Column By: STEPHEN DURHAM / RPW – HARRISON, ME – Two weeks ago, the seven finalists for the Kulwicki Driver Development Program were announced. One driver who will be competing for the Kulwicki Cup is Kate Re, out of Harrison, Maine.
Re is the youngest of the seven finalists, ranging from 18 years to 22 years of age, but shes been racing around New England now for the last 10 years.
This is a special year for the Kulwicki Driver Development Program, marking the seventh year for the program, and it is the 30 year anniversary since the NASCAR Hall of Famer Alan Kulwicki’s run for the title.
“It’s a great honor to be selected as one of the seven KDDP drivers for 2022,” Re says, “to be a part of this select group of drivers this year is really exciting and to represent Alan and what racing meant to him, is a true privilege for me.”
For a young driver like Kate, she’s excited to represent a NASCAR Hall of Famer.
“My goal with running as a finalist for the Kulwicki Driver Development Program is not only to continue to represent Alan’s on and off track legacy, but also bring awareness to my own team and our accomplishments,” says Re.
Kate showed strength in 2021, bringing home a top five and three top tens on the season. Re also became the first female to qualify into the historic Oxford 250, but she wants to be seen as any other driver chasing the PASS Tour.
“I feel diversity is important in any program, but honestly, I’m a racer and put my helmet on just like any other racer does,” Kate explains, “I don’t single myself out, but it’s important for any female or driver to pursue their dreams and aspirations no matter the circumstances or adversities one will face. Just because we’re of a different gender, it shouldn’t separate us.”
The Harrison, Maine driver has had a rough early start to 2022, but she is already looking forward to upcoming races on the Pro All Star Series North Tour, where she will follow most of the season.
“ I’m looking forward to the Northeast Classic at New Hampshire Motor Speedway next week, running Stafford late this month,” Kate says, “outside of the PASS tour, we also plan to travel to Jennerstown in Pennsylvania for the Motor Mountain Masters and to Lee USA Speedway with the Granite State tour.”
With the 2022 season being in its early stages, Kate Re is keeping her confidence high, and ready to keep the consistency she had in 2021 that brought her a 4th place finish in the PASS North standings.
“My biggest goal for this season is to get my first win in the super late models, but my other expectations for the season is to be even more consistent and run up front each race.”
You can follow Kate Re on any social media platform as she competes through the 2022 season and fights for the Kulwicki Cup.
The Kulwicki Driver Development Program competes from April 1st to October 31st.
