With the completion of four full seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen era, fans and analysts now have a wealth of information to determine the Top NASCAR Next Gen drivers. As anticipation builds for the 2026 season, which returns in just under two months, an in-depth look at the metrics highlights which stars have truly excelled behind the wheel since the Gen-7 platform debuted.
Daniel Cespedes, an X user and stats enthusiast, recently compiled a comprehensive ranking that summarizes 13 key performance indicators for all drivers with at least 50 starts in the era. Metrics like win rate, average finish, laps led, and percentage of races spent at the front produced a clear snapshot, sparking fresh debate among fans and pundits about the standouts of the Next Gen era. Now, let’s break down the drivers who have defined these past four years.
The Five Elite Drivers of NASCAR’s Next Gen Era
The emergence of the Next Gen car in 2022 leveled the competitive field and forced drivers and teams, including powerhouse organizations like Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing, to adapt rapidly. Yet, amid fierce competition and evolving car setups, several drivers have asserted themselves as the true leaders of this new chapter in NASCAR history. Here are the top five performers who have consistently impressed in this period.
No. 5: Chase Elliott – Dependable Consistency at Hendrick Motorsports
Chase Elliott, piloting the No. 9 for Hendrick Motorsports, has started 137 races during the Next Gen era and tallied eight victories. While he reached the Championship 4 only once, in 2022, Elliott has set himself apart through remarkable consistency. In the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, his regular-season efforts paid off with the second-best average finish—a strong 12.6—showcasing his ability to remain competitive year after year.
Elliott has finished inside the top 10 in over half his starts, with a 53.3% rate, making him one of the most reliable non-champions on the circuit. His average running position further cements his place among the most persistent front-runners. However, qualifying has been a notable weak spot for Elliott and the No. 9 team, with only one pole position during the Gen-7 era. Regardless, his presence near the front of the field and consistent finishes remain vital for Hendrick Motorsports.
No. 4: Christopher Bell – Toyota’s Finest at Joe Gibbs Racing
Christopher Bell, in the No. 20 car for Joe Gibbs Racing, has quickly become the standout Toyota performer since the introduction of the Gen-7 platform. Across Cespedes’ 13 measured categories, Bell’s average score of 5.54 reflects his well-rounded success. An impressive 58.3% of his starts have concluded inside the top 10—a figure unmatched by any other full-time driver in the Next Gen era.
Bell guided the No. 20 team to memorable runs, reaching the Championship 4 for consecutive seasons and finishing fifth in points in both 2024 and 2025. Notably, he leads all Toyota drivers by emerging as the top finisher in 41 races and has accumulated 12 wins, ranking him among the leaders for 2026 competitors. Bell’s strong playoff averages underline his ability to raise his game under pressure, further reinforcing his reputation as one of the era’s biggest success stories.
No. 3: William Byron – The Relentless Challenger for Hendrick Motorsports
William Byron has grown into a powerhouse for Hendrick Motorsports in the Next Gen age, steering the No. 24 into the Championship 4 for three consecutive seasons. Despite falling short of the ultimate prize, his 14 wins since 2022 put him at the front of the pack in terms of outright victories. Byron’s aggressive style and determination have made him an ever-present threat on the track.
Byron’s results include leading nearly 3,450 laps in the last four seasons, representing almost half the races in the period and accounting for 10% of all laps completed. He stands atop the field for average stage-one points scored on non-drafting ovals, highlighting his prowess in crucial early-race moments. Although occasional DNFs have dipped his averages, the consistent strength of the No. 24 team remains clear as they contend at the sharp end throughout the era.
No. 2: Denny Hamlin – The Pace-Setter at Joe Gibbs Racing
Denny Hamlin, with the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing team, remains the winningest active driver yet to capture a championship, but his performance in the Next Gen car underscores his elite status. Hamlin has amassed 14 victories, tying him for the second-most wins in the era, and his composite score of 4.23 across 13 key metrics matches some of his fiercest rivals, including Byron.
During this period, Hamlin has finished in the top five in 35% of all races, demonstrating his ability to regularly compete with the best. He also leads the field for percentage of laps inside the top 10 on non-drafting oval tracks and holds the best average running position among all drivers. Hamlin’s leadership is undeniable, having set the pace in more than 60% of Next Gen races, and his adaptability has allowed him to shine under varying race conditions. In 2025, he showcased his skill once again, claiming six wins and leading the championship hunt until the final overtime restart.
No. 1: Kyle Larson – The Benchmark for Excellence at Hendrick Motorsports
Kyle Larson, representing Hendrick Motorsports in the No. 5, has set the standard among Top NASCAR Next Gen drivers. With a class-leading 16 victories and an eye-catching 11.2% win rate—second only to Shane van Gisbergen, who has fewer starts—Larson’s dominance is unquestioned. He is the only Cup Series driver in this elite group to have made three trips to the Championship 4 during the era.
Larson’s statistics are staggering: he has led 4,567 laps since 2022, accounting for 12.5% of all laps run post-reset. In addition, he ends 40.6% of his races inside the top five, delivering performances that continuously raise the bar in NASCAR. Although his playoff performances show a slight dip compared to Hamlin and Bell, Larson still holds the record for the most races with the best average running position—18 in total—and has consistently been Chevrolet’s top finisher, outpacing Byron with 33 top-team finishes. These achievements reinforce Larson’s position as the most complete driver of the Gen-7 era and confirm the No. 5 squad’s dominance during this new period for the sport.
The Lasting Impact of the Next Gen Era’s Top Champions
The Next Gen era has ushered in a time of innovation and intensified competition, spotlighting drivers who thrive on adaptation and resilience. Each of these top performers—Chase Elliott, Christopher Bell, William Byron, Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Larson—has not only elevated their own legacy but also pushed teams like Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, and manufacturers such as Toyota and Chevrolet to higher standards. As these drivers continue to shape race outcomes and the direction of the series, fans can expect the battle for supremacy to grow even fiercer as the 2026 season approaches and the Next Gen legacy deepens.
Who have been the best drivers in the Next Gen era?
I took the average rankings across 13 stats of all the drivers with 50+ starts in the Next Gen era, and my numbers say that the best have been
1. Larson
2. Hamlin
3. Byron
4. Bell
5. Elliott pic.twitter.com/CxToGqwayF— Daniel Céspedes (@_DanielCespedes) December 12, 2025
