NASCAR Cup Series 2025: Unpacking the Internal Team Dominance

As the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season concluded, the competitive landscape within the multi-car organizations provided a fascinating sub-narrative to the championship chase. With eleven teams fielding two to four full-time drivers, a critical question emerged: who emerged as the undisputed leader within each of these formidable stables? Motorsport.com undertook a comprehensive analysis, examining race wins, average finishing positions, head-to-head weekly performance, and final championship standings to crown the top driver within each team. Part-time competitors were excluded from this rigorous evaluation. While race victories and top-tier finishes played a significant role, other statistical nuances were considered to differentiate drivers with closely matched season-long performances.

Hendrick Motorsports: Kyle Larson Secures Top Honors

Hendrick Motorsports, a perennial powerhouse in NASCAR, saw Kyle Larson solidify his position as the team’s premier driver. Larson concluded the season with a remarkable championship result, finishing first overall, significantly ahead of teammates Alex Bowman (13th), William Byron (4th), and Chase Elliott (8th). His head-to-head record against his fellow Hendrick drivers was equally dominant, with 13 victories compared to Byron’s 11, Elliott’s 8, and Bowman’s 4.

In terms of race wins, Larson and Byron shared the top spot with three victories each, outpacing Elliott’s two wins and Bowman’s zero. Larson’s consistency was further underscored by his leading performance in top-five finishes, with 15 compared to Byron and Elliott’s 11 each, and Bowman’s 6. He also amassed the most top-ten finishes with 22, surpassing Elliott’s 19 and the tied 16 for Byron and Bowman. While Chase Elliott posted the best average finish among the Hendrick quartet at 12.6, Larson’s 13.2 average finish, coupled with his championship title and statistical superiority in key offensive categories, cemented his status as the team’s leading contender. Despite a mid-season lull in victories, Larson’s consistent march towards the championship, marked by a robust collection of top-five and top-ten results, made him the clear choice for top honors within Hendrick Motorsports.

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Joe Gibbs Racing: Denny Hamlin Edges Out Teammates

At Joe Gibbs Racing, the internal competition was fierce, but Denny Hamlin ultimately claimed the distinction of being the team’s top driver. Hamlin’s impressive season culminated in a second-place finish in the championship standings, just ahead of teammates Christopher Bell (5th), Chase Briscoe (3rd), and J.J. Yeley (19th). His head-to-head superiority was evident, with 12 wins against Briscoe’s 9 and J.J. Yeley’s 3, though he was tied with Bell at 12 wins apiece.

Hamlin also led the team in race victories with six, a significant margin over Bell’s four and Briscoe’s three, with J.J. Yeley failing to secure a win. While Chase Briscoe showcased strong performance with 15 top-five finishes, Hamlin closely followed with 14, ahead of Bell’s 13 and J.J. Yeley’s 5. Christopher Bell emerged as the most consistent performer in terms of average finish, leading the JGR stable with an impressive 11.2, followed by Briscoe (12.7), Hamlin (14.0), and J.J. Yeley (17.9). However, Hamlin’s raw speed and lap-leading prowess were undeniable. He led over 1000 laps, more than triple Bell’s total, and significantly more than Briscoe. Briscoe’s rookie season with JGR was noteworthy, particularly in qualifying, but Hamlin’s overall performance, highlighted by his numerous wins and significant lap leadership, secured his position as the leading driver for Joe Gibbs Racing.

Team Penske: Ryan Blaney’s Dominant Season

Team Penske witnessed a commanding performance from Ryan Blaney, who outperformed his teammates across nearly every metric. Blaney concluded the championship standings in sixth place, ahead of Joey Logano (7th) and Austin Cindric (14th). His head-to-head record was a decisive 21 wins over Logano’s 12 and Cindric’s 3.

Blaney also led the team in race victories with four, a clear advantage over Logano and Cindric, who each secured one win. His consistency was further demonstrated by his 15 top-five finishes, more than double Logano’s 7 and Cindric’s 2. Blaney’s 19 top-ten finishes also outpaced Logano’s 13 and Cindric’s 5. With an average finish of 14.6, Blaney edged out Logano (15.3) and Cindric (20.9). The order of Blaney, Logano, and Cindric remained consistent across all statistical categories, solidifying Blaney’s undisputed leadership within Team Penske. His performance this season, marked by his winningest year to date, even saw him on the cusp of a championship bid, a testament to his exceptional intra-team dominance.

Trackhouse Racing: Ross Chastain Holds His Ground

Ross Chastain maintained his status as the leading driver at Trackhouse Racing, despite a strong showing from rookie Shane van Gisbergen. Chastain finished the championship in 10th place, narrowly ahead of van Gisbergen (12th) and Daniel Suarez (29th). Chastain’s head-to-head advantage was significant, with 17 wins against van Gisbergen’s 10 and Suarez’s 9.

However, Shane van Gisbergen impressed with five race victories, more than Chastain’s one and Suarez’s zero. Van Gisbergen also secured more top-five finishes with five, compared to Chastain’s four and Suarez’s two. Chastain’s consistency was evident in his 12 top-ten finishes, surpassing van Gisbergen’s 7 and Suarez’s 7. He also achieved a better average finish of 15.8, ahead of Suarez (20.9) and van Gisbergen (21.0). Van Gisbergen’s impressive rookie season, particularly his prowess on road and street courses, boosted his statistics, but Chastain’s overall consistency and higher championship standing affirmed his position as Trackhouse’s top driver.

23XI Racing: Tyler Reddick Edges Bubba Wallace in Tight Contest

The intra-team battle at 23XI Racing between Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace was exceptionally close, with Reddick ultimately securing a narrow victory. Reddick finished the championship in ninth place, just ahead of Wallace (11th) and Ryan Herbst (35th). Reddick held an edge in head-to-head matchups, with 18 wins against Wallace’s 15 and Herbst’s 3.

While Wallace claimed a significant victory in a crown jewel event, Reddick led in top-five finishes with 7, narrowly ahead of Wallace’s 6, and Herbst’s 0. Reddick and Wallace were tied with 14 top-ten finishes each, while Herbst had none. Reddick also posted a superior average finish of 14.5 compared to Wallace’s 18.5 and Herbst’s 26.4. Despite Wallace’s higher lap count led (over 200 more than Reddick) and his near-victory in another major race, Reddick’s two pole positions and slight statistical advantages in key categories like top-fives and average finish gave him a marginal edge. This was the closest the two teammates have been in performance over a season, but Reddick narrowly maintained his top-driver status.

RFK Racing: Chris Buescher Leads the Pack

Chris Buescher emerged as the clear leader at RFK Racing, outperforming his teammates across all evaluated metrics. Buescher finished 17th in the championship standings, closely followed by Ryan Preece (18th) and Brad Keselowski (20th). Buescher’s head-to-head record was a solid 17 wins against Keselowski’s 10 and Preece’s 9.

None of the RFK drivers secured a race win, but Buescher led in top-five finishes with 5, ahead of Keselowski’s 6 and Preece’s 3. Buescher also amassed the most top-ten finishes with 16, surpassing Preece’s 14 and Keselowski’s 13. His average finish of 14.3 was the best among the trio, followed by Preece (15.7) and Keselowski (18.5). Preece demonstrated an impressive debut season with the team, but Buescher’s consistent performance, particularly his achievement of being the best among drivers who did not make the playoffs for the second consecutive year, solidified his position as the team’s top driver.

Spire Motorsports: Michael McDowell’s Veteran Edge

Michael McDowell secured the top driver designation at Spire Motorsports, demonstrating veteran consistency over his teammates. McDowell finished 22nd in the championship standings, ahead of Carson Hocevar (23rd) and Noah Gragson (31st). McDowell led in head-to-head matchups with 15 wins against Hocevar’s 13 and Gragson’s 8.

No Spire Motorsports driver achieved a race victory. McDowell also led in top-five finishes with 3, compared to Hocevar’s 2 and Gragson’s 1. However, Carson Hocevar showed flashes of speed, leading the team in top-ten finishes with 9, ahead of McDowell’s 6 and Gragson’s 2. McDowell’s average finish of 18.2 was superior to Hocevar’s 21.6 and Gragson’s 22.2. While Hocevar exhibited raw speed that often surpassed his teammates, execution issues and incidents prevented him from consistently finishing races. McDowell’s steady performance and leadership in most statistical categories made him the team’s leading driver, though Hocevar’s potential remains a factor for future seasons.

Front Row Motorsports: Todd Gilliland’s Narrow Victory

The internal competition at Front Row Motorsports was exceptionally close, with Todd Gilliland narrowly edging out Zane Smith for the top spot. Gilliland finished 27th in the championship standings, just ahead of Smith (28th) and Noah Gragson (34th). Smith held a slight advantage in head-to-head matchups with 14 wins to Gilliland’s 13 and Gragson’s 9.

No driver from Front Row Motorsports secured a race win. Gilliland and Smith were tied in top-five finishes with one each, and also matched with 5 top-ten finishes, while Gragson had 3. Gilliland posted a slightly better average finish of 20.8 compared to Smith’s 21.1 and Gragson’s 25.2. With Gilliland leading in two categories and Smith in one, while being tied in three, Gilliland’s slight edge in the final points standings and average finish ultimately decided the outcome.

Richard Childress Racing: Kyle Busch Leads Despite Championship Finish

Kyle Busch, despite finishing 21st in the championship standings behind teammate Austin Dillon (15th), emerged as the leading driver for Richard Childress Racing based on overall performance metrics. Dillon’s championship position was bolstered by a victory at Richmond. Busch, however, demonstrated superior head-to-head performance, winning 21 of the 36 races against Dillon’s 15.

Busch also led in top-five finishes with 3 compared to Dillon’s 1, and significantly outpaced Dillon in top-ten finishes with 10 versus 5. Busch’s average finish of 17.9 was also better than Dillon’s 20.8. While Dillon secured the sole win for RCR, Busch’s consistent performance across multiple statistical categories, including more frequent strong finishes and a better average result, positioned him as the team’s top performer throughout the 2025 season.

Legacy Motor Club: Erik Jones’s Slight Edge

Erik Jones claimed the distinction of being the top driver at Legacy Motor Club, though the margin was exceptionally slim over John Hunter Nemechek. Jones finished 24th in the championship standings, just ahead of Nemechek (25th). Nemechek held a lead in head-to-head finishes with 20 wins against Jones’s 16.

Neither driver secured a race win. Jones, however, led in top-five finishes with 4 compared to Nemechek’s 2. Nemechek showed better consistency in top-ten finishes with 8, surpassing Jones’s 5. Jones posted a slightly better average finish of 20.2, marginally ahead of Nemechek’s 20.3. Jones led in three categories, while Nemechek led in two. Considering Jones’s slight advantages in top-fives and average finish, coupled with a marginally better qualifying performance, he secured the top driver designation by a very fine margin.

Kaulig Racing: A.J. Allmendinger Dominates Teammate

A.J. Allmendinger decisively secured the top driver position at Kaulig Racing, significantly outperforming Ty Dillon. Allmendinger finished 26th in the championship standings, well ahead of Dillon (33rd). While they were tied in head-to-head matchups with 18 each, Allmendinger held advantages in other key areas.

Neither driver achieved a race victory. Allmendinger led in top-five finishes with 2, while Dillon had none. Allmendinger also amassed 7 top-ten finishes, compared to Dillon’s single top-ten result. Allmendinger’s average finish of 21.8 was considerably better than Dillon’s 24.6. Despite Allmendinger’s struggles with eight DNFs, including four in the crucial final eight races, his performance in categories where they weren’t tied clearly indicated his superiority within the Kaulig Racing camp.