Behind the Wall's Annual Prospect Ranking
By Richard Tix
Man, let me just start by saying it has been one heck of a busy year! After the 2016 season wrap up and review articles I just could not find the time to get to any season previews. I do apologize to any of you who really enjoy those previews, but this year it just isn't going to happen. Getting married, getting a new dog (anyone who follows on twitter probably has seen my Golden Retriever, Cooper), buying a new house, and taking a new position at the company I work for all in 1 1/2 years will really tie up your time.
However, some articles will have no excuses as they're the bread and butter of why I enjoy doing this as a hobby. Weekly power rankings, weekly reviews, weekly TV schedules, season predictions, predicting a Champion, "We're Going Streaking," and the Prospect racing (plus more) are all getting done.
First up, the Behind the Wall Annual Prospect Watch. I have been making a prospect list on Behind the Wall since 2015 and it is one of my favorite articles to look into. Even if I fall out of touch a bit with some young guns, this article pulls me back in by looking into each drivers past season's and stories on why they should make the list.
The best part? Every year a guy I didn't even have listed on the "Keep and Eye On" section make the list the next season. Now, sometimes it's on me after overlooking them, but sometimes it's just that random how a young kid can get a deal and or sponsorship and quickly rise the ladder.
In the past three years the sport has been having a huge turnover and young talent is a big thing. Just ask Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota Racing Development how important driver pipelines are. This trend is likely going to continue for the next few years as guys like Matt Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Kurt Busch, and Kevin Harvick decide when to call it quit's. So, below (including the 2015 and 2016 list) are drivers that will start to mold the next era of NASCAR.
Note that Behind the Walls rankings leave out drivers known to have a full time ride in Cup for 2017. So, guys like Erik Jones and Daniel Suarez graduated off the list. Yes, they're still part of the future, but at some point the list has to have guidelines -- plus if you look back you will find them on previous rankings. Also, the ages of drivers are what age they will be this year (2017) -- some have not hit that birthday yet while others already had a birthday in the handful of days before this article and the New Year.
However, some articles will have no excuses as they're the bread and butter of why I enjoy doing this as a hobby. Weekly power rankings, weekly reviews, weekly TV schedules, season predictions, predicting a Champion, "We're Going Streaking," and the Prospect racing (plus more) are all getting done.
First up, the Behind the Wall Annual Prospect Watch. I have been making a prospect list on Behind the Wall since 2015 and it is one of my favorite articles to look into. Even if I fall out of touch a bit with some young guns, this article pulls me back in by looking into each drivers past season's and stories on why they should make the list.
The best part? Every year a guy I didn't even have listed on the "Keep and Eye On" section make the list the next season. Now, sometimes it's on me after overlooking them, but sometimes it's just that random how a young kid can get a deal and or sponsorship and quickly rise the ladder.
In the past three years the sport has been having a huge turnover and young talent is a big thing. Just ask Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota Racing Development how important driver pipelines are. This trend is likely going to continue for the next few years as guys like Matt Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Kurt Busch, and Kevin Harvick decide when to call it quit's. So, below (including the 2015 and 2016 list) are drivers that will start to mold the next era of NASCAR.
Note that Behind the Walls rankings leave out drivers known to have a full time ride in Cup for 2017. So, guys like Erik Jones and Daniel Suarez graduated off the list. Yes, they're still part of the future, but at some point the list has to have guidelines -- plus if you look back you will find them on previous rankings. Also, the ages of drivers are what age they will be this year (2017) -- some have not hit that birthday yet while others already had a birthday in the handful of days before this article and the New Year.
**NBTW left out prospect that will driver full time at the Cup level in 2017**
2015 Prospect Watch
2016 Prospect Watch
2015 Prospect Watch
2016 Prospect Watch
William Byron, 20 Years Old
Last year William Byron got the big break he was working towards after getting signed on to KBM to run full time in the truck series. He got there after running late models (with Jr Motorsports) and the K&N East series (HScott) in 2015 (K&N East Champion).
While at KBM in 2016, Byron notched a series best 7 wins as well 11 top 5's and 16 top 10's. In 2016 Byron was arguably one of the best Truck Series drivers of the year. In return, Byron now heads the Behind the Wall 2017 Prospect list and also earned a ride with Jr Motorsports (through Hendrick Motorsports) at the Xfinity level full time in 2017. He has shown so far in his career that he is a quick leaner and developer which should go well for his racing future as he is now latched onto HMS.
Christopher Bell, 23 Years Old
Most racing fans already knew his name, but after winning the 2015 dirt race at Eldora (Mud Summer Classic as I will ALWAYS call it) he put his name on the map. Bell is seeming to make a habit of that after winning the 2017 Chili Bowl to kick of this year.
2016 came with mixed results in his first year with KBM at the truck level. Tons of potential was seen as he wracked up 1 win, 9 top 5s, and 17 top 10's in 23 starts, but some flaws also dragged him down a bit. Bell, like many young drivers learning a top three series, was too often part of wrecks that really hurt his production. A 2017 season of refining his skills in a KBM truck will keep him a top the prospect list next year and could even earn him another ride.
Tyler Reddick, 21 Years Old
Tyler Reddick seems like an elder statesmen on Behind the Wall prospect list, yet he just turned 21 years old not long ago. That's mainly because Reddick has laid down 63 starts at the truck level already in his young career. He was the highest driver from the 2016 list to not move onto Cup (Erik Jones has a full time Cup ride) as he was ranked number two last year.
2016 was a bit of a step back in production compared to 2015 with only one win, 8 top 5's, and 12 top 10's, but his consistency earned him a spot with Chip Ganassi at the Xfinity level in 2017 (part time with Kyle Larson). The move to CGR also clears up some questions on where he might fit into the Cup scene in the future.
For being part of the young gun crew at the age of 21, Reddick sure does have a ton of seat time under his belt so watching him on Sundays may not be that far off if and when a spot opens at CGR.
While at KBM in 2016, Byron notched a series best 7 wins as well 11 top 5's and 16 top 10's. In 2016 Byron was arguably one of the best Truck Series drivers of the year. In return, Byron now heads the Behind the Wall 2017 Prospect list and also earned a ride with Jr Motorsports (through Hendrick Motorsports) at the Xfinity level full time in 2017. He has shown so far in his career that he is a quick leaner and developer which should go well for his racing future as he is now latched onto HMS.
Christopher Bell, 23 Years Old
Most racing fans already knew his name, but after winning the 2015 dirt race at Eldora (Mud Summer Classic as I will ALWAYS call it) he put his name on the map. Bell is seeming to make a habit of that after winning the 2017 Chili Bowl to kick of this year.
2016 came with mixed results in his first year with KBM at the truck level. Tons of potential was seen as he wracked up 1 win, 9 top 5s, and 17 top 10's in 23 starts, but some flaws also dragged him down a bit. Bell, like many young drivers learning a top three series, was too often part of wrecks that really hurt his production. A 2017 season of refining his skills in a KBM truck will keep him a top the prospect list next year and could even earn him another ride.
Tyler Reddick, 21 Years Old
Tyler Reddick seems like an elder statesmen on Behind the Wall prospect list, yet he just turned 21 years old not long ago. That's mainly because Reddick has laid down 63 starts at the truck level already in his young career. He was the highest driver from the 2016 list to not move onto Cup (Erik Jones has a full time Cup ride) as he was ranked number two last year.
2016 was a bit of a step back in production compared to 2015 with only one win, 8 top 5's, and 12 top 10's, but his consistency earned him a spot with Chip Ganassi at the Xfinity level in 2017 (part time with Kyle Larson). The move to CGR also clears up some questions on where he might fit into the Cup scene in the future.
For being part of the young gun crew at the age of 21, Reddick sure does have a ton of seat time under his belt so watching him on Sundays may not be that far off if and when a spot opens at CGR.
John Hunter Nemechek, 20 Years Old
JHN ran his first full time truck series season in 2016, but he seemed to regress almost down the board compared to 2015. He ended the season with two wins, five top 5's, and 11 top 10's on his way to an 8th place series finish.
However, JHN still has loads of potential as evident in what he does with the equipment he has (family run NEMCO). 2017 will be a big year to see if he can turn his luck around and start running more consistent which could open the door for his future.
Todd Gilliland, 17 Years Old
Todd Gilliland rocketed up my list as a guy who wasn't even mentioned to start 2016 to 5th overall. That will happen when in one year you win 7 total K&N Series races (6 for the West and 1 for the East) and the K&N West Championship. Todd, son of David Gilliland, used all of that momentum to really gain notice and earn rides at the next level in 2017.
As well as competing for both the K&N Series Championships (West and East) in 2017, it was announced he will run four races for KBM in the truck series (No. 51) starting at Gateway Motorsports Park on June 17. Gilliland became the youngest champion in the history of any NASCAR national or touring series this season. He has had a history with KBM (late model series), so it is safe to assume he will continue to climb the ladder with them and Toyota.
Todd Gilliland rocketed up my list as a guy who wasn't even mentioned to start 2016 to 5th overall. That will happen when in one year you win 7 total K&N Series races (6 for the West and 1 for the East) and the K&N West Championship. Todd, son of David Gilliland, used all of that momentum to really gain notice and earn rides at the next level in 2017.
As well as competing for both the K&N Series Championships (West and East) in 2017, it was announced he will run four races for KBM in the truck series (No. 51) starting at Gateway Motorsports Park on June 17. Gilliland became the youngest champion in the history of any NASCAR national or touring series this season. He has had a history with KBM (late model series), so it is safe to assume he will continue to climb the ladder with them and Toyota.
Cole Custer, 19 Years Old
Crew C change in 2016 mid year (Joe Shear to Marcus Richmond) which helped him.
Cole still has a lot of worked to do while finding his way up the charts, but at a young age of 19 he still has plenty of time to sharpen his skills. In 2016 he ran his first full season at the truck level and posted five top 5's and 14 top 10's, but consistency really dragged him down and he came across win less at the truck level after having wins in his previous two partial schedule seasons.
In 2017 Jr Motorsports is shutting down its No. 00 truck so Cole will be moving on with SHR at the Xfinity level. So, next year will bring a step up the series ladder, but may also bring a ton of bumps along the way. It will be fun to see how Custer adapts at the next level after trucks.
Crew C change in 2016 mid year (Joe Shear to Marcus Richmond) which helped him.
Cole still has a lot of worked to do while finding his way up the charts, but at a young age of 19 he still has plenty of time to sharpen his skills. In 2016 he ran his first full season at the truck level and posted five top 5's and 14 top 10's, but consistency really dragged him down and he came across win less at the truck level after having wins in his previous two partial schedule seasons.
In 2017 Jr Motorsports is shutting down its No. 00 truck so Cole will be moving on with SHR at the Xfinity level. So, next year will bring a step up the series ladder, but may also bring a ton of bumps along the way. It will be fun to see how Custer adapts at the next level after trucks.
Darrell Wallace Jr, 24 Years Old
Darrell Wallace is still a guy I have a ton of hope for at the next level, but when will he catch his break? In 2016 he once again ran with RFR at the Xfinity level. His production doesn't look great on paper, but fans have to remember he is working with RFR equipment every week.
He finished the year with three top 5's and 9 top 10's and an 11th place finish in the standings. The thing that will help him the most in his quest for the next level and more success will be to keep his car clean. Wallace tends to end up in too many wrecks to lay down enough consistency to boost his numbers (this has always been his knack).
Daniel Hemric, 26 Years Old
Hemric took on his second full season at the truck level in 2016 and his first with BKR. The boost in equipment only solidified the fact that Hemric has been rising up the prospect watch. Daniel may have failed to win, but he posted 11 top 5's and 17 top 10's in 23 starts last season. Hemric finished the season 6th in points, but it could be argued he was one of the most consistent drivers all year at the truck level.
In 2017 RCR is expanding to a five car field at the Xfinity level and Daniel Hemric will be the one moving into the No. 21 full time. Every step of the way so far since making the Behind the Wall list has gone well, this one might be the best opportunity yet.
Cameron Hayley, 21 Years Old
2016 was Hayleys second season at the truck level after a successful rookie season in 2015 where he put up four top 5's and 13 top 10's. In 2016 he managed six top 5's and 10 top 10's on his was to an 11th place points finish. Before the truck series Hayley was a successful K&N driver when he came up just short to Ben Rhodes in the East Championship just one year after coming up short to Derek Thorn in the West Championship.
Hayley might just be the biggest question mark on this list as he broke news earlier this past year that he would not be coming back to ThorSports. Hayley has tons of talent but without a ride and having troubles with finding sponsorship, his 2017 plans are on hold. Hopefully something opens up at the national level so we can see his development continue.
Noah Gragson, 18 Years Old
Gragson is a 2016 NASCAR Next driver that you should start to get to know if you haven't already. You may have heard his name already but can't remember why. Most likely it is because you heard the news he was picked up to run full time in 2017 for KBM in the No. 18 truck.
Gragson made his way to KBM by posting 4 wins, 12, top 5's, and 19 top 10's in 27 K&N races (East and West) last season. Thats just one season after winning 2 races, 7 top 5's, and 11 top 10's in 13 races as a rookie in the K&N West Series. He will now get settled in with KBM for the 2017 season and really put his skills to the test. He could be next years big mover on this list depending on how well his rookie truck season goes.
Chase Briscoe, 23 Years Old
Briscoe won the 2016 ARCA championship while driving for Cunningham Motorsports last season. In 20 races, he won 6 races, with 14 top 5's, and 18 top 10s, plus six poles. Chase is one of the first drivers to benifit from Ford Racings new development program.
In 2017 Briscoe will run a full schedule in the truck series with BKR after both seats opened up on the team. He is still raw and hasn't proven anything in the top three series, but he will get a shot in 2017. If all goes well, doors under the Ford umbrella could start to open up.
Ty Majeski, 22 Years Old
Maybe its some regional bias and maybe it's too soon to list him this high, but the Wisconsin native Ty Majeski made a huge name for himself in 2016. Sure, he was already making a name for himself long before 2016, but after a season with a World Series of Asphalt Championship at New Symrna, a third straight ARCA Midwest Tour Championship, and the pole at the Snowball Derby (2015) his name is almost on fire.
To top it off, his 2016 season got him a gig as a RFR development driver even before his 3rd place finish in the 2016 Snowball Derby. So, maybe I am jumping the gun a bit compared to others expectations, but if not you will have heard his name here as well as all around the NASCAR community first.
To top it off, his 2016 season got him a gig as a RFR development driver even before his 3rd place finish in the 2016 Snowball Derby. So, maybe I am jumping the gun a bit compared to others expectations, but if not you will have heard his name here as well as all around the NASCAR community first.
Others to Keep an Eye on:
Spencer Davis, 18 Years Old - K&N and ARCA (Venturini Motorsports)
Harrison Burton, 16 Years Old - K&N East and part time NCWTS with KBM
Justin Haley, 18 Years Old - NCWTS in 2017 with GMS Racing
Harrison Burton, 16 Years Old - K&N East and part time NCWTS with KBM
Justin Haley, 18 Years Old - NCWTS in 2017 with GMS Racing
Ben Rhodes, 20 Years Old
Brandon Jones, 19 Years Old - Xfinity with RCR
Ross Chastain, 24 Years Old - Xfinity with JD Motorsports
Corey LaJoie, 26 Years Old - Part time Cup No. 83
Gracin Raz, 20 Years Old - NCWTS with GMS Racing
Ryan Preece, 27 Years Old - Xfinity with JD Motorsports
Josh Berry, 26 Years Old - CARS Late Model
Ben Kennedy, 24 Years Old
Ross Kenseth, 22 Years Old - ARCA
Ruben Garcia Jr, 20 Years Old - K&N East
Rico Abreu, 24 Years Old
Gracin Raz, 20 Years Old - NCWTS with GMS Racing
Ryan Preece, 27 Years Old - Xfinity with JD Motorsports
Josh Berry, 26 Years Old - CARS Late Model
Ben Kennedy, 24 Years Old
Ross Kenseth, 22 Years Old - ARCA
Ruben Garcia Jr, 20 Years Old - K&N East
Rico Abreu, 24 Years Old
Dalton Sargeant, 19 Years Old - ARCA
Brett Moffit, 24 Years Old
Austin Theriault, 23 Years Old - ARCA
Plenty more young guns are coming. Who is your favorite? Who have I missed that you think is the next real deal? Comment below or let me know on twitter! As always, thanks for checking out Behind the Wall.
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