NASCAR Next: Meet the 2017-18 class

The seventh class of the NASCAR Next youth initiative makes its debut in May, a month synonymous with motorsports pageantry and speed. This year's crop of new talent comes from many corners of the country, all identified by a panel of industry insiders as the next wave of drivers with a chance at becoming NASCAR's household names of the future.What makes them tick? It's time to meet the 2017-18 NASCAR Next class.

Harrison Burton

Age: 16
Hometown: Huntersville, North Carolina
Series: NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, Camping World Truck Series
Twitter: @HBurtonRacing
2016-17 highlights: Two victories (Bristol, South Boston) and two poles in the early stages of this year's K&N East schedule.
Role model: Papa Jeff.
Hidden talent: Carpool karaoke.
Best advice I ever received: Be yourself.

Chase Cabre

Age: 19
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
Series: NASCAR K&N Pro Series East
Twitter: @CabreChase
2016-17 highlights: Rev Racing driver was the pole-starter for both ends of a K&N East doubleheader at South Boston Speedway in May.
Biggest fan of: Kyle Larson. Pull for him every week.
Hidden talent: I design and print my own graphics for my race cars, a trait I picked up off YouTube.
Currently binge watching: Prison Break. If you haven't seen it, you haven't lived.

Hailie Deegan

Age: 15
Hometown: Temecula, California
Series: Lucas Off Road Racing Series, Late Models
Twitter: @HailieDeegan
2016-17 highlights: Finishes of second and fourth in the Lucas Off Road season opener for the Pro Lite division.
My job if I wasn't in racing: Trying to get a scholarship for volleyball.
Bucket list item: To backflip a car.
Hidden talent: Trampoline tricks.

Todd Gilliland

Age: 17
Hometown: Sherrills Ford, North Carolina
Series: NASCAR K&N Pro Series, Camping World Truck Series
Twitter: @ToddGilliland_
2016-17 highlights: Stellar start to K&N West season with three wins and four poles in four races.
Last time I was starstruck: At a NAPA appearance with Ron Capps, Alexander Rossi, Kasey Kahne, Brad Sweet and Chase Elliott. That's some serious company!
Favorite movie: Days of Thunder.
Biggest fan of: Happy people. I don't like being around grumps.

Riley Herbst

Age: 17
Hometown: Las Vegas
Series: ARCA, NASCAR K&N Pro Series
Twitter: @rileyherbst
2016-17 highlights: Joe Gibbs Racing prospect has top-10s in two of three ARCA starts this season.
Weirdest thought while racing on the track: 'I wish this water bottle was lemonade.'
Currently binge watching: The Office.
Person I'd most want to meet: Jimmy Buffett.

Cayden Lapcevich

Age: 17
Hometown: Grimsby, Ontario
Series: NASCAR Pinty's Series
Twitter: @CaydenLapcevich
2016-17 highlights: Became youngest series champion in the Canada-based Pinty's tour last season with three wins and top-10 finishes in all 12 races.
Last time I was starstruck: After I won the NASCAR Pinty's Series championship, I received a shout-out via Twitter from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Favorite movie: Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.
My job if I wasn't in racing: Professional snowboarder.

Ty Majeski

Age: 22
Hometown: Seymour, Wisconsin
Series: NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, ARCA
Twitter: @TyMajeski
2016-17 highlights: Roush Fenway Racing development driver won his third ARCA Midwest Tour championship last season, adding prestigious Late Model victories along the way.
Role model: Alan Kulwicki. He did it his way.
Hidden talent: Basketball. I'm not too bad for a short guy.
Person I'd most want to meet: Chris Farley, in a van down by the river.

Chase Purdy

Age: 17
Hometown: Meridian, Mississippi
Series: NASCAR K&N Pro Series East
Twitter: @chasepurdy12
2016-17 highlights: NASCAR Whelen All-American Series competitor was Rookie of the Year at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in South Carolina in 2016.
Last time I was starstruck: When Joey Logano presented me with my Rockwell watch after the Legends All-Star race.
Food I can't give up: Macaroons
Best advice I ever received: 'It's hard to beat someone who never gives up.'

Zane Smith

Age: 17
Hometown: Huntington Beach, California
Series: ARCA, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East
Twitter: @zanesmith77
2016-17 highlights: Completed a stirring drive from 26th to a second-place finish in the K&N East opener at New Smyrna Speedway.
Role model: Jimmie Johnson
Currently binge watching: Family Guy for the millionth time
Best advice I ever received: 'We didn't come here to kick rocks around. We came here to win races.' -- Go-kart mechanic Steven Barros.