With the dust settled from the historic NASCAR Cup Series race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, the 2025 season’s playoff landscape has begun to crystallize. Shane van Gisbergen’s dominant victory not only secured him a spot in the playoffs but also shook up the points standings and added another layer of intrigue to the championship chase. As the series prepares for its next events, teams and drivers are recalibrating strategies, with some still searching for their first win of the season.
NASCAR Cup Standings Update: Who’s Leading the Charge?
The Mexico City race marked the 16th points-paying event of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. With each passing race, the intensity ramps up as the playoff field takes shape. Van Gisbergen, who entered the event ranked 33rd in the standings, now sits in a unique position: he is locked into the playoffs despite being well outside the top 30 in points, thanks to his victory. This scenario highlights NASCAR’s “win and you’re in” playoff system and its ability to create dramatic storylines throughout the year.
As of the latest standings following Mexico City, William Byron continues to lead the points table with 576 points, bolstered by 172 stage points and one win—his triumph at the Daytona 500. Close behind is Kyle Larson, who has amassed 535 points and leads the series with three victories so far in 2025. Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell are also in the hunt, each with three wins and 494 and 480 points, respectively.
The top five is rounded out by Chase Elliott, who remains winless but consistent, currently sitting fifth with 464 points. Other notable names in the top ten include Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney, Ross Chastain, Joey Logano, and Bubba Wallace. Wallace, in particular, is having a strong season, sitting tenth in the standings and accumulating 107 stage points, though he is still seeking his first win.
Further down the order, drivers like Josh Berry, and Austin Cindric are jockeying for position, each with at least one win this season. Meanwhile, Shane van Gisbergen’s Mexico City win has vaulted him into playoff contention, but he remains outside the top 30 in points, highlights the unique nature of NASCAR’s playoff format.
The Playoff Picture: Who’s In and Who’s on the Bubble?
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoff field is beginning to take shape, with multiple drivers already securing their spots via race wins. As of now, the following drivers have punched their playoff tickets with victories: William Byron, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Josh Berry, Austin Cindric, Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, Ryan Blaney, and Shane van Gisbergen.
With 16 races in the books, the playoff field is nearly half full, but there are still opportunities for new winners to emerge and shake up the standings. Drivers currently on the bubble—those inside the top 16 in points but without a win—include Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace, Chase Briscoe, Chris Buescher, and Alex Bowman. For these competitors, the pressure is mounting to either win a race or accumulate enough points to secure a playoff berth on consistency.
The playoff format rewards both race winners and those who perform consistently throughout the regular season. As the summer stretch continues, expect the battle for playoff spots to intensify, with every position and stage point becoming increasingly critical.
Still Searching: Drivers Looking for Their First Win in 2025
Despite the depth of talent in the NASCAR Cup Series, several prominent drivers are still searching for their first victory of the 2025 season. Chase Elliott, a former champion and perennial contender, leads this group. Elliott has been consistent, currently sitting fifth in the standings, but has yet to visit victory lane this year.
Tyler Reddick, driver of the No. 45 Toyota for 23XI Racing, is another driver who has shown speed and led laps but has not yet converted that into a win. Reddick sits sixth in points and remains a threat to break through at any moment.
Bubba Wallace, who has been a standout performer for 23XI Racing, is also winless so far in 2025. Wallace is tenth in the standings and has accumulated a significant number of stage points, but he is still seeking that elusive trip to victory lane.
Other notable drivers still searching for their first win include Chase Briscoe, Chris Buescher, Alex Bowman, Ryan Preece, Kyle Busch, Carson Hocevar, AJ Allmendinger, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Erik Jones, Zane Smith, Michael McDowell, Ty Gibbs, Austin Dillon, John Hunter Nemechek, Todd Gilliland, Daniel Suárez, Justin Haley, Ty Dillon, Noah Gragson, and Brad Keselowski.
For these drivers, the remainder of the regular season represents a crucial opportunity to secure a playoff spot, either by winning a race or by accumulating enough points to stay above the cutline. The pressure is especially intense for those just outside the top 16, as the margin for error is slim.
Repeat Winners and Season Highlights: Who’s Dominating 2025?
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season has been marked by repeat winners and dominant performances from a handful of drivers. Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and Christopher Bell have each visited victory lane three times so far, establishing themselves as the drivers to beat.
Larson’s wins have come at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, and Kansas Speedway, showcasing his versatility across different track types. Hamlin, meanwhile, has triumphed at Martinsville Speedway, Darlington Raceway, and Michigan International Speedway, demonstrating his ability to perform on both short tracks and intermediate ovals.
Bell has been equally impressive, winning at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Circuit of the Americas, and Phoenix Raceway, highlighting his prowess on both intermediate and road courses.
Other drivers with multiple wins or notable performances include William Byron (Daytona 500), Josh Berry (Las Vegas), Austin Cindric (Talladega), Joey Logano (Texas), Ross Chastain (Charlotte), Ryan Blaney (Nashville), and Shane van Gisbergen (Mexico City).
News in Brief: NASCAR Cup Standings and Playoff Picture After Mexico Race
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoff race is heating up following Shane van Gisbergen’s breakthrough in Mexico City. With 10 drivers locked in via wins and several contenders like Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, and Bubba Wallace still winless, the battle for remaining playoff spots is intensifying. Repeat winners like Larson, Hamlin, and Bell continue to dominate headlines, while rising names and underdogs fight for crucial points. As the regular season narrows, every lap and every stage matters more than ever.
ALSO READ: What NASCAR Drivers Said About Racing in Mexico City—and Why They Want to Come Back
