5 Under-the-Radar NASCAR Drivers Who Will Start Challenging Big Names

The youth movement is in full effect, especially in NASCAR's lower ranks. The Nationwide and Camping World Truck series are flush with talent, potential and impressive production. 

They come from different backgrounds, with different bloodlines (at least most of them) and with their own unique personalities. But one thing unifies all five of these drivers, and that's the fact that they deserve close attention, as we may be looking at the Sprint Cup's newest generation. 

Here's five names flying under the Cup radar that will pose a stark threat to those running in NASCAR's most elite series. 

Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

If it weren't for a lack of sponsorship, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. would competing on the Sprint Cup circuits on a regular basis in 2012.

But Roush Fenway Racing's flagship No. 6 remains out of commission in NASCAR's premier series, leaving the young gun with no choice but to continue tuning his skills in the Nationwide series. 

An argument could be made that Stenhouse Jr. doesn't have much left to learn, considering he took home the series championship in Nationwide last season. He did so en route to two victories, but even more impressively, the 24-year-old posted top-10 finishes in 76 percent of the contests.

Stenhouse Jr. hasn't calmed down much in 2012, already posting three victories in 12 races. That, to go along with nine top-10 finishes and an improved average starting position compared to last year.

He'll likely crack back into the Sprint Cup series at some point this season, as Jack Roush is surely interested in giving his up-and-comer every chance to succeed. 

The future is here for Ford racing; now it's time to find this kid a sponsor. 

Trevor Bayne

Trevor Bayne carries the Ford Racing flag as well, and he's already cracked Victory Lane in the Cup series not to mention the starting lineup. 

In just his second career start, Bayne took home the checkered flag in the 2011 running of the Daytona 500. He became the youngest-ever victor in the Great American Race and wasn't even of age to celebrate the win. 

Bayne is running the 2012 Sprint Cup schedule on a part-time basis but has continued to show flashes. He's only finished on the lead lap in two of his five contests, but he finished ninth and eight, respectively, in those starts.

In the Nationwide series, Bayne is also competing on a part-time basis this year, experiencing moderate success. In five races, he's posted three top-10 finishes to go along with a 6.4 average starting position. 

Austin Dillon

It was only a matter of time before Richard Childress' bloodline began to infiltrate NASCAR's premier series.

Austin Dillon has been making starts in the Nationwide series since 2008, but on a highly limited basis. He only had 11 races under his belt prior to attacking the series full-time in 2012. 

Dillon currently sits third in the points chase, thanks largely to his five top fives and nine top 10s. This is hardly his first go-round at being in the mix of a NASCAR points race, however. 

In 2010, Dillon finished fifth in the Camping World Truck Series final standings only to outstage himself the next season. With nearly 500 laps led, two victories, five poles and 16 top 10s, Dillon became the youngest championship winner the series has ever seen. 

In fact, his feat is even more impressive than that. Dillon became the first series champion under the age of 40 to win since Travis Kvapil in 2003.  

Ty Dillon

You knew there were two of them, right?

Richard Childress has two grandsons on their way up through the NASCAR ranks. Austin Dillon may already be a series champion, but his younger brother Ty isn't very far behind. 

Running the full Truck series schedule in 2012, Ty is already well on his way to stardom. In six races, Dillon has yet to finish outside of the top 10, adding a pole, a top five and an average starting position of fifth to a growing resume. 

Dillon impressed so much in his brief work in the Camping World series that he was given his first shot at the Nationwide series competition last weekend. He started third and finished eighth, posting nearly identical numbers to his recent Truck series production. 

It's honestly tough to gauge which one of the two brothers is more impressive.  

Cole Whitt

Cole Whitt doesn't yet have any victories under his belt, but the 20-year-old does have a ton of untapped potential. 

Racing out of the JR Motorsports stable, Whitt is competing in the Nationwide series full-time this season. He's making the jump up from the Truck series, after placing ninth in the final standings in 2011. 

Whitt currently sits sixth in the Nationwide championship battle, posting two top fives and five top-10 finishes.

He's got a lot of room for improvement when it comes to qualifying position, and it hasn't been his strong suit since breaking into the NASCAR ranks, but Whitt knows what to do once the green flag waves.