Fast Facts: 2018 NASCAR Next class

The nine drivers of the 2018 NASCAR Next class
credits: Scott Hunter/NASCAR

The 2018 NASCAR Next class is a diverse group of drivers coming from varying racing backgrounds. These nine young drivers – selected with input from industry executives, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Drivers Council and media members – range in age from 16 to 23 and will compete throughout NASCAR’s numerous series. Learn a little more about these drivers in this week’s Fast Facts.

• Anthony Alfredo – This 19-year-old Connecticut native is competing in the K&N Pro Series East for MDM Motorsports this season as well as attending UNC-Charlotte.
• Hailie Deegan – The 16-year-old Californian is in her second season in the Next program and will drive for Bill McAnally Racing in K&N Pro Series West competition.
• Riley Herbst – The 19-year-old Joe Gibbs Racing development driver from Las Vegas is competing in the ARCA Racing Series full-time for JGR after winning the series’ Rookie of the Year award in 2017.
• Derek Kraus – The 16-year-old from Wisconsin won the K&N Pro Series West Rookie of the Year award in 2017 and will drive full-time in the series for Bill McAnally Racing.
• Chase Purdy – The 18-year-old is a second-year Next member and was the K&N Pro Series East Rookie of the Year for 2017. He will compete full-time in the ARCA Racing Series for MDM Motorsports.
• Will Rodgers – This 23-year-old from Hawaii made two K&N Pro Series East starts in 2017 and won both races; he also finished fifth in the K&N Pro Series West standings last year.
• Zane Smith – The 18-year-old second-year Next member is competing in the ARCA Racing Series in 2018 after finishing ninth in the standings last season.
• Tanner Thorson – The 22-year-old former USAC Midget champ from Nevada will run in a variety of series this season, including the Camping World Truck Series.
• Ryan Vargas – The 18-year-old Drive for Diversity member from California will be competing full-time in the K&N Pro Series East for REV Racing in 2018.

Learn more about the program and the drivers at www.nascar.com/Next.