Wanting on the NASCAR Cup Collection grid, there are eleven multi-car groups with sizes starting from two to 4 automobiles. However which driver from every can declare to be the perfect?
Motorsport.com thought-about race wins, common end, head-to-head weekly battles, and the ultimate championship results of every of the workforce’s full-time drivers in deciding who was the ‘No. 1 driver’ inside every group. Half-time drivers for every workforce weren’t included in these statistics.
Race wins, prime fives and prime tens may also play a crucial function. Different knowledge and variables might be factored in and talked about within the explanations in an effort to differentiate these drivers who ended the 12 months on comparable footing. Now, listed below are the numbers:
Hendrick Motorsports — Kyle Larson
Championship end result: Larson (1st) beats Byron (4th), Elliott (eighth), and Bowman (thirteenth)
Head-to-head: Larson (13) beats Byron (11), Elliott (8), and Bowman (4)
Race wins: Larson/Byron equal (3), beating Elliott (2) and Bowman (0)
High 5s: Larson (15) beats Byron (11), Elliott (11), and Bowman (6)
High 10s: Larson (22) beats Elliott (19), Byron (16), and Bowman (16)
Common end: Elliott (12.6) beats Larson (13.2), Byron (14.5), and Bowman (17.4)
EXPLANATION: Whereas Larson has been quiet (till Sunday), he has been constant, steadily marching his manner via the season and ending it with extra prime fives and prime tens than any of his teammates, regardless of no wins since Could. He earned as many wins as Byron, however he did all of it within the first third of the 12 months. And naturally, that championship trophy makes this a simple resolution, even with out him main 5 of the six classes.
Joe Gibbs Racing — Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Picture by: Sean Gardner / Getty Pictures
Championship end result: Hamlin (2nd) beats Briscoe (third), Bell (fifth) and Gibbs (nineteenth)
Head-to-head: Hamlin/Bell equal (12), beating Briscoe (9) and Gibbs (3)
Race wins: Hamlin (6) beats Bell (4), Briscoe (3), and Gibbs (0)
High 5s: Briscoe (15) beats Hamlin (14), Bell (13) and Gibbs (5)
High 10s: Bell (22) beats Briscoe (19), Hamlin (18), and Gibbs (10)
Common end: Bell (11.2) beats Briscoe (12.7), Hamlin (14.0), and Gibbs (17.9)
EXPLANATION: Every of the JGR drivers have their very own strengths, however ultimately. Hamlin leads two classes, Bell leads two, Briscoe leads one, and Hamlin/Bell are tied in head-to-head matchups. Bell was probably the most constant of the JGR quartet, however Hamlin was clearly the quickest. Hamlin managed to guide over 1000 laps, greater than triple what Bell achieved, whereas additionally out-pacing Briscoe. Briscoe was spectacular in his first 12 months with the group, particularly in qualifying, however with out that win at Talladega vaulting him into the ultimate 4, it might be simple put him behind Bell and third among the many JGR drivers.
Crew Penske — Ryan Blaney
Joey Logano, Crew Penske Ford; Ryan Blaney, Crew Penske Ford
Picture by: Michael Bush – Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Pictures
Championship end result: Blaney (sixth) beats Logano (seventh) and Cindric (14th)
Head-to-head: Blaney (21) beats Logano (12) and Cindric (3)
Race wins: Blaney (4) beats Logano and Cindric (1)
High 5s: Blaney (15) beats Logano (7) and Cindric (2)
High 10s: Blaney (19) beats Logano (13) and Cindric (5)
Common end: Blaney (14.6) beats Logano (15.3) and Cindric (20.9)
EXPLANATION: This was a clear sweep for Blaney! Had he received at Martinsville, we might be calling him champion proper now together with his victory within the finale. He led his teammates in all the above classes, and loved his winningest season but as a Cup driver. Curiously, the Penske drivers are constant throughout the board with the order being Blaney-Logano-Cindric in each class.
Trackhouse Racing — Ross Chastain
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Chevrolet, Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Picture by: Chris Graythen – Getty Pictures
Championship end result: Chastain (tenth) beats Van Gisbergen (twelfth) and Suarez (twenty ninth)
Head-to-head: Chastain (17) beats Van Gisbergen (10) and Suarez (9)
Race wins: Van Gisbergen (5) beats Chastain (1) and Suarez (0)
High 5s: Van Gisbergen (5) beats Chastain (4) and Suarez (2)
High 10s: Chastain (12) beats Van Gisbergen (7) and Suarez (7)
Common end: Chastain (15.8) beats Suarez (20.9) and Van Gisbergen (21.0)
EXPLANATION: SVG’s numbers received boosted by his unbelievable prowess on highway and avenue programs, giving him a historic rookie season, however nonetheless, there is no dethroning Chastain as Trackhouse’s flagship driver. He was the top-finisher in nearly half of the races, and ended the 12 months with a mean end 5+ positions greater than his teammates.
23XI Racing — Tyler Reddick
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota, Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Toyota
Picture by: Sean Gardner / Getty Pictures
Championship end result: Reddick (ninth) beats Wallace (eleventh) and Herbst (thirty fifth)
Head-to-head: Reddick (18) beats Wallace (15) and Herbst (3)
Race wins: Wallace (1) beats Reddick and Herbst (0)
High 5s: Reddick (7) beats Wallace (6) and Herbst (0)
High 10s: Reddick/Wallace equal (14), beating Herbst (0)
Common end: Reddick (14.5) beats Wallace (18.5) and Herbst (26.4)
EXPLANATION: This was a really tough one, although Reddick led Wallace in 4 classes. Wallace nonetheless received a crown jewel occasion whereas Reddick went winless, and he was additionally one nook away from one other victory that might have pushed him into the Spherical of 8. However even with an enormous win within the Brickyard 400, Reddick was proper with or narrowly surpassing Wallace in lots of of those classes. They have been equal on prime tens, whereas Reddick had yet one more prime 5. Wanting past these numbers, Wallace did lead over 200 laps greater than Reddick this season, however Reddick secured two poles to Wallace’s zero. It is positively the closest these two teammates have ever been over the course of a single 12 months, nevertheless it’s nonetheless benefit Reddick…barely.
RFK Racing — Chris Buescher
Brad Keselowski, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford, Chris Buescher, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford, Ryan Preece, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Picture by: Chris Graythen – Getty Pictures
Championship end result: Buescher (seventeenth) and Preece (18th) and Keselowski (twentieth)
Head-to-head: Buescher (17) beats Keselowski (10) and Preece (9)
Race wins: Buescher/Preece/Keselowski equal (0)
High 5s: Buescher (5) beats Keselowski (6) and Preece (3)
High 10s: Buescher (16) beats Preece (14) and Keselowski (13)
Common end: Buescher (14.3) beats Preece (15.7) and Keselowski (18.5)
EXPLANATION: Benefit Buescher in each class, regardless of a formidable first 12 months by Preece with the workforce. Not one of the RFK drivers made the playoffs or received a race, however Buescher was the perfect of the remaining (drivers who didn’t make the playoffs) for the second consecutive 12 months. Nevertheless, this trio stays tightly linked by way of general efficiency.
Spire Motorsports — Michael McDowell
Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet; Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Picture by: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Pictures
Championship end result: McDowell (twenty second) beats Hocevar (twenty third) and Haley (thirty first)
Head-to-head: McDowell (15) beats Hocevar (13) and Haley (8)
Race wins: McDowell/Hocevar/Haley equal (0)
High 5s: McDowell (3) beats Hocevar (2) and Haley (1)
High 10s: Hocevar (9) beats McDowell (6) and Haley (2)
Common end: McDowell (18.2) beats Hocevar (21.6) and Haley (22.2)
EXPLANATION: This was a shock as one would doubtless be fast to position Hocevar because the No. 1 driver at Spire this 12 months, however the controversial driver had bother attending to the tip of races with out bother. He has uncooked pace that surpasses his teammates on most weekends, however the execution nonetheless is not there. McDowell is a stable veteran, and led the workforce in most of those classes this 12 months, nevertheless it may have simply been Hocevar if he cleaned it up a bit.
Entrance Row Motorsports — Todd Gilliland
Zane Smith, Entrance Row Motorsports Ford, Todd Gilliland, Entrance Row Motorsports Ford
Picture by: Logan Riely / Getty Pictures
Championship end result: Gilliland (twenty seventh) beats Smith (twenty eighth) and Gragson (thirty fourth)
Head-to-head: Smith (14) beats Gilliland (13) and Gragson (9)
Race wins: Gilliland/Smith/Gragson equal (0)
High 5s: Gilliland/Smith/Gragson equal (1)
High 10s: Gilliland/Smith equal (5), beating Gragson (3)
Common end: Gilliland (20.8) beats Smith (21.1) and Gragson (25.2)
EXPLANATION: A particularly powerful one. Smith and Gilliland have been very shut, particularly in direction of the tip of the 12 months. They even matched one another in prime fives and prime tens, and have been separated by only one level at season’s finish! On information alone, Gilliland is forward in two of the above classes whereas Smith wins one, whereas being tied in three! Since Gilliland did handle to return out on prime within the last factors end result and common end, it is Gilliland by the narrowest of margins.
Richard Childress Racing — Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Picture by: Meg Oliphant / Getty Pictures
Championship end result: ADillon (fifteenth) beats Busch (twenty first)
Head-to-head: Busch (21) beats ADillon (15)
Race wins: ADillon (1) beats Busch (0)
High 5s: Busch (3) beats ADillon (1)
High 10s: Busch (10) beats ADillon (5)
Common end: Busch (17.9) beats ADillon (20.8)
EXPLANATION: One other fascinating one, and whereas Dillon solely beat Busch within the last standings as a consequence of a formidable win at Richmond, Busch beat him in 21 of 36 races, even with the No. 8 discovering quite a lot of bother on observe. He additionally beat him in prime fives, and notably earned twice as many prime tens. For these causes, Busch leads the way in which for RCR.
Legacy Motor Membership — Erik Jones
Erik Jones; Legacy Motor Membership Toyota; John Hunter Nemechek, Legacy Motor Membership Toyota
Picture by: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Pictures
Championship end result: Jones (twenty fourth) beats Nemechek (twenty fifth)
Head-to-head: Nemechek (20) beats Jones (16)
Race wins: Jones/Nemechek equal (0)
High 5s: Jones (4) beats Nemechek (2)
High 10s: Nemechek (8) beats Jones (5)
Common end: Jones (20.2) beats Nemechek (20.3)
EXPLANATION: Issues have been shut at FRM, however that is even more durable. Jones and Nemechek have been additionally separated by a single level within the last standings, they usually almost ended the 12 months with the very same common end. Nemechek did beat Jones in head-to-head finishes and prime tens, however Jones scored twice as many prime fives. Ultimately, Jones leads three classes, whereas Nemechek leads two. Jones was additionally a barely higher qualifier, and whereas it’s kind of of a coin toss, the numbers lean Jones.
Kaulig Racing — A.J. Allmendinger
AJ Allmendinger, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet, Ty Dillon, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
Picture by: David Jensen / Getty Pictures
Championship end result: Allmendinger (twenty sixth) beats TDillon (thirty third)
Head-to-head: Allmendinger/TDillon equal (18)
Race wins: Allmendinger/TDillon equal (0)
High 5s: Allmendinger (2) beats TDillon (0)
High 10s: Allmendinger (7) beats TDillon (1)
Common end: Allmendinger (21.8) beats TDillon (24.6)
EXPLANATION: A straightforward resolution right here because the veteran Allmendinger dominated Dillon for a lot of the 12 months. Nevertheless, they did finish 2025 tied in head-to-head matchups, however a giant think about that’s Allmendinger’s many DNFs — eight complete, together with 4 within the last eight races. Every time they are not tied, Allmendinger because the benefit, so it must be A.J. ultimately.
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