NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

With just three races to go in the 2024 season, the battle for NHRA Rookie of the Year is really heating up with a star-studded and diverse field of nine first-year racers eligible for the prize.

To be eligible for NHRA Rookie of the Year, the driver/rider must compete in five (5) or more events and may not have previously competed in any NHRA Professional category (whether existing or discontinued category) at more than four (4) NHRA national events within a single racing season or more than a total of 15 events across multiple seasons.

The nation’s leading auto racing journalists select the winner through a voting system based on the following criteria: number of events competed in, performance on and off the racetrack, participation in NHRA promotions, and relationships with fans, sponsors, and media.

Here’s a look at the nine eligible drivers, ranked by number of event attended, and their statistics heading into the final three events:

TONY STEWART (TOP FUEL)

Background: The Hall of Fame motorsports driver, who won in Top Alcohol Dragster in his NHRA debut season in 2023, became a surprise full-time entrant in Top Fuel this year, jumping into the seat vacated by his wife, championship hopeful Leah Pruett, after the couple decided to start a family.

Current points position: 9th

Races run: 17

Event wins: 0

Runner-ups: 1

Round-wins: 15

Season highlight: Scored runner-up in Sonoma and qualified for the Countdown to the Championship after finishing seventh in the regular season. He’s tied for sixth best in the class’ “left first” stat against other drivers.

DANIEL WILKERSON (FUNNY CAR)

Background: Took over the controls of the family entry from father, 25-time event winner Tim, who continues as his crew chief. Wilkerson had 13 previous career starts scattered over more than a decade entering the season.

Current points position: 8th
 
Races run: 17

Event wins: 0

Runner-ups: 1

Round-wins: 12

Season highlight: Scored runner-up finish at Charlotte four-wide race; has qualified top half of the field at 10 of 17 events, including a season-high of fourth (Epping).

JASMINE SALINAS (TOP FUEL)

Background: The daughter of class regular Mike Salinas was supposed to have a get-acquainted partial season, but the former Top Alcohol Dragster driver took over the Scrappers Racing Top Fueler at the second event of the season after her father fell ill.

Current points position: 13th

Races run: 16

Event wins: 0

Runner-ups: 0

Round-wins: 3

Season highlight: Has qualified at 15 of 16 events with a high of fifth (twice). Is 2-0 against fellow rookie Tony Stewart.

RICHARD GADSON (PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE)

Background: The third-generation drag bike racer was a five-time national champion in XDA, NHDRO, SEMDRA, and ManCup competition before joining the Vance & Hines team this season. He made his class debut in 2022 as an independent.

Current points position: 3rd

Races run: 12

Event wins: 0

Runner-ups: 3

Round-wins: 18

Season highlight: Scored runner-up finishes in Richmond, Reading, and Charlotte, has qualified No. 2 twice this season, and has a class-high three holeshot wins. Finished the regular season in third place and maintains the highest points ranking of any of his fellow rookies.

SIENNA WILDGUST (PRO STOCK)

Background: The third-generation driver made her Pro Stock debut in Gainesville at age 17 as part of the KB-Titan Racing team but moved over to Elite Motorsports in July to be mentored by Erica Enders.

Current points position: 20th

Races run: 9

Event wins: 0

Runner-ups: 0

Round-wins: 0

Season highlight: Has qualified at six of nine events attended, with a high of 14th (twice).

BRANDON FOSTER (PRO STOCK)

Background: The former Sportsman racer licensed in January and joined KB/Titan Racing stable as a team car to Camrie Caruso, whom he was sponsoring through his company, Aqua Prop. He ran seven events before ending his season in Bristol.

Current points position:18th

Races run: 7

Event wins: 0

Runner-ups: 0

Round-wins: 0

Season highlight: After scoring round-wins in Gainesville and Phoenix, he reached the final round of the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas after finishing second in each of the preliminary heats. Qualified at all seven events he attended.

IDA ZETTERSTRÖM (TOP FUEL)

Overview: The reigning FIA European Top Fuel champion joined JCM Racing this year and made her NHRA debut in Brainerd.

Current points position: 16th

Races run: 5

Event wins: 0

Runner-ups: 0

Round-wins: 3

Season highlight: Reached the semifinals in her NHRA debut, beating four-time world champ Steve Torrence on a first-round holeshot.

DERRICK REESE (PRO STOCK)

Background: The former PDRA Extreme and Mountain Motor Pro Stock racer joined the Kenny Delco Racing stable in Sonoma.

Current points position: 22nd

Races run: 5

Event wins: 0

Runner-ups: 0

Round-wins: 0

Season highlight: Reese has qualified at two of the five events he entered, making the field in Sonoma and Charlotte.

CODY KROHN (TOP FUEL)

Overview: After qualifying in his class debut at last year’s NHRA Midwest Nationals, Krohn joined forces with Paton Racing in 2024. They are expected to make their fifth race of the season at the upcoming Texas NHRA FallNationals.

Current points position: 20th

Races run: 4

Event wins: 0

Runner-ups: 0

Round-wins: 0

Season highlight: Krohn has qualified at all four events he has attended this year, with a best of 11th in Bristol. His .079 average reaction time is 11th best in the class.