The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season delivered intense battles, especially among top-tier teams like Team Penske, Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), and Hendrick Motorsports (HMS). These three teams dominated the regular season and playoffs, vying for championship glory.
In the end, Team Penske’s Joey Logano claimed the title, finishing ahead of teammate Ryan Blaney, with HMS’s William Byron securing third place. As the spotlight shifts to 2025, the focus is on which teams have the potential to seize the championship crown.
Here’s a closer look at three teams poised to make a strong title run in the upcoming season.
#3 Team Penske
Team Penske has firmly established itself as the dominant force in recent NASCAR history, winning the last three Cup Series championships. Joey Logano claimed titles in 2022 and 2024, while Ryan Blaney captured the crown in 2023.
All three Penske drivers—Logano, Blaney, and Austin Cindric—secured playoff spots in 2024 by claiming at least one victory during the regular season. Impressively, two of the three Penske drivers reached the Championship 4, demonstrating the team’s clutch performances under pressure.
Despite a slow start to 2024, the Roger Penske-owned team rallied in the latter half, amassing eight wins overall. As the 2025 season approaches, expectations are high for Penske’s drivers to continue their dominance, particularly with their Ford Mustang Dark Horses proving formidable in the playoffs.
#2 Joe Gibbs Racing
While Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) showcased tremendous potential in 2024, the team fell short of expectations. Despite all four JGR drivers—Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs, and Martin Truex Jr.—making the playoffs, none advanced to the Championship 4 at Phoenix.
With six victories under their belt, JGR entered the playoffs as a favorite to contend for the title. However, their postseason performance failed to deliver the desired results.
As the 2025 season nears, JGR remains a team to watch, armed with the expertise of Toyota Racing Development and their strategic prowess. Fans will be eager to see if JGR’s star drivers can capitalize on their talent and reclaim their place as championship contenders.
#1 Hendrick Motorsports
Hendrick Motorsports (HMS), the winningest team in NASCAR history, fell short of expectations in 2024. Despite all four drivers—Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Alex Bowman—earning playoff berths, only William Byron reached the Championship 4, where he finished third.
HMS led all teams with 11 victories during the season, with each driver contributing at least one win. However, their inability to convert regular-season success into a championship marked a disappointing end to their campaign.
As the new season looms, fans and analysts alike will look to the Rick Hendrick-owned team to rediscover the championship form they displayed in 2020 and 2021, when Elliott and Larson captured back-to-back titles. With their roster of elite drivers, HMS has the tools to reclaim NASCAR supremacy in 2025.
The battle for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series title promises to be fierce, and these three teams are well-equipped to rise to the challenge. Fans can expect another thrilling season as these powerhouses vie for glory.
