The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series has been one for the record books, not because it has been smooth or predictable, but because it has been the exact opposite. From shifting TV deals that leave fans confused, to powerhouse teams reshaping the garage, to a playoff battle that is already boiling over, this season has carried everything from brilliance to heartbreak. For Hendrick fans, the stakes are sky-high, with William Byron, Kyle Larson, and Chase Elliott still very much alive in the chase for Phoenix glory.
Season Snapshot & Big Picture Themes
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series has already carved out its place as one of the most pivotal seasons in recent memory. Now in its 77th year, and the 54th in the modern era, the sport is balancing tradition with transformation. Fans have felt the difference at home and at the track with NASCAR’s new TV contract, a deal that runs through 2031 and brings Fox, NBC, Amazon, and TNT together in a rotation that constantly shifts how races are presented. In theory it is supposed to modernize the sport, but in practice it has been a mess. Trying to figure out where to watch each week feels like solving a crossword puzzle, and nothing kills the energy of race day quite like scrambling through apps, cable guides, and streaming services just to catch the green flag.
And if that was not frustrating enough, fans are still fuming over the CW’s boneheaded decision earlier this season to cut away from a live Cup race with just a handful of laps left so they could switch to their regularly scheduled programming. Imagine investing three hours of emotion, strategy, and adrenaline, only to be booted for reruns before the checkered flag even falls. That is the kind of thing that makes fans question whether the networks actually care about the sport or just see it as filler content. NASCAR might have thought this deal was about growth, but it is hard to grow the fanbase when you are busy making it harder to watch the actual racing.
Midseason also brought another twist with the brand-new In-Season Challenge, a bonus competition designed to inject extra stakes into the summer stretch. Ty Gibbs came out on top of that inaugural format, giving Toyota bragging rights for the moment.
The year has also been defined by sweeping organizational changes. Stewart-Haas Racing, once a powerhouse, shut its doors, only for Gene Haas to return with the newly minted Haas Factory Team. Meanwhile, on the manufacturer side, Chevrolet dropped the “Camaro” branding from its Cup entries, now simply calling its race cars the ZL1. It was a move that signaled both a rebrand and a renewed focus on aligning with Chevrolet’s performance image.
From start to finish, the 2025 season has carried the air of reinvention, proving that NASCAR is not afraid to shake up its traditions in search of a stronger future, even if it sometimes drives fans crazy in the process.
Standings & Contenders
The 2025 Cup Series standings are as tight as they have been in years, with almost no room for error at the top. Ryan Blaney currently holds the lead with 3,084 points, but William Byron is only two points behind him, and Kyle Larson trails by just six more. Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin are close enough to strike, both sitting within a handful of points of the leaders. That slim spread means that one bad pit stop, a late-race wreck, or even a single mechanical failure could flip the entire order on its head.
For Hendrick Motorsports, the story is encouraging but nerve-wracking. Byron and Larson are both firmly in the championship hunt, running second and third in the standings. Chase Elliott is holding steady, but he lives closer to the cutline than Hendrick fans would prefer. Alex Bowman, already eliminated from the playoff field, is now cast in the role of spoiler, with his results still capable of shaping races that decide his teammates’ fates.
With such little separation between the leaders, every stage point has become critical. The next mistake could knock a favorite out of contention, while one perfect weekend could be enough to propel a contender into the Championship 4.
Standout Performers and Surprises
Through the first three quarters of the season, several names have risen to the top as consistent contenders. William Byron has been the picture of steadiness, stacking up strong finishes and securing the regular season title that gave him valuable playoff points. Kyle Larson has shown his usual brilliance in clean air, flashing the kind of speed that makes the No. 5 car a threat to win on any track type. Ryan Blaney may not always steal the headlines, but his methodical consistency has been enough to keep him in the points lead. Christopher Bell has quietly carved out his own case, avoiding major mistakes while staying in striking distance of the frontrunners. And then there is Denny Hamlin, still proving that veteran savvy can carry weight, adding multiple wins to his 2025 résumé and reminding the field he remains dangerous.
Not every story has been positive. Chris Buescher took a heavy hit with a sixty-point penalty after officials found an illegal front bumper at Kansas, and that setback could very well derail his playoff run. Stewart-Haas Racing’s shutdown and rebranding as the Haas Factory Team sent ripples through the garage, forcing drivers and crew members to adapt quickly to a new organizational reality. Even beyond the playoff race itself, teams are still navigating NASCAR’s charter rules, which limit most operations to three charters and have reshaped how organizations manage resources and field entries.
The combination of standout performances and off-track turbulence has kept the season unpredictable. Every race feels like it could shift the balance, whether it is a dominant run from Byron or Larson, a quiet but effective drive from Bell, or the fallout from penalties and team restructures that leave others scrambling.
Hendrick Motorsports in 2025
For Hendrick Motorsports, the season has been a mix of opportunity and urgency. William Byron has carried the Hendrick banner with consistency and poise, sitting second in points and looking like the team’s best bet for another title. Kyle Larson has remained as dangerous as ever, often the fastest car on track when he has clean air, and his versatility makes him a threat on nearly every type of circuit. Chase Elliott, while not in the same comfortable position, is still alive and fighting, with the looming Charlotte ROVAL offering a golden opportunity for him to stamp his authority on the playoffs. Alex Bowman is out of the playoff picture, but his presence remains relevant as a spoiler who can take points away from rivals and lend strategic support to his teammates.
The strength of Hendrick has always been in its depth, and this season is no exception. With three drivers still in the hunt, the organization’s ability to share data, setups, and strategy across teams keeps them dangerous as the playoffs tighten. The possibility of multiple Hendrick cars making the Championship 4 is very real, and that would set up a Phoenix finale that could echo the team’s dominant legacy years.
What’s to Come
The road to Phoenix is filled with traps and opportunities. The Charlotte ROVAL on October 5 stands as a wildcard that could make or break playoff runs, and it is exactly the type of track where Chase Elliott can shine. From there, the series heads to Las Vegas, where Larson is always a threat, and then into the chaos of Talladega, where survival sometimes feels more important than speed. Martinsville looms after that, a short track brawl that could suit Alex Bowman’s knack for muscling his way to relevance.
And then, of course, it all ends in Phoenix on November 2. If Hendrick can get multiple cars into the Championship 4, that race could become a Hendrick civil war for the ages, with Byron, Larson, and Elliott all capable of hoisting the trophy.
The story of 2025 has been one of reinvention, unpredictability, and resilience. Every driver still in the playoffs knows the margin for error is razor-thin. For Hendrick fans, the dream of seeing another championship run is alive and well — but it is going to take perfection over the next month to make it reality.
