Chase Elliott has demonstrated outstanding consistency in the NASCAR Cup Series, achieving the best average finish among active drivers since the introduction of NextGen cars in 2022. This statistic highlights Elliott’s performance as a standout talent, with the Chase Elliott average finish NASCAR figure leading the list in recent Cup Series seasons.
Consistency Remains Key in NASCAR’s NextGen Era
NASCAR’s Cup Series has seen several accomplished drivers, but since the 2022 transition to NextGen (Gen7) cars, continued excellence has become even more impressive. The new vehicle regulations resulted in over 100 races with Gen7 machinery, testing adaptability and sustained performance among the field. Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott has set himself apart, consistently placing near the top—even as the technology and competition evolved.
Following the statistical review shared publicly, the focus is on drivers with at least 100 Cup Series starts from 2022 onwards, underscoring persistent quality in results rather than single-season success.
Top Five NASCAR Drivers by Average Finish Since 2022
The following section presents the five active NASCAR Cup Series drivers who’ve secured the highest average finishing positions over the last four seasons:
Chase Elliott’s Commanding Lead at the Top
Chase Elliott began his Cup Series journey with Hendrick Motorsports, making his debut piloting the #25 Chevrolet before inheriting Jeff Gordon’s iconic #24 Chevy. Elliott’s definitive turn came when he took over the #9 car in 2018, a number he has maintained ever since for the team.
His progression since the introduction of NextGen cars has been marked by an average finish of 12.5 in 2022, 13.1 in 2023, a career-best 11.7 in 2024, and 12.6 in the 2025 season. This run of results gives Elliott a superb four-year average of 12.4—the best among all current drivers. The 2020 NASCAR champion’s steadiness makes him the benchmark for Cup Series consistency.
Christopher Bell’s Steady Ascent
Christopher Bell entered the Cup Series with Leavine Family Racing in 2020, taking the wheel of the #95 Toyota before moving to Joe Gibbs Racing and their #20 Toyota in 2021. Bell faced a challenging start, recording a single win and an average finish of 15.8 from 36 races initially, but found significant improvement from 2022 onward.
Starting in 2022, Bell’s average finishes improved season by season: 13.8 in 2022, 12.9 in 2023, 12.8 in 2024, and then 11.2 in 2025. This consistent upward trend elevates his combined average finish to 12.7, earning him the second spot on the list of most consistent NextGen drivers.
William Byron’s Rise with Hendrick Motorsports
William Byron, another key Hendrick Motorsports driver, has been a fixture in the #24 Chevy since his debut in 2018. Byron experienced challenging early years in Cup competition, achieving his first win in 2020. After the NextGen overhaul in 2022, William Byron began enhancing his season-long results.
Byron’s performances include two wins with a 15.6 average finish in 2022, followed by 11.0 in 2023, 12.9 in 2024, and 14.5 in 2025. Compiling these seasons, Byron holds a four-year average finish of 13.5, placing him securely in third among active drivers with the best performance records.
Kyle Larson’s Championship-Caliber Consistency
2025 Cup Series champion Kyle Larson is the third Hendrick Motorsports representative in this elite ranking. Joining HMS in 2021, Larson immediately made an impact by winning the championship and scoring ten victories in his debut season.
In the NextGen era, Larson’s year-by-year average finishes were 14.1 in 2022, 14.6 in 2023, an improved 12.9 in 2024, and a solid 13.2 in 2025. Altogether, these translate to a four-year average finish of 13.7, reinforcing Larson’s ability to remain a key contender for Hendrick Motorsports across changing competition landscapes.
Denny Hamlin’s Veteran Presence Among the Best
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing’s stalwart, rounds out the top five. Hamlin has worked with the organization since 2005 and has driven the #11 Toyota since 2008. While Hamlin has come close to securing a Cup Series championship title, he continues to deliver strong performances year after year.
In recent seasons, Hamlin posted an average finish of 15.5 in 2022 and earned two wins, followed by a 12.4 average and three victories in 2023, 13.9 in 2024, and 14.0 in 2025. This record results in a 13.9 average finish for the past four years, a strong showing for the experienced driver, suggesting Hamlin could well climb the rankings with even better results in future seasons.
What These Rankings Mean for NASCAR’s Future
The achievement of Chase Elliott average finish NASCAR dominance—followed by Christopher Bell, William Byron, Kyle Larson, and Denny Hamlin—demonstrates the unique challenge of sustained excellence in modern stock car racing. Teams like Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing, along with drivers such as Elliott, Larson, Byron, Bell, and Hamlin, continue to shape Cup Series competition, influencing strategies and providing reference points for emergent talents.
As the Cup Series barrels toward future seasons and potentially another era of innovation, the performance of these drivers, particularly Chase Elliott, sets a benchmark for what it means to succeed across evolving racing formats and against ever-rising competition. Enthusiasts and analysts alike will be watching to see how these averages shift and whether new stars can break into this group of consistent frontrunners.
The highest average finish in the NASCAR Cup Series since 2022 (min 100 starts):
12.4 Chase Elliott
12.7 Christopher Bell
13.5 William Byron
13.7 Kyle Larson
13.9 Denny Hamlin
14.4 Ryan Blaney
14.6 Chris Buescher
14.8 Ross Chastain pic.twitter.com/pdHSVZUZ4w— Racing Territory (@RacingTerritory) January 4, 2026
