The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series showcased an extraordinary level of dominance by drivers, something that has not been seen since 1994, with Kyle Larson leading the charge and making history in several events. With Larson’s standout performances and other racers like Shane van Gisbergen, William Byron, and Chase Briscoe also impacting the season, a unique pattern of leading the majority of laps emerged, capturing the attention of motorsports fans and analysts alike.
Exceptional Lap Leadership Defines the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series
This season, five races saw drivers take control by leading over 80 percent of the laps—an occurrence last matched three decades ago. Kyle Larson topped the list, setting remarkable statistics at the Bristol event in April by leading 82.20% of laps, followed by his display at Kansas in May with 82.77%. Shane van Gisbergen took charge at the Sonoma race in July, leading 88.18% of the competition, making it one of the most commanding drives of the year. Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron also joined the elite group by leading 81.82% of the laps at Darlington in April. These dominant showings across different tracks highlight how the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series differed from prior years and set a new standard for what it means to control a race.
Chase Briscoe’s First Year with Joe Gibbs Racing Impresses
Among the championship contenders, Chase Briscoe’s debut with Joe Gibbs Racing’s Toyota team did not go unnoticed. In his first season at the helm, Briscoe posted three victories, fifteen finishes within the top five, and accumulated nineteen top-ten results. These consistent performances secured him third place in the final points standings, marking a pivotal year for the young racer as he became a key figure within one of NASCAR’s leading organizations. His emergence adds to the narrative of a fiercely competitive season, with several drivers vying for supremacy in a year characterized by intense battles and powerful team dynamics.
Kyle Larson Claims the 2025 Championship with Unparalleled Grit
The crowning moment of the year arrived as Kyle Larson secured the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship, clinching the title despite not leading a single lap in the decisive race. Larson trailed Ryan Blaney, who won the event, and Brad Keselowski, the runner-up. Among the championship contenders, Larson’s resilience stood out, underlining the unpredictable nature of motorsports at the highest level.
“We didn’t lead a lap and won the championship,”
Kyle Larson said in his post-race interview (via ESPN).
“We had an average car at best and had the right front go down, lost a lap and got the wave around, saved by the caution with the wave around. It’s just unbelievable. What a year by this motorsports team.”
— Kyle Larson, NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Looking Ahead: Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium
The next major test for Kyle Larson and his peers will be the Cook Out Clash scheduled at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Set for February 1, 2026, this anticipated 200-lap event will launch the new racing year, broadcast on FOX at 8 pm Eastern Time, with live audio coverage by MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The race marks a pivotal return to one of the series’ most historic short tracks, promising excitement for racers and fans alike as Larson continues to push the boundaries in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Kyle Larson Considers a Return to the Rolex 24 at Daytona
Outside the NASCAR spotlight, Kyle Larson recently spoke about his desire to compete once more in the prestigious Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona International Speedway. With previous victories in IMSA’s season-opening event, including a memorable 2015 overall win for Chip Ganassi alongside Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, and Jamie McMurray, Larson revealed his enthusiasm on the Dinner with Racers podcast. Although he has not participated since 2016, the allure of the crown jewel endurance race remains strong.
“I think at this stage in my career, yeah, I’d do it again,”
Larson told podcast co-hosts Ryan Eversley and Sean Heckman.
“I had fun those three years I did it. I didn’t want to keep doing it every year.”
— Kyle Larson, NASCAR Cup Series Champion
“It’s been so long since I ran it that you almost get to the point where you forget a little bit about it, right? And I just remember having a blast doing that race, so I just want to go there and relive it,”
he further added. — Kyle Larson, NASCAR Cup Series Champion
At this stage, Larson’s entry in the 2026 IMSA Rolex 24 at Daytona, set for January 24-25, 2026, is not confirmed. However, his remarks have fueled interest among fans and the motorsports community, raising anticipation for a potential reunion with some of endurance racing’s top competitors.
Unmatched Displays Set New Standards for NASCAR
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series has already left an indelible mark on the sport, with drivers such as Kyle Larson, Chase Briscoe, and William Byron reshaping expectations for dominance and resilience in racing. Their accomplishments, setting records unseen since the 1994 season, underscore a new era of competitive intensity. As anticipation builds for the upcoming Cook Out Clash and the possibility of Larson’s return to the Rolex 24, fans and industry followers alike will be watching to see how these championship contenders continue to define excellence in motorsports.
Most dominated races in 2025:
Five races saw a driver lead over 80% of the laps this season, the most in a year since 1994 pic.twitter.com/NnRFLmZ1Hc
— NASCAR Insights (@NASCARInsights) December 24, 2025
