NASCAR is already looking at a bright future in the Cup Series thanks to emerging superstars like Corey Heim, Carson Hocevar and Connor Zilisch. With those drivers beginning to establish themselves at the Cup level, a few top NASCAR prospects might be just a few years away from joining them.
Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports provided some updated rankings of the top prospects in NASCAR right now as the end of the 2026 regular season approaches. In highlighting Corey Day (fourth) and Kaden Honeycutt (fifth), Pockrass shed light on when each of the young drivers might get full-time rides in the Cup Series and with what teams.
Both drivers are reportedly penciled in for Cup rides in 2028, but they face different paths to remaining with the teams that have developed them. In Day’s case, his opportunity to race in the Next Gen car full-time might come before he gets a shot with Hendrick Motorsports in the Cup Series.
That’s largely because of Hendrick’s plans for 2028. Following the retirement of Alex Bowman, it’s widely expected that HMS will poach Connor Zilisch from Trackhouse Racing when his contract expires at the conclusion of the 2027 season.
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That would give Hendrick a four-car team of Zilisch, Kyle Larson, William Byron and Chase Elliott. All four would be viewed as championship contenders each year and with each of them signed to multiyear extensions, there would be no clear path for Day to get a Cup ride with the team.
Instead, as Pockrass noted, Day could wind up at Spire Motorsports. The team is already demonstrating the success it can have with a talent of Hocevar’s caliber and would likely want to be replacing Michael McDowell following next season. Day could spend a few years at Spire before moving back to Hendrick when Larson retires from NASCAR.
As for Honeycutt, 2028 is also viewed as the realistic timeline for his arrival to the Cup Series. Assuming he remains a development driver with Toyota, per Pockrass, the likely full-time ride for him two years from now would be with Legacy Motor Club. Owned by Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson, Legacy is adding a third charter next season, which is expected to be driven by Riley Herbst.
Related: Latest Timeline for When Layne Riggs Reaches Cup Series
The timing couldn’t be better for NASCAR. Zilisch, the only full-time rookie in the Cup Series this season, will win Rookie of the Year uncontested. In 2027, Heim will be racing full-time in the Cup Series and be the overwhelming favorite for rookie honors over Jesse Love (No. 21 car with Wood Brothers Racing).
After multiple years of uncompetitive NASCAR Rookie of the Year battles, we could be headed for a 2028 season that features Day, Honeycutt, Brent Crews and Layne Riggs. It once again highlights the wave of young talent that is coming to Cup.
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