(TOLEDO, Ohio - June 28, 2012) - With the news that former ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards championship contender Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is bound for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2013, a pair of motorsports writers held a mock draft to determine the top rising drivers in stock car racing - a class which included many names familiar to ARCA fans.

Earlier this week, Roush Fenway Racing announced that Stenhouse, who finished fourth in ARCA Racing Series points in 2008 and won last season's NASCAR Nationwide Series championship, will drive a full Sprint Cup schedule next season to replace Matt Kenseth, who is leaving the team.

With an eye toward the future of stock car racing, David Smith - editor-in-chief of subscription analysis site MotorsportsAnalytics.com - hosted a mock draft of drivers on the latest episode of his site's weekly podcast. Smith welcomed USA Today motorsports reporter Nate Ryan, and the two alternated over 17 fictional picks, with the idea being that each selection would join an existing NASCAR organization.

Of the 17 selections, 14 have experience in the ARCA Racing Series, and eight are ARCA winners, combining for 49 visits to Victory Lane. Three are past series champions and two are past series Rookies of the Year. Several current drivers made the list.

Which drivers did they pick, and where do they rank? To hear Smith's and Ryan's picks, click here to hear the free podcast at MotorsportsAnalytics.com.

The views expressed in the podcast are those of the podcast host and guest and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be attributed to ARCARacing.com or the Automobile Racing Club of America. The views are referenced at ARCARacing.com for entertainment purposes.

Pictured (clockwise): Alex Bowman, Chris Buescher, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ty Dillon, Justin Lofton, Parker Kligerman, Justin Allgaier