Before you read this article, check out my first article on NASCAR:
___________________________________________________________
Almost 70 years of racing has cumulated since Bill France Sr. set out to found NASCAR in 1948. Legends have been born not only in drivers but also in car numbers, tracks, and racing teams. A sport of speed, toughness, and determination has lasted through the decades because of a devout, loyal fan base to individual drivers. You've heard the names like Rusty Wallace, Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, and Jimmie Johnson who are supported by enormous fan bases that flock to tracks around the country each weekend just to see their driver race. However, slowly these drivers have retired over the last two decades: Wallace in 2005, Martin in 2013, and Gordon in 2015. Now, Jimmie Johnson's career is coming to a close as well.
What will these fans do now that their drivers are gone?
In some special cases, like the Earnhardts, many fans have passed their allegiance down to Dale Jr., giving him one of the largest NASCAR fan bases of all drivers. Unfortunately, other fans have quit attending races/watching races so attendance and TV ratings have decreased, respectively. This article is for new NASCAR fans and experienced fans looking to find new drivers to follow for years to come. While NASCAR still has a gang of potential Hall of Fame drivers in Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick, I want to focus on the newest, brightest names in NASCAR. Picking a driver is essential to loving NASCAR because it adds a special component like no other: driver loyalty.
1. Kyle Larson
Twitter: @KyleLarsonRacin
Sprint Cup Debut: 2013
Top 5s: 12
Top 10s: 30
While none of these young bloods on my list have cracked the win column yet in the Sprint Cup Series, Kyle Larson might be the first to do so. Larson has 3 wins in the Xfinity Series as a part-time driver and has found himself inches from victory this 2016 season in races in Charlotte and Dover. While he isn't my favorite upcoming driver (I might write an article about why), he is a nice investment for NASCAR fans because of his consistency behind the wheel and history of car number 42 (Lee and Kyle Petty; 59 combined wins).
2. Austin Dillon
Twitter: @austindillon3
Sprint Cup Debut: 2011
Top 5s: 5
Top 10s: 15
Austin Dillon drives the red and black "3" car on Sundays. That's a good enough reason to jump on the Dillon Express. Dillon raced the #3 car in the Sprint Cup Series in 2013 for the first time since Dale Sr.'s death in 2001. Dillon has claimed 7 wins in Nationwide/Xfinity races since 2008 and won it all back in 2013. Additionally, Dillon boasts a notable Camping World Truck Series career with 7 wins and a championship in 2011. If those stats aren't enough for you, Dillon is the grandson of Richard Childress, owner and operator of the Richard Childress Racing team.
3. Chase Elliot
Twitter: @chaseelliott
Sprint Cup Debut: 2015
Top 5s: 4
Top 10s: 8
You saw him battling' with Larson if you watched the video above for a spot in the All Star race in Charlotte two weeks ago. I was lucky enough to see the race in person and I about went to buy a NAPA #24 t-shirt right after the race. Man, this guy knows how to drive a race car. I bet he got it from his daddy, Bill Elliott (1988 Winston Cup Champion). If you want a guy who is going to be around for awhile and likes to win. pick Mr. Elliott.
4. Ty Dillon
Twitter: @tydillon
Sprint Cup Debut: 2014
Top 5s: 0
Top 10s: 0
Another Dillon, another legend in the making. While Dillon only races part-time in the Sprint Cup as of now, he is a dominant force in the Xfinity Series with 59 Top 10s and a win in Indianapolis in 2014. Look for Ty to slowly emerge in the Sprint Series and battle out against his brother, Larson, & Elliot for many more Sundays.
5. Ryan Blaney
Twitter: @Blaney
Sprint Cup Debut: 2014
Top 5s: 2
Top 10s: 7
I really like the young guys interacting with fans on a more personal level. This guy loves his fans, & he listens to what the fans have to say on social media. Tweet him & ask him questions, I'm sure he will have an answer for you. Check this out:
6. Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr.
Twitter: @BubbaWallace
Sprint Cup Debut: n/a
Top 5s: 0
Top 10s: 0
I am partial to Bubba because 1) He is a huge Tennessee Vols fan 2) He is funny guy. He hasn't found his way into a Sprint Cup car yet but maybe a few more years rubbing paint in the Xfinity Series will get him a car in the future. He has been racing since 2012 and boasts 21 Top 10s over 49 starts. A great personality, racer, and fan of NASCAR. If you were valuing my opinion, pick this guy as your NASCAR favorite.
7. Erik Jones
Twitter: @erik_jones
Sprint Cup Debut: 2015
Top 5s: 0
Top 10s: 0
I'm really digging here for the newest, brightest racers in NASCAR. No Top 5s or Top 10s for Mr. Jones but he has only had a crack at it 3 times in the Sprint Series. However, this guy is the current leader in the Xfinity Series this season and raked in $200,000 with two wins in races at Bristol and Dover in NASCAR's Dash 4 Cash series. That's not too bad for a 20 year old. Look for Jones to find his bottom in a Spring Cup very soon.
Check this video out:
8. Daniel Suárez
Twitter: @Daniel_SuarezG
Sprint Cup Debut: n/a
Top 5s: 0
Top 10s: 0
I gotta include this guy on my drivers-to-watch list. An unbelievable racer with a knack for getting up close and personal with other drivers. Suarez hails from Monterrey, Mexico but competes regularly in the Xfinity series (12 Top 5s, 27 Top 10s). Additionally, he has won 10 races in NASCAR's Mexico Series, which I did not know even existed until two hours into writing this article. Pretty cool guy, check out his Twitter out!
