Drivers to Keep an Eye On: NASCAR Edition (Part 1)

There are a lot of great young talents to keep an eye on for the next couple of years like Corey Heim, Layne Riggs, Rajah Caruth, Connor Zilisch, and Jesse Love. But today’s article is about the up-and-comers who aren’t yet regulars in NASCAR’s top three national series but are well on their way. This is Part 1 of the series, with Part 2 coming soon. These aren’t rankings, just a closer look at drivers who stand out. Alongside each name, we also added an estimated time of arrival for the Cup Series, similar to how MLB projects prospects.

5. Luke Baldwin

If you’re from the northeast and a modified fan, the Baldwin name is familiar to you. But we’re not talking about Tom Baldwin Sr. or Tommy Baldwin Jr, we’re talking about the third generation, Tommy Jr’s son Luke. At just 19 years old, Luke Baldwin has been racing in multiple series to sharpen his craft. He’s shown strong results in the SMART Tour, NASCAR Modified Series, the CARS Tour, and in limited Truck Series starts.

He’s expected to get more opportunities with ThorSport, possibly landing a full-time ride for 2026. Baldwin’s versatility stands out, and if he closes the year strong and shows dominance in key late-season races, top Cup teams will start keeping tabs on him. Trucks and Xfinity should be a natural fit for his skillset, and he has the potential to thrive in both.

Cup Series ETA: 2031

4. Keelan Harvick

Don’t worry NASCAR fans, there’s another Harvick on the way. Keelan is just 13, but he’s already dipped into multiple disciplines while deciding whether to chase NASCAR, IndyCar, or even Formula 1. Recently, he’s leaned more toward stock cars and oval racing, a path that makes sense given his background.

He’s won in Legend Cars and recently earned his first CARS Tour victory at Kern Raceway, his dad’s home track. 2025 was his first true season in stock cars, and he’s already sitting second in the CARS Pro Late Model Tour standings.

While it’s early, you can tell Kevin Harvick’s experience amd grind to be a NASCAR legend is paying off in Keelan’s development. He’s been exposed to many different types of racing, and that versatility is something Cup drivers need if they want to win championships. The next two years will be key in how his career develops.

Cup Series ETA: 2035

3. Tristan McKee

Tristan McKee turned heads in August by becoming one of the youngest winners in NASCAR history with his ARCA victory at Watkins Glen, just days after his birthday. McKee currently splits time between ARCA and the CARS Tour, which has become the proving ground for America’s best young drivers.

He’s also part of Spire’s development pipeline, giving him a strong foundation and potential opportunities. If he continues to develop at this pace, he could find himself in a Truck ride by late 2017 or 2028. I’m especially interested to see if he runs a full ARCA season soon, because that series is a real test of driver mentality. Mistakes happen there, and how he handles them will say a lot about his future. He’s young and has time, but the raw talent is there and even Stevie Wonder could see that.

Cup Series ETA: 2035

2. Isabella Robusto

Friend of the program Isabella Robusto has been quietly impressive in ARCA, showing she’s far more than just a marketing name. At 20, she’s already stacked up 10 top-10 finishes in 14 races this season, and she’s done it against tough competition. Toyota has invested heavily in her development, and it’s clear they see long-term potential.

A part-time Truck schedule could be in play as soon as next year, although Toyota hasn’t announced their 2026 plans yet. What I’d like to see from her is a late-season push — maybe some wins or a consistent run of top-3 and top-5 finishes. ARCA can be chaotic at times, but Trucks might give her a better platform to show just how good she is. Robusto has the tools and support to make history in the Cup Series, and like many others, I’ve got a good feeling about her future.

Cup Series ETA: 2032

1. Ben Maier

Ben Maier may not be on everyone’s radar, but the 16-year-old has been putting together an impressive run. He currently leads the CARS Pro Late Model championship, ahead of Keelan Harvick in second. His resume is already unique, with experience ranging from Stadium Super Trucks to one-off appearances in the Truck Series, including a start at Lime Rock Park.

Unlike others on this list, Maier isn’t officially aligned with any team pipeline. That leaves his future wide open, which could be an advantage if he continues to perform. I’m curious to see where his Chevy connections take him, and which team he ultimately chooses to align with. For now, I’ve projected his Cup Series ETA for 2036, but that could accelerate if he puts together a dominant season in the CARS Tour, ARCA, or another series next year.

Cup Series ETA: 2036