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You can make a real difference in the lives of these families. Please take a minute to watch the video and contact us on how you can help bring lots of smiles to these families by emailing kim@dylanmartinracing.com

AUBURNDALE | Dylan Martin, a teenage truck racer, aims for the checkered flag every time he takes his black Chevrolet out on the track. And he's no less competitive when it comes to raising money for charity.

When Martin and other drivers gather Saturday for the seventh annual Joey Coulter Charity 200 Race Weekend at Auburndale Speedway, Martin hopes to be holding "the big check." That's a replica check of the checks that will be presented to families who will benefit from the fundraiser.

Oct. 09, 2012 - Florida United Pro Truck Series # 9 race at Citrus County Speedway 11-10-2012 It might have been a cold night at Citrus County Speedway in Inverness but the flames were flying in the pits. The Dylan Martin Race team had worked hard the night before to get the #7 truck handling. It was definitely a top 5 truck. Dylan was excited and said it was feeling smoother on the track than ever before. Qualifying results did not show how good the truck was or how deep Dylan was driving it in. The tires did not heat up as quickly as we needed them too. At race time, Dylan was fired up. He was anxious to show the crowd how quick he could put the Blackwater Integration Chevy in the front. Starting 13th out of 16 trucks was going to be a challenge, but one that Dylan was ready for. After the trucks took the green, the caution flag came out to do a complete restart. The #50 truck stopped quickly causing the #5 truck to slam into his rear bumper, and then the train reaction continued to Dylan, as his #7 ran up under the #5. Dylan and the #5 truck went directly to the pits. The Crew ready for everything replaced Dylan’s radiator in the truck in less than 9 minutes. Dylan pulled the truck up to the back gate ready to get back racing. He sat there for what seemed to be forever, as he watched the trucks go by lap after lap. It wasn’t until lap 26 when the next caution flag dropped, allowing the #7 Blackwater Integration Chevy back on the track. Four more cautions flew that night, one of which turned into a red flag for the track to clean up turn 3 and 4 after the leader blew his motor. The caution flag on lap 34 is when Chad Pierce (the chew chief) radioed to Dylan to pull it in the pits. He could not gain any positions by staying out. So when the checker flag dropped on lap 50, Dylan finished 15th. Dylan may not have won the race but he sure won the hearts of the fans. The trucks did not do an autograph session but that didn’t stop Dylan from going over to the grandstands after his race and having his own. The track announcer, Tony commented on Dylan’s determination on the track but also his appreciation of the fans. Dylan walked up and down the bleachers handing out autographed pictures, coloring books and shaking hands. It is easy to see why he is a fan favorite there. Come see Dylan in the final race of the season at Auburndale Speedway on Dec. 1st!

October 26, 2012 - Dylan attended the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony today at the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village in Davenport. Merlin’s Magic Wand and LEGOLAND teamed up with local businesses to completely remodel and redecorate one of the nine cottages. The cottage has Lego’s everywhere in it. Dylan got a chance to meet Bill Sample, the Founder and President of Sunshine Foundation and Tucker Hauser (pictured above). Tucker is from Scottsville, NY and is the first guest to stay in the Legoland Cottage. Dylan gave him one of the new coloring books. Tucker loved it, especially the page where Dylan is holding a great big 1st place trophy. Tucker spent most of the morning showing everyone how well he can do a wheelie in his wheelchair. They both laughed when Dylan said he tries to keep all 4 of his wheels on the ground. We left there smiling and so impressed with the new Legoland Cottage. For more info go to www.SunshineFoundation.org

Oct. 09, 2012 - #7 Florida United Pro Truck Race on October 13, 2012 It was a windy but warm day when the crew got to the track. After the truck was unloaded and ready to hit the track, the Blackwater crew sat back to see how it was going to do. There were some issues to take care of, which once the guys got them taken care of, Dylan got a little faster each practice session. Chad Pierce the crew chief said, “Dylan seemed comfortable right out of the trailer. We just were not as fast as we wanted to be. The Blackwater crew worked hard on finding speed for Dylan changing the carburetor, engine timing, air pressure with little to show for it.” At 6:15 pm the trucks took to the track to get lined up for qualifying. Dylan was lined up 5th to take the green. Chad feared we would end up like 16th or worse. He said, “Qualifying was all up to Dylan. We didn’t have the truck we wanted to… no fault of Dylan’s. There is no worse feeling as crew chief, as to know you don’t have a top 10 truck and there’s nothing you can do about it.” Dylan ended up qualifying 11th out of 21 trucks. Chad was thrilled, “that was all Dylan”! Dylan was anxious to get ready for the green flag. But one of his favorite things to do at the track besides…go fast, is to meet the fans. So the Pro Trucks pulled up on the front straightaway. Dylan signed some hats and gave away some autographed pictures. He even got a few good luck hugs. Okay, now it was time to strap in and get ready. At 8:45pm, Dylan took the green. Chad was not worried about how fast the truck was, just how long it would last. Desoto is always a rough race, he just wanted to see Dylan make it past halfway without tearing up the truck or using it up. 84x jumped to the lead right off the bat. By lap 9, Dylan was running a strong 10th. On the next lap, a truck spun and Dylan went to go high around it. Unfortunately, so did the #26. Dylan got some right front damage out of it but not enough to put him in the pits. By lap 20, after two more cautions, Dylan was running 8th. He battled with #16 a couple laps, but the truck pushed up and was able to get under him. Lap 28 another caution, Dylan restarts 9th. The #13 truck jumps the restart and double file restart again. Within two laps, Dylan is running hard and in 8th. Lap 33, he is tucked up under the #8x rear bumper and has a great restart. Dylan is driving the wheels off his truck. They can’t pull away from him. Then you hear the crew chief say, “Outside Outside Outside Clear…Oh crap are you ok?” not what you want to hear over the radio. Dylan was trying to make a move and his right rear bumper hooked on the left front of another truck. Chad commented, “ they stayed hooked until just before the wall, then they broke loose. Dylan tried to save it but couldn’t.” After making contact with the outside wall, Dylan slid down the track and was tagged in the left rear of the truck and ended our night. Lap 34, the #8 truck jumped the restart with only 15 trucks still on the track. Two laps later another spin caused by the #8 truck. Lap 36, #2x Gerald Campbell takes the green followed by #13. The trucks run hard with only one more caution before the checker flags drops. #13 truck driven by JR Garcia takes the win with #26 Jessica Murphy (who was later DQ for compression) and #2x, #8x and #8 to finish out the top 5. Chad was impressed with Dylan as he said, ”Unlike most young athletes instead of throwing a temper tantrum after the race, he was all smiles as he got out of the truck, took photos for facebook and helped us get loaded up.” Dylan was disappointed but he acted like a professional. He’s got his mind set on Showtime in 2 weeks. Dylan’s official finish was 15th.