The 2025 NASCAR season has come to a close, and while some drivers have demonstrated dominance, others emerged from relative obscurity to make their mark. Across the Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series, several racers began with modest expectations but ultimately delivered breakthrough campaigns.
Kyle Larson captured his second Cup championship, while Jesse Love and Corey Heim secured titles in the Xfinity and Truck Series, respectively. Meanwhile, some familiar names stumbled—Denny Hamlin, for instance, faced yet another heartbreak in the finale at Phoenix. Yet again, a few unexpected performers rose to the occasion.
As the checkered flags fall on another unpredictable NASCAR year, here are three drivers who stood out as the sport’s biggest surprises in 2025.
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### NASCAR’s Unexpected Success Stories of 2025
#### #3 Shane van Gisbergen
**Trackhouse Racing No. 88**
Shane van Gisbergen’s rookie Cup Series season was nothing short of astonishing. The New Zealander, long known for his Supercars dominance, entered full-time NASCAR competition as Trackhouse Racing’s developmental driver—and left as one of the season’s most successful racers.
Van Gisbergen won five road course races: Mexico City, Chicago, Sonoma, Watkins Glen, and the Charlotte Roval. Only Denny Hamlin, with six victories, had more wins this season. What truly set Shane apart was his consistency and adaptability. His streak of five road course victories put him just one shy of Jeff Gordon’s all-time record of six in a single season. Additionally, his growing comfort on ovals marked steady progress.
Making the playoffs in his first full year was a strong reminder that international drivers can not only compete but also contend for titles at stock car racing’s highest level.
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#### #2 Chase Briscoe
**Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19**
Chase Briscoe made a significant leap in 2025 after moving from the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing to Joe Gibbs Racing, replacing 2017 Cup champion Martin Truex Jr. Few expected him to thrive in the No. 19 Toyota—but Briscoe delivered one of the year’s most complete campaigns.
The 30-year-old scored three wins, including the prestigious Southern 500 and the Talladega playoff race, and earned a spot in the Championship 4. Briscoe’s career-best season featured seven poles, 19 top-five finishes, and an impressive average starting position of 9.9—all best in the Cup Series. He also led nearly 900 laps over the course of the year.
While tire issues derailed his Phoenix finale, the 2025 campaign proved that Briscoe belongs among NASCAR’s elite.
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#### #1 Connor Zilisch
**JR Motorsports No. 88**
Connor Zilisch’s rise is arguably one of NASCAR’s most inspiring stories this season. At just 19 years old, the JR Motorsports rookie stunned the Xfinity Series by winning 10 races and finishing runner-up to Jesse Love in the finale.
Coming from a road-course racing background, Zilisch displayed remarkable composure and precision well beyond his years. With 23 top-10 finishes and eight poles, he anchored JRM’s landmark season that saw three drivers reach the championship finale.
Looking ahead to 2026, Zilisch will run part-time in Xfinity with the No. 1 JR Motorsports car and step up full-time to the Cup Series, replacing Daniel Suárez at Trackhouse Racing.
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As the 2025 NASCAR season fades into the history books, these three drivers exemplify the unexpected talent and determination that continue to shape the sport’s future. Fans can look forward to what promises to be an exciting next chapter in NASCAR racing.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/nascar/nascar-s-unexpected-success-stories-2025-drivers-turned-potential-performance-8027d87e
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