NASCAR insider releases way-too-early 2025 top 10 driver rankings

Is it too early for 2025 NASCAR rankings? Yeah, but it’s going to happen anyway. After all, the Clash is less than 80 days away. Before you know it we’ll be back in Daytona and ready to start another 38-week journey for the Bill France Cup.

While we just finished the 2024 NASCAR season, the rankings machine never stops. There is always time for conjecture and comparison.

Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports has released his way-too-early 2025 NASCAR rankings. He has been around for more than a few seasons. Let’s see what he has in mind for his top ten drivers for 2025. At least, looking at it from November 2024.

1. Ryan Blaney – Team Penske

The logic behind Pockrass’ overall No. 1 is simple – Team Penske has dominated the Next Gen era in the playoffs. Why would that change? Blaney finished runner-up this year after his 2023 championship.

This is a solid pick. As long as Phoenix is the championship race, Penske is going to have a say in who the champion is. Blaney has won three races in each of the last two seasons, can he top that total with four next year?

2. Christopher Bell – Joe Gibbs Racing

Despite missing out on the Championship 4, Christopher Bell is a driver to be feared. He feels cheated and will be on a revenge tour in 2025.

Bell is the best Toyota driver of the last three seasons. He has consistency issues at times. However, his wins and playoff success speak for themself.

3. Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports

I am shocked that Kyle Larson is this low in these 2025 NASCAR rankings, and I’m not kidding. Larson has won 13 races in the last three seasons combined.

Even with the wins, Larson has only made one Championship 4 in that time. He has finished 7th (2022) and 6th (2024) on top of his runner-up finish in 2023. Can he break through in the postseason again?

4. William Byron – Hendrick Motorsports

If William Byron and Rudy Fugle can overcome the summer slump that they often run into, they will be huge threats. Byron needs to build more playoff points and success in the stages to take that next level.

In terms of wins, Byron is keeping pace with Larson. Byron has 11 wins in the last three seasons and is hoping to rack up another handful in 2025.

5. Tyler Reddick – 23XI Racing

We saw that Tyler Reddick and 23XI Racing were lacking at Phoenix. Team Penske and Hendrick Motorsports just have another level that they didn’t have in the 45 car.

Reddick is super talented and could be ready for a breakthrough season. He could have had a few more wins on top of what he already had this season. Will 2025 be the year he elevates his game?

6. Joey Logano – Team Penske

The defending champion is a little low on this list, but understandably. Pockrass notes the lack of a strong regular season prior to the playoffs as his reasoning.

If Logano gets to the Round of 8 he becomes a championship threat. All he has to do is win one of those three races, Vegas, Homestead, Martinsville, and he’s on to Phoenix. Can he repeat?

7. Denny Hamlin – Joe Gibbs Racing

Another year where Denny Hamlin fell short. Is his age catching up to him?

Denny Hamlin has started out hot in the past, but then by the end of the year he is struggling to find speed. Every year is Denny’s year if you ask him, 2025 will be no different.

8. Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports

It would have been nice to see Chase Elliott win more races in 2024. But the fact he won at Texas at all is a huge deal.

Elliott is the face of the sport, the most popular driver. When he is successful, the sport is successful. He was so consistent this season but didn’t have that extra gear he needed to win multiple races.

9. Alex Bowman – Hendrick Motorsports

This is a pick I’m not sure I agree with in these 2025 NASCAR rankings. While Alex Bowman won a race last season, did he do enough to show he was a top-ten driver on the year?

Even with his 9th place finish on the year, I’m not sure his style of racing is going to translate to a ton of success. Maybe he will prove me and others wrong in 2025.

10. Brad Keselowski – RFK Racing

Each NASCAR season it feels like RFK Racing improves. Is Brad Keselowski ready to make another deep playoff run next season?

With the organization expected to expand to three cars and Keselowski making a crew chief change, there could be a big improvement in 2025. We will have to wait and see.