NASCAR insider ranks Top 20 driver prospects at midway point of season

As the NASCAR Cup Series enjoys a two-week break due to the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, FOX’s Bob Pockrass has updated his prospect rankings.

Some clarity as to how Pockrass comes to his conclusion: “A driver must be 28 or younger and not have a full season of Cup experience to be eligible for these rankings,” he noted. “Rankings are based on the potential to land a Cup ride with talent/performance and age the biggest factors along with the ability to acquire/having access to funding also considered.”

During his previous iteration, Corey Heim was atop the list, and that’s remained the same thus far through 2024. However, there’s a myriad of other talented drivers nipping at his heels. Check out his full Top 20, plus 25 others to watch, below.

NASCAR midseason prospect rankings, via FOX’s Bob Pockrass:

1. Corey Heim (age: 22; previous ranking: 1)
2. Connor Zilisch (age: 18; previous ranking: 6)
3. Chandler Smith (age: 22; previous ranking: 3)
4. Jesse Love (age: 19; previous ranking: 5)
5. Christian Eckes (age: 23; previous ranking: 8)
6. Brent Crews (age: 16; previous ranking: 7)
7. Sam Mayer (age: 21; previous ranking: 2)
8. Nick Sanchez (age: 23; previous ranking: 10)
9. Taylor Gray (age: 19; previous ranking: 14)
10. Carson Kvapil (age: 21; previous ranking: 12)
11. William Sawalich (age: 17; previous ranking: 9)
12. Corey Day (age:18; previous ranking: NR)
13. Riley Herbst (age: 25; previous ranking: 13)
14. Sammy Smith (age: 20; previous ranking: 4)
15. Jade Avedisian (age: 17; previous ranking: 15)
16. Rajah Caruth (age: 22; previous ranking: 17)
17. Layne Riggs (age 22; previous ranking: 11)
18. Brenden Queen (age 26: previous ranking: NR)
19. Isabella Robusto (age: 19; previous ranking: 20)
20. Gio Ruggiero (age: 17: previous ranking: NR)

25 others to watch: Tyler Ankrum, Toni Breidinger, Sheldon Creed, Hailie Deegan, Jake Drew, Daniel Dye, Luke Fenhaus, Jake Finch, Jake Garcia, Tanner Gray, Connor Hall, Katie Hettinger, Sean Hingorani, Kaden Honeycutt, Conner Jones, Derek Kraus, Caden Kvapil, Treyten Lapcevich, Landen Lewis, Connor Mosack, Andres Perez de Lara, George Phillips, Tyler Reif, Parker Retzlaff and Lavar Scott.

Alas, Corey Heim and Connor Zilisch, along with a handful of others, seem destined for greatness in NASCAR, and Bob Pockrass believes that to be true. Time will tell how it all works out for each driver listed, but there’s immense potential within them, and it’s going to be entertaining watching them go through the rigorous journey towards the Cup Series.