A new wave of rising talent headlines the third edition of FloRacing’s 20 Under 20 presented by TJ Forged. Once again in 2026, the annual list shines a spotlight on the brightest young prospects across the motorsports landscape.

To assemble this year’s rankings, a panel of FloRacing industry insiders representing both dirt and pavement disciplines collaborated to create a comprehensive list of the top 20 drivers under the age of 20. Contributors to FloRacing’s 20 Under 20 include Andrew Richardson, Brandon Paul, Gary Silverman, Matthew Dillner, Nate Hartmann, Rob Blount, Tim Truex, Tyler Burnett and Tyler McKim.

With that, here is this year’s list of the top drivers in motorsports under the age of 20.

1) Connor Zilisch (Cup)

Age: 19

Hometown: Mooresville, NC

What He's Done So Far: Connor Zilisch removed any doubt about his potential in 2025, delivering 10 victories during his rookie campaign in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. His ability to win across every discipline — from short tracks and intermediates to superspeedways and road courses — has solidified his status as the top prospect in motorsports for the second straight year. 

What's Next: Zilisch is racing full-time on the NASCAR Cup Series for Trackhouse Racing in 2026. 

2) Ryan Timms (Sprint Cars)

Age: 19

Hometown: Oklahoma City, OK

What He's Done So Far: Timms scored the signature victory he needed this past season when he won the biggest Sprint Car race on the planet: the Knoxville Nationals. He followed that up by scoring his first career Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing win at the Tuscarora 50 at Port Royal Speedway in September. Add in multiple 410 Sprint Car wins at Huset's Speedway and Jackson Motorplex and you have a driver establishing himself as a rising star in the Sprint Car world. 

What's Next: Timms will once again drive the Liebig Motorsports Sprint Cars at Sprint Car events throughout the country in 2026. His schedule will once again feature a mix of High Limit Racing, World of Outlaws and local 410 Sprint Car shows. 

3) Keelan Harvick (Pavement Late Models)

Age: 13

Hometown: Charlotte, NC

What He's Done So Far: At just 13 years old, Keelan Harvick is proving he is more than a driver with a well-known last name. Harvick has found success at every level he has competed in so far, from Legend Cars to Late Models.

After a standout season that included four CARS Tour Pro Late Model victories and multiple Legend Car wins, Harvick captured the biggest triumph of his young career in the Snowflake 125 at Five Flags Speedway during Snowball Derby week. He carried that momentum into February, earning his first Late Model Stock Car victory at the Icebreaker at Florence Motor Speedway.

What's Next: Harvick will continue to stay busy behind the wheel of Pro Late Models, Late Model Stock Cars and Super Late Models in 2026. His current schedule has him ending the season by making his Snowball Derby debut in December. 

𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒎𝒔 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒇𝒍𝒂𝒌𝒆 - At 13 years old @KeelanHarvick became the youngest winner of the #Snowflake125 at the end of a very late night at @5FlagsSpeedway.

He caught up with our @RobBlount to explain how scored the biggest win of his life 👇 pic.twitter.com/qcequVXJsP

— FloRacing (@FloRacing) December 7, 2025

4) Brent Crews (O'Reilly)

Age: 17

Hometown: Denver, NC

What He's Done So Far: A year that began with a Stock Non-Wing Tulsa Shootout victory in January concluded with six victories across ARCA Menards Series divisions in 2026. Crews also made 10 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts, securing a pair of top-five finishes in those starts. The 2023 Trans-Am TA2 champion also secured a victory in that series at Sonoma Raceway this past season. 

What's Next: Crews will run 29 races behind the wheel of the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series beginning at the Circuit of the Americas. 

5) Luke Baldwin (Pavement Modifieds/Trucks)

Age: 19

Hometown: Mooresville, NC

What He's Done So Far: Few drivers in recent memory have matched the success Luke Baldwin has achieved across both the Modified and Late Model ranks. Born into a Modified family, it comes as no surprise that Baldwin is now a two-time SMART Modified Tour champion with six career victories. What has stood out even more is his seamless transition to Late Model competition. Baldwin has earned a pair of CARS Tour Pro Late Model victories and delivered a top-five finish in the prestigious Snowflake 125 at Five Flags Speedway, further showcasing his versatility behind the wheel.

What's Next: In addition to chasing a third straight SMART Modified Tour title, Baldwin will compete in 12 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races for Team Reaume in 2026. 

6) Gavin Miller (Dirt Midgets/Sprint Cars)

Age: 18

Hometown: Allentown, PA

What He's Done So Far: Miller recorded five national Midget victories in 2025 driving for Keith Kunz Motorsports. In addition to three USAC National Midget wins, he also claimed wins with the POWRi National Midgets League and Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series. Miller wrapped up the season sixth in USAC National Midget points. 

What's Next: Miller will once again compete in national Midget races all over the country, while also chasing a part-time Sprint Car schedule for Team AZ Racing & Curb-Agajanian. 

🏁 @Gavin_Miller97 conquers a tricky @AngellPark for his second @USACNation win of the weekend!#USAC pic.twitter.com/zPa5A0PD5x

— FloRacing (@FloRacing) September 1, 2025

7) Gio Ruggiero (Trucks)

Age: 19

Hometown: Seekonk, MA

What He's Done So Far: At the age of 19, Ruggiero has already scored victories at Daytona International Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway and the prestigious Winchester 400. Despite an up-and-down rookie season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Ruggiero broke through for his first win at Talladega in October. To kick off the 2026 season, Ruggiero drove the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 to victory lane in the ARCA Menards Series race at Daytona. 

What's Next: Ruggiero will race the TRICON No. 17 full-time on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026. 

8) Ashton Torgerson (Sprint Cars)

Age: 19

Hometown: Medford, OR

What He's Done So Far: After receiving the call to drive the Shark Racing No. 1A Sprint Car, Torgerson broke through for his first career 410 Sprint Car win at BAPS Motor Speedway last April. Torgerson went on to also score a pair of top-five finishes with Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing, including a career-best fourth-place finish at Eldora in September. 

What's Next: Torgerson will race the Shark Racing No. 1A full-time with the World of Outlaws in 2026 as he chases Rookie of the Year honors. 

9) William Sawalich (O'Reilly)

Age: 19

Hometown: Eden Prairie, MN

What He's Done So Far: A pair of runner-up finishes and a third-place finish highlighted Sawalich's rookie season driving for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. The former All-American 400 winner continues to knock on the door of his first series victory. While he didn't score a win in the O'Reilly Series last year, he did collect a pair of ARCA Menards Series West wins at Sonoma Raceway and Portland International Raceay. 

What's Next: Sawalich will return to the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 for a full-time NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series season. 

10) Gavan Boschele (ARCA)

Age: 18

Hometown: Mooresville, NC

What He's Done So Far: Boschele has established himself as one of the most versatile young drivers in motorsports, earning success on both dirt and pavement. He opened the 2025 season with a victory in the ASA STARS National Tour at New Smyrna Speedway and went on to finish fourth in the ASA championship standings.

In January, Boschele further showcased his range by qualifying for the Chili Bowl Nationals A-Main against a field of nearly 400 competitors, underscoring his ability to compete at a high level across disciplines. 

What's Next: Boschele has joined Nitro Motorsports for 15 ARCA Menards Series races during the 2026 season. 

11) Tristan McKee (Pavement Late Models/ARCA)

Age: 15

Hometown: Williamsburg, VA

What He's Done So Far: McKee made history in 2025 by becoming the youngest champion in Trans-Am history, securing the TA2 title after a four-win season. He also earned his first career ARCA Menards Series victory at Watkins Glen International, further expanding his resume. 

In addition to his success on the national stage, McKee continued to excel in Late Model competition, capturing a CARS Tour Pro Late Model win at Cordele Speedway. Most recently, he scored a victory in the Super Fest Series opener at Cordele on February 22.

What's Next: McKee will compete for the ASA STARS National Tour championship, as well as the ARCA Menards Series East championship in 2026. 

12) Jade Avedisian (Pavement Late Models/ARCA)

Age: 19

Hometown: Clovis, CA

What She's Done So Far: Avedisian made history in 2025 by becoming the first female driver to win a CARS Tour event, capturing the Pro Late Model feature at New River All-American Speedway. She continued her upward trajectory in February, earning her first career Super Late Model victory during the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway.

What's Next: Avedisian has made the jump to Super Late Models with Wilson Motorsports in 2026. She will also tackle a partial ARCA Menards Series schedule with Nitro Motorsports. 

🏁 @jadeavedisian gets the Super Late Model win on night #2 of the #NewSmyrnaWS! pic.twitter.com/srgEj2QBvv

— FloRacing (@FloRacing) February 8, 2026

13) Joel Myers Jr. (Sprint Cars)

Age:  18

Hometown: Santa Rosa, CA

What He's Done So Far: A signature win in the prestigious Trophy Cup at Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway was exactly what the doctor ordered for the driver known as JMJ. Myers also scored wins in both the U.S. and New Zealand, including wins with the IRA Sprint Cars Series and Sprint Car Challenge Tour. 

What's Next: Myers will continue to tackle Sprint Car events on the west coast and throughout the country in the Hayward Motorsports No. 19. 

14) Carson Brown (Pavement Late Models/ARCA)

Age: 17

Hometown: New London, NC

What He's Done So Far: Brown scored his first career ASA STARS National Tour victory at Madison International Speedway last June before finishing second in the championship standings. He wasted no time getting to victory lane in 2026, using a dominating performance to win the ASA season-opening Clyde Hart Memorial at New Smyrna Speedway.  

What's Next: A busy year awaits Brown as he plans to chase championships with the ASA STARS National Tour, CARS Tour Late Model Stock Cars and ARCA Menards Series East. 

15) Jett Barnes (Sprint Cars/Midgets)

Age: 14

Hometown: Visalia, CA

What He's Done So Far: Barnes put his name on the map in January with a podium finish during a Chili Bowl Nationals preliminary night feature. He followed that up by winning a B-Main on Saturday and earning a spot in the Chili Bowl A-Main. In 2025, Barnes scored his first career Winged 360 Sprint Car win at Placerville Speedway. 

What's Next: Barnes is expected to once again make starts in both Midgets and Sprint Cars throughout the 2026 season. 

16) Paulie Hartwig III (Pavement Modifieds)

Age: 15

Hometown: Galloway, NJ

What He's Done So Far: Hartwig impressed the Modified world in 2025 by becoming the youngest SMART Modified Tour winner ever and being one of the three drivers that raced for a championship in the season finale. He added even more hype around him in February when he scored his first Tour-type Modified victory and the 602 Modified championship at New Smyrna Speedway. 

What's Next: Now that he's 15 years old, Hartwig is planning to compete in the remaining NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour races in 2026. He'll also be chasing the SMART Modified Tour throughout the season. 

🏁 Paulie Hartwig III holds off Ron Silk at @newsmyrnaspdwy after a late restart and gets the Tour Modified win!#NewSmyrnaWS pic.twitter.com/HN5C9IQ76F

— FloRacing (@FloRacing) February 10, 2026

17) Cale Coons (Sprint Cars)

Age: 17

Hometown: Greencastle, IN

What He's Done So Far: Coons, the son of veteran racer Jerry Coons Jr., is beginning to carve out his own place in the family’s racing legacy. The 17-year-old earned multiple Non-Wing 410 Sprint Car victories last season, including three at Lincoln Park Speedway.

In eight starts with the USAC National Sprint Car series, Coons posted one top-five finish and six top-10 results, further signaling his emergence as a rising talent in the division.

What's Next: Coons will compete full-time for USAC National Sprint Car Rookie of the Year honors in 2026. 

18) Carson Loftin (Pavement Late Models & Modifieds)

Age: 17

Hometown: Lexington, NC

What He's Done So Far: After making the move from full-time Modified competition to a full-time CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car schedule in 2025, Loftin steadily found his rhythm as the season progressed. He recorded three top-five finishes and eight top-10 results, highlighted by a career-best third-place finish at South Boston Speedway in September.

Loftin also returned to his Modified roots on a limited basis, capturing a SMART Modified Tour victory at Tri-County Motor Speedway. 

What's Next: Loftin will return to full-time CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car Tour competition, looking to improve on his seventh-place finish in the standings a year ago. 

19) Trey Mills (Dirt Late Models)

Age: 17

Hometown: St. Augustine, FL

What He's Done So Far: Competing against talented veterans throughout the country, Mills collected four Dirt Late Model wins during the 2025 season. The highlight of Mills' season came near the end of the year when he scored a $20,000 "The Cotton Pickin'" feature win with the COMP Cams Super Dirt Series at Magnolia Motor Speedway. He also collected a win during the Summer Nationals at Macon Speedway and a Southern Thunder Super Dirt Series win at the Talladega Short Track. 

What's Next: Mills is going national in 2026, chasing Rookie of the Year honors with the World of Outlaws Late Models. 

20) Gunnar Setser (Sprint Cars)

Age: 17

Hometown: Columbus, IN

What He's Done So Far: Setser claimed USAC National Sprint Car Rookie of the Year honors during the 2025 season, scoring a pair of top fives and 21 top-10 finishes. Setser was also the POWRi National Midget League runner-up in the championship standings in 2024. 

What's Next: Setser is pursuing another full-time effort on the USAC National Sprint Car circuit but has yet to confirm his full-season effort.