Who is the youngest Nascar Driver? Everything We Need To Know
by Hemalatha R | Updated Apr 10, 2023
NASCAR Info
NASCAR Cup Series is a premier motorsport competition in the United States, organized by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). This series is regarded as one of the biggest racing competitions in the country and attracts drivers of all ages from various regions. The sport has gained immense popularity over the years due to its high-speed thrills and fierce competition. It's a unique motorsport where drivers race in cars that are modified from their original production models to withstand high speeds and intense competition. However, winning a Cup Series race is not an easy feat. It requires a high level of maturity and skill, which only a few young drivers possess. The sport demands drivers to have exceptional driving skills, mental strength, and the ability to make quick decisions in high-pressure situations. Young drivers competing in the Cup Series are often considered the future of the sport. They bring in new energy and enthusiasm, and their performances on the track are closely watched by the racing fraternity.
Who is the Youngest NASCAR Driver?
So, who is the youngest NASCAR driver competing in the Cup Series in 2023? According to the governing body of NASCAR, 15 is the minimum age for drivers to compete in its regional touring series. However, anyone as young as 16 can compete in Truck Series on tracks 1.25 miles or less in length and on road courses. Yet, they will have to wait until the age of 18 to compete for full-time in NASCAR’s top three national series - Cup, Xfinity, and Truck. The youngest driver competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2023 is Ty Gibbs, who is just 20 years old. Gibbs is the grandson of Joe Gibbs, who won the 2022 Xfinity Series championship with seven wins, including the season finale victory at the Phoenix Raceway. Ty Gibbs' impressive performance in the Xfinity Series resulted in his promotion to the Cup Series in 2023. The North Carolina-born driver came into the limelight during the 2020 ARCA Menards Series season when he won six races in just 16 starts. In 2021, Gibbs clinched the ARCA Menards Series championship with 10 wins, further cementing his place as a young talent to watch.
Despite his young age, Gibbs has already proved his worth in NASCAR racing, winning 11 races in just 50 combined starts across the Xfinity Series, ARCA Menards Series, and Camping World Truck Series. This impressive feat has led to high expectations for Gibbs in the Cup Series, where he will compete against the best drivers in the world. The oldest Cup Series driver in the 2023 season is 47-year-old Kevin Harvick, a seasoned veteran who has won 58 races in his Cup Series career. Gibbs may be the youngest driver in the Cup Series, but he will have to compete against experienced drivers like Harvick and other top-tier drivers like Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, and Chase Elliott. In conclusion, Ty Gibbs is the youngest driver competing in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2023, but his youth should not be underestimated. He has already proven himself to be a talented and skilled driver, and it will be exciting to see what he can achieve in the future as he continues to compete at the highest level of NASCAR racing.
Who is Ty Gibbs?
Tyler Randal Gibbs is a professional American stock car racing driver born on October 4, 2002. He is a full-time competitor in the NASCAR Cup Series, where he drives the No. 54 Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing. Additionally, he participates part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 19 Toyota Supra for the same team. Gibbs earned the title of NASCAR Xfinity Series champion in 2022 and was also the ARCA Menards Series champion in 2021. He is the grandson of Joe Gibbs, a former NFL coach and the current owner of a NASCAR team. At the age of 13, Gibbs started his journey in racing by participating in Shifter Karts at GoPro Motorplex during the summer of 2015. Four years later, in 2019, he drove the No. 18 for Nelson Motorsports and won the IceBreaker 125 Late Model Stock race at Myrtle Beach Speedway.
Youngest NASCAR Drivers of All Time
The below table contains the list of the Youngest NASCAR Drivers of all time.
Sl.No
Name
Age
1
Joey Lagano
18
2
Erik Jones
18
3
Chase Elliot
19
4
Ryan Blaney
21
5
Darrell Wallace
21
6
Trevor Bayne
21
7
Kyle Larson
22
8
James Beuscher
24
Kevin Harvick is Retiring from the NASCAR
Kevin Harvick, the 2014 Cup Series champion, is one of the most accomplished and experienced full-time drivers at the Cup level this season. However, this season will also mark the end of an era, as Harvick has announced that he will retire at the end of the 2023 season, which will be his 23rd as a full-time Cup driver. Harvick started his Cup Series career in 2001 at the Rockingham Speedway with Richard Childress Racing. He quickly made a name for himself, winning two races in his rookie season and earning the Rookie of the Year honors. Harvick spent 13 years with Richard Childress Racing, during which he won 23 races, including the 2007 Daytona 500. In 2014, Harvick joined Stewart-Haas Racing, a team co-owned by his good friend and fellow driver Tony Stewart. In his first season with the team, Harvick won his maiden Cup championship, cementing his status as one of the top drivers in the sport.
Over his 22-year Cup career, Harvick has achieved remarkable success, winning 60 races and becoming one of the sport's most popular and respected drivers. He has won some of the biggest races in NASCAR, including the Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, Brickyard 400, and Southern 500. Harvick's retirement at the end of the 2023 season will undoubtedly leave a void in the sport. His contributions to the sport, both on and off the track, will be remembered for years to come. His retirement will also open up new opportunities for young drivers to make their mark in the sport and continue the legacy of NASCAR racing.
Who is the youngest Nascar Driver- FAQs
Kevin Harvick has won one Cup Series championship, in 2014.
Kevin Harvick began his Cup Series career in 2001 at the Rockingham Speedway with Richard Childress Racing.
Kevin Harvick has won 60 races in his Cup Series career.
Kevin Harvick joined Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014.
Kevin Harvick will retire from full-time Cup Series racing at the end of the 2023 season, which will be his 23rd as a full-time Cup driver.