As the race season countdown becomes more clear with banquets out of the way and schedules laid out, it only increases the anticipation for what’s ahead for everyone this year. It also begins the conversations – whose the favourite to win a race this season? Whose the favourite for the championship at each track? 

This is why we bring you to the famous Drivers to Watch List where we name off some of those drivers who are on the hit list. We are doing it differently this year, with no set ranking in place based on votes and such. It’s simply going to be alphabetical and talk about those who we feel should be discussed.

Think we missed a name on the list? Hit us up in the comments. Let us know. We’ll take all that into consideration, and who knows, maybe there will be another release. 

Andrew Shilling

When SKLD Motorsports was on-track this past season, you may have missed seeing one of their drivers on the track. That’s because Andrew Shilling was helping out behind the scenes as a crew member. He is set to return back behind the wheel for 2024 and put his mini stock season in the books. It could prove to be a good year if he is able to repeat his success in bone stocks that led to a feature win.

Austyn Jennett

2023 Sunset Speedway Rookie of the Year should tell you what you need to know about why Austyn Jennett has made the list of drivers to watch. He found himself battling up front throughout the season, including a third-place finish at Spring Velocity to go with four top-10 finishes on the season.

Cameron McGlashan

When it came to the battle for the championship last year, three drivers names should come to mind. One of those being Cameron McGlashan with a third-place finish in the final standings. He showed speed all year with five top-five’s and nine top-10’s, despite being unable to capture a feature checkered flag.

Doug Wilman

We are keep going with the SKLD Motorsports theme here on the list, with their furious leader Doug Wilman joining Jennett. The driver of the No. 14 Acura proved he was fast last season, as evident by scoring a heat win as part of the Allan Lankin Cup weekend.

Jake Spencer-Walt

After winning a Jr Late Model Championship, the move was made for Jake Spencer-Walt to get into a full-size car with a jump up to the mini stock division. It was tough at first with a couple spins, but the third-generation racer began to showcase his talent in the second half of his foray. Through the month of September, he could be seen steadily battling inside the top-three during the qualifying heats.

Johnny Paradzinski

He may not have been behind the wheel for the majority of the campaign this past season, but you would have seen him at the race track as evident by helping out the Stade Motorsports late model team. Over the winter thus far, he has been working at getting a new mini stock ready for 2024 in hopes of being successful. He knows how to get it done, as having done so in the past with feature victories at Sunset Speedway.