Three of NASCAR’s most talented stars are in a tense battle as the 2025 Cup Series regular season nears its end. Chase Elliott leads a close championship points race, with teammates William Byron and Kyle Larson breathing down his neck. With only a few races left before the playoff grid locks in, the tension has never been higher. As strategies sharpen and every stage matters, what unfolds in the coming weeks could define the championship trajectory for all three.
Key Highlights
Chase Elliott leads the regular-season standings with 726 points, just 4 ahead of William Byron and 15 ahead of Kyle Larson.
Elliott has only one win but leads the series in top-10 finishes with 12.
Byron and Larson both have multiple wins, which could impact tiebreaker scenarios.
The final stretch includes road courses and intermediates—tracks that suit all three contenders in different ways.
The Regular-Season Champion receives 15 bonus playoff points, crucial for early-round safety.
Chase Elliott Holds the Lead—But Not by Much
Chase Elliott has remained a consistent force in 2025. With only one win so far this year, Elliott’s strong suit has been reliability—stringing together high finishes, capitalizing on stage points, and avoiding race-day catastrophes. Leading the points standings by just four over Byron, Elliott will need to stay sharp and possibly push harder for another victory if he wants to hold on to his edge through the final four regular-season races.
Despite his limited win count, Elliott’s No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports team has delivered with fast cars and tactical calls all season. Their consistency puts them in position to wrap up the Regular-Season Championship, but only if they maintain that pace. One bad race could shift the standings instantly.
William Byron and Kyle Larson Poised to Strike
William Byron has emerged in recent weeks as Elliott’s closest challenger. With one win and seven top-five finishes, Byron’s 722 points reflect a balanced combination of aggression and control. His improved road course skills, paired with a strong track record on intermediates, make him a likely candidate to shine in the next stretch of races.
Kyle Larson is currently 15 points behind Elliott in third, but arguably has the most explosive upside. With three victories already, Larson knows how to reach victory lane. His challenge has been stringing together mistake-free runs. If his No. 5 team can clean up their finishes and qualify stronger, Larson has every tool needed to close the gap quickly.
The interplay between aggression and calculation will determine who comes out on top. Larson can afford to gamble for wins. Byron must stay clean and maximize stage points. Elliott has to decide whether to guard his lead or go hunting for that one statement victory that could seal the deal.
Strategic Focus for the Final Four Races
Watkins Glen, Michigan, Richmond, and Daytona make up the closing chapter of the regular season. Each offers different challenges, from the technical demands of the Glen to the unpredictability of superspeedway racing at Daytona.
For Elliott, the roadmap may lie in minimizing risk at volatile tracks like Daytona, while capitalizing on his consistency at Richmond and Michigan. Byron, who adapts well across configurations, may look to pressure Elliott through stage wins and pit lane execution. Larson, with nothing to lose, can swing for the fences and go all-in for another win or two.
Stage points and pit strategy are now elevated to championship-level importance. Taking stage wins or finishing inside the top 5 in each segment can swing the balance—particularly for drivers like Byron and Larson looking to erode Elliott’s lead.
How Tiebreakers Could Decide the Title
Given how close the standings are, tiebreaker scenarios could come into play. NASCAR first breaks ties by counting total wins. Currently, Larson (3) and Byron (1) would trump Elliott (1) if a tie occurred. That means Elliott may need to snag a second win just to level the playing field in that metric.
If the win count is the same, the system proceeds to second-place finishes, then third-place finishes, and so on. This format emphasizes the need for top results, not just consistent runs. A second or third-place finish in these final races could determine the season’s regular-season champion—especially if a wreck or mechanical failure hits one of the three leaders.
Why the Regular-Season Title Matters
The regular-season champion receives 15 playoff points, a substantial advantage in a system where one bad race in the Round of 16 or Round of 12 can spell elimination. These points carry all the way through to the Round of 8, offering cushion against disaster.
For Elliott, Byron, or Larson, capturing the title can be a momentum builder—and a buffer. It also signifies control over the season, reinforcing the notion that they were the best over the long grind of 26 races. In an era where the postseason can be unforgiving, any advantage helps, and these 15 bonus points are not just symbolic—they can mean survival or elimination.
News in Brief: Who Will Win 2025 NASCAR Regular-Season
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series regular-season championship battle has tightened following Indianapolis. Chase Elliott leads the standings with 726 points, only four ahead of William Byron and 15 over Kyle Larson. Elliott has led with consistent top-10s, while Larson’s three wins and Byron’s overall pace keep both in contention. Strategies for stage points, track-specific strengths, and playoff seeding now shape every decision. Tiebreakers favor Larson and Byron due to win counts, intensifying Elliott’s need for another victory. With Watkins Glen, Michigan, Richmond, and Daytona left, every lap counts toward a critical championship outcome.
ALSO READ: William Byron’s Season of Momentum and Missteps: A 2025 NASCAR Cup Story
