The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series wrapped up in thrilling fashion, with nail-biting finishes dominating the season and Chase Elliott’s 2025 NASCAR wins standing out in the sport’s closest races. Across multiple tracks, fans witnessed lightning-quick margins, making this season one of the most memorable for last-lap excitement.
This year’s Cup Series featured unprecedented intensity as drivers battled to the very last moment, delivering some of the sport’s most dramatic moments. As Kyle Larson secured his second championship title for Hendrick Motorsports, each race kept enthusiasts on the edge of their seats, especially during the superspeedway showdowns and tightly-fought conclusions from Daytona to Phoenix. Here is a rundown of the five slimmest victories that highlighted the sheer competitiveness of the 2025 season, with leading drivers like Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, and Austin Cindric rising to the occasion.
Narrowest Victories of the Season: Top Five Photo Finishes
The excitement of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series was punctuated by a series of heart-stopping victories, each decided by only fractions of a second. From high-profile venues like Talladega and Daytona to the final showdown in Phoenix, these finishes showcased the fierce rivalries and remarkable skills among top teams.
Ryan Blaney’s Dramatic Win in Phoenix
The 2025 season concluded with Ryan Blaney of Team Penske taking the final race at Phoenix Raceway, achieving a remarkable victory over Brad Keselowski by just 0.097 seconds. Not only did this race cement Blaney’s fourth win of the year, but the season-finale setting raised the stakes, ensuring the finish would be remembered as one of the year’s most intense showdowns. Known for his resilience and speed, Blaney successfully defended his lead, displaying exceptional composure in front of a roaring championship crowd.
Chase Elliott Prevails at Kansas Speedway
Among all the victories that season, Chase Elliott’s 2025 NASCAR wins included an unforgettable triumph at Kansas Speedway. On September 28th, Elliott secured a 0.069-second victory over Denny Hamlin—marking the fourth-closest margin in the series that year. In a race marked by double overtime and relentless competition, Elliott advanced from fifth place with just two laps remaining. The critical moment arrived as Bubba Wallace and Denny Hamlin collided on the final lap, opening a narrow window for Elliott and propelling him to seize the checkered flag for Hendrick Motorsports.
Christopher Bell Edges Out in Phoenix Duel
Christopher Bell, representing Joe Gibbs Racing, clinched a hard-fought victory at Phoenix on March 9th with only 0.049 seconds separating him and teammate Denny Hamlin. This tightly-contested short-track battle culminated in a dramatic two-lap drag race following a late restart, with Bell’s masterful driving providing one of the year’s most electrifying conclusions on a short circuit. The razor-thin finish added another highlight to Bell’s impressive record and underscored the high stakes present throughout the season.
Ryan Blaney’s Overtime Success in Daytona
Ryan Blaney’s reputation as a superspeedway expert was further cemented during the August 23rd contest at Daytona International Speedway. In a white-knuckle overtime finish, Blaney claimed a 0.031-second win by overtaking Cole Custer on the final lap’s Turn Four during a four-way dogfight. As Daniel Suarez charged forward, Blaney held off his competitor, crossing the finish line in spectacular fashion and further bolstering his status among the season’s top drivers.
Austin Cindric’s Miraculous Finish at Talladega
Delivering the closest victory of the 2025 Cup Series season, Austin Cindric of Team Penske triumphed at Talladega Superspeedway on April 27th. Cindric edged out Kyle Larson by a razor-thin 0.022 seconds, marking another legendary finish at a track renowned for its dramatic battles. Throughout the final moments, Cindric executed flawless defensive maneuvers, first against Ryan Preece and finally holding off Larson in a thrilling head-to-head sprint to the line. The Talladega crowd witnessed what has now become an iconic moment in the sport, testament to both Cindric’s rapid reflexes and the unpredictable nature of superspeedway racing.
What These Narrow Wins Mean for NASCAR
The 2025 season will be remembered for its fierce rivalries and the emergence of standout racers such as Chase Elliott, Austin Cindric, and Ryan Blaney. The razor-thin margins seen at tracks like Kansas Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway have set a new standard for competitiveness in the NASCAR Cup Series. With so many dominant teams, including Hendrick Motorsports, Team Penske, and Joe Gibbs Racing, refining their strategies, the bar was raised even higher for future seasons.
For fans, these breathtaking finishes delivered unrelenting excitement week after week. The combination of raw driver talent, strategic pit crews, and innovative team tactics suggests that upcoming seasons may offer even more exhilarating showdowns. As NASCAR continues to evolve, the legacy of the 2025 Cup Series—defined by its tightest battles and unforgettable moments—will inspire both drivers and spectators for years to come.
