The Next Wave of NASCAR Cup Series Talent: A 2026 Outlook

As the roar of engines fades from the 2025 season, the focus of the NASCAR world begins to shift towards the horizon, specifically to 2026. The pipeline of talent feeding into the premier NASCAR Cup Series is a crucial indicator of the sport’s future, and the feeder series – the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS) and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) – are where the next generation of stars are being forged. Following in the footsteps of last year’s top prospect, Connor Zilisch, who is now set to pilot the No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet full-time in the Cup Series after a dominant Xfinity (now NOAPS) campaign, the question remains: who will be the next to ascend to the sport’s highest echelon? This analysis identifies and ranks the top prospects under the age of 25, evaluating their current performance and projecting their potential impact in the 2026 Cup Series season.

1. Corey Heim (23) – Unsigned/Potential 23XI Racing

Corey Heim, the reigning NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, finds himself in a peculiar and, frankly, perplexing situation heading into 2026. Despite his undisputed dominance and record-breaking performances in the NCTS, a full-time ride in a top-tier series remains unconfirmed. Sources suggest a potential part-time opportunity with 23XI Racing, a team for which he made a strong impression with a sixth-place finish at the Bristol Night Race in 2025. It is widely considered an anomaly that a driver of Heim’s caliber, who shattered multiple Truck Series records, some standing since the 1990s, would not be vying for a championship in 2026. His talent is undeniable, and 23XI Racing’s interest is evident, making his uncertain future a significant talking point as the sport looks ahead.

2. Brent Crews (17) – #19 Joe Gibbs Racing (NOAPS)

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Brent Crews is positioned as a formidable contender in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for 2026, set to compete in 29 of the season’s 33 events with Joe Gibbs Racing. The sole limitation on his participation is his age; the 17-year-old Toyota Development Driver has already demonstrated exceptional promise, securing six victories in 17 ARCA starts. His transition to the NCTS in 2025 saw immediate success with Tricon Garage, earning two top-five and three top-ten finishes in ten starts. Notably, he led 53 of 70 laps at the Charlotte Roval before finishing second, showcasing his road-racing prowess. Crews will be eligible for the NOAPS title in 2026, with the potential to secure a playoff waiver for the four races he cannot contest due to age restrictions.

3. Kaden Honeycutt (22) – #11 Tricon Garage (NCTS)

Kaden Honeycutt is poised to inherit the championship-winning No. 11 truck at Tricon Garage for the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. His 2025 campaign was marked by consistent performance, reaching the Championship 4 and ultimately finishing third in the standings. Despite a mid-season team change from Niece Motorsports to Halmar-Friesen Racing, Honeycutt proved his mettle. The upcoming season presents a significant opportunity, as he will have one of the most competitive trucks in the field at his disposal, aiming to fill the considerable void left by Corey Heim.

4. Jesse Love (20) – #2 Richard Childress Racing (NOAPS)

Jesse Love has rapidly ascended the NASCAR ranks, capped by a surprising 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship. Having previously dominated the 2023 ARCA season with ten wins in twenty races, Love’s Xfinity title, secured in a dramatic season finale victory over Connor Zilisch, has significantly elevated his profile. His recent participation in the Super 2 finale in Australia and the Chili Bowl Nationals further highlights his versatility. While some online discourse questions the format of his championship win, Love is expected to be highly motivated to silence doubters in 2026. His presence in five Cup Series races with Richard Childress Racing in 2025 also indicates a closer proximity to the premier series than many of his peers.

5. Layne Riggs (23) – #34 Front Row Motorsports (NCTS)

Layne Riggs emerged as Corey Heim’s primary challenger in the 2025 NCTS season, securing three victories. Though he narrowly missed the Championship 4, ultimately finishing fifth in points, his performance was notable. Excluding Heim, Riggs led all other drivers in key statistical categories, including race wins, laps led, top-five finishes, poles, and average finish. With Heim’s departure from the Truck Series, Riggs is considered the early favorite for the 2026 NCTS title with Front Row Motorsports, aiming to capitalize on his strong 2025 showing.

6. Carson Kvapil (22) – JR Motorsports (NOAPS)

Carson Kvapil is set for a unique full-time campaign in the 2026 NOAPS season with JR Motorsports, with his schedule to be split across multiple car numbers and crew chief combinations. Despite reaching the Championship 4 in 2025, Kvapil concluded the season winless, a distinction that set him apart from his JR Motorsports teammates. However, the underlying talent is evident, and a second year with the established JR Motorsports organization could provide the platform for a breakout performance.

7. Rajah Caruth (23) – #88 JR Motorsports / #32 Jordan Anderson Racing (NOAPS)

Rajah Caruth will embark on a diverse 2026 NOAPS schedule, competing in 23 races with JR Motorsports and 10 with Jordan Anderson Racing. This arrangement presents a significant challenge, navigating the differing equipment and operational standards between the two organizations. Caruth, a two-time NCTS winner, spent the last three seasons in the Truck Series, achieving a sixth-place finish in the championship standings. His continued support from Hendrickcars.com and Rick Hendrick provides a valuable alliance. This transition marks a critical step in his NASCAR progression, moving beyond the Truck Series.

8. Corey Day (20) – #17 Hendrick Motorsports (NOAPS)

Often drawing comparisons to Kyle Larson due to their shared dirt-racing backgrounds, Corey Day will compete full-time in the 2026 NOAPS season with Hendrick Motorsports. This affiliation provides him with access to top-tier resources. Day has shown flashes of speed in his young NASCAR career, including a fourth-place finish at Las Vegas in the 2025 NOAPS season. He also secured a second-place finish in nine Truck Series starts with Spire Motorsports. The 2026 season will be pivotal for Day to translate his raw speed into consistent, strong results, with Hendrick Motorsports’ full backing.

9. Chandler Smith (23) – #38 Front Row Motorsports (NCTS)

Chandler Smith’s career trajectory has been marked by consistent race-winning performances, a critical attribute in NASCAR. The 23-year-old has accumulated three victories in the NOAPS and achieved a fifth-place finish in the 2024 standings. His 2025 season with Front Row Motorsports in the NCTS yielded two wins, bringing his career total in the series to seven. If Smith can elevate his performance to match that of his teammate Layne Riggs in 2026, he has the potential for a sustained career in the sport.

10. Taylor Gray (20) – #54 Joe Gibbs Racing (NOAPS)

Taylor Gray has shown a particular affinity for Martinsville Speedway, where he narrowly missed the Championship 4 in the 2024 NCTS playoffs due to an incident. After transitioning to the Xfinity Series with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2025, he experienced a similar setback at Martinsville while leading, but later secured a victory at the track, ending his rookie season seventh in points. As a JGR driver, Gray faces heightened expectations for 2026 to reach the next performance tier, with his potential yet to be fully realized.

Honorable Mention: Brenden "Butterbean" Queen

While not meeting the under-25 age criteria for this primary ranking, Brenden "Butterbean" Queen warrants significant attention. The 28-year-old late model standout dominated the 2025 ARCA Menards Series, securing eight wins and the championship. His fourth-place finish in his 2024 NCTS debut at North Wilkesboro garnered considerable notice. Queen has since joined Kaulig Racing for their new Truck Series program with Ram, positioning him as a contender for the 2026 NCTS title. Kaulig Racing’s history of driver loyalty suggests a potential pathway to the Cup Series for Queen should he excel in the upcoming season.

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