TY FREDRICKSON CLAIMS 2024 KULWICKI CUP CHAMPIONSHIP

-Second-Generation Racer Becomes Youngest Titlist in Kulwicki Program History-

CONCORD, N.C. (November 19, 2024) – Ty Fredrickson, a 15-year-old rising racing star from

Webster, Minnesota, has claimed the 2024 Kulwicki Driver Development Program “Kulwicki Cup Championship.” The second-generation racer becomes the youngest titlist in program history.

Just as it has on numerous occasions during the 10-year history of the program honoring NASCAR Champion and Hall of Famer Alan Kulwicki, winning races became a paramount component that the KDDP voting panel considered during its final balloting.

“Ty Fredrickson was simply sensational during his first complete season racing Super Late Models,” said KDDP Executive Director Tom Roberts. “In 36 races carrying Alan’s colors, he scored 10 wins, 23 top-five finishes and 29 top-10s. Along the way, Ty picked up the 2024 TUNDRA Super Late Model Series Championship and won this year’s ASA Midwest Tour Rookie of the Year Award.

“In addition to his stellar accomplishments on the race track, Ty was extremely impressive in his community service undertakings and social media activities,” Roberts said. “After much deliberation, our seven-member voting panel submitted their final ballots and the numbers reflected overwhelming support for Ty.”

At the end of the 2024 KDDP Kulwicki Cup competition (through 10/31/24), here are the final point standings:

            1st      -           Ty Fredrickson                -                     1,043

            2nd     -           Derek Gluchacki             -                        917

            3rd      -           Levon Van Der Geest    -                        913

            4th      -           Evan Goetz                      -                        633

            5th      -           Max Kahler                      -                        618

            6th      -           Chase Burda                  -                       396

            7th      -           Brandon Varney             -                        217

The battle for this year’s runner-up spot was as tight as possible, with Dartmouth, Massachusetts, driver Derek Gluchacki topping Merrill, Wisconsin’s Levon Van Der Geest by a mere four-point advantage.

“During many other seasons, it could have very well been Derek and Levon battling each other for the top spot at the end as they were that impressive,” said Roberts. “They both checked all the boxes necessary to advance to title consideration. Levon provided a true blueprint of how to handle the off-track components of the KDDP competition, while Derek came through at the end by racing all he could during the final month and displaying such a great balance in all the aspects the voters considered.”

Finishing behind Fredrickson, Gluchacki and Van Der Geest, in order, were Evan Goetz, Max Kahler, Chase Burda and Brandon Varney.

“Evan won big races this season and claimed the Stateline (Idaho) Speedway Pro Late Model track championship,” Roberts said. “Max overcame adversity this season to come through with an impressive ASA Midwest Tour victory, his first in that ultra-competitive series. Chase is officially your 2024 ASA CRA Super Series Champion. Brandon was a winner in his first full season in the Super Late Models.

“All seven of our finalists this season did a great job representing Alan and our KDDP on and off the track. Their community service contributions were spectacular and we plan on highlighting all of their achievements during our awards banquet next month.”

The 2024 KDDP team of drivers achieved several historical marks in the organization’s record book. It was only the second season that all seven drivers won races (also occurred in 2023). This season marked only the second time that all the drivers competed in at least 15 races (also in 2017). 2024 was the lone season that ALL drivers won at least one race AND competed in at least 15 races.

Overall, the 2024 team accounted for 25 wins, 79 top-five finishes and 126 top-10s in 178 total races. Here is the on-track performance (competition points) breakdown:

* * *

COMPETITION POINTS TABULATED FROM DRIVER’S BEST 15 FINISHES (10/31/24):

1.         Ty Fredrickson – 130

10 wins, 23 top 5s, 29 top 10s

36 races

2.         Derek Gluchacki – 112

7 wins, 12 top 5s, 20 top 10s

26 races

3.         Evan Goetz – 89

3 wins, 14 top 5s, 19 top 10s

24 races

4.         Levon Van Der Geest – 86

1 win, 11 top 5s, 21 top 10s

29 races

5.         Max Kahler – 86

2 wins, 10 top 5s, 14 top 10s

18 races

6.         Chase Burda – 78

1 win, 7 top 5s, 15 top 10s

23 races

7.         Branden Varney – 53

1 win, 2 top 5s, 8 top 10s

22 races

* * *

“This was the most talented and competitive team of drivers overall in our program’s history and the statistics certainly back up that statement,” Roberts said. “We think they have set the bar for all of our future classes to shoot for.

“In addition to all of our 2024 drivers, our KDDP board and voting panel members did such a tremendous job this year. I applaud them all. I’m confident that Alan, Gerry and Thelma would be so proud of our organization today.”

Fredrickson and the six other drivers representing the 2024 KDDP Class will be recognized during the organization’s annual awards banquet set for Thursday, December 12, in The Speedway Club at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Fredrickson will be presented the coveted Kulwicki Cup Trophy and the champion’s check for $54,439. The evening will also feature some noted special guests that will be announced later this week. RacingAmerica.TV will offer a live streaming broadcast of the event.

For the third consecutive year, the banquet will be open to the general public to attend. For additional information and to purchase tickets, please visit our website at www.KulwickiDDP.com today as seating is limited.

The KDDP urges you to keep up with all of its news and activities by regularly visiting RacingAmerica.com, the organization’s official media partner.

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