Introduction

As the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race approaches, it's time to evaluate the performance of every full-time Cup Series driver. This analysis provides a comprehensive grading system based on key performance indicators, offering insights into who's excelling and who's struggling this season.

Grading Methodology

Each driver's grade is determined by a weighted combination of factors, including:

• Adjusted points+ index
• Total wins
• Standings rank
• Average driver rating per race
• Average finish
• Performance vs. preseason expectations
• Head-to-head record vs. teammates
• Rate of finishing races

Grade A Tier

• Kyle Larson (Hendrick Motorsports): A+

  • 2025 Stats: 3 wins, 8 top-fives, 9 top-10s, 9.8 avg. finish
  • Standings Rank: 1st
  • Adjusted pts+ index: 241
  • Avg. driver rating: 102.6 Larson continues to dominate, with near-perfect performances at Bristol and Kansas.

• Christopher Bell (Joe Gibbs Racing): A

  • 2025 Stats: 3 wins, 6 top-fives, 8 top-10s, 11.2 avg. finish
  • Standings Rank: 3rd
  • Adjusted pts+ index: 224
  • Avg. driver rating: 92.8 Bell's early season streak of three consecutive wins highlights his career-best form.

• William Byron (Hendrick Motorsports): A

  • 2025 Stats: 1 win, 5 top-fives, 7 top-10s, 10.2 avg. finish
  • Standings Rank: 2nd
  • Adjusted pts+ index: 202
  • Avg. driver rating: 103.9 Byron leads the series in average driver rating, showcasing his consistency.

• Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing): A-

  • 2025 Stats: 2 wins, 5 top-fives, 6 top-10s, 15.2 avg. finish
  • Standings Rank: 7th
  • Adjusted pts+ index: 178
  • Avg. driver rating: 87.6 Hamlin's hunger for a Cup title remains evident with his strong performances.

Grade B Tier

• Ryan Blaney (Team Penske): B+

  • 2025 Stats: 0 wins, 5 top-fives, 6 top-10s, 16.1 avg. finish
  • Standings Rank: 5th
  • Adjusted pts+ index: 148
  • Avg. driver rating: 92.6 Blaney's overtaking speed is promising, but reliability issues have hindered his results.

• Chase Elliott (Hendrick Motorsports): B+

  • 2025 Stats: 0 wins, 3 top-fives, 6 top-10s, 11.7 avg. finish
  • Standings Rank: 4th
  • Adjusted pts+ index: 143
  • Avg. driver rating: 84.6 Elliott's consistency is notable, but he needs to return to his championship-winning form.

• Tyler Reddick (23XI Racing): B+

  • 2025 Stats: 0 wins, 3 top-fives, 4 top-10s, 13.7 avg. finish
  • Standings Rank: 6th
  • Adjusted pts+ index: 138
  • Avg. driver rating: 93.4 Reddick's performance metrics are strong, but he lacks a win to solidify his A-grade potential.

Grade C Tier

• Bubba Wallace (23XI Racing): C+

  • 2025 Stats: 0 wins, 2 top-fives, 4 top-10s, 19.6 avg. finish
  • Standings Rank: 10th
  • Adjusted pts+ index: 102
  • Avg. driver rating: 85.0 Wallace's early season promise has been marred by recent struggles.

• John Hunter Nemechek (Legacy Motor Club): C+

  • 2025 Stats: 0 wins, 1 top-five, 4 top-10s, 18.2 avg. finish
  • Standings Rank: 19th
  • Adjusted pts+ index: 91
  • Avg. driver rating: 56.1 Nemechek's improvement is notable, but predictive metrics suggest challenges ahead.

Grade D Tier

• Ty Gibbs (Joe Gibbs Racing): D+

  • 2025 Stats: 0 wins, 1 top-five, 2 top-10s, 20.6 avg. finish
  • Standings Rank: 26th
  • Adjusted pts+ index: 80
  • Avg. driver rating: 64.9 Gibbs' anticipated breakout season has yet to materialize, with disappointing results.

• Noah Gragson (Front Row Motorsports): D

  • 2025 Stats: 0 wins, 1 top-five, 2 top-10s, 22.2 avg. finish
  • Standings Rank: 31st
  • Adjusted pts+ index: 73
  • Avg. driver rating: 61.2 Gragson's move to Front Row has not yielded the expected improvement.

Grade F Tier

• Brad Keselowski (RFK Racing): F

  • 2025 Stats: 0 wins, 0 top-fives, 0 top-10s, 27.2 avg. finish
  • Standings Rank: 33rd
  • Adjusted pts+ index: 41
  • Avg. driver rating: 61.5 Keselowski's season has been a shocking departure from his championship-caliber performances.

• Cody Ware (Rick Ware Racing): F

  • 2025 Stats: 0 wins, 0 top-fives, 0 top-10s, 30.8 avg. finish
  • Standings Rank: 36th
  • Adjusted pts+ index: 22
  • Avg. driver rating: 32.4 Ware's season has been marked by consistently poor finishes and low driver ratings.

Conclusion

As the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race approaches, these grades provide a snapshot of each driver's performance. From Kyle Larson's dominance to Brad Keselowski's struggles, the season has been full of surprises and challenges.