CONCORD, N.C. — In one of the toughest selection processes since the Kulwicki Driver Development program was founded, 15 semifinalists have been chosen from a record 102 short-track racing applicants from across the United States and Canada.
The semifinalists are from seven states. Five finalists, known as Underbirds, will be selected after an interview process that includes members of Alan Kulwicki’s 1992 NASCAR Cup championship crew. The five Underbirds selected for the season-long competition will be judged on race results, off-track civic participation, program promotion, fan interaction, and stewardship of Alan Kulwicki’s story.
“Without a doubt, this is the most competitive field that we have ever seen,” KDDP President Ryan Zeck said. “I am super excited to learn who becomes the fabulous five Underbirds for 2026 and who will become the coveted Kulwicki Cup champion.”
This year’s semifinalists are from Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin. They compete in various series, including the CARS Tour, ASA Sucker Punch Midwest Tour, NASCAR’s Local Racing Series powered by O’Reilly Auto Parts, and PASS They range in age from 15 to 22 with the average age being 17.4.
In the only driver development program that pays its participants, each driver will receive $7,000 in money, 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 money, 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 15 semifinalists
Billy Braun, Wales, Wisconsin – Age 18. Currently in his second year of college (trade school). 2022 Pro Late Model Rookie of the Year at Slinger Speedway. Plans to compete for the Slinger Speedway track championship in a Super Late Model and part-time in a Pro Late Model.
Michael Bumgarner, Taylorsville, North Carolina – Age 22. 2024 and 2025 Late Model track champion at Hickory Motor Speedway, Qualified in the top 10 for the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway. Winner of the 2025 Fall Brawl at Hickory. Plans to run select CARS Tour Late Model Stock races for his own team as well as part-time racing at Hickory. Also plans to run the Virginia Triple Crown.
Garrett Gumm, Brooks, Georgia – Age 17. Picked up first career Pro Late Model win at Cordele Motor Speedway in 2025. Will run Pro Late Model races for his own team at Cordele Motor Speedway, Montgomery Motor Speedway, Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, and Five Flags Speedway.
Jevin Guralski, Wausau, Wisconsin — Age 18. ASA Midwest Tour winner at Jefferson Speedway in 2025, 2024 KDDP semifinalist. Plans to run a Super Late Model for his family-owned team in the Full Alive For 5 Series as well as select races in the ASA Sucker Punch Midwest Tour Presented by Five Star Bodies.
Carson Haislip, Raleigh, North Carolina — Age 17. 2025 Wake County Speedway Late Model track champion, 2022 and 2023 Legends car track champion at Wake County. Plans to run for the track championship at South Boston for his family-owned team in a Late Model Stock, plus some select races in the CARS Tour and other Late Model Stock races across North Carolina. May run some Smart Tour Modified races as well.
Chase Johnson, Midlothian, Virginia – Age 17. 2025 NASCAR Advanced Auto Parts Weekly Series Rookie of the Year. 2025 Dominion Raceway Late Model track champion. Plans to run for the 2026 NASCAR Weekly Series championship as well as the track championship at Dominion, with some races at South Boston as well as the Virginia Triple Crown.
Jayden Johnson, Ixonia, Wisconsin – Age 17. 2025 Slinger Speedway Pro Late Model champion and Rookie of the Year. Mentored by Midwest Tour Champion Casey Johnson. Plans include running several Pro and Super Late Model races for his family-owned team, select CARS Tour races, the All American 400 at the Nashville Fairgrounds, and Pro and Super races in Wisconsin.
Ayden Millette, Yorktown, Virginia – Age 17. 2025 Limited Late Model track champion at Langley Speedway. 2024 Thanksgiving Classic winner in Limited Late Model class, 2024 Virginia Racers track champion at Langley. Plans to run the weekly series at Langley Speedway in a Late Model Stock for his own team along with the CARS Tour race at Langley in 2026.
Ryley Music, Norfolk, Virginia – Age 17. 2022 Virginia Racers track champion at Langley Speedway. Won first Late Model Stock race at Langley in 2025 and finished sixth in LMS track championship. Plans to compete for his own team in the Late Model Stock track championship at Langley, as well as the Hampton Heats and select CARS Tour races.
Cole Robie, Windham, Maine – Age 17. 2025 Granite State Pro Stock champion. Plans to run full-time in the PASS Series in 2026 for his own family team. Also plans to make select starts in the CARS Tour and the ACT Tour.
Brian Rundstrom Jr., Green Bay, Virginia – Age 15. 2024 and 2025 Thanksgiving Classic Winner in the Charger Division at Southern National. Finished third in points in the Limited Late Model division at Langley Speedway in 2025. 2026 plans include running a Late Model Stock for his own team at South Boston Speedway, Langley Speedway, and Southern National.
Penn Sauter, Deforest, Wisconsin – Age 16. Son of 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion Johnny Sauter. Plans to run the Full ASA Sucker Punch Midwest Tour Presented by Five Star Bodies, along with the Alive for 5 at Dells Raceway, plus some additional Midwest Truck Races at Slinger, along with other tracks in Wisconsin, for his family-owned team.
Keegan Sobilo, New Baltimore, Michigan – Age 18. 2022 CRA Late Model Sportsman champion. Scored two podium finishes in the Turn One CRA Pro Series in 2025 at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway and Flat Rock Speedway. Plans to compete full-time in the Turn One CRA Pro Series, and the big Super Late Model Races at Berlin Raceway (Money in the Bank, Icebreaker, and Battle at Berlin).
Connor Weddell, Centreville, Maryland – Age 16. First KDDP semifinalist from Maryland. Plans to run for the Late Model track championship at South Boston Speedway in a Late Model Stock. Also plans to race at Southern National and Langley as well as compete for the Virginia Triple Crown.
Luke Yarbrough, Milton, Georgia – Age 19. 2024 Pro Legends champion. Currently studying Aerospace Engineering at Kennesaw State University. Plans to run a Pro Late Model for FR8 Racing in the Allen Turner Pro Late Model Series at Five Flags, The Alabama 200 at Montgomery, and select events at Cordele Motor Speedway, and select starts with the Southern Super Series.
