This year’s NASCAR awards ceremony was quick and to the point, but not every accolade was handed out at the event earlier this month. Some awards stemmed from personal reflections on the racing season.
The Best of the Year goes to Bubba Wallace, whose win at Indianapolis marked a major career highlight, securing a victory in one of NASCAR’s marquee races. William Byron earned recognition as the Repeat Winner of the Year, having won consecutive Daytona 500 races, a rare feat shared by only five drivers in the sport’s history.
Shane Van Gisbergen takes the Specialty Driver of the Year award for his dominating performance on road courses, winning five of six races this season. One of the season’s thrilling moments was Daniel Suarez’s Xfinity Series win in Mexico City, electrifying the audience.
The heartbreak of the year belongs to Denny Hamlin, who despite leading most of the race, failed to claim the elusive Cup title after a late pit stop setback. Kyle Larson experienced a roller coaster year, winning three races but enduring crashes at the Indy 500 and Cork 600, culminating in a 24-race winless streak before finally clinching his second Cup championship.
Chase Briscoe surprised many by becoming one of four championship finalists and leading the series with seven pole-to-pole laps in his first year with Joe Gibbs Racing. Chase Elliott gained attention for his season-opening burnout celebrating NASCAR’s return to Bowman Gray Stadium.
Joey Logano was notable as the “Strange Man of the Year,” finishing seventh and exiting early despite winning Cup titles in even years like 2018, 2022, and 2024. Ryan Blaney earned the Unnoticed Award for his late-season win at Phoenix, flying under the radar amid chatter about others.
The Feud of the Year was between Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Carson Josevar, who nearly came to blows on multiple occasions, while the Family Feud involved teammates Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs, who collided on track. Disappointments went to Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch, both former champions who failed to win or make the playoffs.
Zane Smith made a comeback racing for Front Row Motorsports after parting ways with Trackhouse, showing improvement throughout the year. Connor Girish set a record with 18 consecutive top-five finishes in the Xfinity Series, including nine victories.
The Race of the Year was the intense final lap duel at Circuit of the Americas between Christopher Bell and Kyle Busch, with Bell coming out on top. Ross Chastain earned Pitcher of the Year honors for his memorable watermelon smash and participation in a high-profile Bush ad campaign during the Super Bowl.
Ryan Preece flipped his car again at Daytona for the second straight year, marking one of the season’s dramatic flips. The signature mullet style was sported notably by Tyler Reddick and Noah Gragson. Joe Gibbs Racing was named Organization of the Year, boasting three drivers in the top five and thirteen wins overall.
— Bob Pockras, a seasoned motorsports journalist, offers his insights on NASCAR’s season highlights and memorable moments.
Fan Take: These reflections on the 2025 season underscore the unpredictability and excitement that keeps NASCAR fans hooked year after year. From stunning victories to unexpected disappointments, this mix of triumphs and trials fuels the sport’s enduring passion and drives the competitive spirit forward.
