Gluchacki Becomes First Massachusetts Native To Win Coveted Kulwicki Cup

CONCORD, North Carolina (December 9, 2025) -- A year after finishing second in the Kulwicki Driver Development program competition, Derek Gluchacki returned as a finalist in 2025 to become the first Massachusetts native to win the coveted Kulwicki Cup. 

The 24-year-old Gluchacki defeated Wisconsin’s Bryce Miller, Georgia’s Seth Christensen, Illinois’ Noah Eisenhower, and Vermont’s Taylor Hoar in the seventh-month short-track racing competition. He was announced as the winner Tuesday night during the KDDP’s annual awards banquet at The Speedway Club at 

Charlotte Motor Speedway. Gluchacki is the second New Englander to win the competition. Max Cookson, from Palmyra, Maine, was the first in 2023. 

Gluchacki was awarded $20,000 for his victory in addition to the specially designed Kulwicki Cup trophy. 

“Proud to have Derek as our 2025 KDDP Champion. We’ve watched him grow since his very first interview last year—and even before that. I’m sure last year’s runner-up finish only made him hungrier coming into this season,” said KDDP Board Member and Voter Chairman Paul Andrews. 

“His year didn’t start smoothly, but his performance was consistently strong. He faced tough competition in every single race, and we love seeing that level of talent on track. It’s gratifying to see Derek’s hard work and dedication pay off. He not only sets up and works on his own cars, but also prepares and crew-chiefs customer cars, all while continuing to give back through charity work. He’s earned this championship in every way,” Andrews continued. 

The 26-year-old Miller finished second and received $7,000, while the 18-year-old Christensen collected $3,000 for placing third. 

“Our 2025 KDDP season was stacked with talented competitors from all across the country,” Andrews added. “It was also our first year featuring five drivers, which

definitely ramped up the intensity and competition between them. Each of our drivers not only prepared their own race cars, but also stayed active in their communities, managed their social media channels, and balanced it all with their everyday routines—whether that meant work, school, or both. In racing, not everyone gets the season they hoped for, but their work ethic and enthusiasm never wavered. It was truly fun to watch them push through challenges and keep fighting.” 

Gluchacki is the sixth driver to return to the competition as a finalist and then win it; however, he is the first since Dylan Zampa accomplished the feat in 2022. The others who won the Kulwicki Cup the second time they were finalists were Cody Haskins, Brett Yackey, Jeremy Doss, and Luke Fenhaus. 

During the 2025 season, Gluchacki recorded two victories, eight top-five, and 11 top-10 finishes in 16 races. For his charity work, he focused on Make-A-Wish New Hampshire, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and the Rhode Island Center Assisting Those in Need. RICAN is a non-profit organization in Charlestown, Rhode Island, that provides emergency food, clothing, and essential support to at-risk individuals and families, primarily in Southern Rhode Island. 

Overall, this year’s five “Underbirds”, who were mentored by members of Kulwicki’s 1992 NASCAR Cup championship team, produced five victories, 22 top-five and 42 top-10 finishes in 85 races. 

In the decade since the Kulwicki Driver Development Program was created, the finalists have recorded 238 victories, 750 top-five and 1,098 top-10 finishes in 1,514 races. Finalists in the program have competed at 117 tracks in 32 states and five Canadian provinces. They have won at 72 of those tracks in 27 states and four Canadian provinces. 

Since its inception in 2015, the program has awarded more than $1 million to 50 drivers representing 18 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces.