As the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season heads into its summer stretch, the competition is fierce and unpredictable. While several drivers have already secured their spots in the playoffs with early-season victories, a handful of the sport’s biggest names remain winless. Among them are Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch, and Brad Keselowski—five drivers with proven track records and championship pedigrees, yet all still searching for their first trip to victory lane this year.
Chase Elliott: Consistency, But No Checkered Flag Yet
Chase Elliott, the 2020 Cup Series champion and perennial fan favorite, is having a solid if unspectacular 2025 campaign. Ranked fourth in the current standings, Elliott leads all winless drivers in points, thanks to his remarkable consistency. Through the first 13 races, he’s notched seven top-10 finishes and three top-fives, with his best results being a pair of fourth-place finishes at Circuit of The Americas and Martinsville. His average finish of 11.67 and a 99.97% lap completion rate underscore his ability to stay out of trouble and maximize points every week.
Despite this consistency, Elliott’s No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports team is hungry for more. Both Elliott and his crew chief, Alan Gustafson, have expressed that they expect to win races, not just run well. The team has shown speed, but has struggled to close out races and convert opportunities into victories. Elliott’s last points-paying win came in 2022, and his current winless streak in the Cup Series has reached 37 races.
Elliott’s track record at upcoming venues is promising. He won at Nashville in 2022 and finished fourth there last year, and he has 10 top-10s—including three runner-up finishes—at Michigan in just 14 starts. The team’s hard work and steady improvement suggest that a breakthrough could be imminent.
Tyler Reddick: Fast, Aggressive, and Still Chasing Victory
Tyler Reddick, driving for 23XI Racing, has been one of the fastest drivers in the field this season. He’s consistently run up front, earning poles and top-five finishes, but bad luck and late-race incidents have kept him out of victory lane. Reddick’s aggressive driving style often puts him in contention, but it can also lead to trouble, especially on restarts and in the closing laps.
Reddick’s ability to adapt to different track types—whether it’s road courses, intermediates, or short tracks—makes him a threat every week. However, the margin for error in the Cup Series is thin, and Reddick has found himself on the wrong side of that margin more than once in 2025. Despite the setbacks, his speed and determination make him a likely candidate to break through before the playoffs begin.
Ryan Blaney: The Champion’s Struggles
Ryan Blaney, the reigning Cup Series champion, entered 2025 with high expectations. However, his season has been marred by misfortune and mechanical issues. Blaney has shown race-winning speed—ranking among the best in passing and long-run pace—but has suffered five DNFs (Did Not Finish), the most of any driver this year. These setbacks have prevented him from capitalizing on his speed and translating strong runs into wins.
Blaney’s best finish so far is sixth, and while he’s had flashes of brilliance, he and his Team Penske crew know they need to execute better to turn potential into results. Blaney’s resilience and experience as a champion mean he’s always a threat, but he’ll need a clean race and a bit of luck to return to victory lane.
Kyle Busch: Searching for Old Magic
Kyle Busch, one of the most accomplished drivers in NASCAR history, is enduring a frustrating 2025 season. Now with Richard Childress Racing, Busch has yet to find the winning formula that made him a two-time Cup Series champion. While he remains competitive and has shown flashes of speed, Busch has not been able to put together a complete race to secure a win.
Busch’s adaptability and racecraft are legendary, and he’s known for his ability to win at any track on the schedule. However, the competition in the Cup Series is fiercer than ever, and even a driver of Busch’s caliber can find himself in a winless drought. As the season progresses, Busch’s experience and determination could help him snap his streak and return to the winner’s circle.
Brad Keselowski: Veteran Leadership, Hungry for a Win
Brad Keselowski, the 2012 Cup Series champion and co-owner of RFK Racing, is another big name still searching for a 2025 victory. Keselowski’s season has been a mix of steady runs and near-misses. He recently earned his best finish of the year with a fifth-place at Charlotte, leading laps for the first time this season and showing that his team is making progress.
Keselowski’s leadership has been instrumental in RFK Racing’s resurgence, and his ability to maximize points has kept him in the playoff hunt despite the lack of a win. Like the other drivers on this list, Keselowski knows that winning is the ultimate goal, and he’s optimistic about his team’s chances as the season unfolds.
What’s Holding Them Back?
Several factors have contributed to these five stars remaining winless so far:
- Bad Luck and DNFs: Mechanical failures, crashes, and pit road missteps have derailed strong runs for Blaney and Reddick.
- Execution: Elliott and Busch have had cars capable of winning but have struggled to close races.
- Competition: The 2025 Cup Series field is deeper and more competitive than ever, making wins harder to come by for even the best drivers.
- Team Adjustments: Both Busch and Keselowski are still working to find the right setup and chemistry with their teams.
Who Will Win First?
Predicting which of these five drivers will break through first is difficult, but Elliott’s consistency and Hendrick Motorsports’ speed make him a strong candidate. Reddick and Blaney have the raw pace, while Busch and Keselowski have the experience and determination to capitalize when the opportunity arises.
As the season heads into its critical summer stretch, the pressure is mounting. Each race is another chance for these stars to end their winless streaks, secure a playoff berth, and remind the NASCAR world why they’re among the sport’s elite.
News in Brief: 5 NASCAR Drivers Still Seeking Their First Win in 2025
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series has been defined by unpredictability and parity, with several of the sport’s biggest names still seeking their first win of the year. For Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch, and Brad Keselowski, the quest for victory lane is about more than just points—it’s about pride, momentum, and championship aspirations. Fans can expect these drivers to push even harder in the coming weeks, making for must-watch racing as the season unfolds.
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