VENTURA, Calif. – Zeb Wise will bring the first year of his USAC P1 Insurance National Midget Series career full circle during Thursday night’s 78th annual Turkey Night Grand Prix at Ventura Raceway.

The 16-year-old made his second-career USAC start during last year’s running of the annual Thanksgiving night midget classic, earning Don Basile Rookie of the Race honors with a fifth-place finish after starting 15th in the 98-lap feature.

As he’s become known for, Wise calmly and methodically worked his way through the field in impressive fashion, and in doing so launched his career into the public eye almost overnight.

Now, a year older and with a year of experience on the road under his belt, Wise is hoping that a return to Ventura will allow him to add even more accolades to his already-stellar young career.

“Man, I’m really excited to get to go back to Ventura,” Wise told SPEED SPORT. “When we went there last year, it was only my second USAC race and just having that sanction attached … it takes on your confidence, actually, because you realize that you’re racing against the best and you wonder if you’re actually good enough to be there this soon.

“To go out there, come from deep (in the field) and end up top five … that was really big. To read the board and see some of the names that have won the rookie award at Turkey Night, it was humbling to say the least that I got to add my name to that list,” Wise added. “It’s been a long journey over the last year, going on the road and really learning what we needed as a group and what I needed in the car. I’ve gained a lot of confidence in myself and grown up, on and off the track … and I think that all helps.”

Since his performance last Thanksgiving, Wise has gone on to secure his first USAC national midget victory – doing so at Lanco’s Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway in August – and he sits ninth in series points heading into the last event of the season despite missing four races in July while recovering from a broken collarbone.

He also scored arguably the biggest win of his career to-date when he topped the Stoops Pursuit race on the opening night of the inaugural Driven2SaveLives BC39 presented by NOS Energy Drink at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Dirt Track.

Wise admitted prior to this year’s Turkey Night Grand Prix that he wasn’t necessarily prepared for the amount of publicity that his early USAC success with Clauson-Marshall Racing has brought him.

“I wasn’t expecting the attention we’ve gotten and I’ve gotten, at all,” said Wise. “That doesn’t mean anything bad about Clauson-Marshall, either; just that I’ve sat here in awe of all of it, really. When we first rolled my micro out at the Tulsa Shootout with Clauson-Marshall Development on the side, and then when the midget ride followed … the amount of attention that got was crazy.

“Racing for Bryan Clauson’s dad and having Priority Aviation on the side of the car with Richard and Jennifer Marshall, it’s definitely a big stage. I try to keep my mind off of that as much as I can, to be honest with you, but it’s not something you can ever totally ignore. It’s just a balance you have to find.”

Wise was clear on one thing, however. He noted that without the belief of team co-owner Tim Clauson and the late Bryan Clauson in his abilities, he wouldn’t be where he is today.

“Tim has been the biggest help,” said Wise. “When I went in there, I was expecting the drivers to be the biggest help for me, but I think Tim has actually been my biggest mentor. I’d say there’s not another development guy out there who is as good with kids as Tim Clauson is.

“He teaches you the right things, not only on the track, but off the track as well,” Wise added. “I think that means more than what you’re doing on the track, honestly … is how you carry yourself off the race track and back at home. This isn’t just a team, it’s one big family and I’m thankful to be a part of it.”

After joining names like Dave Steele, Bobby East, Kevin Swindell and Carson Macedo as a Rookie of the Race last year, Wise is gunning to join names like Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell and his late mentor, Bryan Clauson, as a winner of the Turkey Night Grand Prix this time around.

The Angola, Ind., teenager noted that after having “no expectations” in 2017, he has only one goal now.

“We’re there to win,” Wise stated. “We want the big trophy and I believe this team can bring it home.”