NASCAR
Top NASCAR Moments from the 2025 Racing Season
Close finishes, surprise winners, and weekly drama aplenty shaped 2025’s NASCAR season. 38-straight weeks of nonstop racing action are now fully in the rearview mirror, as 2026 draws ever nearer. Before the calendar fully turns towards a new season, here’s a look back on some of the many memorable moments that helped define NASCAR in 2025.
Bubba Wallace Breaks Through in Brickyard 400
Steeped in American and global motorsports lore like nowhere else, Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s hallowed grounds wrote a new page with 2025’s Brickyard 400. Bubba Wallace toughed it out to erase a nearly three-year losing drought. Wallace simultaneously earned his third career victory and first Crown Jewel triumph. This momentous occasion turned out to be 23XI Racing’s lone 2025 win, and punched team 23’s Playoff ticket. Wallace had to out-duel reigning Brickyard 400 winner Kyle Larson in overtime, following a brief rain delay. The images of Bubba Wallace celebrating with newborn son Becks on the yard of bricks were a very heartfelt and emotional moment that should live on as a very meaningful win.
Daniel Suarez’s Home Country Mexico City Triumph
Speaking of popular victories, perhaps no NASCAR win this season saw more fan reaction than Daniel Suarez’s Mexico City triumph. Having to start Saturday’s sprint race in the rear with a backup car, the home nation star slowly and methodically worked his way forward. After leaders Connor Zilisch and Ty Gibbs tangled to start Stage 3, it was Suarez’s No. 9 that took advantage. The racing pride of Monterrey and NASCAR’s first international champion had his moment in the sun as a winner on his home turf.
Mexico City weekend’s history-making moments were far from over on Saturday. Sunday saw Trackhouse Racing drivers sweep both races, with Shane van Gisbergen picking up his first win of 2025. SVG conquered the first international Cup Series points race in over six decades, and teased the field with the first of five road course wins this season. SVG’s winning margin was a blistering 16 seconds, leaving nobody in his path. The 88 was rightfully rewarded Rookie of the Year honors after this mammoth year-long effort, with five-straight road course checkered flags.
Connor Zilisch’s Rise (and Fall) at Watkins Glen
Few could have predicted the absolutely stellar Xfinity Series season put forth by Connor Zilisch. The road racing phenom totaled 10 wins and 23 top-10s through 33 starts, all amidst a rookie year. The 19-year-old prodigy’s season culminated in the many highs and lows of Watkins Glen weekend.
Initially slated to be a rare tripleheader slate for the teenager, Zilisch was eighth after an early spin in the Truck race. The JR Motorsports driver would take a second-straight Xfinity victory at The Glen, but wrecked teammate Shane van Gisbergen in the process. Zilisch’s day would go from elation to concern, however, in victory lane after he fell off his car while celebrating. Immediately hospitalized and diagnosed with a broken collarbone, the No. 87 Cup car would be sidelined for Sunday.
Zilisch would return to the track in a sling the next day as a spectator, and hop out of his Xfinity Series ride the next week at Daytona. Parker Kligerman won that race, with the credit going to Zilisch. This injury saga came to an end when Zilisch returned for the full Xfinity Series race at Portland and won there as well. Despite the injury, the No. 88 put up a perfect quartet of wins to close the regular season. This put an exclamation point on Zilisch’s all-time Xfinity Series record-breaking run of 18-straight top-fives.
Corey’s ‘Heim-Bomb’ Move for Truck Title
From one historic 2025 season-long run to another, Corey Heim set more Truck Series records than one could list. The Toyota star achieved the winningest year ever in Truck Series competition. Heim still had to battle against three others, though, for the 2025 title. When a caution sent the Phoenix finale into overtime, the Scott Zipadelli-led TRICON Garage No. 11 team opted for four tires. This set Heim back to ninth for the restart, with all hope for the ultimate trophy seemingly lost. The ensuing restart will live on as a wild Phoenix Raceway highlight. The No. 11 made a daring seven-wide pass on the apron to get back to second. After another overtime restart, Heim blasted off again on his freshest tires and grabbed his 12th checkered flag of the season. After appearing to miss out on a guaranteed win, Heim stood tall as King of the Truckers on the desert stage.
Martinsville Mayhem Hits Boiling Point
What many may pin as a lowlight for 2025’s NASCAR season can also be painted as a turning point. In short, March’s Martinsville Xfinity Series race devolved into absolute bedlam in its closing laps. Sammy Smith was ultra-desperate for a win and spun Taylor Gray out of the way in turn three on the last lap, leading to a massive pileup with many wrecked cars at the finish. Out of the smoke and carnage, Austin Hill was crowned winner. However, that night’s on-track activities gave a black eye to the Xfinity Series. As a consequence, NASCAR drew a line in the sand with competitors from this point forward. The entire Xfinity Series field held a meeting with NASCAR brass in the immediate aftermath and prior to October’s Martinsville race. In an ironic twist, the Martinsville Playoff date saw Gray and Smith earn the top-two finishing spots they should have seen in the spring.
Clash of the Martinsville Titans
From one Martinsville race weekend to another, October’s Xfinity 500 Cup race can be summed up as an all-time classic thrilling battle between two of today’s best short trackers. Starting on opposite ends of the grid, it did not take must-win Playoff drivers William Byron and Ryan Blaney long to find each other. The Hendrick No. 24 started from the pole and led nearly every lap across both stages. Blaney’s Penske Ford, meanwhile, started 31st and inherited the lead by lap 272. The No. 12 was the two-time defending fall Martinsville winner, and needed a hat trick to keep championship dreams alive. Blaney was in position for a Martinsville three-peat, until Byron nudged him out of the way with 44 laps left. The 24 returned to glory in the fall Martinsville race 10 years after Jeff Gordon’s last win, while Blaney settled for second. This dynamic driving duo led an astounding 481 of 500 circuits that day, further validating their Martinsville mastery.
Season Kicks Off with a Bang at Bowman Gray Stadium Clash
Allow me to show some ‘home cooking’ bias here, but the entire ambiance and vibes around this year’s Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium were unmatched. As a Winston-Salem native who grew up going to Bowman Gray, February 1 was unlike any other night I’ve ever experienced there. Feeling equal parts high school football game, rock concert, and NASCAR Cup race, the energy was off the charts at the historic bullring. ‘The Madhouse’ served up with its first NASCAR Cup Series showing in 54 years. Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney put on a great battle for the win, with Blaney starting last and having to pass nearly the entire field. In the end, NASCAR’s most popular man won out and took the season-opening exhibition win. Combined with home grown short track stars, proximity to the racing sphere’s Charlotte hub, and a rejuvenated historic venue, the Clash delivered in all areas. It will be interesting to see if Bowman Gray Stadium can outdo itself in 2026. I cannot wait to be there once again to take in the sights, spectacle, and amazement of Cup cars at my home track.
Rockingham Speedway’s Grassroots Return
From one classic venue to another, Easter Weekend 2025 saw another racetrack revival celebrated in the Carolina foothills. Rockingham Speedway held its first NASCAR weekend in over a decade, welcoming ARCA, Trucks, and Xfinity Series competitors. The quirky asphalt mile proved to be as abrasive and tough to master as ever, with a pair of historically-significant winners. Tyler Ankrum tamed Friday’s Truck race on a fuel mileage finish, his first win in almost six years. On Saturday, Jesse Love initially took the checkers first but was disqualified, handing the win to Sammy Smith. This race also saw fan favorite Kasey Kahne’s first NASCAR start since 2018. Richmond County’s gem will run it back in 2026 for a repeat effort. The vintage racetrack hopes to further cement its place on the modern NASCAR calendar.
Boisterous Night Race at Bristol
Always a fan favorite every year, 2025’s Bristol Night Race will live on as a perfect storm. Cooler temperatures brought with them conditions that caused faster tire falloff, similar to 2024’s spring race here. Unlike that day, however, drivers and teams quickly adjusted on the fly and progressively got more life out of their Goodyear rubber. The four-lap dash to the finish saw Christopher Bell get nudged by Brad Keselowski, but the No. 20 Toyota held on for a huge Playoff victory. This marked Bell’s maiden win on the Bristol concrete, and a Round of 16 sweep for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Hamlin Caps Off Career Season with Win Goal
Entering 2025 with a different crew chief and new primary sponsorship, Denny Hamlin had one goal at the top of mind. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver wanted to hit 60 career victories amidst his 20th Cup season. This milestone would tie Hamlin with Kevin Harvick for 10th on NASCAR’s all-time wins list. In Hamlin’s perspective, this feat would further solidify his racing immortality status. Starting the season at 54 career triumphs, six wins was a very lofty goal for Hamlin but it did come to fruition despite him being 44 years old. The Round of 8 Playoff opener from Las Vegas Motor Speedway saw Hamlin record this momentous victory. Rather than antagonizing fans in the stands afterwards, Hamlin took on a far more appreciative and grateful tone. This win also punched Hamlin’s Championship 4 ticket, giving driver 11 perhaps his best shot yet at the Bill France Cup.
Hamlin’s Hero to Heartbreak Moment in Phoenix Finale
During the three-week span between Las Vegas and Phoenix, Hamlin gained immeasurable amounts of support as the sentimental favorite for 2025’s ultimate honor. It was revealed by Hamlin that his father had a likely terminal illness. Hamlin called 2025 maybe the last finale that his father would see. Team 11 appeared to be firing on all cylinders amidst the winner-take-all race, being fast in practice and winning the pole by a wide margin. Hamlin credited this apparent Phoenix mastery to having extra preparation time thanks to locking in his berth early.
Speed, performance, and execution seemed flawless from all aspects of the Progressive 11 team across Championship Weekend. With three laps to go, Hamlin held a three second advantage over the field. William Byron blowing a tire from second-place, however, triggered a race and season-defining caution. Hamlin’s team opted to take four tires for overtime, putting him back in ninth for the restart. Despite 208 laps led on the day, Hamlin only recovered to finish sixth, losing out on the championship to Kyle Larson. The raw emotions shared by Hamlin in the below images from post-race emphasized how close he was to this career capstone.
Cup Juggernauts Battle it out at COTA
One of the most raw and high-intensity on-track battles for the win came from COTA in March. Veteran Kyle Busch, reigning Austin winner William Byron, and Christopher Bell were in a knockdown brawl for top honors in Texas. Thanks to a late caution, Bell got the upper hand over Busch with five laps to go and drove off to a second-straight victory. This marked checkered flag number two of CBell’s three-peat to start off 2025, and was ultimately the closest Busch ever got to winning. The winding circuit in Austin continues to deliver excellent action, now with five different winners over five seasons.
Blaney Brings Summertime Heat at Daytona
Always a high-stakes and drama-packed race, the regular season finale from Daytona lived up to its hype this year. After an early wreck took Playoff bubble driver Alex Bowman out of contention, his postseason fate relied on having a repeat winner. As late as turn two on the last lap, the Hendrick 48 appeared to be on the outside looking in for the 16-man dance. Justin Haley and Cole Custer blocked each other on the final lap though, leaving the top lane open for a surging Ryan Blaney. The Penske 12 would be just ahead enough at the line to steal the win from three Playoff hopefuls in a four-wide photo finish. Bowman’s season was essentially saved by Blaney going from 12th to the lead in the last two laps. This marked Blaney’s second Daytona triumph and win number two on the year.
Elliott’s Sizzling Saturday Night Atlanta Stunner
From one unforgettable superspeedway race to another, Atlanta definitely delivered with their primetime Saturday night show in June. Stage 2 began with a massive crash that sidelined nearly a quarter of the field, including many favorites. Fast-forward to the closing laps, and Chase Elliott got the upper hand over veteran Brad Keselowski in a back-and-forth affair. The famed No. 9 reigned victorious at the Elliott family’s home track once again. Celebrations soon began, lasting all the way back to Dawsonville. This marked Elliott’s first victory in over a year, sending him Playoff-bound once again. Atlanta also saw Elliott’s first time winning with the Napa ‘DESI9N to Drive’ scheme created by a childhood cancer patient. Having the young artist and her family celebrate with Elliott only added onto the momentous occasion under the lights.
Seas Part in Dramatic Kansas Last Lap
In what may go down as the best finish from the 2025 Playoffs, Kansas Speedway saw a bit of everything. The September day largely belonged to Toyota, as Joe Gibbs Racing and 23XI Racing combined to lead 234 laps. Going into overtime, they also had a top-five lockout. This overtime was triggered by one of the weirdest wrecks in recent memory, where Zane Smith was pinched sideways against the outside wall. Once racing resumed, Bubba Wallace got by Christopher Bell for the lead at the white flag. Not willing to cut his employee an inch, Denny Hamlin got to Wallace’s inside in turn three on the last lap and ran both drivers wide. This opened up the bottom just enough for Chase Elliott to get by and steal this win. Hamlin was left in disbelief as runner-up, throwing away a shot at his own 60th win in addition to any chance at a guaranteed 23XI triumph. The Napa No. 9, meanwhile, was propelled onto the Round of 8 thanks to this doors-blown-open victory.
History-Making Night Unfolds at Charlotte
Calling the Coca-Cola 600 race of the year has seemingly become tradition in the Next Gen era. For multiple reasons, the Charlotte oval and this car continue to deliver an unparalleled racing product. The best racing that Next Gen has to offer have left many wanting more on the traditional Charlotte track. 2025’s running of NASCAR’s marathon night was no different. Despite William Byron leading 283 laps and sweeping every stage, he was beaten by a hungry Ross Chastain. From last on the grid and in a backup car, the Trackhouse Racing driver ended Memorial Day Sunday with a watermelon smash.
The Coke 600 also ushered in a new era of NASCAR television broadcasting. The Crown Jewel event was the first race ever aired on Prime Video. After initial hesitation from some, NASCAR on Prime hit their inaugural season out of the park with many new innovations. Similarly to racing on the Charlotte oval, Prime Video ended their five-week stretch with many fans clamoring for an encore. It will be fun to see how Prime Video continues to adapt and set a new standard for 21st century racing television coverage.
Lawsuit Still Looms Large, Trial Now Weeks Away
Overshadowing all of NASCAR’s on-track action throughout 2025 is the ongoing legal battle between two teams and the sanctioning body. Dating back to fall 2024, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports claim that the 2025 charter agreement is unfair to teams and shows antitrust monopolistic practices. As of the time of this writing, this litigation is set to go to trial in a Charlotte Federal Courthouse on December 1.
Since the initial case’s filing, both plaintiff teams have lost charter status by having an injunction tossed out. This has resulted in millions of dollars worth of purse money forfeited, since they competed in 2025’s second half as ‘open’ teams. NASCAR also had a countersuit discarded, claiming the teams were illegally conspiring for better-negotiated terms. What happens next in this case is truly anyone’s guess, as an out-of-court settlement seems ever less likely by the day. This saga will all but assuredly dominate many headlines and talking points in the foreseeable future.
Many twists, turns, surprise outcomes, and major storylines peppered the tapestry of NASCAR’s 2025 season. With lawsuit news still to-be-determined, a few more hair-raising moments may still lie ahead. Amidst the buildup to 2026, continuing headlines are not likely to see any offseason or slow down anytime soon.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credits to Meg Oliphant/Getty Images
