page_title: Alan Kulwicki
section_title: Alan Kulwicki Driver Development Program
hierarchical_section_title: Alan Kulwicki / Legacy / Alan Kulwicki Driver Development Program
caption_attribution_description: English: Alan Kulwicki Driver Development winners #91 Ty Majeski racing against #11 Alex Prunty. The two won the Development programs in 2015 and &amp; 2016 respectively.
context_page_description: Alan Dennis Kulwicki, nicknamed "Special K" and the "Polish Prince", was an American auto racing driver and team owner. He started racing at local short tracks in Wisconsin before moving up to regional stock car touring series. Kulwicki arrived at NASCAR, the highest and most expensive level of stock car racing in the United States, with no sponsor, a limited budget and only a racecar and a borrowed pickup truck. Despite starting with meager equipment and finances, he earned the 1986 NASCAR Rookie of the Year award over drivers racing for well-funded teams.
  After Kulwicki won his first race at Phoenix International Raceway, he debuted what would become his trademark "Polish victory lap". Kulwicki won the 1992 Winston Cup Championship by what was then the closest margin in NASCAR history. He died early in 1993 in a light aircraft accident and therefore never defended his championship. He has been inducted into numerous racing halls of fame and was named one of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers.
  Kulwicki was known for being a perfectionist and doing things his own way. An engineer by trade, his scientific approach to NASCAR racing inspired the way teams are now run.
context_section_description: In 2015, Kulwicki's friends began the Alan Kulwicki Driver Development program to "help worthy drivers along the way in reaching their dream...while at the same time keep Alan Kulwicki's memory and legacy alive." The field is narrowed to 15 applicants and the program gives $7777 to support seven drivers' career advancement. Drivers are judged based on their on-track performance as well as off-track activities, social media presence, and community involvement. The winner receives seven times $7777 ($54,439) and a trophy. It was cancelled for the 2020 season because of COVID-19 concerns. The program winners were:
  2020 cancelled due to COVID-19
  2019 Jeremy Doss
  2018 Brett Yackey
  2017 Cody Haskins
  2016 Alex Prunty
  2015 Ty Majeski.
  Other Participants in Each Class:
  2019 Danny Benedict, Justin Carroll, Luke Fenhaus, Derek Griffith, Carson Kvapil, Paul Shafer, Jr.
  2018 Cole Butcher, Justin Carroll, Derek Griffith, Molly Helmuth, Justin Mondeik, Brittney Zamora
  2017 Braison Bennett, Cole Butcher, Justin Mondeik, Michael Ostdiek, John Peters, Brett Yackey
  2016 Jeremy Doss, Dave Farrington, Jr., Cody Haskins, Quin Houff, Michael Ostdiek (replaced Natalie Decker after she tried to qualify for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway), Brandon Setzer
  2015 Steve Apel, Justin Crider, Dave Farrington, Jr., Reagan May, Bryce Napier, Cole Williams
caption: 2015 KDDP winner #91 Ty Majeski racing against 2016 winner #11 Alex Prunty
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