As the 2025 NASCAR season unfolds, a new wave of talent is continuing to make its mark across the Xfinity and Truck Series, pushing closer to the sport’s highest level. From veteran prospects still waiting for their Cup opportunity to fresh faces already turning heads, the next generation of stars is taking shape.

Last year, we ranked the top 10 prospects outside the Cup Series—and now we’re back to update the list, track their progress, and see who’s rising or falling as they chase NASCAR’s highest stage.

Here’s our look at the top 10 NASCAR prospects outside of the Cup Series in 2025, and how their stock is trending in what’s already been an exciting season.

1. Corey Heim — up from #2 last year
Heim takes over the top spot thanks to his dominance in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, consistently finishing up front and leading laps for TRICON Garage. His smooth driving style and race craft have many believing he’s destined for Cup sooner rather than later.

2. Chandler Smith — down from #1 last year
After spending 2024 competing in the Xfinity Series, Chandler Smith made a surprising move back to the Truck Series for 2025, taking over the No. 38 for Front Row Motorsports. While some might see it as a step back, Smith has embraced the opportunity to rack up wins and contend for a championship in a series where he’s already proven himself. His raw speed and aggressive style still make him one of NASCAR’s top young talents, even if his path to Cup has taken a detour.

3. Jesse Love — New to the Top 10
Love has made an immediate impact in his rookie Xfinity season with Richard Childress Racing, showing speed week in and week out. His aggressive style and ability to adapt quickly to new tracks have helped him overachieve in the No. 2 car.

4. Sam Mayer — down from #3 last year
Last year’s #3 driver on our list slides a couple of spots, but Sam Mayer remains one of NASCAR’s top prospects. For the 2025 season, Mayer moved over to Haas Factory Racing, taking over the No. 41 Xfinity Series car, replacing Riley Herbst. He’s paired alongside teammate Sheldon Creed in the 00, giving Haas a strong one-two punch of young talent. Mayer’s transition has shown flashes of his potential, and he continues to build experience as he eyes the next step in his career.

5. Sheldon Creed — up from #6 last year
Creed’s move to Haas Factory Racing in the Xfinity Series (driving the No. 00) has kept him in contention nearly every week. Despite setting a record with 14 second-place finishes without a win, his consistency and tenacity continue to impress teams across the garage.

6. Sammy Smith — down from #4 last year
Sammy Smith drops a couple of spots in this year’s ranking, but he remains one of NASCAR’s top young prospects. Now in his third full Xfinity Series season, Smith picked up a win at Rockingham earlier this year after Jesse Love was disqualified post-race—but even without the DQ, Smith showed impressive speed and ran solidly inside the top five all day. He continues to build consistency as he looks for more trips to victory lane the rest of the season.

7. Austin Hill — down from #5 last year
Hill remains a reliable winner in Xfinity for Richard Childress Racing, especially at superspeedways and intermediate tracks. While he hasn’t made the leap to Cup yet, his veteran presence and knack for big moments keep him firmly in the top 10.

8. Carson Kvapil — same spot as last year
Kvapil’s rookie season in Xfinity with JR Motorsports has been impressive, building on his CARS Tour success. His short track skills have translated well to NASCAR’s bigger stages, and many believe he’s a sleeper prospect with huge upside.

9. Rajah Caruth — down from #7 last year
Caruth has continued to improve in the Truck Series with Spire Motorsports, showing more consistency and running closer to the front. His marketability and growing fanbase, paired with his on-track gains, have kept him moving up the prospect ladder.

10. Parker Retzlaff — down from #9 last year
Parker Retzlaff rounds out our list once again, slipping one spot from last year’s ranking. While he hasn’t made the leap to the next tier yet, Retzlaff continues to show flashes of potential with solid qualifying runs and occasional top-10 finishes in the Xfinity Series. Consistency and racecraft will be key if he wants to move up the list in the future, but for now, he remains a young driver to keep an eye on.

Compared to last year’s list, there hasn’t been much turnover in our top 10—Jake Garcia is the only driver to fall out, with Jesse Love taking his place after a stellar rookie campaign. Most drivers either held steady or shuffled slightly, showing that NASCAR’s next generation is continuing to solidify its core. As the 2025 season unfolds, it’ll be exciting to see who makes the next leap, who breaks through for their first win, and which rising stars will challenge for championships across NASCAR’s national series. Stay tuned—this youth movement is just getting started.

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