Rising Star Corey Day: The Next Kyle Larson?
Corey Day, a 19-year-old sprint-car sensation, has quickly become a name to watch in NASCAR. His natural talent and aggressive driving style have drawn comparisons to Kyle Larson, one of the most accomplished sprint-car racers to transitionR to NASCA’s top tier. "Watching his style, I feel like that’s what I look like a lot out there with how hard he runs," Larson said last year. "He’s very in control with how hard he runs. He’s very calculated. I feel like he makes really smart, quick decisions out there on the track. … I’m excited to kind of see where his career ends up." Day’s journey took a significant leap in December when he signed with Hendrick Motorsports, setting the stage for a diverse racing schedule that includes Xfinity, Truck, ARCA, and Trans Am series events. Despite the high expectations, Day remains grounded, embracing the praise from Larson and focusing on his performance rather than external pressures. "I love hearing it," Day said. "I definitely looked up to Kyle for a long time. I know that him speaking the praises he does, all the fans are going to hold me to a higher standard, but at the end of the day, I’ve just got to go do my job."
Preseason Prospect Rankings: The Next Generation in NASCAR
The 2025 preseason prospect rankings highlight a group of young drivers who are on the cusp of making a significant impact in NASCAR’s Cup Series. These rankings, which exclude drivers with prior Cup experience and those over 28 years old, emphasize driver talent, marketability, and funding. Corey Heim, at 22, leads the rankings after two seasons in the Truck Series, where he made the Champ 4 but came up short. Heim is also 23XI’s reserve driver and is expected to make his Cup debut this year. Connor Zilisch, 18, follows closely behind, thanks to his impressive 2023 season, which included poles and wins in both Truck and Xfinity Series races. Zilisch will run a full Xfinity season with JR Motorsports and make his Cup debut at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) with Trackhouse Racing.
Christian Eckes and Jesse Love: Consistent Performers
Christian Eckes, 24, rounds out the top five with a strong track record in the Truck Series, where he won eight races and had 25 top-5 finishes over the past two seasons. Moving to the Xfinity Series with Kaulig Racing, Eckes is poised to continue his success. Jesse Love, 20, is another standout, returning for his second Xfinity season with Richard Childress Racing. As the 2024 rookie of the year, Love notched one victory and several strong performances. If he can build on his 2024 season, a Cup ride is likely within reach in the next few years. Both drivers are known for their consistency and ability to perform under pressure, traits that are essential in the competitive world of NASCAR.
Emerging Talents: Brent Crews and Chandler Smith
Brent Crews, just 16 years old, is a Toyota development driver who made waves in 2023 by becoming the youngest champion and race winner in the Trans Am TA2. This year, Crews will compete in nine ARCA races for Joe Gibbs Racing, select Truck Series events for Tricon, and the Trans Am series for Nitro Motorsports. His youth and versatility make him a promising prospect. Chandler Smith, 22, is another driver to watch. Despite facing funding challenges, Smith won three Xfinity races in the last two years and now competes full-time in the Truck Series with Front Row Motorsports. His ability to secure top finishes and his growing experience make him a strong candidate for a future Cup Series ride.
Full-Time Xfinity Rookies: Carson Kvapil and Nick Sanchez
Carson Kvapil, 21, and Nick Sanchez, 23, are both transitioning to full-time Xfinity Series competition for 2025. Kvapil, a two-time CARS Tour late model stock champion, secured a full-time ride with JR Motorsports after several top-5 finishes in part-time races last year. Nick Sanchez, who won two races and finished fifth in the Truck Series standings in 2024, moves to Big Machine Racing to replace Parker Kligerman. Both drivers bring a wealth of experience from lower series and are eager to prove themselves in the Xfinity Series, a crucial stepping stone to the Cup Series.
Young Guns and Future Stars: Taylor Gray and Beyond
Taylor Gray, 19, and William Sawalich, 18, are also among the top contenders for a Cup Series future. Gray, who finished sixth in the Truck Series standings last year, moves to a full-time Xfinity role with Joe Gibbs Racing. Sawalich, the back-to-back ARCA East champion, will run a full Xfinity season at Joe Gibbs Racing and select Truck Series events with Tricon. Their performances in 2025 will be key indicators of their potential in NASCAR’s premier series. Additionally, newcomers like Tristan McKee, 14, and Kaden Honeycutt, 21, are part of the next wave of talent, each bringing unique skills and backgrounds to the sport. With a diverse group of young drivers vying for success, NASCAR’s future looks bright and filled with exciting possibilities.
