Finest Win? Largest Heartbreak? Comeback Driver? Some 2025 NASCAR Awards

[ad_1] The NASCAR Awards ceremony got here and went shortly this 12 months.

However listed here are some awards not given out on the ceremony earlier this month.

These extra accolades, if you'll, had been born from a few of my random ideas based mostly on what I noticed on the racetrack all through the season:

Win of the 12 months: Bubba Wallace

Wallace successful at Indianapolis was a significant second for his profession, as he received what's arguably one of many majors within the sport.

Repeat Winner of the 12 months: William Byron

Byron’s back-to-back victories within the Daytona 500 made him considered one of solely 5 drivers to win the game’s largest race in consecutive years.

William Byron began off the 12 months robust with an enormous win at Daytona.

Specialty Driver of the 12 months: Shane van Gisbergen

SVG desires to show himself on ovals, however he clearly doesn’t want to point out something extra on highway programs. At each highway course NASCAR goes to, he’ll be the motive force to beat. He received 5 of the six this season.

Superior Second of the 12 months: Daniel Suarez

Suarez successful the Xfinity Collection race in Mexico Metropolis was a type of moments the place the joy of the gang simply engulfs the venue. Most of us might solely want to have that sort of expertise.

Heartbreak of the 12 months: Denny Hamlin

Twenty years of attempting ... and nonetheless arising just a bit bit brief. After main 208 of the primary 312 laps, Hamlin couldn’t rally in extra time following a four-tire cease and didn’t win that Cup title that has remained so elusive all through this profession.

There was extra disappointment for Denny after he didn't win the Cup title.

Curler Coaster of the 12 months: Kyle Larson

Larson received three races and had one of many worst days of his skilled profession when he crashed in each the Indy 500 and the Coke 600. After which he accomplished the season with a 24-race winless streak — all whereas successful his second Cup title.

Shock of the 12 months: Chase Briscoe

Did anybody actually assume that Briscoe could be one of many 4 championship finalists? And for many who did, did they actually assume he would lead the collection in variety of poles with seven? Briscoe had an superior first 12 months at Joe Gibbs Racing.

Burnout of the 12 months: Chase Elliott

Elliott opened the season by successful the preseason Conflict after which had a terrific burnout using alongside the fence to have fun NASCAR’s return to Bowman Grey Stadium.

Odd Man Out of the 12 months: Joey Logano

Perhaps we’re beginning to consider this even-year-is-the-year factor for Joey Logano, who received his Cup titles in 2018, 2022 and 2024. In 2025, he was eradicated after the opening spherical in a season the place he ended up seventh within the standings.

Logano has owned the even years. Is 2026 his for the taking?

Unnoticed Win of the 12 months: Ryan Blaney

Do you even keep in mind that Blaney received at Phoenix within the season finale? With all of the speak about Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson, Blaney made a stout transfer on the finish to win the race.

Feud of the 12 months: Stenhouse-Hocevar

They by no means got here to blow,s however they almost did, as Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Carson Hocevar tangled at Nashville and Mexico Metropolis.

Household Feud of the 12 months: Hamlin-Gibbs

When Denny Hamlin's automotive shoved Ty Gibbs leading to him hitting the wall, it was greater than only a veteran sending a message to a younger driver as a result of they each drive for Joe Gibbs Racing. It doesn’t sound like that can occur once more.

Disappointment of the 12 months: Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch

The 2 proud former Cup championships each went winless and didn’t make the playoffs. Keselowski completed twentieth within the standings whereas Busch was twenty first. Neither might go away the season all that blissful though Keselowski at the very least has the texture of seeing enchancment in the course of the season.

Will Kyle Busch's destiny take a flip for the higher subsequent season?

Comeback of the 12 months: Zane Smith

After getting fired from his journey at Trackhouse, Smith completed a decent twenty eighth within the standings driving for Entrance Row Motorsports. And even at twenty eighth, he gave the impression to be working higher later within the 12 months.

Streak of the 12 months: Connor Zilisch

Zilisch went 18 consecutive races with a top-five end within the Xfinity Collection. In that run, he had 9 firsts (albeit one the place Parker Kligerman completed the race), 5 seconds, two fourths and two fifths.

Race of the 12 months: Bell-Busch at COTA

The battle between Christopher Bell and Kyle Busch within the ultimate laps at Circuit of the Americas was one to observe as they diced — cleanly — with Busch rising because the winner.

Pitchman of the 12 months: Ross Chastain

Chastain had one watermelon smash in Cup after which additionally was a part of a nationwide advert marketing campaign for Busch, with the advert showing in the course of the Tremendous Bowl.

Watermelon Ross received to smash it one time in the course of the 2025 NASCAR season.

Flip of the 12 months: Ryan Preece (once more)

Preece flipped at Daytona for the second consecutive 12 months. This one wasn’t as dangerous so far as any bloodshot eyes, but it surely was nonetheless a type of hold-your-breath moments.

Mullet of the 12 months: Tyler Reddick and Noah Gragson

It wouldn’t be truthful to decide on one of many two drivers who sported signature mullets all through the season.

Group of the 12 months: Joe Gibbs Racing

With three drivers (Hamlin, Briscoe and Bell) within the top-five of the ultimate standings in addition to 13 victories mixed, Joe Gibbs Racing will get the nod for group of the 12 months.

Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports activities. He has spent many years overlaying motorsports, together with over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting Information, NASCAR Scene journal and The (Daytona Seashore) Information-Journal. Observe him on Twitter @bobpockrass.