Larson's Championship Crowned a Turbulent NASCAR Season Defined by Legal Battles and Evolving Competition

The 2025 NASCAR season delivered a compelling mix of on-track drama and significant off-track developments, culminating in Kyle Larson’s second career Cup Series championship. The year was marked by intense competition on superspeedways and the continued refinement of the NextGen car on short tracks. However, the season was also profoundly shaped by a protracted legal dispute that reached a high-profile trial, alongside industry-wide debates surrounding the championship format. Denny Hamlin emerged as a central figure in many of these discussions, his performances and opinions frequently shaping the narrative throughout the campaign.

A Season of Remembrance and Emerging Talent

While the focus often lands on victories and championships, the 2025 season was also a period of profound loss for the NASCAR community. The year began with the tragic loss of Greg Biffle, Cristina Grossu, Emma Biffle, Ryder Biffle, Dennis Dutton, Jack Dutton, and Craig Wadsworth in a plane crash, followed shortly by the passing of Dennis Hamlin Sr. in a house fire. The sport also mourned the loss of Rick "Otis" Hodges, legendary journalist Al Pearce, championship-winning team owner Shige Hattori, Daytona 500 winning owner Bill Davis, team owners Bill Baumgardner, Travis Carter, Charlie Henderson, and Larry McClure, and crew members Steve "Birdie" Bird and Zach Yager. Drivers Martin Truex Sr., Wayne Andrews, Phil Barkdoll, and Rex White also passed, alongside Xfinity Series winner Michael Annett. The contributions of figures like Jon Edwards, Jerry Petty, Humpy Wheeler, and Grant Lynch were also remembered.

Amidst the solemn remembrances, the season also highlighted the enduring spirit of grassroots racing. Tim Brown and Burt Myers, the winningest drivers at Bowman Gray Stadium, made a notable appearance in the pre-season Clash, a poignant acknowledgment of their extensive careers and the foundational role of short-track racing in NASCAR’s ecosystem. Their participation underscored the sport’s romantic connection to its origins, drawing attention to the dedication and skill honed on local tracks.

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The influence of digital platforms continued to grow, with Garrett Mitchell, known as "Cleetus McFarland," bringing a massive online following to the ARCA Racing Series. His Daytona and Talladega starts generated significant viewership, with live streams attracting tens of thousands of viewers and contributing to an overall audience of over a million when combined with traditional broadcast numbers. McFarland demonstrated competitive speed, securing top-10 finishes at Talladega and Charlotte.

On-Track Highlights and Controversies

The Xfinity Series witnessed a particularly chaotic event at Martinsville Speedway in the spring. The race, characterized by aggressive driving and a last-corner incident involving Sammy Smith and Taylor Gray, drew sharp criticism from prominent figures like Denny Hamlin and Dale Earnhardt Jr., who deemed the product "embarrassing" and questioned the track’s suitability for such racing. The significant on-track incident led to penalties for Smith, prompting NASCAR to address the unacceptable level of racing with drivers.

The quest for a start in the Daytona 500 also generated headlines. Mike Wallace, attempting to honor his late wife Carla, was denied entry due to not meeting the sanctioning body’s approval process, which requires a diverse history of starts across various series and track types. His disqualification highlighted the strict criteria for participation in the sport’s premier event.

Team-specific narratives also played out throughout the season. RFK Racing, despite expanding to three full-time entries, faced a winless campaign and missed the playoffs, a stark contrast to their potential speed. Brad Keselowski, Ryan Preece, and Chris Buescher consistently delivered strong performances with numerous top-10 finishes, yet fell short of Victory Lane, underscoring the fine margins in the competitive landscape.

The Wood Brothers, NASCAR’s oldest team, celebrated a significant victory at the Pennzoil 400 with Josh Berry, marking the 34-year-old’s first Cup Series win after a career built on short tracks. The victory resonated with fans, evoking a sense of classic NASCAR achievement.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. achieved a unique milestone, winning at Pocono Raceway as a crew chief. This victory added to his already impressive resume as a driver and team owner, making him one of only nine individuals in NASCAR history to achieve wins in all three capacities.

Austin Hill faced a one-race suspension for an intentional wreck at Indianapolis, a penalty compounded by NASCAR’s new policy stripping playoff points. This decision significantly impacted his championship aspirations in the Xfinity Series.

The inaugural In-Season Challenge provided a mid-summer spectacle, with Ty Gibbs emerging as the champion. The tournament featured notable performances, including Ty Dillon’s impressive run to the finals.

The Charlotte Roval playoff race delivered a dramatic finish, with Joey Logano advancing due to a controversial move by Ross Chastain, who intentionally spun Denny Hamlin on the final lap. Hamlin later expressed a strategic consideration regarding his approach to Logano in the subsequent rounds.

Connor Zilisch experienced a rollercoaster season, securing a win at Watkins Glen but suffering a broken collarbone during Victory Lane celebrations. He made a remarkable recovery, returning to race and win at Daytona shortly after.

Parker Kligerman achieved notable victories at Daytona in both the Truck and Xfinity Series, though neither was statistically credited due to rule infringements and not taking the green flag, respectively.

Carson Hocevar continued to impress with his speed but also drew criticism from veteran competitors for his aggressive driving style, highlighting a recurring theme of managing on-track etiquette.

The transition of Daniel Suarez from Trackhouse Racing to Spire Motorsports, with Connor Zilisch taking his place in the No. 88 Cup car for 2026, signaled a significant shift in the driver landscape. Suarez, a race winner for Trackhouse, made way for the highly touted Zilisch, who impressed with multiple Xfinity Series victories.

The Xfinity Series found a new home on The CW, offering an over-the-air broadcast that resonated with fans, averaging over a million viewers and featuring a highly praised broadcast team.

IndyCar and sports car legend Hélio Castroneves made his Cup Series debut in the Daytona 500 under the new Open Exemption Provisional rule, designed to honor legends in the sport.

The legal disputes surrounding NASCAR charters continued to impact the sport, with Legacy Motor Club and Rick Ware Racing involved in a complex lawsuit over a disputed charter sale, ultimately leading to a settlement.

Corey Heim dominated the Truck Series season, securing 12 wins and a championship, a testament to his exceptional performance and the efforts of his crew chief, Scott Zipadelli.

Jesse Love clinched the Xfinity Series championship, narrowly beating out the dominant season of Connor Zilisch, who secured ten wins but ultimately finished runner-up in the championship standings.

NASCAR announced its intention to host a street course race at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego from June 19-21, 2026, marking a significant expansion of the sport’s presence in California.

Rodney Childers, a respected crew chief, navigated a transitional year, moving from Spire Motorsports to work with Kevin Harvick Inc. in the CARS Tour and eventually finding a new role with JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series.

Bubba Wallace experienced a career-defining season, marked by personal maturity and a victory in the Brickyard 400. Despite occasional performance dips, Wallace and his new crew chief, Charles Denike, maintained a consistent and positive demeanor.

William Byron achieved a historic feat, becoming the first driver since Denny Hamlin to win back-to-back Daytona 500s, solidifying his status as a top competitor.

Shane van Gisbergen continued his remarkable adaptation to NASCAR, securing five wins on road and street courses, and showing increasing proficiency on ovals, positioning him as a significant contender.

The Bristol Night Race delivered a thrilling spectacle, with Goodyear’s improved tire compound contributing to a race of the year candidate featuring numerous lead changes and cautions, a stark contrast to the season’s earlier Bristol event.

The Coke 600 lived up to its reputation as an entertaining event, with Ross Chastain emerging victorious from the back of the field after a hard-fought duel with a dominant William Byron.

Chase Briscoe and crew chief James Small exceeded expectations, delivering three wins and a final four appearance, silencing doubters and establishing a strong future for the No. 19 team.

NASCAR’s return to Mexico City for a Cup and Xfinity Series event, while hampered by logistical challenges, was hailed as a significant step for international racing, marking the first Cup Series points race on foreign soil since 1958.

JR Motorsports made a long-awaited Cup Series debut, securing a top-10 finish in the Daytona 500 with Justin Allgaier, a milestone for the team owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt-Miller.

Amazon Prime Video’s exclusive broadcast of NASCAR races garnered widespread praise for its innovative presentation and strong broadcast team, signaling a successful integration of digital streaming.

Goodyear’s commitment to improving tire wear, particularly on short tracks and road courses, was instrumental in enhancing the on-track product, demonstrating the tire manufacturer’s crucial role in the sport.

The Kansas Cup playoff race provided a high-stakes battle, with Chase Elliott securing a crucial victory amidst intense competition and aggressive maneuvers between drivers like Bubba Wallace and Denny Hamlin.

Denny Hamlin’s 60th career win at Las Vegas was a significant milestone, solidifying his Hall of Fame credentials and marked by a rare display of emotion as he dedicated the victory to his father.

Championship Drama and Legal Reckoning

The season’s ultimate moment, Kyle Larson’s second Cup Series championship, was achieved through a consistent campaign that saw him score the most points over the entire season. However, this victory was notably overshadowed by the ongoing narrative surrounding Denny Hamlin’s championship aspirations.

Hamlin, leading with three laps remaining in the season finale at Homestead, suffered a tire failure that ultimately cost him the championship. The incident, which saw him finish sixth, led to a candid statement expressing disillusionment with racing. This near-miss further fueled the ongoing debate about NASCAR’s playoff format.

The year-long discussion around the playoff system reached a fever pitch, with an industry panel established to explore changes for the 2026 season. The merits of a playoff versus a traditional season-long points championship were debated extensively, with indications that NASCAR might move away from a winner-take-all finale while retaining a playoff structure with a broader sample size.

The most significant off-track development was the antitrust lawsuit filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR. The legal proceedings, which spanned the entire year with numerous filings and pre-trial appearances, culminated in a trial in the Western District of North Carolina. The trial, featuring prominent antitrust attorneys, centered on allegations that NASCAR had abused its monopoly power in charter negotiations. On the ninth day of the proceedings, a settlement was reached, introducing permanent charters, revised governance, and undisclosed financial terms, bringing a definitive end to a chapter that had captivated and concerned the sport throughout 2025.