ZACH WIGAL

It had been 20 years since an Ohioan earned top Rookie honors with the USAC National Midgets, but in 2024, he was proud to wear that badge after being named the Max Papis Innovations Bob Stroud Rookie of the Year. The 17-year-old, who actually attends high school across the border in Parkersburg, West Virginia, became the third Ohioan to win the award following Donnelsville, Ohio brothers Teddy Beach (2002) & Todd Beach (2004). Wigal finished 9th in the series standings, recording a pair of fast qualifying awards at Lawrenceburg and Mitchell County. Labor Day weekend in September at Sun Prairie, Wisconsin’s Angell Park Speedway produced his first career series victory during the opening night of the 39th Firemen’s Nationals. Wigal is also a graduate of the USAC Midwest Thunder SpeeD2 Midget series, having won its 2023 series championship. An avid pilot, Wigal also recently earned his private pilot license.