Author: rboost

You forget quickly that you are in a Children’s Hospital. The kids are always smiling and the nurses are full of cheer. It is such an incredible site to watch Dylan sit right down and start entertaining the kids. They too quickly forget their surroundings and just have fun. The kids had a cool craft to put together. It was a racecar with the number 7 on it, how appropriate. Then after that they all colored some of Dylan’s Coloring sheets. James colored in his racecar with green, being it is his favorite color. Madix thought it was really neat that he is 10 years old and that was the age that Dylan started racing Quarter Midgets.

“It’s always great to have Dylan visit with us at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital. Whether it’s participating in arts and crafts or just talking with patients and their families, Dylan brings smiles and encouragement to those he visits with. Thank you for your visit on Monday. I know the patients that we’re able to come down had a lot of fun visiting with Dylan,” Kendal (Certified Child Life Specialist)

(Photo/Press Release Credit – Kim Scheffler)

The Raiders took the field strong this past Saturday night coming off their first loss the weekend before. The scoreboard kept showing the home team scoring more and more. But the 3rd quarter changed the ball game when the Attack took the lead. Coach Mink was able to get his boys to score on the final drive to take the lead back late in the 4th quarter. The visiting team was not giving up though as they were able to score.

Head Coach Michael Mink had this to say, “Saturday night was another intense home game that still has me in a daze. The important thing was having all the young people there cheering us on and believing in Marine Raiders Football. It was such an honor to award Dylan Martin at half time as it has been such a pleasure to continue to see this young man grow into such a fine person that it continues to motivate me to work even harder to impact our community.” Dylan was awarded a certificate by Coach Mink during the half time show, for “Outstanding Youth in the Community”. Dylan is a champion on the race track but he continues to prove that he is a strong positive force in this community too. The Marine Raiders are on the road this weekend. They take on the Savannah Steam on May 3rd. Everyone here at DMR wish them luck. Go Raiders!

( Photo’s / Press Release Credit – Kim Scheffler)

The Bone Yard welcomed the Outlawz from Alabama this past Saturday night. The guest of honor during the halftime show was non-other than your very own Lakeland racecar driver, Dylan Martin. The Lakeland Civic Center roared with excitement and wonder as the black #7 drove onto the artificial turf. Dylan and his Pro Truck took a lap around the infield as some of his crew members tossed out t-shirts, bracelets and hero cards to the cheering fans.

The game started out going in the right direction. But once the Outlawz took the lead from the hometown team, the Raiders couldn’t get it back until late in the 4th quarter. They had an opportunity right at the end to clinch the win but just couldn’t get it done. A touchdown on a kick return set the fate for the Raiders. They lost 38-44.

Head Coach Michael Mink wasn’t pleased with the outcome of the game but he had this to say, “It is always a pleasure to be around Dylan as he is a hometown hero. The Florida Marine Raiders are always proud to have him as a guest. Win or lose on the field or race track teaming with Dylan Martin Racing and their community efforts we are all winners.” The Marine Raiders are at home again this weekend against the St. Louis Attack at 7 pm.

(Photo / Press Release Credit – Kim Scheffler)

Don’t forget to get your Soda Tabs in to us by April 30th, 2014

The person to send in the most by weight wins an 8x10 Autographed picture of Dylan and the Late Model.

Send them to:

2940 Drane Field Rd.
Lakeland, FL 33811

Dylan Martin hasn’t been behind the wheel of a full bodied race vehicle but for a few years. You would have never thought that the 16 year old in the seat of the #7 Chad Pierce Motorsports-Blackwater Chevy this past Saturday night was a rookie. Competing against seasoned veterans he left the track that night with some new found respect from the spectators along with the drivers. When Dylan Martin drove onto pit road at 6pm for qualifying, he knew he would have to pick up some speed to qualify in the top 10. That was the goal set by his crew chief and owner of the #7 Pro Late Model, Chad Pierce. Dylan was running some good consistent times in practice. With his line improving every lap, he would have to push himself though to make the top 10. As Dylan got closer and closer to the end of pit row to take his turn to qualify, his breathing got faster and his hands gripped the steering wheel even harder. The crew had done everything they could to give this rookie a good fast racecar. Now it was Dylan’s chance to show them and everyone else, he deserved to be there. As he closed his eyes, took one more deep breath, he let the clutch out and gave it everything he could for two solid laps. The black #7 rolled through the corners snug to the track. It got a bit loose coming out of 4 but Dylan picked up over a half a second to qualify 9th with a 18.275 second lap. He was only 3 tenths off pole. Not bad for a rookie.

Chad and his crew made some adjustments and by 9pm it was race time. Now remember Dylan just two days prior sat in this racecar for the first time ever. He was debuting his new ride at one of the fastest ½ mile tracks in the Southeast. As the pace car pulled off the track, Chad (Dylan’s spotter) radioed to him, “You got this kid, let’s show them what you can do”. Lap 1 and the caution had already come out for #59, who spun in turn 1. Dylan had a good start and was lined back up for the restart in 9th. For the next 9 laps the field went single file which gave Dylan a chance to get comfortable and get his line down. There was only a car length between him and the #18 when the second caution flag dropped. #66 got spun and collected the #11, in return the #39 was sent to the rear for causing it.

Lap 9, Dylan restarted 6th and when the green flag waved it didn’t take Dylan but a lap to pass the #18 on the inside. He then spent the next few laps trying to run down the #81. His lap times were picking up every lap. He had pulled within less than two car lengths behind the #81 when the next caution came out. The #28 had wrecked in turn 1 with another car. Lap 17, Dylan’s #7 was right in front of veteran driver David Rogers #11. The #11 was able to drive under Dylan on the restart along with the #18. He was running in 7th place now. The field ran green for six laps, then another caution. The #4 spun in turn 4 and with quick eye and hand reflexes Dylan was able to avoid hitting him. Dylan is not a veteran in this class but he is when it comes to missing wrecks.

Dylan finds himself restarting in 6th. He gets a great run and is able to get a position as the next caution waves for #81 and #4. They wreck hard in turn 3 and 4. Dylan is able to take advantage of this as he restarts in 4th place. Dylan gets a great run on the outside to take 3rd place from the veteran in #11. But #11 doesn’t give in easy as he gets to the inside of Dylan on the next turn. They are running side by side, veteran and rookie door to door for a lap. The #11 pulls in front of Dylan, who is now running in 4th. Dylan’s car has gotten loose and the #39 is able to pass Dylan on the inside.

In 5th spot, Dylan runs some hard laps. This long green flag run gives Dylan some time to find his line again and run smooth. On lap 41, #22 catches up to Dylan. It takes him four laps to get up along side of the #7. As they come out of turn 4 these two cars are side by side. When they go down into turn 1 contact was made that shot Dylan into the outside wall in turn 1. It was a hard hit to the driver door side. Within seconds though Dylan said he was okay to the crew chief. But on the other hand the car wasn’t, the impact to the wall was bad enough that it took two wreckers to cradle Dylan’s mean machine off.

As the field gets the green on lap 46, there was still going to be some action on the track. Two more cautions, #39 black flagged and a couple more cars wrecked. The checkered flag was given to #22. Dylan ended up with a DNF but was able to salvage an 8th place finish. Dylan was upset and frustrated with the wreck but he definitely gained some fans and some respect. Dylan thanks all his fans, friends and family for coming out and cheering for him in this new adventure. He would not have been able to have taken even the first lap if it wasn’t for his parents never ending support and his sponsors.

Dylan will be back behind the wheel of the #7 Chad Pierce Motorsports-Blackwater Chevy on April 26th at Auburndale Speedway in the FUPS Super Late Model Race.

(Photo’s – Jim Jones Photography & Kim Scheffler / Press Release Credit – Kim Scheffler)

The lights dimmed, the smoke rolled and the crowd cheered as the Florida Marine Raiders ran out onto the field for their opening game. In a new league (X-League) with new rules and some new players, the night was guaranteed to be interesting. With their star player and last years MVP back, Kendrick Stewart brought the team out ready and stocked for a win. Dylan was excited to be there to watch the Raiders get their first victory of the season.

It wasn’t surprising to the crowd that their local Lakeland High School grads, Chris Griffin (Quarterback) and Kendrick Stewart (Defense line) took the steam right out of the team from Pennsylvania. To watch the Raiders rally together and show the team spirit they do, it is nothing but pure poetry.

Dylan, Lakeland’s own 16 year old racecar driver, was there promoting his entry in the PEAK Stock Car Dream Challenge. He got a chance to greet the football fans as they walked in and sign some autographs. Dylan is a huge supporter of the Raiders and is excited to partner with them on doing things with kids in the community.

The next home game for the Raiders is April 19th

(Photo’s / Press Release Credit – Kim Scheffler)

https://www.facebook.com/K1RaceGear

Erica Riggins, Bay News 9 Anchor was there to greet all the winners and their friends and family that came to the luncheon. This was the 10th year for Bay News 9 to give out this award and Outback Steakhouse has sponsored it every year. Every Monday Bill Murphy profiles a local person who is making a difference in the Bay area and beyond on “Everyday Heroes”. As you know the Bay area they cover is over 6 counties. It is a great honor that Dylan Martin, our local 16 year old racecar driver from Lakeland was one of the winners.

Dylan has raised over $10,000 in the past two years to give to the kids of C.A.R.S. Racing for a Cause. He has visited hundreds of children at the Shriners and St. Joseph’s Children Hospital where he helps them smile and to forget where they are at if for just a moment. Dylan talks to kids of all ages about the importance of wearing their seat belts, helmets and staying in school at community events and school functions. He is a very active advocate for helping numerous charities. He takes the time to walk through the grandstands to shake hands and hand out coloring sheets to the fans. Dylan Martin is not a super hero. He doesn’t wear a cap and a mask, but with his firesuit, a caring heart and a giving spirit he is making a difference.

Congratulations again Dylan Martin for being our Hero!

( Photo/Press Release Credit – Kim Scheffler)

Dylan is scheduled for an appearance from 4 PM EST to 9 PM EST on Friday and 5 PM EST to 11 PM EST on Saturday.

See how here

What do 8 pounds of tabs add up to…that is easy, tons and tons of smiles for the children at the Shriners Hospital. Dylan is on another mission for his friends at the hospital. He has been collecting the tabs off of soda cans. They were delighted to see the 8 pounds of tabs that he brought with him. The hospital is able to turn them in for equipment for the kids. Every time Dylan visits the children here it is a unique experience. This time was no different. When Dylan entered the first waiting area for the kids he ran into a beautiful lab that was there to cheer up the kids. It is always nice to see others there helping the children to forget where they are and just enjoy a moment.

As Dylan walked from room to room, he introduced himself to children that weren’t even from this country. It doesn’t matter that they don’t speak English because through his smile and racing suit, Dylan is always able to connect with them. He has this incredible caring atmosphere around him that without words the kids feel that he is there because he cares. So after handshakes, photo ops and even a few high fives, Dylan walks out the front lobby knowing that even if it was for just a brief moment, the kids he saw today thought about something other than being in a hospital.

If you ever need to smile, take a minute and go take a tour through the Shriners Hospital. No matter if it is a nurse, doctor, volunteer or a patient, everyone is always smiling. This place cures a lot of kids but most importantly it brings smiles!

(Photo/Press Release Credit – Kim Scheffler)

Do you see this smile? Well that right there is why Dylan races. Don’t get me wrong he loves to go fast, rub fenders and swap paint at high speeds but if you were to ask him what is most important to him, he would say, “to make the kids smile”. Last fall, Dylan invited little Madison to come watch him race at Citrus. This is where she unveiled his new logo on the hood of his Pro-Truck. Madison is battling leukemia and was one of three kids that the C.A.R.S. Racing for a Cause helped last year. The photographer from Citrus, Jim Crawford put this wonderful collage of pictures together for Madison. Dylan had all the drivers from the Charity Truck Race sign it for her to add a personal touch to it.

Now onto the race…Dylan Martin in his #7 Joey Coulter’s Fellows Truck Brokers Florida Pro-Truck Series truck was glad to see the skies cleared up enough to race. The truck was a bit loose during practices and the skeleton crew was able to get it good for qualifying. Dylan qualified 2nd with a 14.968 second lap. Due to the low truck count they inverted the entire field. Dylan started 4th in the 35 lap feature race.

At 8:02pm, with heavy dew settling in, the Pro-Trucks took the green. Dylan was able to run a good hard line on the outside not giving up anything for 2 laps until the caution flag dropped. Dylan restarted 3rd. The race went green flag from then on until the checker dropped on lap 35. Dylan’s truck ended up being a hand full. He was loose, like white knuckle kinda’ loose. He tried to make a move on the 2nd place truck but just couldn’t get the truck to stick. So it was a top 3 finish for the #7 of Dylan Martin. It wasn’t a win for Dylan but you wouldn’t have been able to tell that from the grin on his face when he took little Madison’s hand for a picture in victory circle. In her eyes, her hero Dylan had won!

Now for most racers, the night would be over but not for the 16 year old out of Lakeland, Florida. He always makes sure that the fans know how much he appreciates them coming out and supporting local Saturday Night racing. Dylan then went over to the grand stands and walked up and down throughout them. He shook hands and gave out hero cards. He even stopped and posed for a couple pictures. The congratulations he received from the young fans to the veterans of racing, is what he carries into his next time on the track.

The grand stands are emptied and the track is quiet but Dylan had one more thing to do before he loaded up his Pro-Truck. He had to present little Miss Madison with her collage of pictures but more important, he wanted her to have his trophy. She hugged that trophy like it was from the world famous Daytona 500. Ask me what a true champion is, that is simple, he is a young man making a difference in this community by using his racing career to do it…Dylan Martin.

A special thanks to K1 RaceGear for helping Dylan out with a new fire suit this season. For all your racing gear go to https://www.facebook.com/K1RaceGear

(Photo/Press Release Credit – Kim Scheffler)