Remember when you first fell in love with NASCAR? Maybe it was the raw power of the engines, the chess match of pit strategy, or watching your favorite driver battle wheel-to-wheel for position. Whatever hooked you, there was something deeply human about it: the courage, the sacrifice, the relentless drive to be the best.

That’s exactly what NASCAR’s new docuseries RISING captures, and it premieres next month on YouTube.This isn’t your typical racing highlight reel. RISING goes deep into the lives of three young drivers who represent the future of our sport: Carson Hocevar, Jesse Love Xfinity, and Rajah Caruth. Over five episodes dropping November 17-21, we get an unfiltered look at what it really takes to make it in NASCAR today.

More Than Just Speed: The Human Side of Racing

What makes RISING special is how it strips away corporate-speak and polished social media posts to show these drivers as they actually are, young men chasing a dream that demands everything they’ve got.”We wanted to strip away the helmets and let viewers meet these young men as people first,” explained Aaron Cohen, Chief Creative Officer at Words + Pictures, the Emmy Award-winning studio behind the series.

“They’re competitors, but also sons, friends, and dreamers. RISING gives a raw, unfiltered look at how much heart it takes to make it in NASCAR,” he added. Think about what these three are facing. Hocevar is navigating his way through the brutal Cup Series, where one bad finish can derail a season.

Love’s proving himself in the Xfinity Series, currently sitting third in the standings as he battles for a shot at the Championship 4. Caruth’s grinding it out in the Craftsman Truck Series, where every race is a statement about whether you belong. The pressure is relentless. The sacrifices are real. And RISING doesn’t shy away from any of it.

Why This Docuseries Matters for NASCAR’s Future

NASCAR has always been about more than just cars going fast in circles. It’s about the personalities behind the wheel, the stories that make you invest emotionally, the moments that have you on your feet screaming at the television.

“RISING explores the ups and downs of trying to make it at the highest levels of our sport,” said John Dahl, NASCAR SVP of Content. “We’re providing an inside look at the vulnerability and hunger of these young drivers to prove themselves. It’s a series for anyone who can relate to that daily struggle of striving to reach your dreams.”

That vulnerability is key. We’re living in an era where fans crave authenticity. They want to know what motivates their favorite drivers, what keeps them up at night, what it feels like when everything’s on the line. RISING delivers exactly that kind of access.

The series was produced by FULL SPEED ENTERTAINMENT, the production partnership between NASCAR Studios and Words + Pictures. If you watched Netflix’s Full Speed earlier this year, you know these folks understand how to tell compelling racing stories. They’re not interested in fluff pieces. They want to show the real deal.

Free Access, Maximum Impact

Here’s what makes this even better: RISING will be completely free to watch on NASCAR’s YouTube channel. No subscription required, no paywall, just pure racing content available to anyone with an internet connection. That’s a smart move. YouTube has over 2.5 billion active users worldwide, making it the largest streaming platform on the planet.

More Americans are watching YouTube on their TVs than on mobile devices these days, and users are streaming over 1 billion hours of content on televisions. By putting RISING on YouTube, NASCAR is meeting fans exactly where they already are.

“YouTube is the natural home for these stories, allowing us to connect these personal journeys directly with the passionate fanbase that already lives on the platform,” Cohen noted. The binge-friendly format features five episodes dropping over five consecutive nights, making it easy to dive deep into these drivers’ worlds.

Each episode runs 44-45 minutes, giving the series room to breathe and really explore what makes Hocevar, Love, and Caruth tick. And if you prefer watching on cable, FOX Sports will air RISING on FS1 beginning in December with a special five-week programming schedule. It’s perfect counter-programming leading up to FOX’s coverage of the 2026 Daytona 500 on February 15.

The Next Generation Takes Center Stage

What’s exciting about following Hocevar, Love, and Caruth is watching them represent different paths to NASCAR success. Each one brings something unique to the table. Hocevar’s already competing at the sport’s highest level, facing off against established stars every single weekend. The Cup Series doesn’t care how old you are or how talented you might be because you’ve got to produce results, period.

The pressure he’s under is immense. Love’s storyline is particularly compelling right now. Third in the Xfinity Series standings with a legitimate shot at making the Championship 4, he’s at that crucial point where everything he’s worked for could pay off or slip through his fingers. That’s the kind of drama you can’t script.

Caruth’s journey in the Craftsman Truck Series represents the foundation of NASCAR’s ladder system. Every driver who’s made it big started somewhere, and the Truck Series is where you prove you’ve got what it takes to move up. His story will resonate with anyone who’s ever had to grind their way toward a dream.

Behind the Scenes: Who Made RISING Happen

The production team behind RISING reads like a who’s who of sports documentary excellence. Words + Pictures is the same studio that brought us The Last Dance, the legendary Michael Jordan documentary that captivated millions. They’ve also produced acclaimed projects like 30 For 30, Court of Gold, and NASCAR’s own Full Speed.

Executive producers include Tim Clark, John Dahl, and Tally Hair from NASCAR Studios, along with Connor Schell, Libby Geist, and Aaron Cohen from Words + Pictures. Matthew Chase from Words + Pictures directed and produced the series.

That level of talent doesn’t just show up and point cameras at drivers. They know how to find the moments that matter, the emotions that connect with viewers, the stories that stick with you long after the credits roll.

Mark Your Calendar

Set your reminders: this is a docuseries any serious NASCAR fan won’t want to miss. Whether you’re already following these drivers’ careers or you’re just curious about what the future of NASCAR looks like, RISING offers something special.

This docuseries isn’t just about racing. It’s about what drives people to pursue excellence, no matter the cost. It’s about the human spirit, the refusal to quit, and the unwavering belief that you can make it even when the odds seem impossible. That’s NASCAR. That’s what we love about this sport. And that’s why RISING matters.

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