Every time I see a young upstart driver — especially a teenager — win a big race I just shake my head. It no longer surprises me, however, to hear that teens are winning big in Dirt Late Model racing.

Delaware’s Austin Hubbard, who drives Dale Beitler’s familiar No. 19 Reliable Painting car, is perhaps one of the most notable teen sensations. He made headlines last season by winning his first World of Outlaws feature and then acting like, well, a teenager during his postrace celebration.

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I’ve always been one to make schedules. I like to plan ahead and I try to be prepared. By mid-January, I’m usually combing the Internet, searching racetracks’ websites, message boards and news sites like DirtonDirt.com to find out where and when the special events will be held.

We don’t run a ton of special events, but I still like to make out a schedule in advance. I jot down when touring series are coming through our area, when select tracks are hosting miniseries and when our local MORE