At north of 2,000 entries - a record-shattering number - the 41st annual Tulsa Shootout is one of the toughest racing events to win, let alone qualify for, in the entire world of motorsports. It’s called “The Mecca of Micros” for good reason.

All six divisions have set new all-time highs for car count with the program expected to need 400+ races and almost 4,000 laps over the next five days, and every single one of those laps will be live on FloRacing.

The only problem with writing this article you’re reading is that the true list of contenders for the prestigious Golden Drillers run a mile long, but we wanted to give you a look at 30 of the most notable stars in action this week inside Tulsa’s SageNet Center.

FloRacing is the official live streaming partner of the Tulsa Shootout, which officially begins on Tuesday, December 30 with Heat Races. The event continues all the way through Saturday, January 3 when six Golden Drillers are decided.

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Let’s look at some of the top dogs in attendance, including:

Emerson Axsom (Franklin, IN)

You could easily make the argument that nobody has been a bigger name at the Tulsa Shootout in the 2020s than Emerson Axsom. When this decade began, Emerson was a mere 15-years-old and now at the still ripe age of 21-years-old he already owns four Golden Drillers in six years and 21 feature starts (tied for 9th most since 2000). Starting all four Stock/Outlaw mains last year, he became the first and only driver ever to pull off the “Quadruple Duty” feat on three occasions. He’ll try to do it again this week, splitting time in Ten-J and Indy Race Parts entries.

Daison Pursley (Locust Grove, OK)

If you were to craft a list of the most-deserving drivers to earn a Golden Driller, who haven’t, this guy could likely top it. In his last five attempts at the Tulsa Shootout, Pursley has qualified for 14 features with five top-five finishes and several oh-so-close podium runs. The Golden Driller has slipped through his grasp at both Tulsa Expo events now, finishing runner-up to Kyle Larson at the Chili Bowl Nationals last year. As a kid from Oklahoma, winning a Golden Driller is at the top of his bucket list right now and he hopes to finally claim that this week with CB Industries.

Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, OK)

After a four-year hiatus from competing in the “Mecca of Micros,” Brady Bacon makes his return to the Tulsa Shootout this week - primarily because his son Lowry is making his debut in the Jr. Sprint division. He’ll return to a familiar outfit with Kelly and Lora Hinck in the TKH Motorsports No. 21H - the same team he earned two of his four Golden Drillers with in 2020 (Outlaw Non-Wing) and 2016 (Winged Outlaw). A 31-time Tulsa Shootout A-Main starter, “The Macho Man” is expected to pick up right where he left off in this building.

Frank Flud (Pryor, OK)

Would it really be a list of the Tulsa Shootout favorites if the man who is perhaps the greatest of all-time in micro sprints wasn’t included? Flud will always be a hot topic when Driller SZN rolls around, he has five Golden Drillers sitting on the mantle and currently owns the record for most A-Main starts this century (37) and has the longest active streak of consecutive A-Main starts (12 years). He’s set for another dose of quadruple duty this week with a chance to clear 40+ starts and perhaps join Donnie Ray Crawford with six micro sprint titles.

Joe B. Miller (Millersville, MO)

A 27-time Tulsa Shootout A-Main starter, Joe B. has a chance to surpass Kevin Bayer (30) this week to reach the top-five in most Stock/Outlaw starts this century. His 2017 Golden Driller run from worst-to-first will forever be among the stuff of legends. It’s a feeling he hopes to replicate as he brings the #51B back for quadruple duty this week.

Steven Snyder Jr. (Rising Sun, MD)

Back in 2024, Snyder enjoyed a breakout season in the micro sprint world - winning prestigious races such as the Outlaw Nationals at Port City (OK), the Terry Sprague Memorial at SIR (IL), the Small Town Throwdown at Sweet Springs (MO), and the Deuces Wild at US-24 (IN). The Maryland native went to the Tulsa Shootout and lived up to the hype - joining Kyle Larson and Emerson Axsom as the only drivers to qualify for all four Stock/Outlaw A-Mains last year. He was exceptional in the Outlaw Non-Wing 55-lap finale, and likely on his way to a Golden Driller, before mechanical issues eliminated him. He’s back for redemption this week with Hyper Racing.

KJ Snow (Kingsburg, CA)

Tied for the second-longest active streak of consecutive years in an A-Main, KJ has been in the hunt for a Golden Driller for 11-straight years now. He’s back for quadruple this week in hopes of topping his career-best Tulsa Shootout runs of third in Outlaw Non-Wing and fourth in Winged Outlaw.

Jason McDougal (Broken Arrow, OK)

Perhaps the most iconic performance in Tulsa Shootout came courtesy of J-Mac back in 2018 when he won an unprecedented three Golden Drillers in a single night. The Factor One stud is back in all four classes with a chance to become the first in history to hit the Quadruple Crown with a Winged Outlaw title. This year, it means more than ever as he’s wheeling a special #11A in tribute to his late friend, Avery Goodman.

Clinton Boyles (Greenwood, MO)

Splitting time between the FloRacing broadcast booth and the Indy Race Parts pit, Boyles quickly became a Golden Driller contender last year when he traded a headset for his steering wheel. The former World of Outlaws crew chief for Vermeer Motorsports turned program manager for Kyle Larson Racing’s micro sprints ran top-10 in Outlaw Non-Wing last year and was battling for the A-Class title when he and Daison Pursley got together in a chaotic race. He’s back this week for quadruple duty in the Expo.

TJ Smith (Fresno, CA)

The 2023 Outlaw Non-Wing champion, Smith has the luxury of staring at a Golden Driller on his mantle all year long - an accomplishment that took 15+ years of trying for the Californian. Most notably a non-wing ace, TJ reminded everyone last year that can do it all - earning the pole of Winged Outlaw and battling with Kyle Larson for the win. He’s back with his sights set on more gold this week, running quadruple duty in a pair of D1 machines.

Kyle Spence (Bear, DE)

After seven-straight years of competing at the Tulsa Shootout, Spence was absent from last year’s running, but he’s back again now. The two-time champion (2019 Stock Non-Wing, 2020 A-Class) is one of a mere 20 drivers to have earned 16+ Stock/Outlaw A-Main starts this century, and he’s got a chance to reach 20 starts this year as he returns with quadruple duty status.

Kameron Key (Warrensburg, MO)

Also in the TKH Motorsports stable with “The Macho Man” Brady Bacon is K2, a familiar face in the #21J micro sprints. He found his first Tulsa Shootout top-five in the 2022 A-Class feature, and came back with a seventh-place run in the headlining 2024 Winged Outlaw event. He’s back for quadruple duty this week with Kelly and Lora Hinck, trying to deliver their third Golden Driller as car owners.

Michael Faccinto (Hanford, CA)

A two-time Golden Driller (2013 A-Class, 2015 Winged Outlaw), Faccinto has the chance to become the 13th driver with three Tulsa Shootout titles in the primary classes. While competing in all four divisions this week, he’ll also be joined by his wife, Danika Jo, in Stock Non-Wing and A-Class. With three more starts this week, Michael could become the 11th man this century to hit the 20+ mark.

Blake Hahn (Sapulpa, OK)

Owner of nine Golden Drillers already, Hahn is back in the Outlaw classes aboard the familiar #52 with hopes of reaching the double-digit club. Specifically in Outlaw Non-Wing, Hahn earned the pole position last year and took home the title two years ago, proving the ASCS Sprint Car regular still rips in a micro sprint. It’s a great warmup for the grandson of event founder, Emmett Hahn, as he chases his sixth Chili Bowl A-Main start in two weeks.

Kris Carroll (Claremore, OK)

The Tulsa Shootout has helped nationwide FloRacing subscribers be introduced to the talents of local ace Kris Carroll over the years. He finished P2 to Brady Bacon in 2020 and then came back to dominate the 2021 Outlaw Non-Wing A-Main to earn his first-career Golden Driller. He’s back in a #05 entry in all four classes this week.

Logan Seavey (Sutter, CA)

A two-time Chili Bowl Nationals champion, Seavey has far less experience in the Tulsa Shootout (1 main event start 2022), but it’s still a great warmup before the big dance in two weeks when he reunites with Kevin Swindell. The USAC Triple Crown champ will compete in all four divisions of micro sprints this week in the Expo.

Jace Park (Overland Park, KS)

Joining the record books in 2024, Jace Park became one of 19 drivesr in Tulsa Shootout history to qualify for all four Stock/Outlaw mains in a single night. He made the most of his opportunity, showcasing his talents in a thrilling battle for the Stock Non-Wing win, ultimately falling just short of Gavan Boschele on the final restart. He’s now aligned with Frank Galusha to run the #12 in all four classes.

Trey Marcham (Oklahoma City, OK)

Remembered for his sweep of Outlaw Non-Wing and Stock Non-Wing in 2015, Marcham is back in the building with more Golden Drillers on his mind - attempting both non-wing divisions plus A-Class this week. It’s a lot more laps before he returns to chase his second top-10 in the Chili Bowl Nationals in two weeks.

Ricky Thornton Jr. (Martinsville, IN)

Whether it’s winning Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series championships, running top-five at Western World with the USAC Sprint Cars, nearly qualifying for the Chili Bowl Nationals, or battling for Tulsa Shootout Golden Drillers, there isn’t much RTJ can’t do. He’s made four A-Mains over the last three years and been a front runner on multiple occasions, finishing 2nd to Jake Hagopian in A-Class and just last year running 4th behind CBell, Larson & Axsom in the 55-lap Oultaw Non-Wing finale.

Kyle Larson (Elk Grove, CA)

As you read this, Kyle Larson is most likely either down under in Australia or currently somewhere over the Pacific Ocean on his way to the Tulsa Expo Center. Going straight from High Limit International to the Tulsa Shootout, logistics and time zones make it possible for “Yung Money” to only contest the Winged Outlaw division this week with CB Industries - one of the two classes he won a Golden Driller in last year. The reigning Chili Bowl Nationals champion could join Emerson Axsom (2023-24), Heath Duinkerken (2012-13), and Pete Frazier (1993-94) as the only back-to-back Winged Outlaw champs this week.

Chris Andrews (Tulsa, OK)

After a four-year absence, Andrews, one of the most decorated drivers in Tulsa Shootout history, makes his return this week in Stock Non-Wing, Outlaw Non-Wing, and A-Class. The local native owns three Golden Drillers to his name (all in non-wing), has qualified for all four Stock/Outlaw A-Mains on two occasions, and his 31 career starts is tied for second this century behind only Frank Flud. Look for him to add to his legacy this week.

Jonathan Beason (Broken Arrow, OK)

Over the last 20 Tulsa Shootouts, Jonathan Beason’s name has appeared in a Stock/Outlaw A-Main in 17 of those years - totaling 31 starts, tied second-most this century with Andrews and Bacon. After sitting out last year and helping his son J.J. Beason, Jonathan is back doing quadruple duty this week with Factory Fourteen and fully expects to return to contention.

Wyatt Miller (Statesville, NC)

The 2024 Tulsa Shootout Restricted champion, Miller has moved into all four Stock/Outlaw classes with Chad Boat’s lethal CB Industries camp. Last year, the grandson of Dale Earnhardt Sr. made both the Winged Outlaw and A-Class features. He could become one of the few teenagers to pull of the quadruple duty feat this week if he makes all four main events.

Brant Woods (Chickasha, OK)

One of the many Oklahomans hoping to keep the Golden Drillers within state lines, Brant doesn't have the biggest Tulsa Expo resume, but he enters this Tulsa Shootout after one of the best outdoor seasons by anyone in the nation. With the wing, he topped the High Banks Hustle at Southern Illinois Raceway. Without the wing, he won the Small Town Throwdown at Sweet Springs Motorsports Complex. He’ll have four chances in Stock/Outlaw to convert that success into his first Shootout title this week.

Ryan Timms (Oklahoma City, OK)

The reigning Knoxville Nationals champion and Tuscarora 50 winner returns to the site of his first-ever big win - the 2018 Tulsa Shootout. His Jr. Sprint score is still his only Golden Driller, having minimal success in the Stock/Outlaw divisions, yet qualifying for the Chili Bowl Nationals A-Main. Timms will look to turn around his micro resume this week as he runs all four classes with the prominent Factory Fourteen team.

Garrett Benson (Concordia, MO)

A popular story in the Tulsa Expo Raceway pits, like Timms, Garrett is one of those kids many have watched grow up before their very eyes since he was contending for Golden Drillers in the Jr. Sprints division. Nowadays, the 15-year-old is the ASCS Rookie of the Year and comes back to the Shootout chasing all four Stock/Outlaw divisions with his dad, Nathan Benson. In recent memory, Garrett has ran ninth in Outlaw Non-Wing and finished seventh in Winged Outlaw last year.

Ashton Torgerson (Medford, OR)

Before his rookie campaign with the World of Outlaws commences in 2026, Torgerson is back in the Expo with hopes of adding a new Golden Driller to his collection - already owning the 2024 A-Class title over Daison Pursley and Frank Flud. He, and his brother, Austin, will run all four divisions this week at the Tulsa Shootout.

Jeffrey Newell (Tulsa, OK)

The 2022 Outlaw Non-Wing champion reminded me everyone he’s still a threat in the Tulsa Expo last year when he drove from 11th-to-3rd in Stock Non-Wing behind Brent Crews and Quinton Benson. The local 918 native and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander superfan will return for quadruple duty this weekend in the #1J.

Tommy Kunsman (Bethleham, PA)

This Pennsylvanian is in the unfortunate category with names like Daison Pursley, Tyler Courtney, KJ Snow, and Andrew Felker, among the best to have contended for multiple Tulsa Shootout titles, albeit still without a Golden Driller on his mantle. Kunsman has been close on many occasions, but still chases that first taste of Tulsa glory. He’ll get four chances to change that script this week and hang his name on a banner.

Jake Hagopian (Fresno, CA)

One year away was too much. Jake Hagopian is back. The owner of Driven Performance will compete in A-Class, Stock Non-Wing, and Winged Outlaw (the one he desperately wants) this week in the Expo. His Shootout legacy is already impressive with a trio of A-Class titles making him one of 12 men with three Golden Drillers from the primary four classes.