With 2026 right around the corner, the focus will quickly shift to the season-opening Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 15. Until then, let's look back at some of the most notable achievements from a thrilling 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season.

When NASCAR took the Cook Out Clash to Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, it marked the first time the Cup Series had raced on the short track since August 1971. Chase Elliott won the 2025 exhibition race, while Bobby Allison won the 1971 points event.

Toni Breidinger gave fans a glimpse into her downtime with an Instagram post that included a pair of selfies captioned “off season side quests.” The 26-year-old model and NASCAR driver appeared relaxed and low-key in the photos,

Hettinger Racing plans its first full-time NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season in 2026 with Ford support and early preparation.

Hettinger Racing will make take the plunge in 2026 and go full-time NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series racing. The team will field the No. 5 with support from Ford Racing and Roush Yates Engines.