The 59th Annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing will bring stars and cars from all over the motorsports world to New Smyrna Speedway for nine consecutive nights of racing beginning on February 7. Each year, the traditional February event attracts the biggest names in both Modified and Late Model racing, with drivers making the trip from all over the country. 

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With another star-studded entry list for this year's event, we take a look at 10 drivers to really keep an eye on over the course of nine nights in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. 

Matt Hirschman

Hirschman is chasing his sixth Tour-type Modified title, which would tie him with Richie Evans. Only Ted Christopher has more with nine overall Tour-type Modified titles. Hirschman is also chasing a three-peat in the title department, which has only previously been accomplished by both Christopher and Evans. Regardless of what you think, people are showing up to see if he can win it or lose it.  

VIDEO: Watch and listen to in-car communication as Ryan Preece drivers through the field at New Smyrna. 

Ryan Preece 

We know Ryan Preece loves his Modifieds, but how much luck is out there in the moonlight? Could he complete his Cup Series obligations in Daytona on Thursday night and get to New Smyrna to start on the tail and try to run the whole week for points? Maybe that’s just a race fans dream, but the story would be fun to watch.  Preece already has so much New Smyrna history tied to his name.  It’s exciting to see that he’s not closed the book on his World Series Modified career.   

Patrick Emerling 

With 62 starts under his belt we wonder if the week-long championship will keep eluding him. Emerling has recorded two wins, 31 top fives and 50 top 10 finishes, so we know the numbers are there. He just needs a little luck to go along with it. Emerling has been second in points three times, with two of those runner-up finishes coming at the hands of Hirschman. 

Derek Griffith 

With nearly 60 career Super Late Model starts at New Smyrna Speedway, Griffith is one of the drivers with the most longevity in the Super Late Model division. The two-time World Series champion has a chance to claim a third title in the class. Not since David Rogers in 2009 has a driver won a title that was more than his second.  

Stephen Nasse 

Nasse, a former World Series champion, calls New Smyrna one of his home tracks. Will we see him go for the shorter races or just run the longer distance races? It’s hard to tell for sure, but we know he will be in the mix as he chases double-digit wins in the Super Late Model class. 

Cole Butcher 

This could be a sleeping giant we are about to wake. Butcher dominated SpeedFest at Cordele, but he didn’t win. He was quick to point out they had not run that well there last year. Butcher started on the outside of the front row for the Clyde Hart Memorial 200 a year ago before finishing ninth. It’s almost like if you give him a second crack at it he’s going to make it work.  

Hunter Wright 

Wright is looking to do what no driver has done in the Pro Late Model ranks and that is win back-to-back titles in the division.  The Pro Late Models run six nights this year and Wright will have to be at his best to claim another crown.  

Conner Jones 

Much like Wright, Conner Jones could contend for a second title, and his five wins have him among the most successful drivers in the Pro Late Model division. Jones will have a lot to gain against the deep talented fields of Pro Late Models. One win would get Connor Jones to six total wins, tying Cole Anderson on the all-time wins list. 

Ty Fredrickson 

The young second-generation driver could be chasing points all week as he gets ready for the big ASA Clyde Hart Memorial 200 on Tuesday, February 11. Fredrickson, the 2024 Kulwicki Driver Development Program champion, will look to win at the track his father (Dan) has pocketed wins at on two occasions in the past. 

Gavan Boshele 

The Donnie Wilson Motorsports driver has already won the Red Eye 50 at New Smyrna Speedway and will look to take the Brent Crews approach to winning the Speedweeks title. Crews won one out of five races and scored three runner-up finishes to claim the title. Boshele will be strong each night, but consistency will be the key to a title. 

Bonus: Jerry Symons 

Symons, an ace in the Florida Modified division, has 48 career wins and six overall titles in the division. Back in 2021 he had five second-place finishes and missed a seventh title by only two points. While the Florida Modifieds don’t run all nine nights like they did years ago, they will be a big part of the first few nights.