Six Laps Into the 2025 Cup Series Season, and Tempers Are Already Flaring
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season is off to a fiery start, with tensions already boiling over just six laps into the year. Saturday night’s qualifying heat races for the Cookout Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium set the tone for what promises to be a dramatic season, with rivalries reigniting, tempers flaring, and cars getting torn up before the main event even begins.
Early Chaos in Heat Race No. 1
Richard Childress Racing showed flashes of last season’s struggles when Austin Dillon spun himself out just three laps into the season. Meanwhile, Kyle Busch got into it with Justin Haley, even running into the No. 7 car under caution. NASCAR officials had to step in early to calm Busch down, but in classic fashion, he got the last laugh by finishing fourth in his heat race, securing a spot in the Clash main event. Haley, on the other hand, fell outside the top five and now faces an uphill battle in Sunday’s Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ).
The 21 Drivers Locked into the Clash
With four heat races completed, 21 drivers have already punched their ticket to the Clash main event. Notably, Ryan Blaney, despite struggling in his heat, secured a spot via the points provisional, thanks to his second-place finish in last season’s championship. Joey Logano, the reigning champ, qualified on his own merit. The four heat race winners—Chase Elliott, Chris Buescher, Denny Hamlin, and Tyler Reddick—each showcased strong performances, while Kyle Larson, surprisingly, failed to qualify directly and will have to race his way in through the LCQ.
RFK Racing’s Redemption Arc
After years of disappointment at The Clash in Los Angeles, RFK Racing finally flipped the script at Bowman Gray. Chris Buescher won his heat race, Brad Keselowski finished second, and Ryan Preece fought his way up to third, securing all three drivers a spot in the main event. This marks a stark contrast to their 0-for-4 record at the LA Coliseum and cements RFK as a legitimate force heading into 2025.
Carnage in Heat Race No. 4
The fourth heat race proved to be a demolition derby, with A.J. Allmendinger wrecking himself while attempting to pass Cole Custer. Later, John Hunter Nemechek made an aggressive move on Ryan Preece, only for Preece to retaliate in the very next turn, sending Nemechek’s No. 42 car into the wall. Legacy Motor Club now faces a race against time to repair the car before the LCQ.
Bowman Gray vs. the LA Coliseum
While both tracks are tight quarter-mile circuits, Bowman Gray may actually be better suited for NASCAR’s Cup cars. Unlike the Coliseum, which had walls boxing drivers in on all sides, Bowman Gray’s open infield allows for slightly more racing room—though it also invites more contact. As seen in heat race No. 1, Kyle Busch and Justin Haley took full advantage, diving onto the grass to gain extra space. If this is any indication, the LCQ and main event will be even more intense.
Denny Hamlin’s Concerning Sponsorship Situation
Denny Hamlin is entering 2025 on a high note after leading every lap of his heat race, but off-track, questions linger about his future at Joe Gibbs Racing. Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass posted a photo showing Hamlin’s hauler noticeably lacking a primary sponsor, a rarity for a veteran driver of his caliber.
Hamlin acknowledged the issue, admitting, “It’s an important time in our sport to recognize that sponsorship dollars are not flowing like they used to.” He expressed mild concern but suggested that the bigger problem lies with Joe Gibbs Racing, which now finds itself in a familiar situation.
Parallels to Kyle Busch’s Exit
This sponsorship uncertainty is eerily reminiscent of Kyle Busch’s departure from JGR in 2022. Despite months of warning, the team failed to secure a primary sponsor for Busch, ultimately leading to their split. Could history be repeating itself with Hamlin?
The Bigger Picture
Adding to the drama, Hamlin is currently embroiled in an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR through his ownership of 23XI Racing. While his role as a JGR driver and 23XI team owner are technically separate, the lawsuit looms in the background, potentially complicating his future with the team. Hamlin’s current contract extension runs through at least 2025, but the specifics beyond that remain unclear.
The Financial Reality of NASCAR
The sponsorship struggles facing Hamlin highlight the broader financial challenges in NASCAR. While younger drivers like Chase Briscoe can secure full-season backing at a lower salary, veterans like Hamlin, who command higher paychecks, may find it harder to attract the necessary funding.
What’s Next?
For now, Hamlin remains focused on winning races, but if JGR fails to secure a major sponsor, his long-term future could become a major talking point as the season unfolds. In the meantime, all eyes are on Bowman Gray Stadium as the LCQ and main event promise to bring even more fireworks.
Strap in, folks—the 2025 NASCAR season is just getting started, and it’s already a wild ride.
