Ranking the 10 Best NASCAR Drivers Under 25 Years Old
As the late Whitney Houston used to sing, “I believe the children are our future. Teach them well, and let them lead the way.”
That’s quite appropriate in the world of NASCAR. With so many of today’s superstars destined to be retiring in the next decade, the future of the sport is centered around today’s young stars, those who are under the age of 25.
Who will be the next Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and others?
Many of the next-generation replacements can be found on the following list. Some have already made some significant achievements; others have their own achievements still to make.
Before we get into our list of the 10 best under 25, here are some honorable mentions who barely missed making the list: John Hunter Nemechek (17 years old), Cole Whitt (23), Alex Bowman (21), Ryan Truex (22), Ben Kennedy (23), Ty Dillon (22), Ryan Reed (21) and Jeb Burton (22).
10. Ryan Blaney, 21 Years Old
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After two full seasons in the Camping World Truck Series—he finished sixth in 2013 and second in 2014—Ryan Blaney will make the big jump to a part-time Sprint Cup ride with the legendary Wood Brothers team in 2015.
In addition to three wins, 22 top-five and 35 top-10 finishes in the Truck Series, Blaney also did well in the former Nationwide Series.
In 30 starts, he earned two wins, 12 top-five and 23 top-10 finishes.
Blaney replaces Trevor Bayne in the No. 21 Ford Fusion.
9. Chris Buescher, 22 Years Old
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The cousin of former Camping World Truck Series champ James Buescher, Chris is making a name for himself, as well.
But unlike his cuz, Chris has been making that name in the Xfinity (formerly Nationwide) Series.
Chris Buescher will be entering his second full season in the Xfinity Series in 2015. Last season, in his first full season, he made 32 starts and earned one win, five top-five and 14 top-10 finishes, ending up seventh in the overall standings.
Team owner Jack Roush is very high on Buescher and his potential. It would not be a surprise to see him jump to the Cup Series in the next two years.
8. Austin Dillon, 24 Years Old
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Austin Dillon had a rough rookie season in the Sprint Cup Series in 2014.
In 36 starts, he managed just one top-five finish and three other top-10 finishes. He also earned one pole, which was a big one: the season-opening Daytona 500.
Even though he won the Camping World Truck Series championship in 2011 and the Nationwide (now Xfinity) Series title in 2013, it became more apparent as the 2014 season went on that the grandson of Richard Childress needed more time behind the wheel.
So come 2015, Dillon will be running in a number of Xfinity Series races, along with his second full-time season in the Sprint Cup Series.
Dillon has everything he needs for success in terms of resources, sponsorship and a great team led by his grandfather. We expect him to make a big jump upward in 2015.
7. Darrell Wallace Jr., 21 Years Old
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Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. won four races in 2014, as well as nine top-five and 14 top-10 finishes in the Camping World Truck Series.
He also finished a close third in the final standings.
His reward for a breakout season? He lost his ride for 2015, due to lack of sponsorship.
Fortunately, Bubba and his talent have been picked up for at least a part-time schedule in 2015 with Roush Fenway Racing.
If the first two seasons of his performance in the Truck Series is any indication, Bubba is bound for much bigger and greater success.
6. Erik Jones, 18 Years Old
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When you have a .250 winning percentage, that makes people pay attention big-time.
That’s the case with Michigan native Erik Jones.
He competed in just 12 races in 2014 in the Camping World Truck Series and wound up winning three, plus five top-five and eight top-10 finishes (along with two poles).
That's some eye-opening results. And it’s also a good example of even better things to come for Jones in 2015 and beyond.
5. Trevor Bayne, 23 Years Old
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After 58 career starts in the Sprint Cup Series, plus a win in the sport’s biggest race—the 2011 Daytona 500—it’s about time that Trevor Bayne finally has a full-time Sprint Cup ride.
It only took him four seasons.
But in the meantime, Bayne has been perfecting his craft in the Nationwide (now Xfinity) Series.
In 151 starts in NASCAR’s junior league, Bayne finished in the top 10 almost half the time: two wins, 24 top-five and 72 top-10 showings, as well as seven poles.
He also had season finishes of sixth (twice) and seventh in four full-time Nationwide Series seasons.
Now, Bayne will be full time for the first time in the Sprint Cup Series—and it couldn’t happen to a better guy. Sure, he’ll likely have his struggles, but if Bayne doesn’t prove he’s ready to run the Cup Series full time now, he’ll never be able to do so.
He’s in a good spot with Roush Fenway Racing, a team that has been on the downslide, but is expected to start back on the upswing in 2015.
And a potential big part of that upswing will be a strong first full-time season by Bayne. Who knows, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he could start the newest chapter of his racing career by winning again at Daytona next month.
4. James Buescher, 24 Years Old
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It’s not every day that a 22-year-old driver wins a championship, but that’s what Buescher did in the 2012 season, capturing the Camping World Truck Series championship.
He also finished third in the 2011 and 2013 seasons.
He made the big move to the Nationwide Series (now Xfinity) in 2014 and struggled. Sure, he finished 10th in the final standings, but he managed just two top-10 finishes in the 33-race season.
Buescher is bound to have a better season in 2015 in the Xfinity Series. After all, before he had success in the Truck Series, he had tough outings in his first two seasons in that series.
3. Chase Elliott, 19 Years Old
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Chase Elliott has great genes, the son of NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott.
But what the younger Elliott did in 2014 was all about himself. He joined a start-up operation, albeit still within a great team in JR Motorsports, but to do what Chase did is nothing short of amazing.
He became the youngest national series champion in NASCAR history.
While many fans may have been surprised of the chip off the old Elliott block, you could see a taste of the kind of success that was potentially to come in 2013.
Elliott drove nine races in the Camping World Truck Series, earning one win, five top-five and seven top-10 finishes.
Most of those were still at the age of 17, before he turned 18.
Elliott will return for a second full season in the Xfinity (formerly Nationwide) Series in 2015, and it’s not going to be a surprise to see him perform even better, but also to win a second straight championship.
To win the final Nationwide Series championship and then come back to win the first Xfinity Series title—how cool would that be?
And let’s not forget that Elliott will likely be promoted to the Sprint Cup Series in 2016.
Of all the young drivers we have mentioned in this presentation, Elliott is arguably the guy with the most promise of all going forward.
2. Kyle Larson, 22 Years Old
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We’ve been saying it for a year now: Kyle Larson is a win waiting to happen in the Sprint Cup Series.
It’s not a matter of if Larson will win his first Cup race, it’s simply a matter of when.
In addition to winning the Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors in 2014, Larson had an excellent first year in the Cup ranks.
In 36 starts, while he didn’t earn a checkered flag, Larson had eight top-five and 17 top-10 finishes, and he just barely missed qualifying for the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
Larson also finished 17th in the final standings.
He also competed in 28 of 33 Nationwide Series races in 2014, with two wins, 14 top-five and 21 top-10 finishes.
Add all of that together from 2014, and it’s pretty clear that as good as last season was, 2015 is going to be much better for Larson.
1. Joey Logano, 24 Years Old
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The 2014 season wasn’t just a breakout season for Joey Logano, it was a breakthrough season as well.
Logano was one of only four drivers to make it to the final championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the 2014 Sprint Cup season finale.
Had it not been for a late jack mishap on pit road, Logano could potentially have won the championship instead of Kevin Harvick.
Unfortunately, Logano ultimately wound up fourth in the final standings.
Still, there’s no denying the kind of outstanding season Logano had, finishing a close second to Penske Racing teammate Brad Keselowski in overall performance, with five wins, 16 top-five and 22 top-10 finishes.
If you think Logano had a breakout season in 2014, wait for the likely record-breaking season he’ll have in 2015.
Follow me on Twitter @JerryBonkowski
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