2023 Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals

Who To Watch Thursday Night At The Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals

Who To Watch Thursday Night At The Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals

Night 1 of the Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals features a roster of 71 Dirt Late Models and 31 Open Wheel Modifieds.

Dec 14, 2023 by Brandon Paul
Who To Watch Thursday Night At The Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals

After much anticipation, the 2023 Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals begin Thursday night inside The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis. The opening night of preliminary action will feature a field of 71 Dirt Late Models and 31 Open Wheel Modifieds. 

Let's take a look at some of the familiar faces you can expect to see in action Thursday night. Full rosters for both divisions can be viewed at the bottom of this story. 

Bobby Pierce

Two-time Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals winner Bobby Pierce returns to The Dome in 2023 looking to become the first three-time race winner. Pierce will also be looking for his second straight Thursday night prelim win. 

Carson Hocevar

After making the main event in his first attempt last year, NASCAR Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar returns to The Dome in 2023 seeking more success. Hocevar, who made the Championship Four in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series this season, will run full-time for Spire Motorsports in the NASCAR Cup Series next season. 

Gordy Gundaker

Gundaker returns to the Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals, a race he's had success at in the past. Gundaker claimed a preliminary night win in 2017 and a career-best main event finish of fifth in 2019. 

Hudson O'Neal

The 2023 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series champion has teamed up with Boom Briggs for a run at the Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals. O'Neal previously won a Thursday night preliminary feature in 2017. 

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VIDEO: Hudson O'Neal is "moving on" after an incident with Tyler Carpenter last year. 

Jason Feger

"The Highside Hustler" will be looking to close out a strong 2023 campaign with a big victory at the Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals. Feger, who had a strong season competing on Illinois bullrings, returns to St. Louis with three straight top-10 finishes in hand. 

Jimmy Owens

"The Newport Nightmare" is set to make his debut at the Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals in style. Owens will compete in the Modified division on Thursday night before strapping into a Dirt Late Model for Friday night's preliminary action. 

Kenny Wallace

"The Hermanator" will be looking to thrill the hometown St. Louis crowd again in 2023. Wallace will once again compete in the Modified division after winning the "Win & You're In" last chance race last year. 

Nick Hoffman

After missing last year's event due to an injury, Hoffman is back and focused solely on winning the Late Model main event. In his last Gateway appearance, Hoffman record podium finishes in the Dirt Late Model, Modified and Midget features. 

Ricky Thornton, Jr. 

The defending winner of the Modified feature will begin his title defense on Thursday night at The Dome before strapping into his Dirt Late Model on Friday. Thornton is fresh off a career-best season behind the wheel of a Dirt Late Model  

Shannon Babb

The winner of the first-ever preliminary feature at the Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals will be looking to get back to victory lane on Thursday night. Babb is one of only four drivers to compete in every main event at The Dome. 

Tyler Erb

The champ is here. Tyler Erb is back in the building looking to back up his win from one year ago. Last year, Erb snuck in as somewhat of an underdog in his event debut. This year, all eyes will be on the No. 1 as he looks to defend his title. 

Gateway Dirt Nationals Thursday Late Model Roster

Mike Harrison

Jason Feger

Jake Rainey

Bill Wagner

Kyle Mixon

David Marlow

Jason Zobrist

Matt Koch

Layne Bellm

Lance Brasington

Jody Knowles

Chad Zobrist

Lindsey Hansen

Josh Lewis

Joe Bellm

Rachel Carpenter

Micheal King

Michael Jensen

Josh Boller

Austin Tettaton

Gordy Gundaker

Kip Hughes

Jordan Barbee

Chris Fetter

Matthew Norman

Bob Gardner

Freddie Carpenter

Jason Welshan

Scott Cimfl

Megan Sanders

Rusty Griffin

Erik Thorne

Chandler Moenning

Jonathan Lee

Morgan Alexander

Rodney Melvin

Carson Hocevar

Alan Westling

Sterling Freeman

Tyler Erb

Jack Riggs

Dustin Rollins

Glen Powell

Gregory Kimmons

Myles Moos

Zach Wohlers

Hudson O’Neal

Michael Epplett

Mike Spatola

Nick Hoffman

Bobby Pierce

Shannon Babb

Ryan Wilson

Austin Seelig

Jadon Frame

Kyle Hardy

Ronnie Yanacsek

Austin Theiss

Robbie Bostic

Jason Wagner

David Seibers

Matthew Ratzlaff

Quentin White

Rusty Schlenk

Dustin Dixon

Bo Lockwood

William Stile

Glen Hounshell

Luke Bennett

Justin Carter

Dakota Dellinger

Gateway Dirt Nationals Thursday Modified Roster

Tim Nash

Ray Bollinger

Dillon Nusbaum

Treb Jacoby

Gus Soutiea

Zach Johnson

Kenny Wallace

Michael Ledford

Ricky Thornton Jr.

Josh Lemke

Todd Sherman

Michael Altobelli

Dave Hess

Tyler Nicely

Logan Veloz

Cody Zobrist

Dalton Lane

Jeremy Nichols

Tyler Peterson

Michael Long

Brayden Watson

Rick Conoyer

Trent Young

Clay Money

Trey Harris

Chad Bauer

Scott Bintz

Jimmy Owens

Trevor Neville