CONCORD, N.C. The Kulwicki Driver Development Program, a North American initiative to help the top short-track stock car drivers achieve their dreams while keeping alive the legacy of 1992 NASCAR Cup champion and NASCAR Hall of Fame member Alan Kulwicki, is now accepting applications for this season. 

Under a restructured program, five drivers will be selected to participate in the season-long competition for this years Kulwicki Cup. The drivers will be judged on race results, off-track civic participation, program promotion, fan interaction and stewardship of Kulwickis story. 

In the only driver development program that pays its participants, each driver will receive $7,000 in monies, goods and services. During the season, the drivers will receive training sessions that focus on fitness, interviews, media presentation and social media so they will be better prepared to take their careers to the next level.

Throughout the season, the five finalists will compete against each other for $30,000 in monies, goods and services to be divided among the top three finishers at the end of the season. Each driver selected for the program is required to compete in a minimum of 14 races. 

According to the KDDP, those wishing to participate in the program should have experience in asphalt Late Model, Pro Late Model or Super Late Model stock cars, or a comparable style of racing. 

Drivers not eligible for the program are those who competed in, or plan to compete this year in NASCARs three national touring series Cup, Xfinity and Truck; NASCARS Canadian Series and ARCAs three Menards Series national, East and West.

There is no age limit, but preference will be given to candidates between the ages of 16 and 25.