As Motorsport.com does at the end of each NASCAR season, it’s time to look back at the ten closest finishes to 2025 in the Cup, Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series. Stock car racing is known for its action-packed events and there is no shortage of spectacular finishes.
But surprisingly, the year’s closest result would have only been enough to place fifth on the 2024 list.. Even so, there have been many exciting battles to remember.
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The Cup Series accounts for five of the top ten, followed by Xfinity with three and Trucks with two, but the Truck Series managed to give us the closest finish all year. Phoenix Raceway was also an unexpected star, appearing in the top ten three times. As expected, draft tracks like Talladega, Daytona and Atlanta still made up the majority of the roster.
Now, with the help of video and photos, here are the ten closest finishes from last year in NASCAR:
10. NASCAR Xfinity Talladega (fall): Austin Hill vs. Carson Kvapil – 0.105s
Watch: Dominant day: Austin Hill claims victory at Talladega
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In overtime, Hill was in complete control of an unorganized peloton. Sanchez ran at him, but was pinned on the wall by his pusher as Hill defended the lead. With the field side by side behind him, no one could get around the king of the superspeedway.
9. NASCAR Xfinity Atlanta (summer): Nick Sanchez vs. Carson Kvapil – 0.104s
Watch: Nick Sanchez earns first Xfinity Series win at EchoPark Speedway
Kvapil was the loser in two of those close finals and is still looking for his first victory at the national level of the sport. At EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta), Sanchez earned his first NASCAR Xfinity Series victory. He was leading at the white flag, and with his rivals in single file behind him, no one could build a race to challenge him for victory in the end.
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8. NASCAR Cup Phoenix Final: Ryan Blaney vs. Brad Keselowski – 0.097 sec
To watch: High five! Kyle Larson wins Cup Series title; Blaney wins final thriller
At the last race of the year, all eyes were on the battle for the title, but the fight for victory was also extraordinary. Keselowski had stuck with old tires, hoping to score RFK Racing’s first victory of the 2025 season. Unfortunately, he overshot the final corner, allowing Blaney to cut under him and take the checkered flag. They were three for second place behind him.
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7. NASCAR Cup Kansas (fall): Chase Elliott vs. Denny Hamlin – 0.069s
Watch: Elliott wins Kansas after contact with Hamlin sends Wallace into the wall
In a wild finish, Hamlin raced up the track while battling Bubba Wallace, sending the car he owned into the outside wall. Elliott came storming inside, slamming the doors with Hamlin as he stole the victory with an incredible charge on the final lap.
6. NASCAR Truck Talladega (fall): Gio Ruggiero vs. Corey Heim – 0.059s
Gio Ruggiero, TRICON Garage Toyota wins, followed by teammate Corey Heim
Gio Ruggiero, TRICON Garage Toyota wins, followed by teammate Corey Heim
Winner for the first time in Trucks, Ruggiero had to hold off his teammate and new champion Heim in the last lap. Heim looked to the outside as they raced toward the line, but Ruggiero blocked aggressively, holding on to win the race.
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5. NASCAR Cup Phoenix (spring): Christopher Bell vs. Denny Hamlin – 0.049 sec
Watch: Bell holds Hamlin at bay to win third straight Cup Series race
Phoenix appears on this list often, including both Cup races. The first Phoenix race of the year also ended with a photo finish of sorts. Two Joe Gibbs Racing drivers battled it out on the final lap, with Bell pushing Hamlin wide and beating him right at the line. It was Bell’s third straight victory of the year during an impressive streak.
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4. NASCAR Xfinity Phoenix (Spring): Aric Almirola vs. Alex Bowman – 0.045s
Watch: Aric Almirola defeats Alex Bowman with contact at the finish line
Once again in Phoenix, but this time in the Xfinity Series. In overtime, Bowman took the lead with a remarkable four-point pass. Almirola got back under him, but Bowman had all the momentum going into the final turn. Almirola stood up and slammed Bowman into the wall, regaining victory in the final moments of the race.
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3. NASCAR Cup Daytona (summer): Ryan Blaney vs. Daniel Suarez – 0.031 seconds
Look: finished in four widths! Ryan Blaney wins regular season finale at Daytona
A truly incredible finish as Blaney crashed out of the top ten with two laps to go to win the regular season finale. At the line, they were essentially four wide for the win with Cole Custer, Justin Haley and Suarez also alongside the driver of the No. 12 Penske Ford. However, Suarez was the closest as they crossed the finish line.
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2. NASCAR Cup Talladega (spring): Austin Cindric vs. Ryan Preece – 0.022s *DQ*
Watch: By the Nose: Cindric Overtakes Preece to Win at ‘Dega
This one has a few asterisks because the second place finisher was later disqualified for failing post-race inspection. But before that, Preece was just yards away from what he thought would be his first victory at Cup level. The two Ford drivers engaged in a drag race to the line, but Cindric stayed just ahead of him as he collected a pull from some lagging cars whose pack was quickly approaching.
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1. NASCAR Truck at Atlanta (spring): Kyle Busch vs. Stewart Friesen – 0.017s
Watch: Kyle Busch beats Stewart Friesen by 0.017 seconds to win Atlanta truck race | NASCAR
The closest end of the year! Friesen was trying to end a winless streak that stretched back to 2022 while Busch looked to extend his advantage as the winningest driver in Truck Series history. Friesen had the advantage coming out of the final turn, but Busch clawed at the front as he picked off the Truck Series regular. At the finish line, Busch took a nose-first advantage in his No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet.
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