Congratulations to Kyle Larson for winning the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship.
Looking ahead to 2026, who might claim the title? Although it’s still early in the preseason, here are the initial power rankings:
1. Kyle Larson
Despite any critiques about how Larson secured his championship, he earned the highest points throughout the 2025 season. If stage points had also counted for the Championship 4 drivers, he likely would have won more races in the final stretch. As a Hendrick Motorsports driver, Larson holds the top spot, even with Chevrolet rolling out a new body design in 2026 that may offer improvements but could also require an adjustment period.
2. Chase Briscoe
In his first year with Joe Gibbs Racing, Briscoe finished fourth in the championship, achieving 15 top-five finishes and seven poles. It’s expected that with a full year of experience at JGR, he’ll perform even better next season.
3. Ryan Blaney
Blaney was the most consistent Ford driver in terms of speed in 2025, tying for second place with four race wins overall. Team Penske’s drivers are set to remain influential next year.
4. Christopher Bell
Bell claimed four victories in 2025 and led in points earned over the last ten races. Although he missed out on the Championship 4, his blazing start last year might be replicated in 2026.
5. Denny Hamlin
Hamlin, a six-time race winner in 2025 and a dominant figure in championship races, ranks fifth. Recovering from a tough season and a potential lawsuit related to his co-ownership of 23XI Racing, Hamlin faces challenges battling any 2025 hangover.
6. William Byron
Byron’s playoff run was rocky, finishing ninth overall in points, partly due to crashes at Las Vegas and Talladega. A two-time Daytona 500 winner, he remains a threat right from the start of the 2026 season.
7. Chase Elliott
Elliott gained momentum in the latter half of 2025 and is expected to continue his positive trend, though the new Chevrolet body may present some early hurdles for his team.
8. Brad Keselowski
Keselowski posted the 11th-most points in the final ten races, and the RFK team’s newfound speed should fuel a strong opening to 2026.
9. Tyler Reddick
After a somewhat slow 2025, Reddick, the 2024 regular-season champion, looks to bounce back rather than continue a decline.
10. Joey Logano
The even year trend bodes well for Logano, who won titles in 2018, 2022, and 2024. Team Penske is hopeful this pattern continues into 2026.
Also on the rise are Alex Bowman, Ross Chastain, Gibbs, Carson Hocevar, Ryan Preece, and Bubba Wallace.
Fan Take: This outlook highlights the thrilling competition awaiting NASCAR fans next season, with seasoned champions and rising stars poised to battle fiercely. The introduction of a new Chevrolet body style adds an intriguing variable that could shake up team strategies and performance, keeping the sport fresh and exciting.
