The 2025 season brought some of the most unexpected moments in recent NASCAR Cup Series history, with three drivers rising above expectations and delivering memorable performances on the track. Focusing on the NASCAR Cup Series surprises 2025, we look at how Shane van Gisbergen, Josh Berry, and Bubba Wallace emerged as standouts, challenging predictions and making their mark in dramatic fashion.
Josh Berry Defies Early Season Predictions
Coming into the new season following a difficult first year as a full-time Cup Series competitor, Josh Berry was not widely seen as a contender for major successes with his new team, Wood Brothers Racing. Critics and analysts generally had low expectations for Berry, especially in the opening rounds.
However, Berry made headlines early by guiding the storied No. 21 Ford to a stunning win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in just his fifth event of the year. This breakthrough achievement was particularly notable for ending the Wood Brothers’ long wait for another trip to Victory Lane, as Berry clinched a spot in the playoffs with his performance in Sin City. Although his season didn’t yield more wins and his playoff journey was brief, Berry’s single triumph stood out as a watershed moment and earned him recognition among the year’s most impressive surprises.
“JOSH BERRY AND WOOD BROTHERS RACING WIN IN LAS VEGAS! #NASCARonFS1 pic.twitter.com/Doz1oRV28t — FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 16, 2025”
Bubba Wallace Shines at the Brickyard
Bubba Wallace’s victory in 2025 did not come as a complete shock to those familiar with his past career milestones, having tasted success in the Cup Series before while racing for 23XI Racing. Still, what set Wallace apart this season was his command and confidence at one of motor racing’s most esteemed venues, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Competing on the iconic 2.5-mile oval for the first time since 2020, Wallace managed to hold off none other than Kyle Larson—who would go on to become the year’s series champion—during a fiercely contested finish. This win at the legendary Brickyard not only ended Wallace’s personal drought but also cemented his ability to excel on some of NASCAR’s biggest stages and grandest settings, as fans and peers alike celebrated his memorable run into the playoffs.
“With a #Brickyard400 win on the line, there was no stopping @BubbaWallace 😤 #NASCAR | @23XIRacing pic.twitter.com/V2P71ANQoA — Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) November 12, 2025”
Shane van Gisbergen’s Record-Setting Year
No conversation about NASCAR Cup Series surprises 2025 would be complete without highlighting Shane van Gisbergen’s remarkable ascent. The 36-year-old New Zealander, known for previous success in Australian Supercars, put together an astonishing campaign by capturing five road course victories—going undefeated across the final five road races of the year.
In doing so, van Gisbergen surpassed the all-time record for most wins in a Cup Series rookie season. He also became just the second driver to collect both a Cup Series and an Xfinity Series win from the pole on the same weekend and distinguished himself as the first international competitor to claim more than two wins in NASCAR’s top division.
While his playoff journey was cut short in the opening round, van Gisbergen’s achievements drew praise from observers and solidified his reputation as perhaps the best road course racer among active Cup Series participants.
“Smoked ’em, Shane. 💨 pic.twitter.com/TwK7uUtdB7 — NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 10, 2025”
The Lasting Impact on NASCAR’s 2025 Landscape
The standout performances of these three drivers did more than just energize fans and provide thrilling races—they fundamentally shifted the narrative of the 2025 season. Shane van Gisbergen’s five-win campaign, Josh Berry’s resurgence with Wood Brothers Racing, and Bubba Wallace’s defining win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway have each broadened the competitive landscape, proving that perseverance and talent can upend even the most established expectations.
As the series turns its gaze toward upcoming races and new challenges, these stories from 2025 will shape the ambitions of drivers and teams across the paddock, promising more surprises and fierce competition in the seasons ahead.
JOSH BERRY AND WOOD BROTHERS RACING WIN IN LAS VEGAS! #NASCARonFS1 pic.twitter.com/Doz1oRV28t
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 16, 2025
With a #Brickyard400 win on the line, there was no stopping @BubbaWallace 😤
#NASCAR | @23XIRacing pic.twitter.com/V2P71ANQoA— Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) November 12, 2025
Smoked 'em, Shane. 💨 pic.twitter.com/TwK7uUtdB7
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 10, 2025
