Oxford Plains Speedway Announces 2026 Fan Appreciation Night
Mar 31, 2026
CONCORD, North Carolina (March 31, 2026) -- Two former NASCAR Cup drivers as well as members of Alan Kulwicki’s 1992 championship team are serving as mentors this year to the five finalists in the Kulwicki Driver Development Program.
Sharing their racing knowledge with this year’s 2026 “Underbirds” are former NASCAR drivers Ryan Newman and Ken Schrader, and Kulwicki NASCAR Cup championship crew members Cal Lawson, Brian Whitesell and Danny Cameron.
KDDP President Ryan Zeck recently noted the importance of mentorship.
“Mentorship plays a critical role in shaping lives,” Zeck explained. “It’s rewarding for the mentor, but even more impactful for those in their formative years. This year’s group brings a unique combination of experience, perspective, and a direct connection to Alan’s legacy.
“Add to this year’s mentors a legend like Ken Schrader, who has competed across numerous motorsports disciplines, and Ryan Newman, whose engineering background reflects Alan’s, and the program has a mentorship group uniquely equipped to develop KDDP’s drivers. With champions, engineers, and proven leaders involved, the finalists are gaining more than racing knowledge, they are learning how to solve problems, lead, and grow both on-and-off the track.
“KDDP is about education, building character, and preparing the young drivers to make a positive impact in their communities. Together, they will not only guide performance on the track, but help shape the next generation of drivers and leaders.”
During Newman’s 23-year NASCAR career, he won 18 Cup races, seven in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, one in the Craftsman Truck Series and four in the Whelen Modified Tour. He also possesses four ARCA victories, one IROC win and a victory in NASCAR’s All-Star race. Currently, Newman competes on the SMART Modified Tour. In his first year as a mentor in the Kulwicki Driver Development Program, Newman is working with 22-year-old Michael Bumgarner of Taylorsville, North Carolina. Bumgarner is a two-time Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway Late Model champion. His 25 victories in 2025 included 22 in Late Model, two in Limited Late Model and one in Super Truck.
Schrader’s NASCAR career spanned 29 years. During that time, he won four Cup races, two in the O’Reilly Series, and one in the Truck series. He claimed 18 ARCA victories during the 35 years he competed in that series. Today, Schrader competes on local dirt and asphalt tracks, primarily in the Midwest. Like Newman, Schrader is in his inaugural season as a KDDP mentor. The Missouri native is working with 18-year-old Norfolk, Virginia, resident Ryley Music. The 2025 season was a breakout year for Music in the Late Model division at Langley (Va.) Speedway where he recorded a victory, five top-five and 14 top-10 finishes.
Lawson, who was Kulwicki’s team manager and race strategist, is working with 18-year-old Carson Haislip, from Raleigh, North Carolina. Haislip is the defending Wake County (N.C.) Speedway Late Model champion. Last year, he won 11 of the 17 races in which he competed.
Whitesell, an engineer who got his start in NASCAR working on special projects for Kulwicki’s team and then later moved to Hendrick Motorsports, is working with third-generation driver Penn Sauter. The only Super Late Model driver selected for this year’s program, Sauter is the son of 2016 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Johnny Sauter and the grandson of former NASCAR driver Jim Sauter. Last year in 26 races, he posted six top-five and 17 top-10 finishes.
Cameron, who was an assistant in the engine shop and the team's Spotter on race day, is sharing his knowledge with 17-year-old Chase Johnson of Midlothian, Virginia. In 2025, Johnson was the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series Rookie of the Year, Southeast Regional champion, and the Dominion (Va.) Raceway track champion.
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 KulwickiDriver 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 instipends 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.
