The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series regular season is nearing its conclusion at Daytona International Speedway, with 14 different drivers having already secured victories this year. As the competition intensifies, Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin stand out as the favorites for the Kyle Larson 2025 NASCAR Championship, each holding the top sports-betting odds at +400, according to BetOnline Sportsbook.
Heading into the final races before the playoffs, Tyler Reddick and Alex Bowman are battling for the last two spots in the 16-driver postseason field, while Chris Buescher trails just behind, needing to close an 89-point gap with Reddick and 60 points with Bowman. The playoffs are set to begin on August 31 at Darlington Raceway, marking the start of a high-stakes series that promises intense competition.
Contenders Jockeying for Playoff Positions
With the regular season winding down, the fight for playoff placement is heating up among drivers outside the current top 12. Tyler Reddick occupies the No. 14 spot, closely followed by Alex Bowman, both vying for the final playoff berths. Positioned just beyond the cutoff, Chris Buescher faces a significant points deficit as he strives to secure a postseason position. These margins suggest the closing races will be pivotal for drivers and teams intent on continuing their championship campaigns.
William Byron, the current regular-season champion, anticipates a postseason filled with unpredictability and excitement.
“No one’s running away with this thing, which is going to create a really crazy playoffs,”
Byron remarked to NASCAR.com, reflecting the close competition seen throughout the season.
New Elements Announced for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Schedule
Looking beyond 2025, NASCAR officials unveiled a refreshed schedule for the 2026 Cup Series that balances innovation with tradition. Significant updates include the addition of a unique street-course event at San Diego’s Naval Base Coronado and relocating the Championship 4 race to Homestead-Miami Speedway. Furthermore, the North Wilkesboro Speedway will return to hosting points events for the first time since 1996, and Dover Motor Speedway will have the honor of hosting the All-Star weekend.
Ben Kennedy, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Venue & Racing Innovation Officer, emphasized the careful planning behind these changes.
“Obviously, a lot of collaboration, a lot of time, a lot of energy that went into it, and it’s just a good blend like we’ve had over the past few years of innovation and tradition, of being able to celebrate our history and our roots and where we come from, but then also having these bold new moves that we’re introducing to the schedule,”
he said, as reported by NASCAR.com.
Current Odds for the 2025 Drivers’ Championship
As of Week 26, BetOnline Sportsbook lists Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin sharing the lead with +400 odds to win the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series drivers’ championship. This close competition underscores the balanced field seen throughout the year, solidifying their status as front-runners as the playoffs approach. These odds point to an exciting postseason where multiple drivers remain in contention for the ultimate prize.
With the playoffs commencing at Darlington Raceway on August 31, fans can expect a gripping and intense run to the championship, as top drivers compete on some of NASCAR’s most demanding tracks. The dynamic performances through the regular season, coupled with new schedule developments for the next year, highlight NASCAR’s ongoing commitment to thrilling racing and fan engagement.