocket during his first 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 @ 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-five 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.
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.”