Officials of the Kulwicki Driver Development Program (KDDP) announced today the seven drivers who will represent the organization during the 2024 racing season. These promising grass roots racers will be helping keep the memory and legacy of 1992 NASCAR Cup Champion and Hall of Famer Alan Kulwicki alive, while also competing for the rich and prestigious annual Kulwicki Cup Championship.
The drivers range in age from 15 to 26 years and represent seven different states.
The seven finalists, in alphabetical order with hometown, background and social media information are:
Chase Burda: Lapeer, Michigan -- 19 (12/30/04) -- 2023 JEGS/CRA Series Champion -- Winner of the Master of the Pros Series Race at Owosso Speedway -- Running several special Pro and Super Late Model Races throughout 2024 including Money in the Bank and Battle at Berlin at Berlin Raceway -- also plans to run the Winchester 400 and the All American 400 at Nashville Fairgrounds among other races. Social Media
Ty Fredrickson: Webster, Minnesota -- 15 (3/16/09) -- Son of Dan Fredrickson; scored his first podium in his first ASA Midwest Tour Start at Oktoberfest in 2023. Started his 2024 season at Speedweeks in New Smyrna -- He will be running the entire ASA Midwest Tour Schedule in 2024, aiming for Rookie of the Year honors and will also be competing in many SLM races in the Upper Midwest. Social Media
Derek Gluchacki: Dartmouth, Massachusetts -- 22 (10/23/01) -- 2023 KDDP Semifinalist -- Two-time defending Northeast Classic Winner at New Hampshire for the American Canadian Tour -- Won two Races on the ACT Tour last year -- Plans to run the entire 2024 ACT Tour -- Also plans to go for the Late Model Championship at Thompson Speedway and compete in the Walls Ford Championship at White Mountain Motorsports Park in a four-race series. Social Media
Evan Goetz: Okanogan, Washington -- 16 (9/19/07) -- Became the youngest winner ever in the Fall Classic at Tri-City Raceway in 2023 -- Running the Full Northwest Super Late Model Tour as well as selected big Pro Late Model Races across the Pacific Northwest. Social Media
Max Kahler: Caledonia, Illinois -- 20 (4/9/03) -- 2021 KDDP Finalist -- 2020 National Short Track Champion -- 2023 UMA Super Late Model Champion -- Running the full ASA Midwest Tour schedule and the Alive for Five Series races at Dells Raceway -- Plans to run the Slinger Nationals and also select Tundra Series Races. Social Media
Levon Van Der Geest: Merrill, Wisconsin – 19 (4/17/04) --Youngest winner ever at Milwaukee Mile (Midwest Trucks at 15) – 2023 KDDP Finalist made successful transition from trucks to SLM -- Competing in a Super Late Model on the ASA Midwest Tour, Golden Sands & Dells Raceway (Alive for 5 Series) along with the Slinger Nationals – Engineering student at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Social Media
Brandon Varney: Auburn, Maine - 26 (7/27/97) -- Won in his second-ever career Super Late Model start at Oxford Plains Speedway – Small family-run team competing in the Oxford Weekly Series in a Super Late Model – Also running select PASS Races, including the Oxford 250. Social Media
“It’s a very interesting and intriguing lineup of drivers, especially when you consider their experience, the divisions they’ll compete in and where they will race this season,” KDDP Executive Director Tom Roberts said. “It’s the largest variance in age for a class of drivers (nine years) and it’s the first time in program history that the seven drivers hail from seven different states.
“It will be so exciting to see these promising competitors carrying Alan’s colors from coast to coast in 2024,” Roberts said. “All of these racers have lofty goals for the year and we’re looking forward to witnessing what they can accomplish both on and off the track.
