Every year since 1998, ESPN The Magazine has recognized an elite group of emerging athletes to watch in the year ahead — athletes the magazine calls NEXT. They are competitors not only on the cusp of stardom, but on the verge of transcending their sports. NEXT is what happens when the hype is real. 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie-of-the-Year winner, Ty Dillon and Ryan Blaney are among the nominees. To be selected for the newest NEXT class, the drivers must win a vote against four other drivers from various disciplines. The five candidates are; Ty Dillon, Khalid alBalooshi, Ryan Blaney, Conor Daly, and Corey LaJoie. The magazine will also select winners from the categories of action sports, baseball, basketball, fighting, football, golf, hockey, the Olympics, soccer, and tennis.(ESPN The Magazine)(12-4-2012)
