Dylan Kwasniewski Explained

Dylan Kwasniewski
Birth Date:31 May 1995
Birth Place:Norwalk, Connecticut, U.S.
Achievements:Only driver to ever win both NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Championships
2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Champion
2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Champion
Awards:2011 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Rookie of the Year
Total Busch Races:39
Years In Busch:2
Prev Busch Pos:42nd
Prev Busch Year:2015
Best Busch Pos:11th (2014)
First Busch Race:2014 DRIVE4COPD 300 (Daytona)
Last Busch Race:2015 DAV 200 (Phoenix)
Busch Wins:0
Busch Top Tens:3
Busch Poles:1
Updated:November 14, 2015

Dylan Kwasniewski (; born May 31, 1995) is an American real estate broker, businessman, entrepreneur, and former professional stock car racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 97 Chevrolet Camaro for Obaika Racing. Kwasniewski is the only driver in history to score both the ARCA Menards Series East and ARCA Menards Series West championships, he was also a developmental driver for Chip Ganassi Racing. In 2020 he co-founded 6 Summit Capital, before that he was Vice President of Colliers International starting in 2017 where he garnered $105 million dollars in deal volume in only 3 years.

Racing career

Born in Norwalk, Connecticut as the oldest of four children, Kwasniewski started his career driving go-karts at the age of four. He later raced in Bandoleros and Legends cars before joining the American Speed Association Super Truck Series in 2009.[1] The same year, Rockstar Energy Drink, based in Kwasniewski's hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada, signed on as his sponsor.[2] In 2010, Kwasniewski raced a late model car in the Lucas Oil / Rockstar Modified Series and made the move to NASCAR the following year.[1]

Touring series

In 2011, Kwasniewski entered the K&N Pro Series West, driving for Gene Price Motorsports in the No. 03 Chevrolet,[3] and finished second in his debut at All American Speedway.[4] At Colorado National Speedway, Kwasniewski won the pole position and the race, becoming the youngest driver to win a series pole and race.[5] He won again during the season at Montana Raceway Park, and ended the season fifth in the points standings, along with nine top-tens. Kwasniewski was subsequently named Rookie of the Year. In 2012, Kwasniewski won three times at Stockton 99 Raceway, Iowa Speedway and All American Speedway, along with recording 15 top-tens. Entering the season finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Kwasniewski led teammate and 2011 series champion Greg Pursley by two points, and with a second-place finish, beat Pursley for the title by six points. At 17 years, 5 months and 10 days, Kwasniewski became the youngest champion in series history, surpassing Chuck Bown's record set in 1976 at 22 years, 7 months and 11 days.[6]

In 2012, Kwasniewski announced talks with Joe Gibbs Racing to field a car in the K&N Pro Series East for the 2013 season,[7] but eventually joined Turner Scott Motorsports (TSM), driving the No. 98.[8] On January 7, 2013, Kwasniewski was named to the NASCAR Next program, which documents the potential future stars in NASCAR.[9] In his first East race at Bristol Motor Speedway, Kwasniewski led 96 of 125 laps en route to the win. Kwasniewski added to his win with victories at Iowa, Langley Speedway, Virginia International Raceway and Greenville-Pickens Speedway. At the season-ending Road Atlanta race, Kwasniewski held the points lead over Brett Moffitt by five points, but transmission problems eliminated Moffitt from championship contention, as Kwasniewski led every lap to win the East championship, becoming the first driver to win both East and West titles.[10] During the year, Kwasniewski also ran an ARCA Racing Series race at Kansas Speedway, winning the pole and finishing fourth.[11]

Xfinity Series

On February 3, 2014, TSM announced that Kwasniewski would enter the Nationwide Series for the 2014 season, driving the team's No. 31 Rockstar Chevrolet.[12] In a press release regarding the news, Kwasniewski stated:[13] Kwasniewski was the fastest driver during the second day of Nationwide testing at Daytona International Speedway,[14] and later entered the ARCA Racing Series' Lucas Oil 200 with TSM, winning the pole position. He finished 14th in the race. On February 21, Kwasniewski clinched the pole for the Nationwide season-opening DRIVE4COPD 300, becoming the eleventh driver in series history to win the pole in his first series start, and the youngest Nationwide pole-sitter at Daytona.[15]

In March 2014, Kwasniewski signed with Chip Ganassi Racing's driver development program.[16] On May 12, Turner Scott Motorsports announced that Kwasniewski would run standalone Nationwide Series events in the team's No. 42, in which Kyle Larson was unavailable.[17] Kwasniewski ran the No. 42 with Rockstar at Iowa in August. Kwasniewski ended 2014 with three top-tens and an 11th-place points finish.

Kwasniewski was scheduled to return to the team, which was renamed HScott Motorsports, for 2015 on a part-time basis in the No. 42.[18] However, he and Rockstar failed to reach an agreement to continue sponsoring the car, and with Brennan Poole joining the team, his future became uncertain. As a result, Kwasniewski stated plans to raise sponsorship money to fund a car for the 2016 season.[19] Kwasniewski was picked up by Obaika Racing to make his debut in 2015 at Mid-Ohio, eventually driving in a total of six races for the team.[20]

Personal life

Kwasniewski is a graduate of Faith Lutheran Middle School & High School.[21] His late father, Randy, was the former CEO of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.[22]

Motorsports career results

Career summary

SeasonSeriesTeamRacesWinsTop 5sTop 10sPolesPointsPosition
2011K&N Pro Series WestGene Price Motorsports13289218565th
2012K&N Pro Series WestGene Price Motorsports153121556221st
K&N Pro Series EastSteve DeSouza3012010331st
2013K&N Pro Series EastTurner Scott Motorsports14681035361st
ARCA Racing SeriesVenturini Motorsports1011148056th
2014NASCAR Nationwide SeriesTurner Scott Motorsports33003186711th
ARCA Racing SeriesTurner Scott Motorsports1000118088th
2015NASCAR Xfinity SeriesObaika Racing600008942nd

NASCAR

(key) (

Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Xfinity Series

NASCAR Xfinity Series results
YearTeamNo.Make123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233PtsRef
2014Turner Scott Motorsports31ChevyDAY
8
PHO
13
LVS
24
BRI
15
CAL
11
TEX
14
DAR
23
RCH
32
TAL
35
CLT
13
DOV
26
MCH
31
KEN
11
DAY
24
NHA
13
CHI
17
IND
14
GLN
27
BRI
25
ATL
21
RCH
11
CHI
17
DOV
21
KAN
11
CLT
14
TEX
14
PHO
15
HOM
19
11th867[23]
42IOW
11
ROA
26
IOW
9
MOH
8
KEN
12
2015Obaika Racing97ChevyDAYATLLVSPHOCALTEXBRIRCHTALIOWCLTDOVMCHCHIDAYKENNHAINDIOWGLNMOH
34
BRI
32
ROA
33
DARRCH
25
CHIKEN
17
DOVCLTKANTEXPHO
34
HOM42nd89[24]

K&N Pro Series East

NASCAR K&N Pro Series East results
YearTeamNo.Make1234567891011121314PtsRef
2012Steve DeSouza20ToyotaBRIGRE
7
RCHIOWBGSJFC
18
LGYCNBCOLIOWNHA
4
DOVGRECAR31st103[25]
2013Turner Scott Motorsports98ChevyBRI
1*
GRE
15
FIF
7
RCH
13
BGS
2
IOW
1
LGY
1*
COL
3
IOW
9
VIR
1*
GRE
1
NHA
24
DOV
29
RAL
1*
1st536[26]

K&N Pro Series West

NASCAR K&N Pro Series West results
YearTeamNo.Make123456789101112131415PtsRef
2011Gene Price Motorsports03ChevyPHOAAS
4
MMP
25
LVS
2
PHO
33
5th1856[27]
3FordIOW
4
03SON
26
IRW
3
EVG
2*
PIR
29
CNS
1*
MRP
1*
SPO
2*
AAS
9*
2012PHO
2
LHC
3
MMP
4
S99
1*
IOW
1
BIR
2*
LVS
2
SON
5
EVG
7
CNS
5
IOW
9
PIR
4
SMP
9*
AAS
1
PHO
2
1st622[28]

Season still in progress
Ineligible for series points

ARCA Racing Series

(key) (

Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
ARCA Racing Series results
YearTeamNo.Make123456789101112131415161718192021PtsRef
2013Venturini Motorsports55ToyotaDAYMOBSLMTALTOLELKPOCMCHROAWINCHINJEPOCBLNISFMADDSFIOWSLMKENKAN
4
56th480[29]
2014Turner Scott Motorsports4ChevyDAY
14
MOBSLMTALTOLNJEPOCMCHELKWINCHIIRPPOCBLNISFMADDSFSLMKENKAN88th180[30]

References

Notes
  • Citations
  • Notes and References

    1. Web site: Dylan Kwasniewski. Turner Scott Motorsports. February 8, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20170724233608/http://www.turnerscottmotorsports.com/teams/xfinity. July 24, 2017.
    2. Web site: Associated Press. Kwasniewski to Run Nationwide Series With Turner. ABC News. February 4, 2014. February 9, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140204173754/https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/kwasniewski-run-nationwide-series-turner-22350927. February 4, 2014.
    3. News: Kantowski. Ron. NASCAR's future on fast track. Las Vegas Review-Journal. November 27, 2011. February 9, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20160308161613/http://www.reviewjournal.com/ron-kantowski/nascars-future-fast-track. March 8, 2016.
    4. Web site: Dylan Kwasniewski – 2011 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results. Racing-Reference. July 20, 2017.
    5. Web site: Dylan Kwasniewski. NASCAR Home Tracks. February 8, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20131022153853/http://hometracks.nascar.com/drivers/nknps_west/dylan_kwasniewski. October 22, 2013.
    6. Web site: Green. Kevin. Dylan Kwasniewski wins the 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West championship. Las Vegas Motor Speedway. November 10, 2012. February 8, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140222101027/http://www.lvms.com/bullring/news/congratulations-las-vegas-dylan-kwasniewski-winning-2012-nascar-pro-series-west-championship.html. February 22, 2014. dead.
    7. Web site: Boone. Jerry. Rock Star In The Making. NASCAR Home Tracks. April 5, 2012. February 9, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140223011442/http://hometracks.nascar.com/Dylan-Kwasniewski_NASCAR_Rock_Star_In_The_Making. February 23, 2014. dead.
    8. Dylan Kwasniewski to Race in K&N Pro Series East for Turner Scott Motorsports. Turner Scott Motorsports. January 16, 2013. February 8, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20130226120222/http://www.turnerscottmotorsports.com/news/show/51267-dylan-kwasniewski-to-race-in-nascar-kandn-pro-series-east-for-turner-scott-motorsports/. February 26, 2013.
    9. Web site: Associated Press. NASCAR Next roster announced. ESPN. January 7, 2013. February 28, 2014.
    10. Web site: Christley. Jason. Kwasniewski Captures K&N East Title. NASCAR Home Tracks. October 18, 2013. February 8, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141216121617/http://hometracks.nascar.com/nknsp-east_recap_road-atlanta_101813_dylan-kwasniewski_captures_title. December 16, 2014. dead.
    11. News: Utter. Jim. Dylan Kwasniewski, 18, zooms into Daytona spotlight by winning pole for ARCA season opener. The Charlotte Observer. February 14, 2014. February 14, 2014.
    12. Web site: Associated Press. Kwasniewski into Nationwide Series. ESPN. February 3, 2014. February 9, 2014.
    13. Web site: Dylan Kwasniewski, 18, to run full Nationwide season for Turner Scott. Fox Sports. February 3, 2014. February 9, 2014.
    14. Web site: Caraviello. David. Kwasniewski Aims to Separate Perception, Reality. NASCAR. February 17, 2014. February 18, 2014.
    15. Web site: Jensen. Tom. No raining on this parade: Group qualifying makes big debut. Fox Sports. February 21, 2014. February 21, 2014.
    16. Web site: Cain. Holly. Kwasniewski Signs Development Deal with Ganassi. NASCAR. March 9, 2014. March 10, 2014.
    17. Web site: Kwasniewski to Driver TSM's No. 42 Car at Standalone Nationwide Races; Chase Pistone Behind the Wheel of the No. 31 at Iowa Speedway. Turner Scott Motorsports. May 12, 2014. May 12, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140513062355/http://turnerscottmotorsports.com/StaticPages/news_article/62. May 13, 2014.
    18. News: Anderson. Mark. Kwasniewski joins Xfinity Series racing team, but only part time. Las Vegas Review-Journal. January 7, 2015. March 7, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150110061748/http://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/motor-sports/nascar/kwasniewski-joins-xfinity-series-racing-team-only-part-time. January 10, 2015.
    19. News: Anderson. Mark. Las Vegan Kwasniewski searches for ride in NASCAR Xfinity Series. Las Vegas Review-Journal. March 4, 2015. March 7, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150307151017/http://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/motor-sports/nascar/las-vegan-kwasniewski-searches-ride-nascar-xfinity-series. March 7, 2015.
    20. Web site: Dylan Kwasniewski – 2015 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results. Racing-Reference. July 24, 2017.
    21. News: Brewer. Ray. Teenager Dylan Kwasniewski on his way to racing stardom. Las Vegas Sun. June 1, 2012. February 9, 2014.
    22. Web site: Fryer. Jenna. NASCAR series tracks young Dylan Kwasniewski. Yahoo! Sports. Associated Press. September 18, 2013. February 9, 2014.
    23. Web site: Dylan Kwasniewski – 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series Results. Racing-Reference. July 24, 2017.
    24. Web site: Dylan Kwasniewski – 2015 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results. Racing-Reference. July 24, 2017.
    25. Web site: Dylan Kwasniewski – 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results. Racing-Reference. July 24, 2017.
    26. Web site: Dylan Kwasniewski – 2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results. Racing-Reference. July 24, 2017.
    27. Web site: Dylan Kwasniewski – 2011 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results. Racing-Reference. July 20, 2017.
    28. Web site: Dylan Kwasniewski – 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results. Racing-Reference. July 20, 2017.
    29. Web site: Dylan Kwasniewski – 2013 ARCA Racing Series Results. Racing-Reference. June 27, 2017.
    30. Web site: Dylan Kwasniewski – 2014 ARCA Racing Series Results. Racing-Reference. June 27, 2017.