Just like any other sport, tomorrow’s champion is always waiting in the wings and in the pinnacle of stock car racing, the final two steps before the big show are the NASCAR Truck and NASCAR Xfinity Series.
We looked at the most promising drivers under 25 from these two divisions, choosing the ten brightest prospects based on their history of on-track successes, their backing, but also their immediate future as several have lined up new rides for 2025. Some names are ones you might already know and recognize. The rest — you’ll want to remember.
1. Connor Zilisch (18)
Putting Zilisch at the very top was among the easiest decisions when compiling this list. The Trackhouse signee is only 18 years old and yet, he’s already accomplished more than some who have been racing for decades. It would probably be easier to list off what the teenaged sensation hasn’t won in, but his current win-list includes IMSA, ARCA, Mazda MX-5 Cup, Trans-Am, and even the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Yep, Zilisch won in his very first Xfinity start at Watkins Glen earlier this year, and it wasn’t even his biggest accomplishment of the 2024 season. He also earned LMP2 class victories in the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the Sebring 12 Hours for Era Motorsport. He’s since been made an official Red Bull athlete, which is always a good company to have behind you.
Zilisch is already under contract to Trackhouse Racing and has secured a full-time Xfinity ride for 2025 with JR Motorsports — an organization led by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his sister Kelley, and one that has won four driver’s titles with four different drivers over the last decade. There’s really no question that this driver will be in Cup one day.
Race winner Connor Zilisch, JR Motorsports, Carolina Carports Chevrolet Camaro
Photo by: Danny Hansen / NKP / Motorsport Images
2. Corey Heim (21)
Heim is about to spend his third consecutive year in the NASCAR Truck Series, which is surprising, but not unheard of for Cup prospects. Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar took a similar path, with both skipping the Xfinity Series before joining at the Cup level. And Heim has a head start as the 21-year-old has actually run three Cup races already — all with 23XI Racing. In the Truck Series, he’s yet to secure a title, but he’s made the Championship 4 in back-to-back years and has 11 wins in just 64 starts. He has some starts in the Xfinity Series too, earning a career-best result of third at Iowa earlier this…
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