The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season delivered an impressive year of competitive racing. Nine races were decided by a last-lap pass, which set a series record for the most in a season. And, in an exciting finale, Kyle Larson won his second Cup Series championship title and the 15th for Hendrick Motorsports.
Wins:
In the 2025 Cup Series season, there were 14 different race winners. By comparison, it was the fewest since 2020, when 13 unique drivers won.
Seven drivers had multiple wins, led by Denny Hamlin with six. Shane van Gisbergen scored five victories, followed by Christopher Bell and Ryan Blaney with four. Chase Briscoe, William Byron and Kyle Larson scored three wins each.
Last Lap Passes for the Win:
Nine races were decided with a last-lap pass on the final lap, setting a new precedent.
Wins from the Front Row:
Fifteen races were won from the front row. It was the most since 1980, when 17 unique drivers claimed victory after starting in the front of the field.
Best in Qualifying:
Joe Gibbs Racing achieved the most poles in 2025 with 13. The organization had led the series in pole for three consecutive years.
Lead changes:
The 2025 Cup Series season generated the most lead changes since 1982. Nine races featured 30 or more lead changes with 835 throughout the season. It was the most since 2011 (914).
Margin of Victory:
Three races ended with a margin of victory of more than 10 seconds. All three races were won by Shane van Gisbergen.
Milestones:
Ross Chastain won the Cup Series 2025 Coca-Cola 600 after starting last. He was the first driver to win from the last starting spot since Bobby Allison accomplished this feat at Richmond Fairgrounds in 1974.
Austin Dillon also achieved a memorable milestone by leading 107 laps in the Cup Series and capturing the win at Richmond Raceway. It was the most laps led by the No. 3 car in a Cup Series race since Dale Earnhardt’s historic victory in the 1998 Daytona 500.
