CONCORD, North Carolina (February 19, 2015) – – NASCAR Next driver Dylan Lupton has a lot to look forward to in 2015.
On Monday, Athenian Motorsports announced that the 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West runner-up driver will compete in at least seven NASCAR XFINITY Series events this season starting at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway in March.
“This is a huge opportunity for me as I’ll soon begin the next phase in my racing career,” said Lupton. “Athenian Motorsports has a tremendous operation with a lot of talented individuals who are determined to win. I can’t wait to get in the car at Phoenix.”
Lupton joins the family-owned team on the heels of a sparkling year in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. In addition to his win at Kern County (Calif.) Raceway Park, he also tallied nine top-fives and 14 top-10 finishes. In an astounding statistic, Lupton was the only driver who finished inside the top-10 during every K&N West event last season.
In addition to Phoenix, the two-time NASCAR K&N Pro Series West winner is also scheduled to appear in the No. 25 Zaxby’s Chevrolet Camaro in at least six other races, including Richmond (Va.) International Raceway, Chicagoland Speedway (June), Iowa Speedway, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Road America (Wisc.) and Kentucky Speedway (September).
While Lupton is eager to begin his diverse seven-race schedule with the Athenian Motorsports team, the Wilton, California native is hopeful to add at least eight more races to his platter in his freshman season of XFINITY competition bringing the total to 15 events.
“We have seven races ironed down right now, but we feel like we have some good prospects that could allow us to add more races throughout the season. The more experience I can get this year will better suit me towards a hopeful championship campaign in 2016.
“No doubt performing well out of the box at Phoenix next month will help increase those chances.”
When Lupton digests his seven-race outlook this season, the 21-year old divulges he chose race tracks where he has experience at or venues that he feel that he’ll be able to showcase his talent.
“I have a lot to learn with these XFINITY cars, so together we felt it would be best to compete at tracks where I have run before in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series or look at possible tracks where we feel like we like we could unload strong out of the box. I’ve never competed at a mile-and-a-half track like Chicagoland or Kentucky before, but the experience will be crucial to my growth.”
In-between racing and juggling college at the University of North Carolina Charlotte, Lupton still plans on visiting the team’s Concord, North Carolina headquarters and developing a bond with his team and new teammate John Wes Townley.
“I feel the key to our success is developing a bond and trust,” Lupton added. “I have trust in my crew chief Mike Ford that he has my best intentions at heart while trying to put our No. 25 Chevrolet Camaro up front. My time at the shop will be valuable towards learning more about these XFINITY cars, but also creating a relationship with my team. We have a lot to look forward too with great looking Camaros and Hendrick Motorsports engines. Phoenix can’t get here soon enough.”
Athenian Motorsports owner Tony Townley commented on the announcement by saying, “We are delighted to be able to put Dylan, a young driver with a lot of potential, in our No. 25 Chevrolet in the NASCAR XFINITY Series for these seven races this season.
“Since John Wes is running the full NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule and a partial schedule in the No. 25 Camaro, Dylan stepping in will allow us to field an entry in all 33 XFINITY Series races this year. I believe some really good finishes are in store for this team.”
For more on Dylan Lupton, please visit LuptonRacing.com or follow him on Twitter @LuptonDylan.
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