5 NASCAR Drivers Having Breakout Seasons in 2025
Let's examine the top NASCAR drivers enjoying breakout seasons, including one each from the Xfinity Series and the Truck Series.
Connor Zilisch
His performance at the Xfinity Series level should erase any doubts. Recognized as one of the best road course racers in all of NASCAR, he came through immediately at COTA. However, Zilisch then had a bit of an acclimation period on the ovals against veteran Xfinity drivers. In the last eight weeks, he's shown why he's replacing Daniel Suárez at Trackhouse Racing in the Cup Series next season.
Connor Zilisch stats (): 674 points, 4 wins, 11 top-10s, 9 top-5s, 4 poles, 406 laps led, 7.421 average starting position, 10.684 average finishing position in 19 races
Zilisch is the only driver at either level who put up a great fight against Shane van Gisbergen on road courses, beating him once (Sonoma) and finishing a close second (Chicago). Just as impressive, Zilisch has a 2.25 average finishing position in the last eight races, delivering three wins (Pocono, Sonoma, and Dover). It's obvious at this point that Zilisch is a superstar.
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Chase Briscoe
There are big shoes to fill when you are chosen to replace Martin Truex Jr. in the No. 19 car at Joe Gibbs Racing. While Chase Briscoe has been in the Cup Series for a long time, the 30-year-old faced massive expectations and pressure. He's risen to the moment and made the most of his opportunity with JGR. Coming off a second-place finish at Dover, just a week after placing second at Sonoma, Briscoe is now tied with teammate Christopher Bell for the second-most top-5 finishes (eight) on the team. He's done this, mind you, just a few weeks after a DNF at Atlanta (35th) that came after one of the hardest crashes into the wall in the Next Gen era. Briscoe is putting it together lately, evidenced by three top-5s in the last five weeks, and he'll be dangerous in the playoffs.
Chase Briscoe stats (): 570 points, 1 win, 10 top 10s, 8 top 5s, 4 poles, 192 laps led, 11.238 average starting position, 14.048 average finishing position in 21 races
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Shane van Gisbergen
With his only competition being Riley Herbst, Shane van Gisbergen was the heavy favorite to win Rookie of the Year in the Cup Series. Trackhouse Racing made him a full-time driver, believing he could win a road course race and guarantee himself a spot in the playoffs. He won three. It's not just that SVG's expertise on road courses leads him to victories where his peers lack experience (Mexico City) or where he historically dominates (Chicago Street Race). It's also the fact that, despite being one of the least-experienced drivers at Sonoma, he went out there and essentially raced himself to victory. Plus, SVG is showing real progress on ovals now. He's going to be a perennial playoff driver for years to come.
(2025): 374 points, 3 wins, 4 top 10s, 3 top 5s, 4 poles, 208 laps led, 22,238 average finishing position in 21 races this season
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Ryan Preece
If you aren't one of the top NASCAR drivers with JGR, Hendrick Motorsports, or Team Penske, it's easy to get overshadowed. That's especially true if one of your best finishes of the season is wiped out for having three shims instead of two. At 34 years old, Ryan Preece is having a career-best season.
Preece finished second at Talladega, only to have that outstanding points day disqualified. It might end up costing him a playoff spot, but he's still delivered 10 top-20 finishes and five top 10s in the last 11 races. Preece's average finishing position (17.10) is well above his previous career-best from 2023 (20.83) and he has more top 10s this year (eight) than he did in the last two seasons combined. Through 21 races, he (17.1) is neck-and-neck with Ty Gibbs, Kyle Busch and Joey Logano in average finishing position (17.0)
: 484 laps led, 8 top 10s, 1 top 5, 56 laps led, 18.286 average starting position, 17.095 average finishing position
Kaden Honeycutt
In his first season as a full-time driver in the Truck Series, Kaden Honeycutt has proven he belongs at this level. While the 22-year-old is still seeking his first win as a NASCAR driver, he's gotten close several times this season. Through 15 races, Honeycutt is fifth in the NASCAR standings, and he's tied with Tyler Ankrum for the fifth-most top-10s (nine). He's certainly found a home at the Truck Series level and might even earn himself another shot to appear in an Xfinity Series race or two next season.
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