The future stars of the Cup Series are already emerging in the ranks, with the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS) and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) serving as the final stepping stones before the main event on Sunday. Previously, Connor Girish was highlighted as the top prospect, and he continued to impress by clinching the Xfinity Series championship and now drives full-time in the Cup Series for Trackhouse Racing’s No. 88 Chevrolet.
Looking ahead to 2026, we’ve identified the top young talents under 25 based on their current performance and potential trajectory.
Corey Heim (23)
Corey Heim finds himself in a somewhat puzzling position. Despite being the reigning Truck Series champion and a standout young talent, he won’t be contending for a title in 2026, though he is expected to have some part-time Cup appearances with 23XI Racing. His remarkable 2025 season saw him shatter several long-standing truck series records, underscoring his generational ability, but his future remains uncertain despite interest from top teams.Brent Crews (17) – #19 Joe Gibbs Racing (NOAPS)
Brent Crews will run 29 out of 33 races in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series this year with Joe Gibbs Racing, only missing events due to age limits. This 17-year-old Toyota development driver boasts six wins in 17 ARCA contests and nearly secured the Truck Series championship last year, finishing strong with multiple top finishes. Provisions for playoff exemptions due to age restrictions position him as a strong title contender in 2026.Kaden Honeycutt (22) – #11 Tricon Garage (NCTS)
Honeycutt has demonstrated great promise in 2025, taking at least one victory and finishing third in points after switching teams mid-season. For 2026, he inherits the championship-winning No. 11 truck, which comes with the expectation of maintaining its status as the fastest vehicle on the grid—a challenging but exceptional chance to excel.Jesse Love (20) – #2 Richard Childress Racing (NOAPS)
Starting 2025 as an established ARCA champion, Love surprised many by clinching the NASCAR Xfinity Series title that year. After a tough battle throughout the season, he emerged victorious and plans on competing internationally and in prestigious events like the Chili Bowl Nationals. Despite some skepticism online about his championship due to the format, Love is poised to prove himself once again in 2026 and already has Cup experience from five starts last year.Layne Riggs (23) – #34 Front Row Motorsports (NCTS)
In 2025, Riggs was the main challenger to Heim in the Truck Series, securing three wins but falling short of the Championship 4. Without Heim in the mix, Riggs leads many statistical categories and stands out as an early favorite for the 2026 title with Front Row Motorsports.Carson Kvapil (22) – JR Motorsports (NOAPS)
Kvapil will take on a unique full-time schedule in 2026, splitting his time among various cars and crew leaders at JR Motorsports. While expected to deliver bigger results in 2025, he still managed a solid season reaching the Championship 4 but didn’t notch a win. The upcoming year could be a breakout campaign as he gets more accustomed to his role.Rajah Carruth (23) – JR Motorsports / Jordan Anderson Racing (NOAPS)
Carruth plans to compete in all 33 NOAPS races, dividing his efforts between high-tier JR Motorsports and the more modest Jordan Anderson Racing. With two wins and consistent top finishes over the last three years, Carruth’s transition from trucks to stock cars will be closely watched as he seeks to live up to expectations and leverage support from Hendrickcars.com.Corey Day (20) – #17 Hendrick Motorsports (NOAPS)
Often compared to Kyle Larson due to similar backgrounds, Day will contest a full season in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with strong resources at Hendrick Motorsports. Despite flashes of speed, his rookie season was marred by mistakes and inconsistency; 2026 represents a critical year to demonstrate growth and fully capitalize on Hendrick’s backing.Chandler Smith (23) – #38 Front Row Motorsports (NCTS)
Smith’s career path has been somewhat uncertain, but he continues to rack up wins, holding seven Truck Series victories. After finishing fifth in points in 2024 and securing two wins in 2025 with Front Row Motorsports, he has potential to contend for more if he can elevate his performance further.Taylor Gray (20) – #54 Joe Gibbs Racing (NOAPS)
Gray is known for his affinity for Martinsville Speedway, where he narrowly missed out on playoff success in 2024 and again in a 2025 Xfinity win marred by a late crash. Finishing seventh in points as a rookie shows promise, but 2026 will be critical to see if he can build upon his potential with Joe Gibbs Racing.
Special Mention: Brenden “Butterbean” Queen
While older than the other prospects at 28, Queen has gained significant attention, capturing the 2025 ARCA Menards Series title with eight wins and impressing in his Truck Series debut in 2024. Now with Kaulig Racing’s new Truck Series program, a strong 2026 could propel him further, potentially even into the Cup Series, thanks to the team’s loyalty and resources.
Fan Take:
This lineup of young, hungry drivers highlights the depth of talent ready to shape NASCAR’s future, making the upcoming seasons thrilling for fans. Watching these emerging stars develop not only fuels excitement but also ensures the sport remains competitive and fresh for years to come.
