Kulwicki Spotlight: Derek Gluchacki Gearing Up for Late Season Push

Derek Gluchacki is part of a hotly-contested Kulwicki Cup championship battle for the 2024 season, one of the tightest in the history of the Kulwicki Driver Development Program. He’s also looking for a strong finish to 2024, with three big American-Canadian Tour (ACT) races on the horizon.

That starts this weekend at Thunder Road International Speedbowl, when Gluchacki takes part in the 62nd Vermont Milk Bowl presented by Northfield Savings Bank. He’ll also head to Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park on October 12 for the Sunoco World Series before the ACT season wraps up at Seekonk Speedway on November 2 for the Haunted Hundred.

For the latter two, it’s tracks close to home that give Gluchacki a chance to add to his collection of ACT wins this year. Already Gluchacki has victories at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Oxford Plains Speedway with the series.

“Besides Thunder Road, it’s hometown tracks or us with Thompson and Seekonk,” Gluchacki told Racing America. “I’m looking forward to getting back there with some big races, not just weekly stuff.

“We’ve been able to win two races on the ACT Tour. Hopefully, we’ll get another one coming up here soon. We’ve had good success weekly racing, too. Obviously, with the Kulwicki program, we’ve been doing well with that. I’m super thankful for all the success we’ve had and all the opportunities I have.”

Looking For A Marquee Win in the Milk Bowl

Before those races at Thompson and Seekonk, however, is this weekend’s Vermont Milk Bowl. With 49 drivers currently entered for the event, it will be one of the toughest fields Gluchacki has faced this year.

The Milk Bowl is also one of the most historic and prestigious event for ACT’s competitors, with the race’s history dating back to 1962.

“Obviously Thunder Road, the Milk Bowl is a huge deal,” said Gluchacki. “Wicked prestigious race and stuff like that, so hopefully we have a good showing there also.”

It’s also a unique challenge that challenges even the best short track racers. After determining the Milk Bowl field on Booth Bros./Hood Qualifying Day on Saturday, October 5, Milk Bowl competitors compete in three 50-lap segments.

The first segment’s starting lineup is determined by Saturday’s qualifying results. However, the second and third segments are lined up by inverting the finish of the previous segment. The Milk Bowl winner is determined by combining the finish positions of drivers across all three segments, meaning each segments is a 50-lap sprint to finish as high in the running order as possible.

“It’s so different than anything else we do all year,” said Gluchacki. “It’s three 50-lap segments and then you combine the score. It’s so different, and it’s almost 50 cars signed up for it this year. The level of competition is really high this year.

“The three segments is so different. You’re up on the wheel the whole time. There’s no saving, it’s just go and get as far as you can.”

Gluchacki will also pilot a throwback scheme to Alan Kulwicki's 1992 NASCAR Cup Series championship season in the event.

Battling for The Kulwicki Cup

That mindset will also be on display for Gluchacki and his fellow KDDP finalists over the remainder of the season. Gluchacki is part of one of the closest competitions in the program’s history.

RELATED: Battle for 2024 Kulwicki Cup Tightens Heading Toward Finish

“It’s huge, right? Everyone who is involved is getting down to the final races,” said Gluchacki. “Every lap matters at this point. We’ve got to finish the races, try to win, try to put ourselves in the best spots we can to get the results.

“It’s just added pressure, right, for everyone involved, really. It’s one of the tightest points battles they’ve ever had, so super happy to be a part of it and to be in the situation.”

While the competition is reaching a fever pitch, there’s still plenty of pride for Gluchacki to carry the Kulwicki banner throughout the 2024 season.

“It’s truly been a life-changing experience. Through everything they’ve taught us and shown us, people you’ve been able to meet throughout this program, it’s just second-to-none. On the race track, being able to represent Alan and everything he stood for. You know the legacy he left behind. Being able to race with his colors on the side of the race car all year is such an honor.

“At different tracks, different people come up to you and tell you stories about Alan. Obviously, we’re not out towards Wisconsin or anything, so not too many people personally knew him, but you hear a lot of stories about people that met him at race tracks.”

Gluchacki has also used the platform to help out several organizations over the course of the year.

“We’ve worked with the Rhode Island Animal Shelter. We donated some food and some animal toys, we were able to hang out with the animals for a while. We were able to work with Foster Forward, donated a lot of essential items to them.”

Other causes Gluchacki has supported this season include the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Rhode Island Center Assisting those in Need, the Til Valhalla Project and more.

-Photo credit: Will Bellamy, Racing America