Credit score: Jason Allen-Imagn Photos
The NASCAR Cup Collection doesn’t have any standout rookies this yr, with Riley Herbst and Shane Van Gisbergen each close to the underside of the standings. Nonetheless, two thrilling NASCAR prospects might develop into regulars within the Cup Collection earlier than lengthy.
Requested on the Door, Bumper, Clear podcast, about which NASCAR prospects might be subsequent to develop into rookies within the Cup Collection, Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic highlighted Connor Zilisch and Carson Kvapil.
Associated: NASCAR standings for Xfinity Collection, see the place Connor Zilisch and Carson Kvapil sit
“Connor Zilisch is the one to regulate. He’s the one that basically has received folks speaking. I’m gonna throw one other identify on the market, too. There’s folks speaking about Carson Kvapil.
The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi on which two NASCAR prospects might be the subsequent rookies within the Cup Collection
Zilisch, who remains to be 18 years outdated, might be the highest prospect in NASCAR. Driving full-time within the Xfinity Collection this season for JR Motorsports, he presently sits sixth within the level standings. He could be even increased if not for a crash at Talladega Superspeedway that brought on a again damage and compelled him to overlook the subsequent race.
Connor Zilisch stats (Xfinity Collection): 351 factors, 1 win, 4 prime 10s, 2 prime 5s, 3 poles, 3 DNFs, 171 laps led, 6.25 common beginning place, 15.583 common ending place in 12 races
Trackhouse Racing signed Zilisch to a multi-year deal in 2024, and he made his Cup Collection debut at COTA in March, performing very effectively till a collision took him out of the race. He’s seen as a candidate to doubtlessly change both Daniel Suarez (No. 99 automobile) or SVG (No. 88 automobile), who’re each among the many NASCAR free brokers after this season.
Associated: NASCAR schedule this weekend
Whereas Corey Heim of the Truck Collection can be thought to be the most effective NASCAR prospects proper now, he’s anticipated to be stored at that degree or transfer into the Xfinity Collection subsequent yr. Nonetheless, Bianchi mentioned a number of groups have taken an curiosity in Kvapil.
“Individuals have acknowledged what he has completed. It is a man who doesn’t have lots of huge observe expertise, he has completed an excellent job of managing races and doing effectively, placing himself in an excellent place points-wise. Had lots of good runs this yr which have simply kinda fallen by the wayside, not for his fault. He’s somebody I do know a number of huge groups have checked out him and mentioned that’s somebody we like.”
Jordan Binachi on Xfinity Collection driver Carson Kvapil
The 22-year-old drives the No. 1 automobile for JR Motorsports this season and has confirmed to be the most effective drivers within the Xfinity Collection. Following Saturday’s race at Charlotte, Kvapil sits eighth within the standings and he’s tied for the fifth-most top-5 finishes.
Carson Kvapil stats (Xfinity Collection): 345 factors, 3 prime 5s, 4 prime 10s, 56 laps led in 13 races
Whereas there aren’t anticipated to be many openings within the Cup Collection for the 2026 season, Kvapil has clearly caught the eye of a number of groups. On the very least, there’s an opportunity he might make his NASCAR Cup Collection debut in 2026.
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