One of the most unique and exhilarating events in motorsports is set to take place this week in St. Louis. The seventh running of the Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals at The Dome at America’s Center is slated to feature more than 140 dirt late model drivers battling for the $30,000 top prize. 

Despite the race being known as the ultimate equalizer, we’ve done our best to narrow it down to 10 drivers who could walk away with the Gateway Arch trophy on Saturday night. 

Bobby Pierce

Pierce enters this year’s Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals as a two-time main event winner in 2017 and 2018. Additionally, Pierce has three Gateway Dirt Nationals preliminary night victories. This year, he makes his way to The Dome as the second-ranked Dirt Late Model driver in the country with 34 victories this season. 

Brandon Sheppard

B-Shepp has finishes of second and third in the Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals main event, but he’s still searching for his first victory. Although he hasn’t won the main event, he did claim a prelim night win in 2018. He’ll head back to Gateway this year in the B5 searching for a big win at The Dome. 

VIDEO: Brandon Sheppard discusses the upcoming Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals. 

Gordy Gundaker

Gundaker is one of four driver who has started every Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals since the event’s inception. A preliminary night win in 2017 and a top-five finish in the 2019 main event highlight his Gateway resume. 

Hudson O’Neal

The 2023 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series champion returns to Gateway this year after a heat race incident with Tyler Carpenter derailed his chance last year. O’Neal won a preliminary race and finished 17th in his only other Gateway start. This year, he’s teaming up with Boom Briggs to chase a victory in St. Louis. 

Nick Hoffman

Hoffman returns to the Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals after not competing in the race last year due to an injury. In 2021, Hoffman competed in all three divisions (dirt late models, modifieds and midgets) and finished on the podium in all three main events. He knows how to get around Gateway and should be a contender for the win this year. 

VIDEO: Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals Are A Home Game For Nick Hoffman

Ricky Thornton, Jr. 

The top-ranked Dirt Late Model driver in the country this year returns to Gateway to pull double-duty in the dirt late model and modified divisions. RTJ won the Modified feature a year ago and finished third in the dirt late model main event. He enters the end-of-season event with 34 wins to his credit in 2023. 

Shannon Babb

While he’s yet to break through for his first Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals main event win, Babb has been strong since the inception of the event. “The Moweaqua Missile” has a pair of preliminary night wins but hasn’t been able to close the deal in the Saturday main event. 

Tanner English

English has been the bridesmaid the last two years at the Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals with heartbreaking runner-up finishes in both main events. He’s qualified for the main event in five straight attempts and has three top-10 finishes. 

Tyler Carpenter

As a two-time event winner in 2019 and 2021, Carpenter enters The Dome as a pre-race favorite once again. During both of his main event victories, Carpenter also claimed preliminary night wins. “The Kamikaze Kid” has reached legend status in St. Louis with fans either loving or hating him. 

Tyler Erb

One year ago, we made the mistake of leaving Tyler Erb off this list. Making his event debut, Terbo drove to the front and won the Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals. He’s back this year and expected to once again be one of the drivers contending for the win.