The top prospects in NASCAR have been tearing up the track this season and are catching the eyes of fans and potential car owners. Earlier this season, we discussed the top ten NASCAR Cup Series prospects, and now that NASCAR is in the midst of the Olympic break, now is a perfect time to rethink this list. Here is an updated list of NASCAR’s top 10 prospects. For reference, check out our early-season list below.
Layne Riggs and Sammy Smith were included in our early-season Cup Series prospects list, but their disappointing seasons have removed them from it. Riggs’ only chance of making the Playoffs is a surprise win at Richmond Raceway, and Smith is firmly on the Playoff bubble in the Xfinity Series. Both drivers had higher expectations coming into 2024, and they have regressed.
Connor Zilisch burst onto the scene early in 2024 after Trackhosue signed him to a development contract. After class wins in the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, he moved to stock cars, where he won the pole in his Truck Series debut at COTA. He currently leads the ARCA Menards Series East points standings with four wins, including three ARCA National wins, and he could be on his way up to JRM next year. However, his lack of oval experience keeps him at 10 on this list.
William Sawalich has bumped up a spot on this list. After a solid season in 2023, 2024 has been more of the same, with multiple ARCA wins with an Xfinity Series debut on the horizon later this season. He could be one to watch for a Joe Gibbs Racing Xfinity Series seat in 2025.
We chose not to rank Sam Mayer in the preseason, which may have been our biggest misstep. Mayer has won two more races this season to back up his Championship 4 appearance in 2023. His five DNFs are something to clean up, but he has plenty of raw speed that has reportedly caught the attention of some Cup Series team owners.
Riley Herbst is a controversial driver. Coming into the season, he had only won one Xfinity Series race but kept getting opportunities in top equipment. However, he has turned around and had his best Xfinity Series season yet, with an impressive win at Indianapolis and a solid top-five points position. It could be enough to get a Cup Series ride in 2025.
Rajah Caruth started the 2024 season off with a bang, winning the third race at Las Vegas. He cooled off some in the late spring and early summer, but he’s still put together a solid season so far, and he’s in the Championship mix. He’s not dropped due to his performance so much as the emergence of those above him.
Jesse Love has enjoyed a solid first season with Richard Childress Racing. Like Caruth, Love has struggled some as the season entered its middle third, but it’s still been a decent year for such a young driver. Again, he’s dropped because drivers above him are performing well.
Nick Sanches might be a Championship spoiler. After a winless but solid 2023, he’s won two races in 2024 and is fourth in the points. He may not be Cup Series ready yet, but he is well on his way.
Christian Eckes has emerged as a Championship favorite this season. He’s won three races and has 14 top-10s in 15 races. He has the regular season Championship all but locked up, but does he have enough funding to move up to the Cup Series?
Chandler Smith has shown some struggles recently, but he’s still a genuine Championship threat. He has a lot of funding from QuickTie, which should make him an attractive Cup Series candidate at some point, even if that’s not Martin Truex Jr.’s replacement.
Corey Heim continues to impress in the Craftsman Truck Series and is Toyota’s top prospect. However, that might not bring him up to the Cup Series next year, even if fans are looking for it. Either way, it’s not a matter of if but when for the driver of the No. 11 to be in the Cup Series full-time.
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