Sauter Experiences Personal Growth During Kulwicki Driver Development Program’s Second Segment

Penn Sauter, a 16-year-old Wisconsin native, says he has continued to grow as a person during the Kulwicki Driver Development Program’s second segment.

“I have learned to better control my emotions and become a better person on and off the track,” Sauter said. “I have also learned how to create calm and neutral posts on my social media.”

A third-generation driver from Alan Kulwicki’s home state, Sauter is now third in the standings. Sauter, the only Super Late Model driver in KDDP this year, has recorded nine top fives and 11 top 10s overall this season. He described the season as one of “progressive growth.”

Sauter, the son of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Johnny Sauter and grandson of ARTGO Challenge Series champion Jim Sauter, has received race car setup advice this year from his mentor Brian Whitesell. An engineer, Whitesell, worked on special projects for Kulwicki’s team before joining Hendrick Motorsports.

“He is one of the smartest people I have ever talked to,” the young Sauter said about Whitesell.

Members of Kulwicki’s 1992 Cup championship team and veteran drivers are mentoring the “Underbirds” this year.

Off the track, Sauter focused on various fundraising events for Burn Camp, a charitable foundation of the Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin. Sauter raised $5,000 for Burn Camp via basket raffles, a door raffle, selling T-shirts and a Culver’s night. The free, week-long, overnight summer camp is for children who have suffered a burn injury and continue to heal from the emotional trauma of their burns.

The drivers occupying first and second in the standings after the second segment will be announced Friday.

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 50 drivers from 18 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 $1,044,902 in scholarships and championship awards. Overall, the 10 classes have competed in 1,514 races, produced 238 victories, and 750 top-five and 1,098 top-10 finishes. Ty Majeski, the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, was the program’s inaugural winner.

-Kulwicki Driver Development Program Release and Photo