Ranking NASCAR's most unforgettable moments from 2025 feat. Chase Elliott

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series will be remembered for its unpredictability. From rookie domination to veteran heartbreaks, every week produced a storyline that shows why stock car racing remains so exciting.

Kyle Larson secured his second title, Jesse Love was the Xfinity champion, and Corey Heim claimed the Truck Series crown. As the 2026 season returns in two months, here’s a look back at the five defining moments in the NASCAR Cup Series 2025.

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Unforgettable moments from NASCAR Cup Series 2025

#5. Ross Chastain wins the Coca-Cola 600 from the back

Ross Chastain (1) celebrates the 2025 Coca-Cola 600. Source: Imagn

Ross Chastain’s Charlotte victory in May came after starting from the rear in a backup car after crashing during practice. The Trackhouse Racing driver turned a weekend of setbacks into one of the finest moments in the 2025 campaign.

William Byron dominated for most of the 600-mile race, leading 283 laps. But as his tires faded in the closing laps, Chastain came alive. Having erased an eight-second gap in the final 40 laps, he capitalized when Byron got loose with six laps remaining. The No. 1 Chevrolet slipped past through Turns 1 and 2 and didn't look back, crossing the line 0.673 seconds ahead to take his first crown jewel win.

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#4. Carson Hocevar vs. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in Mexico

Carson Hocevar (77) and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (47) in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas. Source: Getty

A few moments stirred debate like Carson Hocevar’s clashes with Ricky Stenhouse Jr., especially the one south of the border. During the summer race at Mexico City, Hocevar, a lap down, tapped Stenhouse from behind entering Turn 13, spinning the veteran into the chicane.

It was their second run-in in three weeks after a similar incident at Nashville, and Stenhouse had warned there wouldn’t be a third. After the race, he stormed toward Hocevar’s car, which led to an ugly post-race confrontation. Despite the criticism, Hocevar defended his approach, saying it’s a part of how he races.

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#3. Chase Elliott steals Kansas in overtime

Chase Elliott (9) takes the checkered flag in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway. Source: Getty

At Kansas Speedway, Chase Elliott delivered one of the wildest finishes of the season and one of the most important of his career. In the second overtime, the #9 driver beat Denny Hamlin’s #11 Toyota to win by just 0.069 seconds.

Hamlin had dominated the race, winning both stages and leading the most laps despite a failing power steering issue. But as he and Bubba Wallace collided, the door cracked open for Elliott, who slipped through the chaos to grab the win and punch his ticket to the Round of 8.

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#2. Ross Chastain’s “Hail Hamlin” heartbreak at the Roval

Denny Hamlin and Ross Chastain after the NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America 400. Source: Getty

Ross Chastain’s never-say-die attitude was visible during the Round of 12 cutoff race at Charlotte’s Roval. Fighting for the final playoff spot, the Trackhouse driver fought Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano right to the final corner.

A late speeding penalty had already put Chastain behind, but his desperate move in the frontstretch chicane at the Roval - bumping Hamlin and spinning himself - sealed his fate. Logano slipped past to advance by just four points.

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#1. Kyle Larson’s pit call that won the 2025 championship

Denny Hamlin (11) leads Kyle Larson (5) during the NASCAR Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Source: Imagn

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series finale will forever be remembered for one bold pit call. Denny Hamlin looked unstoppable at Phoenix, leading all but 26 laps and appearing set to claim his first title. But a late caution on Lap 309 flipped the race upside down.

Many drivers stayed out and gambled on two tires, while Hamlin’s call for four fresh compounds left him buried in traffic. Kyle Larson, taking just two tires, took the high line during overtime to seize the lead and the title.