Kulwicki Driver Development Program Announces Semifinalists

CONCORD, North Carolina (February 20, 2025) – Thirteen semifinalists from 11 states ranging from coast-to-coast have been selected from the 46 young short-track drivers who applied to this year’s Kulwicki Driver Development Program.

       Under a restructured program, five drivers will be selected from the 13 semifinalists to participate in the season-long competition for the 2025 Kulwicki Cup. The drivers will be judged on race results, off-track civic participation, program promotion, fan interaction, and stewardship of Alan Kulwicki’s story.

       The 13 semifinalists are from the states of Vermont, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Washington, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota and compete in various series, including ACT, the CARS Tour, ASA Stars and UARA. They range in age from 17 to 25 with the average age being 19.8.

       “Now that we have selected our semifinalists, our next step is one-on-one interviews to pick our five finalists,” Paul Andrews, voting advisory committee chairman and board member, said. “Our voting panel has a tough job choosing this group since they possess various championships, race wins, different personalities, and legendary racing families.”

       In the only driver development program that pays its participants, each driver will receive $7,000 in monies, goods and services. During the season, the drivers will receive training sessions that focus on fitness, interviews, media presentation and social media so they will be better prepared to take their careers to the next level. Throughout the season, the five finalists will compete against each other for $30,000 in monies, goods and services to be divided among the top three finishers at the end of the season. Each driver selected for the program is required to compete in a minimum of 14 races.

       The 13 semifinalists are listed below in alphabetical order.

Kasey Beattie

St Johnsbury, Vermont -- 20 (5/13/04) 2024 ACT Tour Rookie of the Year -- Won first career ACT Tour Race at Seekonk -- 2023 White Mountain Motorsports Park Late Model Champion -- Plans to run the Full ACT Tour in 2025 along with Races at White Mountain and Thunder Road -- Facebook: Beattie Motorsports.

Kade Brown

Fulshear, Texas -- 18 (5/30/06) 2023 South Carolina 400 Winner -- Track Champion at Florence Motor Speedway and Hickory Motor Speedway in 2022 -- Plans to run the full CARS Tour Late Model Stock Schedule -- The Virginia Triple Crown races and the South Carolina 400 at Florence – X (Twitter): @kadebrownracing -- Instagram: @kadebrownracing-- Facebook-- Kade Brown Racing.

Seth Christensen

Pendergrass, Georgia -- 17 (11/5/07) -- 2023 Alabama 200 winner -- Finished Top 5 in his first Super Late Model start -- Plans to run select Pro and Late Model Races at multiple tracks across the Southeast and possibly at Berlin Raceway in 2025-- X (Twitter): @seth_racing -- Instagram: @sethracing_--Facebook: Seth Christensen.

T.J. Decaire

Land O’Lakes, Florida -- 18 (10/14/06) 2024 KDDP Semifinalist. Was involved in NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program in 2024 (Rev Racing) -- He will run for his race team and Walker Motorsports in several series, including CARS Tour Pro Late Models, Select SLM Races (ASA Stars, UARA), and the Snowball Derby – X (Twitter): @tjdecaireracing-- Instagram: @tjdecaireracing.

Noah Eisenhower

Freeport, Illinois -- 19 (6/17/05) -- 2021 Dells Raceway Park Rookie of the Year -- 2018 INEX Illinois State Champion -- Plans to run the All-Star Challenge and other Pro Late Model Races in 2025 -- Instagram: @nderacing--Facebook: NDE Racing.

Jan Evans

East Wenatchee, Washington -- 24 (12/4/00) -- Winner of the Leonard Evans 150 in 2024 -- son of Garrett Evans and grandson of Leonard Evans -- Plans to compete in the Northwest Super Late Model Tour, CARS Tour West, and the Tristate Challenge Pro Late Model Series in 2025 – X (Twitter) and Instagram-- @janevansracing.

Kaiden Fisher

Shelburne, Vermont -- 17 (9/26/07) -- 2024 Late Model Track Champion at Thunder Road, Youngest Track Champion in the Late Model Division. Has won the championship in every division at Thunder Road. Plans to run at Thunder Road, the ACT Tour, Walls Plantum Series, and PASS Series Races in 2025 --Instagram: @kaidenfisher_racing--Facebook: Kaiden Fisher Racing.

Derek Gluchacki

Dartmouth, Massachusetts -- 23 (10/23/01) 2024 KDDP Runner-Up. Has won the last three Northeast Classic Races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. 2024 Oxford 125 winner. Winner of seven races in 2024. Plans to run for the full ACT Tour championship in 2025, along with select races at Thompson, White Mountain, and Waterford Speedbowl -- X (Twitter): @derekgluchacki-- Instagram: @derekgluchackiracing-- Facebook: Derek Gluchacki Racing.

Taylor Hoar

South Lake, Vermont -- 22 (7/6/02) 2024 KDDP Semifinalist. Plans to run the full weekly season at Thunder Road Speedbowl along with the Walls Platinum Late Model Series at White Mountain and select ACT Tour races in the Northeast – Instagram -- @taylorhoarracing – X (Twitter) -- @taylorhoar48-- Facebook-- Taylor Hoar Racing.

Landon S. Huffman

Connelly Springs, North Carolina -- 18 (11/12/06) – Three-time winner at Hickory Motor Speedway in 2024 in the NASCAR Weekly Series races -- Son of ARCA Championship winning crew chief Shane Huffman -- Plans to run the full CARS Tour season and other crown jewel Late Model Stock races in 2025 -- X (Twitter): @landonshuffman -- Instagram: @landonshuffmanracing -- Facebook: Landon S Huffman Racing.

Kody King

Clear Lake, Iowa -- 17 (5/14/07) -- 2024 KDDP Semifinalist. 2022 Hawkeye Downs Pro Late Model champion. Will run for Rookie of the Year in the ASA Midwest Tour for Pathfinder Chassis along with the Tundra Series and The Alive for Five Series at Dells Raceway in 2025-- Instagram: @kodykingmotorsports--Facebook: Kody King Motorsports.

Bryce Miller

Columbus, Wisconsin -- 25 (9/23/99) 2023 Late Model Champion at Hawkeye Downs Speedway. Plans to run the Full ASA Midwest Tour, the full Alive For 5 Series at Dells Raceway, and other events to be announced soon. X (Twitter): millerbryce1133 – Instagram -- @brycemiller11 -- Facebook: Bryce Miller Motorsports.

Tristan Swanson

New Market, Minnesota -- 20 (5/19/04) Won the 2019 Legend Championship at Dells Raceway, 2021 Midwest Truck Series Rookie of the Year, 2024 Tundra North American Cup winner. Plans to go for the full Alive For 5 Championship at Dells Raceway, the Short Track Championship at Dells Raceway, and select ASA Midwest Tour races in 2025 -- X (Twitter): @tswanson_91 -- Instagram: @tristan_swanson_motorsports -- Facebook: Tristan Swanson Motorsports