NASCAR's unexpected success stories of 2025: Drivers who turned potential into performance

The 2025 NASCAR season has come to a close, and while some drivers have shown their dominance, others have come from obscurity to make their mark. Across the Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series, several racers started with modest expectations but eventually had breakthrough campaigns.

Kyle Larson won his second Cup championship, while Jesse Love and Corey Heim won titles in the Xfinity and Truck Series, respectively. Some familiar names stumbled, like Denny Hamlin, who 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.

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NASCAR’s unexpected success stories of 2025

#3 Shane van Gisbergen - Trackhouse Racing No. 88

Shane van Gisbergen after the Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen. Source: Imagn

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’s developmental driver and left as one of the season’s most successful racers.

SVG won five road course races: Mexico City, Chicago, Sonoma, Watkins Glen, and the Charlotte Roval. Only Hamlin, with six victories, won more. What truly set SVG apart was consistency and adaptability. His streak of five road course wins put him one shy of Jeff Gordon’s all-time record of six, while his growing comfort on ovals marked steady progress.

Making the playoffs in his first full year was a reminder that international drivers can not only compete but also contend for titles in stock car racing’s highest level.

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#2 Chase Briscoe - Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19

Chase Briscoe during Championship Four media day at Phoenix Raceway. Source: Imagn

Chase Briscoe moved from a now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing to replace the 2017 Cup champion Martin Truex Jr. at Joe Gibbs Racing, and few expected him to thrive in the No.19 Toyota. Instead, the 30-year-old delivered one of the year’s most complete campaigns, with three wins - including the Southern 500 and Talladega playoff race - and a Championship 4 berth.

Briscoe's career-best NASCAR campaign with seven poles, 19 top-five finishes, and a 9.9 average starting position - all best in the Cup. He has also led nearly 900 laps. While his Phoenix finale got derailed with tire issues, the 2025 campaign proved he belongs among the sport’s elite.

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#1 Connor Zilisch - JR Motorsports No. 88

Connor Zilisch after winning the Nu Way 200 at Gateway. Source: Imagn

Connor Zilisch’s rise has become one of NASCAR’s most inspiring stories. At just 19, the JR Motorsports rookie stunned the Xfinity Series with 10 wins, finishing runner-up to Jesse Love in the finale.

Coming from a road-course background, Zilisch has shown composure and precision well beyond his age. With 23 top-10 finishes and eight poles, he anchored JRM’s landmark season that saw three drivers reach the finale. He will run part-time in Xfinity with the No. 1 JRM car and full-time in the Cup, replacing Daniel Suárez in Trackhouse Racing, next year.