Off weekends are a time to reflect, grow and speculate for the future in the NASCAR industry, both for the teams on the track, and those of us that right about them.

While race teams analyze their data from the previous months, looking for incremental gains to use going forward, we here at Frontstretch have taken the time to ponder the future stars of the sport.

With a breadth of young talent on display at Iowa Speedway and elsewhere, the off weekend provided plenty of great racing, and a glimpse at the race winners and champions to come. Going off that theme, we here at Frontstretch have come up with what we believe are 10 drivers coming to Victory Lane in the Sprint Cup Series sooner than you may think.

Without further adieu, here are this week’s special power rankings. We’ll be back next week to give you the 10 best drivers after left – and right – turns in Sonoma Raceway

“Like father, like son.” – Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service

2. KYLE LARSON

“IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE HE’S STILL ON THIS LIST.” – @AnnoyingRaceFan

3.  ERIK JONES

“We have not seen anyone this strong in years. Name the last driver to dominate the NCWTS and NXS at such a young age like he has.” – Joseph Wolkin, Frontstretch

4.   AUSTIN DILLON

“Richard Childress Racing’s slow rebuild will get Austin Dillon to Victory Lane soon.” – Kyle Pokrefky, The Fourth Turn

5.  RYAN BLANEY

“Penske’s third NSCS champion.” – Spencer

6.   WILLIAM BYRON

“With three wins in nine Camping World Truck Series starts and a dominant K&N Pro Series East championship already under his belt, this kid’s hard not to sell as a future champion.” – Aaron Bearden, Frontstretch

7.   DANIEL SUAREZ

“If you can beat Kyle Busch out on the racetrack as he did at Michigan one week ago, you’ve got a future in this sport.” – Pokrefky

8.   RICKY STENHOUSE, JR. 

“Why not? One of the bright spots of the year over at Roush as it makes strides to get its program back to the top.” – Matthew Dillner, NASCAR

A Special List

It’s rare that a person’s contributions cause audible laughter, but such was the case this week with Annoying Race Fan’s contributions. Get a load of this top 10.

Contributors

How they’re made: Following the conclusion of each NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, members of a voting panel, including Frontstretch writers, members of accredited media including Motorsport, NASCAR and USA Today, as well as writers from other sites and social media favorites, submit their top 10 drivers for the Power Rankings. The drivers are then given points based off their position, with first place getting 10 points, and each subsequent driver getting one few point until the 10th-place driver, who gets a lone point. Points are then tallied, and the rankings are created.

Do you agree with our rankings? Think someone got snubbed, or that one of the top drivers is overrated? Let us know in the comments, and tell others what your top 10 would be. 

About the author

Aaron Bearden

A graduate of Ball State, Aaron rejoins Frontstretch for his second season in 2016 following a successful year that included covering seven races and starting the popular "Two-Headed Monster" column in 2015. Now in his third year of covering motorsports, Aaron serves as an Assistant Editor for Frontstretch while also contributing to other popular sites including Speed51 and The Apex. He encourages you to come say hi when you see him at the track.

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