UPDATED: NASCAR GFT AI Driver Ranking after the Food City 500 at Bristol

15 April 2025
By Bob Francis, Managing Editor
Go Full Throttle Racing News

BRISTOL, TN — After Kyle Larson’s dominating performance in the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, the Go Full Throttle Racing News AI Driver Ranking algorithms went to work and updated our scoring system. Here is the new GFT Top 25:

Go Full Throttle NASCAR Cup Series AI Driver Rankings following the Food City 500 on April 13, 2025 at Bristol Motor Speedway (Image Credit: GFT Digital)

Notable Changes in Go Full Throttle NASCAR Cup Series AI Driver Rankings following the Food City 500:

• William Byron holds onto the top ranking with a 6th place finish
• Ty Gibbs is the big mover UP the rankings (+9) as a result of his 3rd place finish
• Daniel Suarez, Todd Gilliland, and Erik Jones all fall 4 spots

DATA ANALYSIS

NASCAR Cup Series 2025 Driver Standings (as of April 13, 2025)

The most recent data available, after 9 races with 17 races remaining in the regular season, provides the following standings for the top 16 drivers, who currently qualify for the playoffs based on wins and points:

1. Christopher Bell — 3 wins
2. Denny Hamlin — 2 wins
3. Kyle Larson — 2 wins
4. William Byron — 1 win
5. Josh Berry — 1 win
6. Chase Elliott — +80 points (above the playoff cutoff)
7. Ryan Blaney — +77 points
8. Tyler Reddick — +76 points
9. Bubba Wallace — +53 points
10. Joey Logano — +47 points
11. Alex Bowman — +46 points
12. Ross Chastain — +31 points
13. Chris Buescher — +29 points
14. Chase Briscoe — +15 points
15. Ryan Preece — +3 points
16. Kyle Busch — +2 points

Bubble Drivers (Just Outside the Top 16)

• A.J. Allmendinger — -2 points (below the cutoff)
• Ricky Stenhouse Jr. — -24 points
• Michael McDowell — -26 points
• Ty Gibbs, John Hunter Nemechek, Austin Cindric — -29 points each

If you are new to NASCAR and its Playoff format, in the NASCAR Cup Series, the top 16 drivers qualify for the playoffs. Race wins secure an automatic berth, with the remaining spots filled by drivers ranked highest in points among those without wins.

Statistical Analysis of Trends and Insights

1. Dominance of Multi-Win Drivers

• Christopher Bell leads the field with three victories, establishing himself as the standout performer after 9 races. His win total surpasses all other competitors, positioning him as a frontrunner for the championship.
• Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson, each with two wins, are close contenders. Larson’s recent victory at Bristol Motor Speedway in April 2025 highlights his ability to perform under pressure and across various track types.
• William Byron and Josh Berry, with one win each, round out the winners’ list. Berry’s single victory is particularly noteworthy, suggesting he is an emerging talent making a significant impact in the series.

2. Tight Playoff Bubble Battle

The competition for the final playoff spots is razor-thin:

• Kyle Busch, a veteran with multiple championships, holds the 16th position by a mere 2-point margin above the cutoff. This precarious standing is unexpected given his storied career, making his performance a key storyline.
• Ryan Preece (+3 points) and Chase Briscoe (+15 points) are also at risk, with minimal buffers separating them from elimination.
• A.J. Allmendinger, just 2 points below Busch at -2, is the closest challenger outside the top 16. This tight gap suggests that the next few races could see significant movement near the cutoff line.

3. Team Performance Trends

Hendrick Motorsports dominates the standings, with four drivers in the top 11:

• Kyle Larson (3rd), William Byron (4th), Chase Elliott (6th), and Alex Bowman (11th).
• This success aligns with the team’s historical record as NASCAR’s most successful organization, boasting 315 Cup Series wins.
• Joe Gibbs Racing is equally impressive, with Christopher Bell (1st) and Denny Hamlin (2nd) leading the charge with multiple wins.
• Team Penske holds strong positions with Ryan Blaney (7th) and Joey Logano (10th), though both are yet to secure a win this season, relying on points to stay in playoff contention.

4. Performance Metrics and Consistency

• William Byron excels beyond his single win, leading the series in several NASCAR Insights categories, including speed rating, defense rating, and restart performance as of March 26, 2025. These metrics underscore his consistency and versatility, contributing to his strong standing.
• Kyle Larson combines his two wins with high-level performance, evidenced by his Bristol victory. His adaptability across tracks marks him as a well-rounded threat.
• Chase Elliott, with no wins but a commanding +80-point cushion above the cutoff, demonstrates remarkable consistency, leading the points among non-winners.

5. Emerging Storylines

• Josh Berry’s Breakthrough: Berry’s win signals his arrival as a competitive force. Whether a rookie or a newer driver, his success adds an exciting dimension to the 2025 season.
• Bubba Wallace’s Improvement: Sitting 9th with a +53-point margin, Wallace is enjoying a breakout year compared to past inconsistencies, positioning him well for his first playoff appearance.
• Kyle Busch’s Struggles: Busch’s tenuous hold on the 16th spot contrasts with his historical dominance, raising questions about whether he can rebound in the remaining races. **Our AI Prediction Models say YES!

6. Playoff Implications

• With only five unique winners in 17 races, the playoff field remains wide open. The 36-race season, including 26 regular-season races followed by a 10-race playoff, leaves room for new winners to emerge and disrupt the current standings.
• Drivers like Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, and Tyler Reddick, who occupy top positions on points without wins, face pressure to secure a victory. An increase in different winners could push points-based qualifiers out of the top 16.

Conclusion

As of April 17, 2025, the NASCAR Cup Series standings showcase a blend of established stars and rising talents. Christopher Bell’s three wins make him the driver to beat, while Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and William Byron keep the competition fierce at the top. It's early in the 2025 season, but after 9 races, the playoff bubble is a battleground, with Kyle Busch and others fighting to secure their spots. Dominant performances from teams like Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing, alongside individual stories like Josh Berry’s ascent and Bubba Wallace’s resurgence, enrich the season’s narrative. With 17 races left in the regular season, the potential for new winners and shifting fortunes sets the stage for the long spring and summer stretch.