Name: Austin Fullerton

Age:16

Home Town: Chelsea, Oklahoma

Nickname: Grasshopper

Car: #20 Pro Late Model

Team: Grasshopper Racing

Crew Chief: Roy Sumter (Papa)

Pit Crew: Family

Austin “Grasshopper” Fullerton is well known around the tracks where he began his driving career with Can-Am Kart series at the age of 11.  By the time he finished his first season, he had 5 wins and placed 2nd for end of year points in 2007. Austin moved on to Ford Fusion Minicup in 2008 racing in Regional's and chasing points on National level. His list of wins has grown to include impressive finishes at a local track as 2008 Minicup Champion and "Rookie of the Year". He also took 2008 Minicup Champion and "Rookie of the Year" for Regional's and fourth place finish with MMRA Nationals. In 2009 he took away the honors for Jr. Pro Baby Grand National Champion and “Rookie of the Year” for MMRA and 2009 Jr. Pro Baby Grand Regional Champion. Austin in 2010 stayed in the top five for a second place finish for Regional's and fourth place finish for MMRA Nationals in the Pro Baby Grand division. 2011 Austin wins Lebanon I-44 Speedway, Missouri "Rookie of the Year" award  in Pro Late Model.

2011 was a pivotal year in Austin's racing career.  It is the season when he became "Rookie of the Year" in his first Pro Late Model car in some of the toughest forms of asphalt short track racing. Late model racecar's are the highest class of local stock car racing vehicles at many race tracks in the United States and North America. Some regional and lower national-level series race in late models. Varieties of late models (ranked from highest vehicle performance to lowest) include Super Late Models Pro Late Models, and Limited Late Models. Some series require crate motors to be utilized by racecar's under their sanction. Vehicles raced on dirt are significantly different from vehicles raced on asphalt. Asphalt late model racing is an extremely common stepping stone for drivers who race in regional and national touring series including NASCAR. Racers of both dirt and asphalt Late Models have won the national championship of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Almost every NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver raced in the class while progressing their career, and many crew chiefs have also developed through this level. Many often run in Late Model classes during off-weeks or special races. Austin is a member of American Speed Association (ASA) is a sanctioning body of motorsports in the United States formed in 1968.

But what is most refreshing about Austin from Chelsea, Oklahoma is his dedication and focus. A hard worker, who's honor student and on the academic bowl team since 5th grade, he also plays football. Austin has always made it a priority to know his vehicle inside and out, he attributes much of his success to his ability to communicate effectively with his crew chief Roy Sumter (Papa). He sees himself as part of a team and competes to win, not just for himself, but for his Papa and his family. While he dreams of someday driving in NASCAR races, he knows his goal cannot be achieved without hard work and dedication in his daily life both on and off the track.  Family is important to Austin, when he isn’t racing, he enjoys spending time with his family, 4-wheeling, watching NASCAR and attends his sister's school sports and her softball games.

Austin is hoping for another successful and safe year in 2012. He owes all of his thanks to his (Papa) Roy Sumter, for getting him started in this sport.

2007 Can-Am

2008 Minicup

2009 Jr. Pro Baby Grand

2010 Pro Baby Grand

2011 Pro Late Model Camaro

2011 Pro Late Model Mustang

All About Driver #20

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