Derek Gluchacki Returns To Kulwicki Driver Development Program

Derek Gluchacki, the runner-up for the 2024 Kulwicki Cup, gets another opportunity this year to claim the prestigious trophy as the only returning finalist in the 2025 Kulwicki Driver Development Program.

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A 23-year-old Dartmouth, Mass., native, Gluchacki is competing full time this season on the American Canadian Tour. The high school graduate will also compete in races at Thompson (Conn.) Speedway, New London-Waterford (Conn.) Speedbowl, and White Mountain Motorsports Park in Woodstock, N.H.

Last year, Gluchacki won the North East Classic for the third consecutive year. He later produced four straight victories, one of which was the ACT Tour Oxford Plains 125. Gluchacki also won the Full Fender Throwdown at New London-Waterford Speedbowl in his event debut.

Off the track, Gluchacki works with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. He said his work in the AFSP booth at the race tracks provided him with a “powerful experience” because people talked with him about their mental health struggles or the loss of a loved one to suicide. He said he was “truly humbled” by the number of people willing to share their stories.

This year, as a KDDP finalist, Gluchacki will compete against four other drivers from across the United States to determine the 2025 Kulwicki Cup winner. In addition to on-track performance, the five finalists will be judged on off-track civic participation, program promotion, fan interaction, and stewardship of Alan Kulwicki’s story.

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 is required to compete in a minimum of 14 races.

KDDP: Created in 2014 by Alan Kulwicki’s family to perpetuate the NASCAR Hall of Fame member and 1992 NASCAR Cup champion’s legacy, the Kulwicki Driver Development Program has had 46 drivers from 17 states and two Canadian provinces compete in the North American initiative. Even though the program was suspended in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic, it still has awarded $979,902 in stipends and championship awards. Overall, the nine classes have competed in 1,438 races, produced 230 victories, and 719 top-five and 1,018 top-10 finishes. Ty Majeski, the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, was the program’s inaugural winner.

-Kulwicki Driver Development Program Release
-Photo credit: Will Bellamy