Hunter Deshautelle Bio
Hunter Deshautelle (born February 14, 1998) is an American professional stock car racing driver from Alexandria, Louisiana. He is best known for competing part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, where he has driven the No. 57 Chevrolet for Brother-In-Law Racing. A late model and short-track racer, Deshautelle represents a growing wave of Louisiana talent climbing the NASCAR development ladder.
Early Life and Background
Hunter Deshautelle was born on February 14, 1998, in Alexandria, Louisiana. Growing up in the heart of Louisiana, he was introduced to motorsports through the region’s deep short-track culture, where local asphalt ovals and grassroots competition serve as a proving ground for young drivers. Alexandria’s racing community has long produced skilled oval racers, and Deshautelle’s path reflects that tradition of hands-on learning at community tracks.
From an early age, Deshautelle focused on stock car racing rather than open-wheel formulas, a choice that aligned his career with the NASCAR development pipeline. He honed his craft at regional short tracks, where drivers must master patience, race craft, and consistency over long green-flag runs. That foundation in short-track racing helped shape his comfort with the heavier, more durable stock cars used at the ARCA national level.
Path to NASCAR
Before reaching the ARCA Menards Series, Deshautelle built his résumé in local and regional late model competition, including appearances in the Paramount Kia Big 10 Challenge at Hickory Motor Speedway in Newton, North Carolina. The Big 10 Challenge is a respected late model exhibition that attracts a deep field of talented up-and-coming drivers, giving competitors valuable seat time against future NASCAR prospects. His participation in events like the Big 10 helped him sharpen the race craft required for the next step up the ladder.
Deshautelle’s official national touring career began in 2023, when he joined Brother-In-Law Racing for pre-season testing at Daytona International Speedway. Team owner Bryan Dauzat’s operation offered him a full ARCA Menards Series schedule that season, pairing a young Louisiana driver with an established Chevrolet program. That opportunity marked his transition from regional late model racing to the national stock car stage.
Hunter Deshautelle Career
Early Career (2023)
Deshautelle made his ARCA Menards Series debut in 2023 with Brother-In-Law Racing, a team owned by fellow Louisiana racer Bryan Dauzat. He opened the season by participating in the Daytona test sessions, finishing 31st in the Friday run and 24th in the Saturday run as he learned the demands of superspeedway racing. That preparation set the stage for his first official series start later that same week.
At the season-opening Brandt 200 at Daytona, Deshautelle rolled off 22nd in the No. 57 Chevrolet, qualifying five spots ahead of his team owner. However, his race ended after only three laps due to radiator failure, leaving him with a 39th-place finish. The early exit was a tough introduction to ARCA racing, but it gave him valuable experience at one of the sport’s most demanding tracks.
ARCA Menards Series (2023–2024)
Deshautelle returned to the ARCA Menards Series at Talladega Superspeedway, again driving the No. 57 for Brother-In-Law Racing. After starting 25th under a lineup determined by the previous year’s owner standings, his race ended on lap 23 when Jason Kitzmiller’s transmission locked up on a restart, triggering a multi-car crash that collected Deshautelle. He was credited with a 29th-place finish in the incident.
Heading into 2024, Deshautelle rejoined the team for Daytona pre-practice, continuing to develop his superspeedway program. His ARCA career remains centered on gaining seat time and learning the nuances of drafting, pack racing, and tire management at the highest plate-track level. While his results have been limited by mechanical issues and superspeedway crashes, each start adds experience for the young Louisiana driver.
Hunter Deshautelle Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hunter Deshautelle’s most notable racing connection is through Bryan Dauzat, owner of Brother-In-Law Racing, the Chevrolet team that fields the No. 57 in the ARCA Menards Series. Dauzat is also an active racer and has competed alongside Deshautelle in the same equipment. The team name itself reflects the family-oriented nature of the operation, which has been a launching point for several Louisiana drivers pursuing national-level stock car careers.
2025 Season Performance
As of 2025, Deshautelle’s most recently confirmed activity is participation in the 2024 Daytona ARCA pre-practice sessions with Brother-In-Law Racing. No full-season 2025 schedule has been confirmed, and his current status on the team’s entry list remains unclear heading into the new year. Given the team’s continued focus on plate-track events, any 2025 plans would likely center on superspeedway races at Daytona and Talladega.