2026 NASCAR Draft Kit: Top Rookies

The 2026 rookie class will be a bit smaller than last season's group. The level of talent is no less impressive when we examine their racing resumes, in fact, this may be the most talented rookie class in quite a while. 

We have some very seasoned, young O'Reilly Auto Parts Series drivers who will be making the transition in the upcoming season, and they're not entirely unfamiliar with NASCAR Cup Series cars. In addition to our full-time rookie we have some young drivers that will be making some part-time forays into the world of NASCAR Cup Series racing from the lower divisions of the sport. The transition from the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series or CRAFTSMAN Truck Series to the top division of NASCAR is always a big adjustment for young drivers. However, as last season showed, drivers like Shane van Gisbergen and Riley Herbst will have their highlights to go along with their struggles.

 We'll take a look at the ROTY candidates and some of the young, up-and-coming drivers who will make part-time starts in the NASCAR Cup Series this season, and give you some in-depth analysis on which rookie drivers are the ones to watch closely this season.

2026 NASCAR Rookie Driver Rankings and Profiles

1. Connor Zilisch

Owner: Trackhouse Racing

Car Number: No. 88

Manufacturer: Chevrolet 

He's won at every level his competed on. After his dominant 10-victory, record-setting performance in the O'Reilly Series last season, Zilisch makes the move to full-time competition at NASCAR's top level in 2026. He'll pilot the team's No. 88 Chevrolet and be paired with crew chief, Randall Burnett. Zilisch is just 19-years-old but he's wildly talented. He's a supreme road racer with experience not in just NASCAR but also in IMSA. He's a two-time victor in that sports car racing series (Rolex 24 and the Sebring 12). Of his 11-career O'Reilly Series wins, six of them have come on road circuits. The other five are split between intermediate and larger ovals. Zilisch is not just a road racing expert but he also possesses talent in superspeedway racing and other ovals. That unique skillset is going to make him an incredible performer in the Cup Series someday, after some time to adapt to the car. Zilisch has three prior starts at NASCAR's top level with a best of 11th-place this past season at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The Rookie of the Year award is all but his at this point.

2. Corey Heim

Owner: 23XI Racing

Car Number: No. 67

Manufacturer: Toyota

After four years of dominating the Craftsman Truck Series, Heim has inked a development driver deal with 23XI Racing. Heim marched to a record-setting 12 victories in that division last season and walked away breathlessly with the 2025 Truck Series championship. The 23-year-old prodigy has made some forays into the O'Reilly Series with 20-combined starts over the last three seasons and he's also fielded seven starts in the Cup Series the last two years. He's really taking the slow and steady approach to his development. 23XI doesn't currently have an open, full-time seat for Heim so we expect to see another three-to-five start slate for him in NASCAR's top division in 2026. The young Georgian is very talented and seems to like all types of ovals from the small to the very large. That gift and talent will reward him well as he continues to climb the NASCAR ladder. He's not eligible for the Rookie of the Year award in 2026 due to his limited schedule, but he will have impact in the handful of races in which he competes.

3. Austin Hill

Owner: Richard Childress Racing

Car Number: No. 33

Manufacturer: Chevrolet

The 14-time O'Reilly Series winner has made some brief forays into the Cup Series over the past four seasons. That should continue for Hill in 2026. His primary focus is still on winning races in the O'Reilly Series and competing for that division's championship. However, his talent and experience are undeniable and he continues to wait patiently for that full-time opportunity to develop for him in the Cup Series. Hill is signatory to Richard Childress Racing for the time being, so that opportunity to move up full-time is likely limited unless he jumps ship and moves to another team. He has made about four-to-five Cup Starts the last three years so we'd expect a similar slate. Hill has proven his worth in both superspeedway and road course racing. They both seem to be his best tracks, but Hill has also shown a gift for short track racing as well. He brings good value to the table in those arenas as he continues to patiently wait on a full-time Cup opportunity.