Who are the current top NASCAR drivers

The leading NASCAR Cup Series drivers right now include Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell, Joey Logano, Martin Truex Jr., Tyler Reddick, Chase Elliott, Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, and Ross Chastain. This snapshot reflects recent form across the Next Gen era (2022–2024), factoring in wins, playoff performance, versatility on different track types, and week-to-week speed. While standings change throughout the season, these are the names most consistently in the hunt.

Leaders in the NASCAR Cup Series right now

Based on recent multi-win seasons, playoff résumés, and proven pace at intermediates, short tracks, superspeedways, and road courses, the following drivers are regarded as the Cup Series’ primary title threats. This assessment blends results and consistency from 2023–2024 and established big-race pedigree.

• Kyle Larson — Hendrick Motorsports, No. 5: A weekly poles-and-wins threat with elite car control across every track type; 2021 Cup champion.
• Denny Hamlin — Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 11: Perennial multi-race winner and short-track ace; a fixture deep into the playoffs.
• William Byron — Hendrick Motorsports, No. 24: 2023 wins leader and 2024 Daytona 500 winner; balanced speed on intermediates and road courses.
• Ryan Blaney — Team Penske, No. 12: 2023 Cup champion known for late-season execution and clutch playoff moments.
• Christopher Bell — Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 20: Qualifying star with elimination‑race heroics; sharp on short tracks and road courses.
• Joey Logano — Team Penske, No. 22: Two-time champion (2018, 2022) and one of the sport’s most aggressive closers.
• Martin Truex Jr. — Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 19: 2017 champion and 2023 regular-season champ; excels on worn-out ovals and tire-wear tracks.
• Tyler Reddick — 23XI Racing, No. 45: Road-course and intermediate-track weapon with frequent top-five speed.
• Chase Elliott — Hendrick Motorsports, No. 9: 2020 champion who returned to Victory Lane in 2024 and remains a model of consistency.
• Kyle Busch — Richard Childress Racing, No. 8: Two-time champion whose racecraft keeps him dangerous everywhere.
• Brad Keselowski — RFK Racing, No. 6: 2012 champion leading RFK’s resurgence; returned to Victory Lane in 2024.
• Ross Chastain — Trackhouse Racing, No. 1: Aggressive, resilient, and fast on intermediates; a frequent playoff factor.

Taken together, this group combines recent victories, deep playoff runs, and proven versatility. They are the drivers most likely to control races, rack up stage points, and shape the title fight as the season evolves.

Breakout and ascending threats

Beyond the headliners, several drivers are trending upward—posting stronger average finishes, better qualifying speed, and more laps led. These names often shape the middle rounds of the playoffs and can swing the championship picture with timely wins.

• Chris Buescher — RFK Racing, No. 17: A methodical contender with multi-win form since 2023 and near-miss finishes in 2024.
• Alex Bowman — Hendrick Motorsports, No. 48: Rebounded with a 2024 street-course victory and a steady stream of top-10s.
• Bubba Wallace — 23XI Racing, No. 23: Intermediate-track speed and improved consistency; playoff caliber since 2023.
• Ty Gibbs — Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 54: Rapid sophomore-year gains in 2024 with frequent top-10 pace.
• Carson Hocevar — Spire Motorsports, No. 77: A rookie showing notable qualifying speed and racecraft improvements.
• Erik Jones — LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, No. 43: Often overdelivers on worn-surface ovals; a threat when long-run balance matters.

These drivers may not top the wins column every month, but their upward trajectories and track-specific strengths make them pivotal spoilers—and potential dark horses—throughout the season.

Why these drivers stand out: key metrics

Evaluating “top” status in modern NASCAR hinges on more than trophies. Teams and analysts look at a blend of speed, consistency, and race execution to project who’s most likely to win now and in the playoffs.

1. Wins and playoff advancement: Converting opportunities and surviving elimination rounds.
2. Average finish and top-10 rate: Week-to-week floor that keeps drivers high in points.
3. Laps led and percentage of laps in the top five: Sustained control and clean-air dominance.
4. Qualifying speed and pole rate: Track position is critical in the Next Gen era.
5. Track-type versatility: Superspeedways, intermediates, short tracks, and road courses.
6. Pit crew performance: Fast, error-free stops under pressure.
7. Discipline and adaptability: Managing restarts, tire wear, cautions, and strategy shifts.
8. Head-to-head against elite teams: Results versus Hendrick, Gibbs, Penske, RFK, Trackhouse, and 23XI.

Drivers who rate highly across these metrics tend to accumulate stage points, control strategy windows, and convert late-race restarts—hallmarks of championship-caliber seasons.

How the picture changes week to week

The Cup schedule’s variety constantly reshuffles the deck: short tracks spotlight brake management and track position, intermediates reward raw aero/horsepower efficiency, superspeedways emphasize drafting craft and teamwork, and road/street courses prioritize precision and strategy. As teams roll out updates and the summer stretch heats up, “top” form can swing quickly—so monitoring recent speed trends matters as much as season-long stats.

What about Xfinity and Trucks?

If you’re tracking the pipeline to future Cup stardom, recent Xfinity and Craftsman Truck standouts offer helpful clues. The names below have been frequent contenders and race winners in their respective series across 2023–2024.

• Xfinity Series: Austin Hill, Cole Custer (2023 champion), Sam Mayer, Justin Allgaier, AJ Allmendinger.
• Craftsman Truck Series: Corey Heim, Christian Eckes, Ty Majeski, Ben Rhodes (2021 and 2023 champion).

Driver movement is constant, but these competitors have shown the pace and racecraft that often translate to Cup opportunities and success.

Bottom line

The Cup Series elite is anchored by Larson, Hamlin, Byron, Blaney, Bell, Logano, Truex, Reddick, Elliott, Busch, Keselowski, and Chastain—drivers who combine winning speed with playoff-tested execution. Rising threats like Buescher, Bowman, Wallace, Gibbs, Hocevar, and Jones add depth and unpredictability to each race weekend. For the latest week-to-week picture, consult NASCAR’s official leaderboards and recent race reports, as performance ebbs and flows across the diverse schedule.

Summary

Today’s top NASCAR drivers are led by a core group—Larson, Hamlin, Byron, Blaney, Bell, Logano, Truex, Reddick, Elliott, Busch, Keselowski, and Chastain—who consistently contend for wins and shape the championship race. A tier of ascending drivers is closing fast, and with the sport’s variety of track types, the hierarchy remains dynamic throughout the season.

Who are the top four NASCAR drivers?

2025 NASCAR Cup Series Standings

Standings
RK	DRIVER	POINTS
2	William Byron	3082
3	Kyle Larson	3076
4	Christopher Bell	3064

Who is the #1 NASCAR driver?

Ross Lee Chastain (born December 4, 1992) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 1 Chevrolet ZL1 for Trackhouse Racing, part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No.

Who made it to the round of 8 in NASCAR?

The NASCAR playoff field was just set, with Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Chase Elliott being among the drivers who advanced to the Round of 8 after the most recent elimination race, the Round of 12 finale at Bristol. The remaining spots will be filled based on points and potential race wins in the final races of the Round of 12. 
Here’s a summary of the current situation:

• The Round of 8 is the next stage of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs . 
• Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Chase Elliott have secured their spots: in the Round of 8. 
• The full list of drivers advancing will be determined: by the final points standings and any remaining race winners. 
• Drivers advance to the next round: either by winning a race in the current round or by having enough points to be among the drivers with the highest cumulative score after the elimination race. 

Who is the best NASCAR driver right now?

Kyle Larson is widely considered the best NASCAR driver right now, consistently performing at a high level, winning the 2021 Cup Series championship, and maintaining a strong record with multiple wins in recent seasons, including his third win of the 2025 season at Kansas Speedway in May. Other top drivers include Ryan Blaney and William Byron, who are also performing well and are currently at the top of the standings.
 
Why Kyle Larson is considered the best:

• Consistent Performance: Larson has a minimum of three wins in each of his three years with Hendrick Motorsports and has led the series in laps led twice. 
• 2021 Championship: He won the NASCAR Cup Series championship in 2021. 
• Crown Jewel Wins: He has secured victories in prestigious races like the 2021 Coca-Cola 600, the 2023 Southern 500, and the 2024 Brickyard 400. 
• Top Talent: Many sources and fans recognize him as one of the most talented drivers in his generation. 

Other Top Drivers:

• Ryan Blaney: Opens in new tabBlaney is consistently a top performer and is often ranked among the best in the series, currently holding a high position in the 2025 standings. 
• William Byron: Opens in new tabByron is another strong contender, frequently appearing in the top ranks and is also in contention for the championship.