The NASCAR season has reached the All-Star break, and North Carolina will host the activities at North Wilkesboro Speedway. It’s been a fun year for the sport, and we are seeing dominance unlike any other from one driver in particular. While it isn’t quite Max Verstappen in F1, this driver has been the crown jewel of the sport in 2025 and I’m expecting big things out of him in the second half. Let’s update the power rankings heading into the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race weekend coupled with some of the big storylines for this race.
Power Rankings
1. Kyle Larson
This guy is on fire. He has three wins thus far in 2025 and is the clear number one in the standings. He leads in both laps led and maximum points gained. No, he isn’t going to win every single weekend, but it sometimes feels like it when he gets behind the wheel of his car. Larson is fully in the driver’s seat (pun intended) to win the Series Cup this year and it’s really his lead to lose (yes, pun intended).
2. Ryan Blaney
Here comes, Blaney. He has crept up the rankings and has had a really good season thus far. The 2023 champ is shy of where he wants to be when it comes to finishing first, but you can’t deny his two third place finishes in a row and four top five finishes in the last five races. Blaney is heating up at the right time and should be in line for a big second half. He has the experience to make a big run.
3. William Byron
Kansas didn’t go his way as he was derailed in the 66th lap, but the 27-year-old has enjoyed the season as he enters the All-Star break in second place in the NASCAR Cup standings. He has one win, and five top five finishes this season.
4. Christopher Bell
I’ve loved what I’ve seen out of Christopher Bell who had a three-race win streak earlier in the year. Bell is having one of his best seasons in the sport and is sitting in third place in the Cup standings. His six top five finishes are impressive as he looks to add a few more Ws in the back half of the 2025 season.
5. Chase Elliott
Fourth in the Cup standings, Elliott is looking for that elusive first win of 2025 and he might just get it at the All-Star race where he drives extremely well. He has finished eighth or better there in all but two starts and should be a driver to watch.
All Star news and notes
If Kyle Larson can pull off a win in North Carolina, it would give him his fourth All Star win and tie him in first place with Jimmie Johnson.
Fans are voting on the Top 5 to get one of their favorite drivers into the race and it has come down to Shane van Gisbergen, Noah Gragson, Carson Hocevar, Ryan Preece and Bubba Wallace.