NASCAR Cup Series 2025: Unpacking the Internal Team Dominance

As the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season draws to a close, a detailed examination of each multi-car team reveals fascinating intra-team rivalries and a clear hierarchy within the sport’s premier racing organizations. With eleven teams fielding multiple full-time drivers, Motorsport.com has conducted an in-depth statistical analysis to determine which competitor emerged as the undisputed leader within their respective stables. This evaluation considered a comprehensive set of metrics, including race victories, average finishing positions, head-to-head weekly performance, and final championship standings. Part-time drivers were excluded from this analysis to maintain a focus on consistent season-long performance.

Hendrick Motorsports: Kyle Larson Claims Supremacy

At Hendrick Motorsports, Kyle Larson has once again asserted his dominance, finishing atop his teammates in several key statistical categories. While the team boasts a formidable lineup including Alex Bowman, William Byron, and Chase Elliott, Larson’s performance distinguished him. He secured the championship title, a crucial indicator of overall season success, outranking Byron (4th), Elliott (8th), and Bowman (13th) in the final standings. His head-to-head record against his teammates was also impressive, with 13 wins compared to Byron’s 11, Elliott’s 8, and Bowman’s 4.

Larson and Byron each achieved three race victories, a tie that highlights the strength of their efforts, though Larson’s wins were concentrated in the first third of the season. In terms of consistency, Larson led his teammates with 15 top-five finishes and 22 top-ten finishes. Despite Elliott boasting a slightly better average finish of 12.6 compared to Larson’s 13.2, Larson’s superior performance in wins, top-fives, top-tens, and ultimately, the championship, solidifies his position as Hendrick Motorsports’ leading driver for 2025.

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Joe Gibbs Racing: Denny Hamlin Edges Out Strong Competition

Joe Gibbs Racing presented a highly competitive internal landscape, with Denny Hamlin ultimately emerging as the team’s top performer. Hamlin finished the championship standings in second place, ahead of teammates Chase Briscoe (3rd), Christopher Bell (5th), and Ty Gibbs (19th). The head-to-head battles were closely contested, with Hamlin and Bell each securing 12 victories against their teammates, surpassing Briscoe’s 9 and Gibbs’ 3.

Hamlin demonstrated significant speed throughout the season, leading over 1000 laps, more than triple that of Bell. He also outpaced Briscoe in this regard. Hamlin secured six race wins, while Bell managed four and Briscoe three. Briscoe, in his inaugural year with the organization, showcased remarkable talent, particularly in qualifying, but his single win at Talladega, which propelled him into the Championship Four, was not enough to overcome Hamlin’s overall season performance. Bell’s consistency, evident in his leading two categories and an impressive average finish of 11.2, made him a strong contender, but Hamlin’s raw speed and lap-leading prowess ultimately tipped the scales in his favor.

Team Penske: Ryan Blaney’s Comprehensive Victory

At Team Penske, Ryan Blaney delivered a dominant intra-team performance, leading his teammates in every analyzed statistical category. Blaney concluded the season in sixth place in the championship standings, ahead of Joey Logano (7th) and Austin Cindric (14th). His head-to-head record was commanding, with 21 wins against Logano’s 12 and Cindric’s 3.

Blaney achieved four race victories, surpassing Logano and Cindric, who each had one win. His consistency was further underscored by 15 top-five finishes and 19 top-ten finishes, significantly outperforming his teammates in these metrics. Blaney’s average finish of 14.6 also placed him ahead of Logano (15.3) and Cindric (20.9). Had Blaney secured a victory at Martinsville, he would have been in contention for the championship, highlighting the remarkable depth of his season’s performance. The consistency across all metrics confirms Blaney as the undisputed leader within Team Penske for 2025.

Trackhouse Racing: Ross Chastain Leads the Charge

Ross Chastain maintained his status as Trackhouse Racing’s premier driver in 2025, outperforming his teammates Daniel Suarez and Shane van Gisbergen. Chastain finished the championship in 10th place, ahead of van Gisbergen (12th) and Suarez (29th). His head-to-head record also reflected his leadership, with 17 victories against van Gisbergen’s 10 and Suarez’s 9.

While van Gisbergen showcased exceptional talent with five race wins, primarily on road and street courses, marking a historic rookie season, Chastain’s overall consistency proved superior. Chastain secured one race win and accumulated 12 top-ten finishes, compared to van Gisbergen’s 5 top-fives and 7 top-tens, and Suarez’s 2 top-fives and 7 top-tens. Chastain also boasted a significantly better average finish of 15.8 compared to Suarez’s 20.9 and van Gisbergen’s 21.0. Chastain’s ability to consistently finish races higher than his teammates, often leading the team in top-finishes, solidifies his position as Trackhouse Racing’s leading driver.

23XI Racing: A Tight Contest Between Reddick and Wallace

The internal competition at 23XI Racing was exceptionally close between Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace, with Reddick narrowly securing the top spot. Reddick finished the championship in 9th place, just ahead of Wallace (11th) and Parker Kligerman (35th). Reddick held an edge in head-to-head battles with 18 wins to Wallace’s 15.

Wallace achieved a significant victory in the Brickyard 400 and was on the cusp of advancing further in the playoffs, demonstrating moments of exceptional speed and performance. Reddick, however, led in several key statistical areas, including 7 top-five finishes to Wallace’s 6, and secured two pole positions to Wallace’s zero. They were tied in top-ten finishes with 14 each. Wallace led more laps than Reddick, but Reddick’s overall consistency and qualifying speed provided him with a slight advantage. This marks the closest their season-long performances have ever been, but Reddick ultimately claims the intra-team leadership by a slim margin.

RFK Racing: Chris Buescher Prevails

Chris Buescher emerged as the leading driver for RFK Racing in 2025, outperforming his teammates Brad Keselowski and Ryan Preece across most metrics. Buescher finished 17th in the championship standings, followed closely by Preece (18th) and Keselowski (20th). Buescher secured 17 head-to-head victories, surpassing Keselowski’s 10 and Preece’s 9.

While none of the RFK drivers achieved a race victory or made the playoffs, Buescher’s consistency was evident in his 5 top-five finishes and 16 top-ten finishes. He also posted a superior average finish of 14.3 compared to Preece’s 15.7 and Keselowski’s 18.5. Preece demonstrated an impressive debut season with the team, but Buescher’s consistent performance, particularly his status as the best of the drivers who did not make the playoffs for the second consecutive year, confirms his leadership role.

Spire Motorsports: Michael McDowell’s Veteran Edge

Michael McDowell secured the leading position at Spire Motorsports, demonstrating the value of veteran experience. McDowell finished 22nd in the championship standings, ahead of Carson Hocevar (23rd) and Justin Haley (31st). McDowell led in head-to-head matchups with 15 wins against Hocevar’s 13 and Haley’s 8.

While Hocevar displayed raw speed, often outperforming his teammates, his execution issues and tendency to encounter trouble late in races hampered his statistical performance. McDowell’s consistent finishes, including 3 top-five performances and 6 top-ten finishes, contributed to his lead in average finish (18.2) compared to Hocevar’s 21.6 and Haley’s 22.2. Hocevar did manage more top-ten finishes with 9, but McDowell’s overall steadiness and higher championship standing earned him the top spot within the team.

Front Row Motorsports: Todd Gilliland Edges Out Close Competition

The internal battle at Front Row Motorsports was fiercely contested between Todd Gilliland and Zane Smith, with Gilliland claiming a narrow victory. Gilliland finished 27th in the championship standings, narrowly ahead of Smith (28th) and Noah Gragson (34th). Smith held a slight edge in head-to-head battles with 14 wins to Gilliland’s 13.

Both drivers were remarkably consistent, matching each other in top-five and top-ten finishes, and ending the season separated by a mere point. Neither driver secured a race win. However, Gilliland’s slightly better average finish of 20.8 and his higher final championship standing provided him with the decisive edge. This was one of the closest intra-team contests of the season, with Gilliland ultimately prevailing by the slimmest of margins.

Richard Childress Racing: Kyle Busch Leads Despite Challenges

Kyle Busch, despite facing challenges and a winless season, emerged as the leading driver for Richard Childress Racing. Austin Dillon secured a victory at Richmond, which propelled him to a higher championship standing (15th) than Busch (21st). However, Busch demonstrated superior performance in head-to-head matchups, winning 21 races to Dillon’s 15.

Busch also outpaced Dillon in top-five finishes with 3 compared to Dillon’s 1, and significantly outperformed him in top-ten finishes with 10 to Dillon’s 5. His average finish of 17.9 was also better than Dillon’s 20.8. Despite Dillon’s single win, Busch’s consistent performance in weekly battles and overall statistical categories solidifies his position as RCR’s top driver for 2025.

Legacy Motor Club: Erik Jones Edges Out John Hunter Nemechek

The intra-team rivalry at Legacy Motor Club was exceptionally close between Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek, with Jones ultimately securing the lead. Jones finished 24th in the championship standings, just ahead of Nemechek (25th). Nemechek held an advantage in head-to-head finishes with 20 wins to Jones’s 16, and also led in top-ten finishes with 8 to Jones’s 5.

However, Jones showcased greater consistency in securing top-five finishes, achieving 4 compared to Nemechek’s 2. Their average finishes were almost identical, with Jones at 20.2 and Nemechek at 20.3. Jones also demonstrated a slight edge in qualifying performance. With Jones leading three statistical categories and Nemechek leading two, and considering the tight margins in other areas, Jones is deemed the leading driver for Legacy Motor Club.

Kaulig Racing: A.J. Allmendinger Dominates

A.J. Allmendinger clearly established himself as the leading driver for Kaulig Racing in 2025. Allmendinger finished 26th in the championship standings, significantly ahead of Ty Dillon (33rd). While they were tied in head-to-head matchups, Allmendinger’s superior performance in other key metrics was undeniable.

Allmendinger achieved 2 top-five finishes compared to Dillon’s zero, and 7 top-ten finishes versus Dillon’s 1. His average finish of 21.8 was also considerably better than Dillon’s 24.6. Despite Allmendinger’s eight DNF’s throughout the season, which impacted his overall championship standing, his consistent performance when running at the finish line made him the clear leader within the Kaulig Racing team.