5 NASCAR drivers looking for an improved 2025 feat. Kyle Busch

The NASCAR 2024 season was one filled with enthralling races and was one of the most competitive ones. It saw three of the eight closest finishes in NASCAR history, concluding with Joey Logano winning his third title for Team Penske.

Although Logano brought home the title, many drivers underperformed and would like nothing more than to compete and be in contention for the title in 2025. Here are some of them who could be itching for improvement in the upcoming season.

Five NASCAR drivers looking for improved 2025 season

#5 William Byron

William Byron might not have had as poor a season compared to some of the other drivers on the list, but his 2024 campaign saw a regression compared to his stellar 2023 campaign.

Although he showed a good level of competitiveness and impressive driving, his 2024 season lacked the consistency fans were accustomed to in the 2023 campaign. Byron in the 2023 season had five race wins and a great playoff performance, but, in 2024, he had 13 top-5 finishes and three wins.

Nevertheless, he's a top talent. Byron will be itching to return to his form in the 2023 season. Improved car setups, stronger engineering and better team cohesion should help restore his competitive edge. With the continued partnership of crew chief Rudy Fugle and the resources at Hendrick Motorsports, Byron is poised for a bounce-back season in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series.

#4 Alex Bowman

Alex Bowman of Hendrick Motorsports just like his counterpart, William Byron, had a less than impressive 2024 season. His regression though, wasn't for the performance on track but off it.

Bowman suffered a back injury in the 2023 campaign that sidelined him at the start of the 2024 NASCAR season, causing him to lose points in many races. His time away from the car disrupted his rhythm, and he struggled to regain the momentum that had made him a consistent performer in recent years.

With a full recovery and a more consistent race schedule, Bowman will expect to regain his form in 2025. His continued support from Hendrick Motorsports and its resources could see him back into the title contention. Alex Bowman could be itching to make this a reality in the upcoming season.

#3 Cole Custer

Cole Custer's 2024 campaign in the NASCAR Xfinity series was one of transition and rebuilding.

After moving from the NASCAR Cup Series to the Xfinity Series with Stewart-Haas Racing, he showed promise but struggled to break through with standout performances. He had two top-10 finishes and lacked performances that fans associate with Championship winners.

Heading into 2025, Custer is expected to be more competitive. He has moved to Haas Factory Team and has a new crew chief, Aaron Kramer. His experience in the NASCAR Cup series could see him be more adaptable to the Xfinity series.

With a stronger connection to Haas Factory Team, better setups and a refined approach, Custer could look to be a more consistent contender for race wins and the championship.

#2 Austin Cindric

Austin Cindric's 2022 NASCAR Cup Series campaign was marked by a strong start and a promising rookie performance. Cindric kicked off his rookie season with a stunning win at the Daytona 500, becoming the ninth driver to win their first Cup Series race in the prestigious event.

He was named the 2022 Cup Series Rookie of the Year, showcasing his talent and potential in his debut season. He secured nine top-10 finishes and five top-five finishes but has since failed to showcase the same level of performance. In the 2024 campaign, he had several performances outside the top 20, which made fans believe that he was just a flash in the pan.

In 2024, Cindric will look to come back to the form that saw him collect accolades galore in his rookie season. With two years of experience in the NASCAR Cup series, he should feel more confident to repeat the season that made him a household name for NASCAR fans.

Cindric finished the season in 11th place, qualifying for the playoffs but was eliminated in the Round of 12. The continued support from Team Penske, along with a deeper understanding of the Next Gen car, should help him capitalize on his team’s technical strengths.

He showed an improvement in performances and will look to build on that in 2025.

#1 Kyle Busch

Kyle Busch's 2024 season marked the end of his impressive and record-holding streak of at least one win per season (19). His campaign was of transition from Joe Gibbs Racing (after 14 years with the team) to Richard Childress Racing, which saw him to deal with new team dynamics and a completely new crew.

During the season, he faced several mechanical failures, lot of bad luck and strategic mistakes that saw him end the campaign without a race win. He had 10 top-10 finishes, though.

With better cohesion with his RCR team in the upcoming campaign, Busch has the tools to return to form and continue rapping up the wins that he's so known for. His adaptability, aggressive driving style and veteran experience will make him a serious threat for wins and playoff contention once again in the new season.

Edited by Bhargav