---

Lupton Named to Drive for Bob Bruncati

WILTON, Calif. – The NASCAR K&N Pro Series, West will have a new contender for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year with 19-year-old Dylan Lupton of Wilton, Calif., set to join Bob Bruncati's Sunrise Ford team for the 2013 season.

Lupton will be teamed up with Derek Thorn, taking over the No. 9 Ford vacated by 2012 series Rookie of the Year Austin Dyne. Lupton will not only race for Bruncati in 2013, but also in 2014 as part of the two-year agreement.

"We tried to work this out for the 2012 season but we didn't really have the funding so we raced on the East Coast in Late Models," Lupton said. "He's giving me the chance to prove myself as a driver in a top-notch car. I'm looking forward to the year. I know it's going to be a big learning curve and I'm taking it each race at a time."

Despite living just south of Sacramento, Lupton drove for Tim Huddleston at Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway in 2010 in the S2 Late Models. He traveled down to Irwindale weekly and won the S2 Late Model championship with three wins.

The 2011 season saw Lupton moving into the NASCAR-sanctioned Late Models at Irwindale with four victories in the 19-race season and staying in contention for the track championship all season long as a rookie.

Lupton closed out the 2011 season with three NASCAR K&N Pro Series West starts, including 2013 tracks All American Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway.

Lupton ran full-time in 2012 in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series and was based out of Virginia. He traveled to several different tracks throughout the East Coast, which he believes has him prepared for the West Series.

"I went into the 2012 season looking to get more wins and be very competitive,” he said. “When I got over to the East Coast I realized that wasn't the case. It was a huge learning curve and I think it has really prepared me for the upcoming year because the racing out there is so competitive."

Not only will Lupton lean on his experience from Irwindale and his East Coast swing, he will also look to learn from his teammate Derek Thorn.

"Derek's a great driver and I think I'm going to be able to learn a lot from him," Lupton said. "This is still a new car for me. I'm going into the season with open ears and really communicate and absorb all the information I can from him. He's a proven driver who knows how to get wins and top-threes."

Along with a busy 15-race schedule in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, West, Lupton also plans to make appearances at the new Kern County Raceway Park in Bakersfield, Calif., as well other selected tracks – competing in both the Super Late Model and Late Model classes.

More information about Dylan Lupton Racing is available at www.luptonracing.com He is also available on Twitter @LuptonDylan

His sponsors include Sunrise Ford, Vadio, Lucas Oil, Eibach Springs, D Racing Enterprises, and Lupton Excavation.

Back to News