More drivers are earning a playoff spot via a win in the regular season in the Next Gen era than previous years.

NASCAR Cup Series season begins informally with Sunday's Clash at Bowman-Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, then officially with the Daytona 500 in a couple weeks. The driver shuffle has been more than usual for the 2025 lineup,

When each new year in NASCAR commences, there is always something new apparent when the haulers are unloaded and the crews go to work for the first time. In some cases, it's a new paint scheme or a new sponsor accompanying familiar names and numbers.