NASCAR Regional drivers to watch: Wyatt Miller introduces himself; Luke Baldwin builds momentum

The 2025 season is in full swing across the NASCAR Regional platform and other major short-track divisions.

A handful of drivers have already claimed victories at their home tracks or series in the early weeks of the year. While the veterans are building momentum, several aspiring competitors are establishing themselves as a consistent presence at the front of fields.

Here are five drivers who have emerged as ones to watch so far in 2025.

Wyatt Miller

The next generation of the Earnhardt family has made his presence known during the opening races on Hickory Motor Speedway's schedule.

Wyatt Miller, the nephew of Dale Earnhardt Jr., has found Hickory's Victory Lane in two of this three Limited Late Model starts. Although he is not going for the track championship and has not yet started a Weekly Series points race, Miller is expected to be a perennial contender every time he and JR Motorsports show up to Hickory. The future is bright.

Luke Baldwin

One of the busiest drivers at the start of 2025 has been Luke Baldwin, the son of veteran NASCAR crew chief Tommy Baldwin Jr.

A fourth place in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour opener at Florida's New Smyrna Speedway kicked off a hectic year of racing for Baldwin across the southeast. Baldwin's schedule also includes a handful of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts, with the first having occurred at Martinsville Speedway in March. He finished 22nd after starting 27th.

Eric Johnson Jr.

The third race of the 2025 ARCA Menards Series West season at Tucson Speedway saw Eric Johnson Jr. put together a career-best performance. 

After saving tires throughout the race, Johnson engaged Tanner Reif in a heated battle for the win, ultimately finishing second. Johnson's stellar run has him third in the West Series points, well within range of the lead shared by Reif and Trevor Huddleston.

Isaac Kitzmiller

The Kitzmiller family has expanded their presence on the ARCA Menards Series platform in 2025, with Jason's son Isaac contesting the entire ARCA Menards Series East schedule.

Isaac's debut East Series outing at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida saw him enjoy a quiet-but-solid evening that ended in fifth place. With seven more races on the East Series schedule, Isaac has time to build off his debut and become a championship contender.

Zeke Shell

The opening weeks of competition at Kingsport Speedway have seen Zeke Shell take control of the facility's Late Model standings.

Three of the opening four Kingsport races saw Shell park his car in Victory Lane. Shell still faces stiff competition from other regulars like Brad Housewright, but several more stellar runs during the summer will put him in an optimal position to earn a track title.