15 Drivers We Want To See More Of In 2024

The 2023 sprint car season is coming to an end and I am already getting excited for what 2024 will bring. 2023 was a crazy year with an endless amount of driver changes and a new series finding immediate success. Streaming services offered all sprint car fans a chance to see some drivers they do not usually get to watch and quite a few drivers caught my eye throughout the year.

As with any form of motorsports, sprint car racing is crazy expensive and it doesn’t appear to be getting any cheaper. The cost to field a competitive car night in and night out is astronomical. Without a big chunk of money or a steady sponsor, drivers are limited to where they can run and how often they can compete. Throwing all of that out the window, I compiled a list of some drivers that I would love to see get an opportunity to compete on a bigger stage. These drivers caught my eye at some point throughout the season and I found myself wanting to see more of them on a weekly basis. Some are young drivers who are just starting out and others are guys who have been around the sport for a while but stay local for obvious reasons.

Cole Duncan

The veteran racer has been around for a while and still turned some heads when he qualified for the Eldora Million. According to SprintCarRatings.com, in the last two seasons, Duncan is rated as the 37th best 410 driver in the country! He has earned 15 wins in just 69 starts in that time period. There is no doubt in my mind that Duncan could compete at the highest levels of sprint car racing if he was given the opportunity.

Troy Wagaman Jr

Troy Wagaman Jr really hit his stride in 2023 after hopping aboard the Hefner no. 27 machine. He earned the most improved driver award at Williams Grove Speedway and was constantly running up front against the always strong PA Posse field. I would be curious to see what Wagaman could do off the porch, as we know he is behind the wheel of a car that can get it done on any given night.

Kaleb Johnson

Kaleb Johnson showed a lot of speed at Huset’s and Knoxville in 2023. He qualified for the 360 Knoxville Nationals and recorded a top 10 with the High Limit series. Johnson also put up a good showing against the World of Outlaws, earning himself a hard charger effort at Jackson in August.

Joe B Miller

When I think of Joe B Miller, I think of his 2022 charge through the All Star field at Lake Ozark and nearly beating Tyler Courtney to the line for the victory. Joe B has 13 wins in his last two seasons behind the wheel of a 410. He’s a methodical driver that will sneak by you on the bottom when the top is the dominant lane. He spends most of his time in the midwest and I would love to see him branch out more in 2024.

Zane Devault

Zane Devault got my attention this season during the Eldora Million. Although he didn’t qualify for the event, he had a lot of speed and was impressive before having mechanical issues. He made an appearance at the High Limit finale, and would have easily made the A Main if he didn’t get caught up in wrecks that had nothing to do with him. Devault only had 13 starts in a 410 this season, but picked up three wins in 360 competition.

Brandon Spithaler

Brandon Spithaler is one of the most electric 410 sprint car drivers that doesn’t run a full time series. Who is that guy mashing the cushion charging to the front? It’s Brandon Spithaler. The Western PA ace got some opportunities to run with the All Stars this season and it only got me wanting more. He compiled eight wins at five different tracks in 2023 and put on an absolute show every time out.

Tyler Gunn

2023 was one of Tyler Gunn’s best seasons behind the wheel of a 410. Gunn racked up four wins and won the Wayne County track championship. You can find him racing all over Ohio, but he has the talent and motivation to be a driver on the national scene. I am excited to watch more of Gunn in 2024.

Joel Myers Jr

The young California gasser branched out to the midwest and spent some time with the IRA Sprints in 2023. Although he didn’t record a win in 2023, Myers collected nine top fives in 26 starts. He finished in the top 10 in over half of the those starts. His career is just getting started and I expect to see a lot more of the 46jr in 2024.

Ricky Peterson Jr

Ricky Peterson Jr has some of the best sponsor support on social media that you will find in the sport. He has a group of guys who believe in him and that will start to translate to better results in 2024. Peterson picked up a win at Tri City in PA early in the season and endured some ups and downs after that. One thing remained clear, the guy can get it done and isn’t afraid to run the top.

Kody Lehman

I watched a lot of weekly Port Royal shows this season and Kody Lehman was one of the drivers that really stuck out. He picked up his first career win at the Speed Palace and did so in pretty dominant fashion. The regular field at Port Royal is always strong and Lehman was consistently fast. If you can win a race against the Posse, you can be fast anywhere you go.

Devon Borden

Who is that blue car banging the boards at Port Royal? That’s the “daredevil” Devon Borden making a name for himself. The 2023 Port Royal track champion enjoyed his breakout season and picked up seven wins along the way. He reminds me a bit of a young Anthony Macri who isn’t afraid to push the car to its limits. I expect Borden to get better and better with each lap he turns.

Tanner Thorson

If you are a fan of dirt racing then you are familiar with Tanner Thorson. In 2023, he proved he can throw the wing on top and run up front with anyone. Thorson got a lot of attention after his consistent fast runs during PA Speedweek against the likes of Brent Marks, Freddie Rahmer and Anthony Macri. He and the Long no. 58 team were a great match and we can only hope that continues in 2024.

Kevin Thomas Jr

Another wingless ace on the list? Yes, KTJ impressed with the wing on in 2023, picking up a win behind the wheel of the Newton 16th machine. He made the dash during the High Limit finale and ended up in fifth with the Indy Race Parts no. 71 against some of the best talent in the sport. Give me all of KTJ with the wing on in 2024.

Kalib Henry

Kalib Henry is another great California racer that we don’t get to see enough of. He has the 360 under the hood most of the time but nothing changes when he bolts the 410 in. Henry had a strong showing during the Gold Cup and also got an opportunity to run the Knoxville Nationals with the Running Boxer no. 101. With only 14 starts in 410 competition in 2023, we need more of Henry in 2024.

Tim Buckwalter

Driver of everything. Modified, Micro, Midget, 410 it just doesn’t matter, Tim Buckwalter can get it done. He made the High limit dash at Grandview earlier in the year before mechanical failure ended his night before the feature. We started to see him a lot more behind the wheel of a 410 and I am hoping that trend continues in 2024.