Unlike other sports such as football or basketball, being young in NASCAR doesn’t necessarily give you an advantage. Based on a majority of the winners each week, the opposite could actually be argued. Nevertheless, the young NASCAR drivers are the future of the sport and there are plenty to focus on. First, let’s look at all the full-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers under 30;
With so many NASCAR drivers under 30, it would seem difficult to choose only the 5 best. However, not many have even earned their first win yet. So, based purely on performance, here are the 5 best young NASCAR drivers under 30.
5) Austin Dillon
- Age: 28
- Wins: 2
- Top-5 Finishes: 11
- Full-Time Career: 6 Years
Austin Dillon has had a fairly long Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series career when compared to other young drivers. Given his age, these extra few years on the track might be a reason he sits just inside the top 5 for the best young NASCAR drives under 30. 22-year-old Erik Jones for example, already has 1 win and 16 top-5 finishes in only his 3rd full-time season.
Nevertheless, Austin Dillion has earned 2 wins, which is more than any other young driver outside the top 5. He was born into stock car racing like most of these other young guns yet rather than a protégé, Austin Dillon seems to be getting progressively better and more consistent with age.
4) Ryan Blaney
- Age: 25
- Wins: 2
- Top-5 Finishes: 20
- Full-Time Career: 4 Years
Ryan Blaney has become a fan favorite among many NASCAR enthusiasts. Son of NASCAR driver, Dave Blaney, Ryan has already driven for two teams in his short cup series career. He began in 2014 by splitting time with Juan Pablo Montoya in the No. 12 car for Team Penske, before landing a full-time seat in the No. 21 car of Wood Brother Racing.
During his time in the No. 21 car, young Ryan Blaney earned 25 top-10 finishes and 8 top-5’s, as well as the last driver to get a win in that number. Since 2018, Ryan has found his way back in the No. 12 Penske Ford Mustang full-time and continues to impress fans. He is proving to be a very talented driver and possibly a future champion if his success continues.
3) Chase Elliott
- Age: 23
- Wins: 3
- Top-5 Finishes: 34
- Full-Time Career: 4 Years
Chase Elliott is possibly the most promising young driver in NASCAR, right now. Landing a full-time ride with Hendrick Motorsports in 2016, Chase has truly followed in his father’s footsteps by winning NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver Award in 2018. Chase’s dad, Bill Elliott, holds the record for the most popular driver awards at 16, throughout his successful career.
Ever since Chase Elliott has competed full-time in the cup series, he has proven to be an extremely talented young driver by earning at least 10 top-5 finishes every single season. Although he didn’t earn his first cup series victory until 2018, he went on to completely crush his winless streak with 3 victories in that very season, generating a truly breakout year. Chase Elliott is widely considered to be a future NASCAR champion; the only question is when.
2) Kyle Larson
- Age: 26
- Wins: 5
- Top-5 Finishes: 47
- Full-Time Career: 6 Years
Although it wouldn’t appear the case based on his performance a quarter way through the 2019 season, Kyle Larson is still statistically the second best young driver in NASCAR. In only his third full-time cup series season, Larson claimed his first victory. The very next year however, he became a household name in NASCAR by earning 4 wins and 15 top-5 finishes. At the time, Larson appeared to be the next superstar of NASCAR but unfortunately, his career has since taken a sudden and unexpected turn.
In 2018, Kyle Larson finished the season without a single win but nevertheless, managed to at least make it to the Round of 12 in the playoffs. This year however, he has only managed to finish in the top-10 twice and is currently outside the projected 16 playoffs spots at 19th in the standings. Larson currently holds a 55-race winless streak. Hopefully the glory days for young Kyle Larson aren’t behind him because his talent behind the wheel made for some very exciting NASCAR races to watch.
1) Joey Logano
- Age: 28
- Wins: 22
- Top-5 Finishes: 109
- Full-Time Career: 11 Years
Was it ever even really a question? Joey Logano is not only one of the best NASCAR drivers currently competing but more impressively, the youngest among them. When looking at the drivers that are consistently competing for a championship every season, it’s hard not to notice that they are all over the age of 30 years old, thus essentially eliminating any potential “young gun” threat. However, Logano is the one exception to this rule.
Joey Logano has managed to ruffle plenty of feathers since entering the cup series full-time in 2009 at the age of 19 yet, he’s also managed to prove his truly impressive abilities. Since 2012, Logano hasn’t gone a single season without earning at least 1 win. He also ranks 7th among current drivers for total wins, while remaining 10 years younger than the average age of the drivers above him.
His legacy in NASCAR was truly solidified however when he won the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series Championship at the age of 28 years old. With 1 win already a quarter way through the 2019 season and currently ranked 2nd in playoff points, Joey Logano could very-well earn two championships before he turns 30 – further proving his rightful title as the best young NASCAR driver.
