Top 5 early predictions for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Season

Joey Logano ended the NASCAR Cup Series last year with a mediocre regular-season performance and a brilliant playoff run, winning his third championship. The playoff system in 2025 will most likely not change much, if at all, and will continue the inconsistencies between the regular season and playoff outcomes.

The Cup Series will start on February 16 with the Daytona 500. Here are five early predictions for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series:

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#1 Kyle Larson will dominate the series

Kyle Larson will most likely be the top driver in the Cup Series next year. The Hendrick Motorsports driver had a strong performance in 2024 with more wins (six) and laps led (1,700) than any other driver. Larson has had 23 wins in the No. 5 car since 2021 and will likely add more this season.

#2 Denny Hamlin still won’t win a NASCAR Cup title

Hamlin, who has the most wins in the NASCAR Cup Series without a championship, will fall short this season again.

The No. 44 has been competing in the series for about 20 years, and time might be running out for him. Moreover, with the added responsibility and burden of his team, 23XI’s legal fight with NASCAR, his focus might be divided.

Hamlin, who recently lost his long-time sponsor FedEx, will probably make a deep playoff run like the 2024 season but miss the mark for a championship once more.

#3 Kyle Busch ends his losing streak

Kyle Busch had a tough 2024. He lost his 19-year winning streak and missed the playoffs. He narrowly missed some wins at Darlington and Daytona in the latter half of the 2024 season but has already started winning races this year at the Tulsa Shootout.

The two-time Cup Series champion could finally break his 57-race losing streak and win a Cup race this year.

#4 Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott in Championship 4

2023 Cup championship, Ryan Blaney finished second last year with three wins and could make it to the Championship 4 again.

Meanwhile, Chase Elliott was the most consistent driver in 2024 and might also follow his friend Blaney to the last round. He may even win the Most Popular Driver award for the eighth consecutive year.

#5 Shane Van Gisbergen will lead Trackhouse Racing

Shane Van Gisbergen in the No. 88 car could be the only winner for Trackhouse Racing this season. He made a big splash in 2023 by winning his debut Cup race in Chicago and won three races in the Xfinity Series last season.

The Kiwi driver with three Supercar titles may stand out from his teammates, Daniel Suarez and Ross Chastain, in 2024.