Future Cup Series Contenders Emerge: A Look at NASCAR's Top Young Talent for 2026

The path to NASCAR Cup Series stardom is a rigorous climb, with promising talents honing their skills in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS) and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) before reaching the pinnacle of stock car racing. Following the trajectory of 2025’s top prospect, Connor Zilisch, who is now set to pilot the No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet in the Cup Series after a dominant Xfinity (now NOAPS) season, the question on many minds is: who will be the next breakthrough star to join the elite ranks in 2026? Examining drivers under the age of 25, their recent performances, and their projected outlook for the upcoming season reveals a compelling group poised to make a significant impact.

1. Corey Heim (23) – Unassigned Cup Series Prospects

Topping the list of potential future Cup Series champions is Corey Heim, a driver whose current situation is remarkably perplexing. Despite being the reigning NCTS champion and widely regarded as one of the sport’s most prodigious talents, Heim currently lacks a full-time ride for the 2026 season. While expectations are for him to compete in a part-time Cup Series capacity with 23XI Racing, similar to his sixth-place finish at the Bristol Night Race in 2025, it remains a significant surprise that a driver of his caliber is not slated for a full-time championship contention. Heim’s 2025 season was a record-breaking affair in the Truck Series, with multiple records falling that had stood since the 1990s. His consistent performance and undeniable skill suggest this period of uncertainty will be short-lived. 23XI Racing’s clear interest in the young driver indicates a potential pathway, but his immediate future remains unconfirmed.

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

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At just 17 years old, Brent Crews is already making significant strides toward a Cup Series career. As a Toyota Development Driver, Crews is set to compete in 29 of the 33 NOAPS races for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2026, with his participation limited in the remaining four due to age restrictions. His prowess is evident in his record, having won six of 17 ARCA races entered. He also demonstrated considerable potential in the NCTS, securing two top-five and three top-ten finishes in ten starts with Tricon Garage. A particularly impressive performance came at the Charlotte Roval, where he led 53 of 70 laps before finishing second. Crews will be eligible for the NOAPS title in 2026, with the possibility of receiving a playoff waiver for the missed races due to age, a testament to his burgeoning talent.

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

Kaden Honeycutt has already established himself as a formidable contender, demonstrating impressive resilience throughout the 2025 season. Despite starting the year with Niece Motorsports and transitioning to Halmar-Friesen Racing, Honeycutt fought his way to the Championship 4 in the NCTS, ultimately finishing third in the season standings. His 2026 season promises a significant opportunity as he inherits the championship-winning No. 11 truck from Corey Heim at Tricon Garage. While stepping into such a prominent ride presents a considerable challenge, it also offers the advantage of piloting what is expected to be one of the fastest trucks on the circuit.

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

Jesse Love’s ascent has been nothing short of meteoric. A dominant ARCA champion in 2023, winning ten of twenty races, Love surprised many by clinching the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series (now NOAPS) title in a thrilling season finale, narrowly defeating Connor Zilisch. His championship run required a tenacious fight through every playoff round, culminating in a victory that defied expectations. Following his Xfinity success, Love ventured to Australia to compete in the Super 2 finale and is slated to participate in the Chili Bowl Nationals. His unexpected championship has significantly elevated his profile. However, Love may feel compelled to further validate his championship credentials, especially amidst online discussions questioning the format. He has also gained valuable Cup Series experience, having competed in five Cup races with Richard Childress Racing in 2025, positioning him closer to the top tier than many of his peers.

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

Layne Riggs emerged as a primary challenger to Corey Heim in the 2025 NCTS season, securing three victories. Despite his strong performance, he narrowly missed out on a Championship 4 berth, concluding the year fifth in points. However, when excluding Heim from the equation, Riggs led all other drivers in key statistical categories, including race wins, laps led, top-five finishes, pole positions, and average finishing position. With another season at Front Row Motorsports (FRM) on the horizon, and without the dominant presence of Heim, Riggs is considered the early favorite for the 2026 NCTS championship.

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

Carson Kvapil’s 2026 season will be characterized by a unique approach, as he is slated to drive multiple car numbers for JR Motorsports throughout the NOAPS season. This dynamic arrangement will involve working with different crew chiefs, reflecting a carefully constructed full-time schedule. While Kvapil was expected to achieve more in 2025, his performance still saw him reach the Championship 4 with JR Motorsports. Despite a strong playoff showing, he concluded the year winless, a distinction shared by no other full-time JR Motorsports driver that season. Nevertheless, his inherent talent is undeniable, and a second year with the established JR Motorsports team could prove to be his breakout season.

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

Similar to Kvapil, Rajah Caruth will navigate a split schedule in the 2026 NOAPS season, competing in 23 races with JR Motorsports and the remaining ten with Jordan Anderson Racing. This presents a significant challenge due to the disparity in equipment between the two organizations. Caruth will need to manage this difference while striving to elevate Jordan Anderson Racing’s performance and meet the expectations associated with driving for JR Motorsports. Having spent the previous three seasons full-time in the Truck Series, where he secured two wins and finished as high as sixth in the championship standings, Caruth possesses valuable experience in the secondary series. He will continue to benefit from the support of Hendrickcars.com and Rick Hendrick, a significant advantage for any emerging talent. This move marks a crucial step in his NASCAR progression as he transitions from the Truck Series.

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

Often compared to Kyle Larson due to their similar racing backgrounds, Corey Day is set to compete full-time in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026 with Hendrick Motorsports. This affiliation provides him access to top-tier resources as he embarks on his full-season campaign. While Day has shown flashes of speed in his young NASCAR career, his performances have been inconsistent, marked by several unforced errors. In eleven starts with Hendrick Motorsports in 2025, his best result was a fourth-place finish at Las Vegas, but his season was characterized by an average finish of 15.9. He also demonstrated speed in nine Truck races with Spire, including a second-place finish at IRP. The 2026 season will be critical for Day to consolidate his talent, and with the full backing of Hendrick Motorsports, his success will hinge on his ability to perform under pressure.

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

Chandler Smith’s career trajectory has been marked by some uncertainty, yet he continues to secure victories, a crucial indicator of potential. The 23-year-old has three wins in NASCAR’s secondary series and achieved a fifth-place finish in the 2024 standings. Despite facing questions about his 2025 team, he secured a ride with Front Row Motorsports (FRM) in the Truck Series. While this might appear as a step backward, Smith capitalized on the opportunity, earning two wins and bringing his NCTS career total to seven. If he can elevate his performance to match that of his teammate Layne Riggs in 2026, Smith still possesses the potential for a long and successful career in the sport.

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

Taylor Gray has a particular affinity for Martinsville Speedway. In 2024, a critical NCTS playoff race at the track, which could have propelled him into the Championship 4, was unfortunately cut short by an incident, resulting in a sixth-place finish in the standings. The Toyota driver subsequently moved to the Xfinity Series (now NOAPS) in 2025 with Joe Gibbs Racing. He experienced a similar setback at Martinsville, being wrecked out of the lead, but later found redemption, securing a victory at the secondary level. He concluded his rookie season seventh in points, a respectable performance. As a Joe Gibbs Racing driver, Gray faces heightened expectations for 2026. The potential is evident, but his ability to translate that into consistent top-level performance will be the key determinant of his future success.

Honorable Mention – Brenden ‘Butterbean’ Queen

While Brenden ‘Butterbean’ Queen exceeds the age requirement of under 25, his recent success warrants recognition. The 28-year-old late model standout dominated the 2025 ARCA Menards Series, winning eight races en route to the championship. In 2024, he made a noteworthy Truck Series debut at North Wilkesboro, finishing fourth. Queen has since found a new home with Kaulig Racing, signing with their new Ram-backed Truck Series program. In 2026, he will contend for the NCTS title. Kaulig Racing has a history of fostering driver loyalty, and if Queen excels, a potential pathway to the Cup Series could emerge if the team decides to advance him to the next level.

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