As the 2025 NASCAR season inches closer, the competition for Rookie of the Year honors is heating up across the Cup, Xfinity, and Craftsman Truck Series. On January 27, NASCAR revealed the official list of drivers approved to compete for the coveted rookie award in each of the series, featuring a mix of new talent, seasoned competitors, and a few surprises. Let’s dive into the contenders across all three series and what makes them stand out as the next generation of NASCAR stars.
Cup Series: A Mix of Experience and Excitement
In the Cup Series, two drivers have emerged as the primary rookies for 2025, each bringing their own unique backgrounds to the table.
- Shane van Gisbergen (No. 88, Trackhouse Racing)
Van Gisbergen, 35, made an unforgettable splash in 2023, winning in his Cup debut during the inaugural Chicago Street Race. With 14 career Cup starts under his belt, Van Gisbergen’s stock has risen quickly, making him one of the most exciting rookies to watch in the coming season. He’s no stranger to victory, having secured three wins in the Xfinity Series last year, and finished 12th in points. Van Gisbergen’s debut in the Cup Series was a statement, and it’s clear he’ll be a contender for the Rookie of the Year title in 2025. - Riley Herbst (No. 35, 23XI Racing)
At 25, Herbst has already shown promise in the Cup Series with eight starts, including a career-best finish of ninth at Talladega in October 2023. A veteran of 175 Xfinity starts, Herbst is no stranger to high-level racing, with three wins to his name, including two in 2024. He finished a career-high seventh in Xfinity points last year, and now, with the backing of 23XI Racing, he’s poised to make a real impact in the Cup Series.
With a mix of raw talent and experience, both Van Gisbergen and Herbst are sure to make their presence felt in 2025. However, given their recent success and the strength of their teams, it’s clear the battle for the rookie crown will be fierce.
Xfinity Series: A Younger Generation Rising
The Xfinity Series is packed with fresh faces and rising stars, with several drivers eager to prove themselves in one of NASCAR’s most competitive divisions. Here’s a look at the top rookies in the Xfinity Series for 2025:
- Carson Kvapil (No. 1, JR Motorsports)
Kvapil, 21, has racing in his blood—he’s the son of 2003 Truck Series champion Travis Kvapil. After winning the zMAX Cars Tour Late Model Stock championship in 2022 and ’23, Kvapil made his Xfinity Series debut in 2024, finishing a career-high second at Dover. As he steps into the No. 1 car for JR Motorsports, Kvapil will have plenty of eyes on him as he looks to build on his early success. - Connor Zilisch (No. 88, JR Motorsports)
At just 18, Zilisch is one of the most exciting young talents in NASCAR. The development driver for Trackhouse Racing will make his Cup debut in 2025, but first, he’s gunning for Rookie of the Year honors in the Xfinity Series. After winning on his Xfinity debut at Watkins Glen in 2024, Zilisch will look to carry that momentum into the new season. With his remarkable talent, he’s expected to be a major player in the series. - William Sawalich (No. 18, Joe Gibbs Racing)
Another 18-year-old rising star, Sawalich is coming off an impressive ARCA Menards East Series championship in 2023 and 2024. With 13 wins in 27 ARCA starts since 2023, Sawalich is no stranger to victory lane. He has three Xfinity starts under his belt, including a pole position at the season finale in Phoenix, and he’ll be looking to translate his success in ARCA to the Xfinity Series in 2025. - Taylor Gray (No. 54, Joe Gibbs Racing)
At 19, Gray made an impressive Xfinity debut in 2024, finishing third at Richmond. With his experience in the Joe Gibbs Racing pipeline, Gray is a young talent to keep an eye on in 2025. He’s eager to take the next step in his career and should be in contention for the Xfinity Rookie of the Year title. - Daniel Dye (No. 10, Kaulig Racing)
Dye, 21, is another talented rookie entering the Xfinity Series in 2025. After finishing second in the ARCA Menards Series in 2022, Dye made 12 Xfinity starts last year, including a career-high seventh-place finish at Indianapolis. With Kaulig Racing’s strong support, Dye is poised to take the next step in his development.
The Xfinity Series’ rookie class is stacked with talent, and fans should expect some intense battles for the Rookie of the Year honors, with Kvapil, Zilisch, and Sawalich all representing the future of the sport.
Craftsman Truck Series: New Faces and Fresh Competition
The Truck Series also has a diverse lineup of rookies, including a mix of young talents and well-known figures looking to make their mark in NASCAR’s most rugged division.
- Toni Breidinger (No. 5, Tricon Garage)
Breidinger, 25, has already made her mark in the ARCA Menards Series, finishing fourth in the points standings last season. With four career Truck starts, her best finish was 15th, making her one of the most experienced rookies in the Truck Series. Breidinger’s progress will be one to watch, as she aims to continue breaking barriers in NASCAR. - Gio Ruggiero (No. 17, Tricon Garage)
Ruggiero, 20, had an exceptional ARCA Menards Series season in 2024, finishing as the runner-up in Phoenix, Dover, and Toledo. With his proven speed and consistency in ARCA, Ruggiero is ready to make the jump to the Truck Series, where he will look to continue his rise through the NASCAR ranks. - Frankie Muniz (No. 33, Reaume Brothers Racing)
Yes, you read that right—Frankie Muniz of Malcolm in the Middle fame is racing full-time in the Truck Series in 2025. Muniz, 39, ran a handful of Truck races last year, finishing 29th at Kansas. After competing in ARCA and Xfinity in 2024, Muniz is eager to show he belongs in NASCAR, and with four Truck starts under his belt, he’ll have plenty of opportunities to do just that. - Andres Perez de Lara (No. 77, Spire Motorsports)
At 19, Perez de Lara won the ARCA Menards Series championship in 2024, adding to his second-place finish in 2023. With two Truck starts, including a career-best ninth-place finish at Gateway, Perez de Lara is one of the hottest young prospects in NASCAR, and the Truck Series is sure to be a great platform for his growth.
The Truck Series’ rookie class is filled with potential, and it will be fascinating to see how these newcomers adapt to the unique challenges of NASCAR’s most exciting series.
Looking Ahead to 2025: A New Generation of NASCAR Talent
As we head into the 2025 NASCAR season, the rookie classes across all three series are stacked with potential, promising to inject fresh energy into the sport. From Shane van Gisbergen’s road racing pedigree in the Cup Series to the young stars like Zilisch, Sawalich, and Muniz shaking things up in the lower divisions, 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for NASCAR fans.
With such a diverse group of talented drivers, Rookie of the Year honors will be more competitive than ever. It’s safe to say NASCAR’s future is in good hands with this crop of rising stars.