After much anticipation, the 2023 Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals begin Thursday night inside The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis. The opening night of preliminary action will feature a field of 71 Dirt Late Models and 31 Open Wheel Modifieds. 

Let's take a look at some of the familiar faces you can expect to see in action Thursday night. Full rosters for both divisions can be viewed at the bottom of this story. 

Bobby Pierce

Two-time Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals winner Bobby Pierce returns to The Dome in 2023 looking to become the first three-time race winner. Pierce will also be looking for his second straight Thursday night prelim win. 

Carson Hocevar

After making the main event in his first attempt last year, NASCAR Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar returns to The Dome in 2023 seeking more success. Hocevar, who made the Championship Four in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series this season, will run full-time for Spire Motorsports in the NASCAR Cup Series next season. 

Gordy Gundaker

Gundaker returns to the Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals, a race he's had success at in the past. Gundaker claimed a preliminary night win in 2017 and a career-best main event finish of fifth in 2019. 

Hudson O'Neal

The 2023 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series champion has teamed up with Boom Briggs for a run at the Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals. O'Neal previously won a Thursday night preliminary feature in 2017. 

VIDEO: Hudson O'Neal is "moving on" after an incident with Tyler Carpenter last year. 

Jason Feger

"The Highside Hustler" will be looking to close out a strong 2023 campaign with a big victory at the Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals. Feger, who had a strong season competing on Illinois bullrings, returns to St. Louis with three straight top-10 finishes in hand. 

Jimmy Owens

"The Newport Nightmare" is set to make his debut at the Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals in style. Owens will compete in the Modified division on Thursday night before strapping into a Dirt Late Model for Friday night's preliminary action. 

Kenny Wallace

"The Hermanator" will be looking to thrill the hometown St. Louis crowd again in 2023. Wallace will once again compete in the Modified division after winning the "Win & You're In" last chance race last year. 

Nick Hoffman

After missing last year's event due to an injury, Hoffman is back and focused solely on winning the Late Model main event. In his last Gateway appearance, Hoffman record podium finishes in the Dirt Late Model, Modified and Midget features. 

Ricky Thornton, Jr. 

The defending winner of the Modified feature will begin his title defense on Thursday night at The Dome before strapping into his Dirt Late Model on Friday. Thornton is fresh off a career-best season behind the wheel of a Dirt Late Model  

Shannon Babb

The winner of the first-ever preliminary feature at the Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals will be looking to get back to victory lane on Thursday night. Babb is one of only four drivers to compete in every main event at The Dome. 

Tyler Erb

The champ is here. Tyler Erb is back in the building looking to back up his win from one year ago. Last year, Erb snuck in as somewhat of an underdog in his event debut. This year, all eyes will be on the No. 1 as he looks to defend his title. 

Gateway Dirt Nationals Thursday Late Model Roster

Gateway Dirt Nationals Thursday Modified Roster