The youth are brewing a storm in NASCAR. All eyes are on a few prodigal youngsters, of whom Connor Zilisch is probably at the top in 2026. The 19-year-old will start his full-time Cup Series campaign after a phenomenal 10-win Xfinity season. However, he is not the only one, and Mark Martin cannot contain his enthusiasm for these bright prospects.

“There’s so much to look forward to in motorsports,” the NASCAR veteran said on Mark Martin Archive. “I mean, golly, Brexton Busch! Keelan Harvick is unbelievable! He’s a little older than Brexton, but I mean, he can give his dad all he wants, and more sometimes. So, they just had an incredible race out here at Tucson. The kid gave a little bump and run to Kevin, and Kevin gave it back and won the race. It was pretty incredible stuff to watch.”

Indeed, the past week featured a rich display of young talent. Keelan was one of that group, with an aggressive zeal to win the SoundGear 125 race in the CARS Tour Southwest Pro Late Model season. He exchanged blows with none other than his father, 2014 Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick. Although the latter made the winning pass and pulled away by .743 seconds, Keelan’s performance was jaw-dropping. This came after he beat his father in five races in 2025.

Then, two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch‘s son is also an enigma. 10-year-old Brexton is getting ready to wheel his first full-sized stock car in the JR Late Model division. Busch won the INEX Bandolero Bandits National Championship with 23 victories and 28 podiums in 2025. Busch has also won 150 races, including a Golden Driller in the prestigious Tulsa Shootout that elicited praise from Mark Martin.

The NASCAR veteran threw the spotlight on Amelia and Laela Eisenschenk, two talented dirt racers. Their uncle is a 10-time World of Outlaws Champion, Donny Schatz. The sisters made their World of Outlaws debut in 2025.

“I watch a lot of dirt track stuff, a lot of late model, mostly late model dirt,” Martin continued. “I don’t hear much of anything about these two sisters. Well, the older one actually runs pretty good. The races I’ve seen, she’s run mid-pack of the top dudes in the country. It’s hard to even make those races.”

“I watched the younger girl run her heat race, out here at the Wild West Shootout, and even though she missed the transfer spot in the heat, man, she was passing cars on the top, driving in on the top, and running sideways, all the way around it right on the cushion,” Martin concluded. “It’s pretty amazing.”

Clearly, Martin is starry-eyed about the youth. The racing veteran also harbors a youthful spirit in his musical tastes.

Mark Martin has cultivated a rich pastime over the years

Mark Martin’s achievements can hardly be overstated. From winning 96 races across NASCAR’s three series to becoming one of the few drivers over 50 years of age to win a race, Martin has accomplished a lot. Behind this success was a love for music that fueled him. He is an avid rap music listener and often has it playing in his shop.

“Artists like Rick James really had an influence on me,” the veteran said. “I really liked his style of funk. Prince was one of the greatest artists of all time. I hated love songs, but Al Green made me love a love song. I listened to Al Green when I was 16 years old, along with ZZ Top and Aerosmith.”

Also, an immense AC/DC fan, Martin introduced his son to the Australian rock band with the Highway to Hell album.

“I’m kind of all over the place,” Martin admitted. “I’m sure I have some brain damage from the volume of AC/DC that I played all those years in the late 70s and early 80s.”

An avid music lover and a legendary NASCAR driver – name a better combination.

Martin espouses this youthful spirit heartily while uplifting the motorsports youth.