The Newbies: NASCAR’s Up and Coming Drivers to Watch

07.07.2017

by Liz Allison, LizAllison.com

With the well-established changing of the guard taking place in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series right now, the series is opening up seats for many up-and-coming drivers who are still wet behind the ears at NASCAR’s top level…and for some, waiting on the life changing call to climb into NASCAR’s top series for a chance to race with the world’s fastest.

NASCAR’s premier series is losing some of its biggest stars, leaving many fans searching for a new driver to follow. Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards, and most recently Dale Earnhardt, Jr. have all made the decision to hang it up and call a wrap on their racing career.

Each of these veteran drivers had a sea of fans behind them…many fans who are still trying to connect with a new driver.

The sport has never been as stacked with the talent pool it has today.  With literally hundreds of young boys and girls racing across America each week, the talent continues to ripen.

As the series goes through a major time of transition and many fans are driver searching, check out this list of young drivers to keep your eye on….some you have heard of and some maybe not just yet but chances are….you will.

Kyle Larson

  • 24 years old
  • #42 for Chip Ganassi Racing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
  • 2013 Nationwide Rookie of the Year
  • 2014 Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year
  • Came through NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Program
  • Three Cup Series wins
  • Eight Xfinity Series wins
  • Two Truck Series wins

Chase Elliott

  • 21 years old
  • #24 for Hendrick Motorsports in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
  • Son of former Cup Series champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott
  • Signed a developmental deal with Hendrick Motorsports in 2011.
  • 2014 Nationwide Series Champion
  • 2014 Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year
  • 2014-15 Xfinity Most Popular Driver
  • 2016 Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year
  • Five Xfinity Series Wins
  • Two Truck Series Wins

Ryan Blaney

  • 23 Years old
  • #21 for Wood Brothers Racing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
  • Son of  former NASCAR Driver Dave Blaney
  • Grandson of Dirt Track Legend Lou Blaney
  • 2013 Truck Series Rookie of the Year
  • 2014 Truck Series Most Popular Driver
  • One Cup Series Win
  • Five Xfinity Series Wins
  • Four Truck Series wins

Chris Buescher

  • 24 years old
  • #37 JTG Daugherty Racing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
  • 2011 ARCA Rookie of the Year
  • 2012 ARCA Champion
  • 2015 Xfinty Series Champion
  • One Cup Series Win
  • Three Xfinity Series Wins

Bubba Wallace

  • 23 years old
  • #43 for Petty Motorsports in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
  • Came through NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program
  • 2010 Signed a developmental deal with Joe Gibbs Racing
  • 2010 K&N East Rookie of the Year
  • Five Truck Series wins

William Byron

  • 19 years old
  • #9 for JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series
  • 2014 signed with JR Motorsports late model program
  • 2015 K&N Pro Series East Champion
  • 2016 Truck Series Rookie of the Year
  • Two Xfinity Series Wins
  • Seven Truck Series Wins

Eric Jones

  • 21 years old
  • #77 for Furniture Row Racing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
  • 2015 Truck Series Rookie of the Year
  • 2015 Truck Series Champion
  • 2016 Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year
  • Eight Xfinity Series Wins
  • Seven Truck Series Wins

Daniel Suarez

  • 25 years old
  • #19 for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
  • 2016 Xfinity Series Champion
  • Came through NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Program
  • Three Xfinity Series wins
  • One Truck Series win

Christopher Bell

  • 22 years old
  • #4 Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Camping World Truck Series
  • 2013 USAC Champion
  • Four Truck Series Wins

Jeb Burton

  • 24 years old
  • #24 Toyota for JGL Racing in Xfinity Series
  • Son of Former NASCAR Driver Ward Burton
  • Nephew of Former NASCAR Driver Jeff Burton
  • Led Truck Series with 7 Pole Positions in 2013
  • One Truck Series Win

John Hunter Nemechek

  • 20 years old
  • #8 Chevy for NEMCO Motorsports in Camping World Truck Series
  • Son of Former NASCAR Driver Joe Nemechek
  • 2012 Allison Legacy Series Champion
  • 2015 Truck Series Most Popular Driver
  • Five Truck Series Wins

Jesse Little

  • 20 years old
  • #97 JJL Motorsports in the Camping World Truck Series
  • Son of former NASCAR Driver Chad Little
  • 2013 K&N East Rookie of the Year

Harrison Burton

  • 16 years old
  •  Son of former NASCAR Driver Jeff Burton
  •  2017 Signed a deal with Kyle Busch Motorsports for six truck races

Ty Dillon

  • 25 years old
  • #13 Chevy for Germain Racing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
  •  Younger brother of NASCAR driver Austin Dillon
  • Son of former driver Mike Dillon
  • Grandson of NASCAR car owner Richard Childress
  • 2011 ARCA Champion
  • 2012 Truck Series Rookie of the Year
  • 2013 Truck Series Most Popular Driver
  • Three Xfinity Series wins
  • One Truck Series win

Todd Gilliland

  • 17 years old
  • Son of former NASCAR Driver David Gilliland
  • 2016 Signed deal to drive limited schedule in 2017 Truck Series for Kyle Busch Motorsports