NASCAR’s season is a long-haul race, not a drag sprint—meaning even the best drivers can hit a rough patch in the standings. But the real warriors don’t just survive; they thrive under pressure. Since 2024, we’ve watched drivers go from hanging by a thread to stacking up top-fives, snatching wins, and storming their way back into title contention. And at the top of the list? A Cup Champion who turned a points nightmare into a victory lane dream. Strap in—this is how you fight back when it counts.

10 Drivers with the Biggest Uprisings Against the Biggest Downfalls Since 2024 Ft A NASCAR Cup Champion

Bubba Wallace has cranked it up in 2025! After a so-so 2024 in stage racing, the 23XI driver has stormed into the new season like he’s got rocket fuel in that No. 23 Toyota. With a massive +43-point jump, Bubba is stacking stage points like a title contender.

1. Alabama

1. Bubba Wallace (+43 Stage Points, 55 Total)

Never count out the two-time champ. Joey Logano has flipped the script after a shaky 2024 and is now +36 points better in the stage racing department. The No. 22 Ford has found its groove early, and you can bet Joey’s just getting warmed up.

“It’s the Only Way”- Joey Logano Discloses the Real Reason Behind Bowman Gray’s Infamous Moniker

2. Joey Logano (+36 Stage Points, 50 Total)

New season, same fast Willie B. The No. 24 Hendrick Chevy has been on rails, stacking up +30 more stage points than this time last year. He already looked like a title threat in 2024—now, he’s making sure everyone knows it.

3. William Byron (+30 Stage Points, 58 Total)

Rookie season? More like statement season. Josh Berry has wasted no time making his mark in the Cup Series, gaining +21 more stage points than last year. The No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford is running like a veteran’s ride!

2. Josh Berry – Playoff Bound with a Cherry on Top

4. Josh Berry (+21 Stage Points, 22 Total)

Preece is cooking! The No. 60 driver has seen a +15-point boost in 2025, proving that persistence pays off. Stage points might not seem like much now, but they’ll matter big-time when the playoffs roll around.

6. Ryan Preece – Climbing Out of the Trenches

5. Ryan Preece (+15 Stage Points, 18 Total)

Oof. After making waves in 2024, Ty Gibbs has hit a major roadblock—he’s yet to score a single stage point in 2025, with a brutal -37 drop. The No. 54 team needs a serious turnaround if he wants to stay playoff-relevant.

33. Ty Gibbs - No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing (Previous Rank: 24)

6. Ty Gibbs (-37 Stage Points, 0 Total)

The boss isn’t having the best start. Denny Hamlin, usually a stage-racing ace, has plummeted -31 points compared to last year. The No. 11 team has work to do if they want to get back to their usual front-running ways.

11. Denny Hamlin

7. Denny Hamlin (-31 Stage Points, 15 Total)

Last season, Larson was a stage points machine. This year? Not so much. The No. 5 Hendrick driver has dropped -26 points, a surprising slump for a guy known for keeping the hammer down.

12. Kyle Larson - No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports (Previous Rank: 7)

8. Kyle Larson (-26 Stage Points, 22 Total)

JHN’s first full-time Cup season with Legacy Motor Club hasn’t been easy. With just 2 stage points so far, he’s down -18 from last year. The No. 42 squad needs a spark—and fast.

9. Joe Nemechek

9. John Hunter Nemechek (-18 Stage Points, 2 Total)

Keselowski is grinding, but the numbers aren’t in his favor. With a --17-point drop from 2024, the No. 6 RFK Ford hasn’t been racking up stage points like they need to. Don’t count out Bad Brad, though—he’s built for comebacks.