The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series concluded in Phoenix with a dramatic finish. While Kyle Larson was crowned the champion, many drivers faced a challenging and disappointing season. Racing is an unforgiving arena, and several drivers endured a torrid 2025 campaign filled with struggles and setbacks.
Without further ado, let’s take a closer look at the five NASCAR Cup Series drivers who dropped the ball this year.
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### #5 Cody Ware
Statistically, Cody Ware had the worst season among all NASCAR Cup Series drivers in 2025. He posted a dismal average finishing position of 30.444 and completed only 90.22% of the total laps raced this year. These numbers highlight the significant pace deficit he experienced compared to the front half of the field. Ware managed to crack the top-20 only twice throughout the season. His race in Phoenix was yet another subpar weekend, as he finished 30th in a chaotic event.
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### #4 Ty Dillon
Ty Dillon drove for Kaulig Racing this season but struggled to consistently compete at the front. His average running position was 25.47, better than Ware but still far from ideal. Dillon earned just one top-10 finish at Atlanta, and following that, he remained on the fringes of the higher positions. Phoenix was another tough weekend for the 33-year-old, where he finished 35th, underscoring the pace deficit he faced against the frontrunners.
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### #3 Brad Keselowski
Moving on to the heavyweights, Brad Keselowski is the first notable name on this list. The 2012 NASCAR Cup Series champion did not have top-tier equipment this year, which somewhat explains his struggles. However, this does not justify the significant performance gap between him and his teammates at RFK. Despite being the most experienced RFK driver, Keselowski finished best among his team on only 10 occasions. This contrast highlights the gap between his results and what might have been achievable.
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### #2 Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch is another former NASCAR Cup Series champion who had a difficult season in 2025. Since joining Richard Childress Racing in 2023, Busch’s form has been inconsistent. After three race wins in the first half of 2023, his momentum stalled. The trend unfortunately continued through 2025, as he failed to claim a race win and secured only three top-five finishes across the 36-race calendar.
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### #1 Daniel Suarez
At the top of this list is Daniel Suarez, who endured one of the most underwhelming campaigns of the year. Suarez was the only full-time driver for Trackhouse Racing not to win a race in 2025, which likely influenced his departure from the team. He completed just 88.94% of total laps and managed only two top-five finishes during the season. Ultimately, his 2025 campaign stands out as one of the toughest in his Cup Series career.
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The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series showed that while some drivers thrive, others face significant hurdles. These five drivers struggled to find consistency and speed, highlighting just how competitive and demanding the sport can be. As the series moves forward, it will be interesting to see how they bounce back in future seasons.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/nascar/5-nascar-cup-series-drivers-completely-fell-apart-season