3 NASCAR veterans facing make-or-break seasons in 2025 ft. Kyle Busch

Modified Dec 08, 2024 02:45 GMT

NASCAR: Bluegreen Vacations Duel 2 at Daytona - Source: Imagn — Feb 15, 2024; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (not pictured) wrecked car is towed to the garages during the Bluegreen Vacations Duel 2 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

There are a few veteran drivers in need of a turnaround year in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. Depending on how their respective seasons unfold, it could critically affect the trajectory of their careers moving forward.

So, what Cup Series stars are facing a make-or-break season in 2025? Let's take a look.

Kyle Busch

Coming off arguably the worst season of his career in 2024, Kyle Busch will look to rejuvenate his career in 2025 amid his third season with Richard Childress Racing. For the first time in his career, the two-time Cup Series champion failed to win at least one race through the season's entirety. The Las Vegas native also failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2012.

It was a disappointing season for Busch in his sophomore season behind the wheel of the #8 RCR machine. Perhaps the major personnel changes made within the organization will play a role in turning the 63-time Cup Series winner's fortunes around in 2025. However, if Busch continues to struggle, we could be possibly seeing the final races of his career.

At 39 years old, Busch is one of the older drivers in the field as he enters his 21st season of full-time competition. Therefore, the writing is on the wall for Busch to soon retire from the Cup Series.

Bubba Wallace

After not making the playoffs in 2024 and recording his second straight winless season, Bubba Wallace needs a turnaround year in 2025. The driver of the #23 23XI Racing Toyota hasn't won since October of 2022 when he won at Kansas Speedway in just his second career Cup Series victory.

While his teammate, Tyler Reddick, went on to win the regular season championship, capture three victories, and compete in the Championship 4 race, Wallace posted six top fives and finished 18th in the final standings with an average finish of 15.3. With his teammate competing at a high-level week in and week out, barely missing the playoffs isn't where Wallace needs to be.

However, the Alabama native does have ride security as he penned a multi-year contract extension with 23XI ahead of 2025. Still, Wallace needs to start performing better, making 2025 a critical season for the two-time Cup Series winner.

Ross Chastain

Since joining Trackhouse Racing ahead of the 2022 season, Ross Chastain's performance has progressively declined over the last three seasons. In 2022, the Florida native won two races and finished runner-up in the Championship 4. The next year, the driver of the #1 won another two races but was eliminated in the Round of 12. This past season, Chastain failed to make the playoffs but managed to snag a win in the playoffs at Kansas.

His teammate, Daniel Suarez, won the second race of the season at Atlanta and made it to the Round of 12 of the playoffs before being eliminated. Chastain posted six top-fives and an average finish of 14.9. While the 32-year-old has won at least one race in all three seasons at Trackhouse, it's evident that 2024 was a step back. This makes 2025 crucial for Chastain to get back on track and contend for the playoffs.

Edited by Tushhita Barua