For Meridian’s Cullen Hutchison, taking on World of Outlaws, NASCAR drivers for Golden Driller trophy no sweat
Cullen Hutchison was not intimidated by the magnitude of the event or the experienced drivers looking to take its top prize.
The 13-year-old Meridian resident was one of 24 drivers to qualify for the microsprint A-Main at the prestigious Tulsa Shootout, held Jan. 3 at Tulsa Expo Raceway in Oklahoma.
Against adult drivers from all over the United States and six foreign countries, including those with experience in the World of Outlaws and NASCAR Cup Series, he had earned the pole position and led all 30 laps of the feature to win the event’s Golden Driller trophy.
The Tulsa Shootout, held since the mid-1980s, is often referred to as the Super Bowl of dirt track racing. The indoor track is one-fourth of a mile.
“I wasn’t fazed by it,” said Cullen, who had competed twice in the event before picking up his first win. “I’ve run against a lot of those guys in different races around the country, and my top priority was winning. I was comfortable leading the pack the whole way, ran high beginning with the sixth lap and made sure to not make any mistakes.”
The entire field numbered 477 drivers, but was cut down to 24 through a series of heats and qualifying races over the previous five days.
Despite his young age, Cullen has immersed himself in racing. It began with go-karts at local tracks when he was 7 years old but has evolved beginning three years ago into competing in microsprints at races in North Carolina, Florida, Oklahoma, Missouri and Indiana, among other states.
“There’s so much travel that is involved, he’s been cyber-schooled for the last three years,” Cullen’s mother, Amy Hutchison, said. “That creates a lot of flexibility with his schoolwork.
“Racing is all this kid wants to do. You can see his drive and focus with it as he grows and matures.”
Cullen even has a race simulator in his bedroom. It is programmed with many of the tracks he has or will be challenged by on the microsprint circuit. He now competes exclusively against adults.
Three years ago, Cullen took part in a development program for young drivers in North Carolina set up by NASCAR driver Christopher Bell, who had gotten his start in racing in a microsprint. Following his win in Tulsa, Cullen received a congratulatory text from Bell.
Racing is in Cullen’s blood. Amy and her husband, Todd, both grew up in racing families.
“I’ve had a passion for it since I was a little kid,” Cullen said. “I’ve made a lot of friends through racing. My goal is to join the High Limit 410 Sprints, a series that holds races from coast to coast. That’s what I want to do when I grow up, and I believe I have the talent to do it.”
