The 2025 season delivered a variety of unforgettable moments, and according to fan responses, several events stood out as the NASCAR Cup Series best races. Jeff Gluck’s well-known weekly poll on X provided unique insight into which races gripped fans most, with their votes painting a clear picture of the year’s highlights.
Throughout the season, competition was fierce on the track, leading to shifting championship leads and dramatic finishes. Kyle Larson claimed the season victory after a tense battle at Phoenix Raceway, using a bold two-tire strategy to outmaneuver Denny Hamlin and secure Hendrick Motorsports their sixteenth title. With the conclusion of the current playoff format and anticipation surrounding future rule changes, each race carried extra weight for the drivers and their teams.
How Fan Polls Highlight NASCAR’s Most Exciting Moments
Since 2016, Jeff Gluck of The Athletic has engaged the NASCAR fan community through simple weekly questions after every Cup Series race on X. The core question—“Was it a good race?”—captures raw reactions, making the poll one of the sport’s top pulse checks for excitement and engagement. Through these votes, passionate fans elevate memorable showdowns and dramatic moments, showcasing their favorite on-track action throughout the season.
The Five Most Acclaimed Races of 2025
This year’s results produced a definitive ranking of the top five NASCAR Cup Series races, based entirely on the opinions of the sport’s dedicated fanbase and data from Gluck’s poll. Each of these events featured significant drama, with standout performances from stars such as Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, and Ross Chastain.
Below, we break down the races that captured imaginations and garnered the highest approval ratings from supporters.
5. Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway
The season’s regular finale at Daytona International Speedway provided a wild mix of unpredictability, speed, and emotion typical of a superspeedway conclusion. Ryan Blaney surged from twelfth position with only three laps remaining, expertly navigating the draft to defeat Daniel Suarez by a razor-thin margin of 0.031 seconds.
This race did more than just seal a win—it also kept Alex Bowman’s hopes for the playoffs alive. With 44 lead changes among 19 different drivers and a flurry of action near the finish, this showdown perfectly demonstrated Daytona’s signature unpredictability. Fans overwhelmingly recognized its impact, with an approval rating of 88.2 percent in the weekly poll.
4. Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Ross Chastain’s performance at Charlotte Motor Speedway made headlines as he charged from the back of the grid in a backup vehicle to clinch the victory. Although William Byron dominated for much of the race, leading 283 laps and sweeping the initial three stages, Chastain’s late run shuffled the deck, creating an electrifying finish.
With the win, Chastain secured his place in the playoffs, completing one of racing’s most remarkable comebacks. The emotional highs and unpredictable turns of this event led to a strong 90.2 percent positivity score from fans.
3. Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta)
Chase Elliott’s determination at his home track, EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta, delivered a major storyline for the season. Ending a 44-race drought, the Georgia native executed a perfectly timed maneuver in the final lap, narrowly edging out Brad Keselowski and electrifying the local crowd.
The day featured rain interruptions, multi-car pileups, and 46 changes at the front of the field, all of which added layers of tension and excitement. As the inaugural venue for the NASCAR In-Season Challenge, this race set the bar high for both drama and fan engagement, earning a 90.5 percent approval rate.
2. Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway
Intensity reached its peak at Kansas Speedway as playoff implications ratcheted up the stakes. Over the course of 20 lead changes and two overtime periods, Chase Elliott managed a dramatic last-second maneuver. As Denny Hamlin grappled with power steering problems and Bubba Wallace rebounded from a late collision, Elliott slipped under both to claim victory by just 0.069 seconds, clinching his spot in the Round of 8.
With surprises at every turn, the Kansas race embodied the unpredictability of playoff racing, garnering 90.7 percent positive votes from fans polled.
1. FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway
The Michigan summer event was the runaway favorite in the NASCAR Cup Series best races survey, with 92.2 percent of fans rating it as exceptional. Denny Hamlin put on a masterclass in fuel conservation, overtaking William Byron late in the contest. In a poetic finish, Hamlin’s car ran dry just as he celebrated with a victorious burnout, while Byron’s own hopes faded at the end.
The tension, strategic brilliance, and sheer racing craft on display made this event a clear standout, rewarding both seasoned competitors and fans hungry for genuine competition and drama.
A Season to Remember for NASCAR Fans
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series produced a collection of unforgettable showdowns, with each top-ranked race illustrating the sport’s enduring ability to engage and excite. From Ryan Blaney’s last-minute Daytona triumph to Denny Hamlin’s strategic masterstroke in Michigan, every driver—Chase Elliott, Ross Chastain, William Byron, and others—had to dig deep for their marquee moments. As the series prepares for major changes in playoff structure and competition, these races underscore why NASCAR’s passionate community remains at the heart of the sport’s ongoing appeal.
