2025 NASCAR Driver Rankings: Top 5 Must-Watch Stars & Fantasy Picks

Ryan Blaney – The Silent Assassin

Team: Team Penske (#12 Ford)
2024 Season: 2nd in overall standings, multiple wins
Best Track Type: Superspeedways & intermediates

Why He’s a Contender:
If you’re not paying attention, Ryan Blaney will sneak up and steal a win before you even realize what happened. He doesn’t always dominate races from the front, but when it comes to making the right moves at the right time, Blaney is elite.

At superspeedways, the guy is a survivor. You want someone who stays out of wrecks and puts himself in position when the white flag flies? That’s Blaney. He’s had multiple near-wins at Daytona and has already won five times at Talladega. This could be his year to finally grab a Daytona 500 victory.

Biggest Risk:
He has Logano as a teammate, which means he could either get a great drafting partner or be sent into the wall at 200 mph—totally depends on how Joey’s feeling that day.

Bryan’s Take:
Blaney’s like a ninja in a Ford—silent, deadly, and almost impossible to stop when he’s got momentum.

Joey Logano – The Ultimate Aggressor

Team: Team Penske (#22 Ford)
2024 Season: Won the Cup Series Championship
Best Track Type: Short tracks, superspeedways

Why He’s a Contender:
Love him or hate him, Logano is one of the smartest and most aggressive racers in the field. He knows how to control the draft, and if there’s a gap the width of a shopping cart, you can bet he’ll shove his car in there without hesitation.

Logano is a past Daytona 500 winner, and now that he’s the reigning champ, you can expect him to race like he’s got nothing to lose. If he’s anywhere near the front in the final 10 laps, he’s going for it—and that’s a guarantee.

Biggest Risk:
His aggressiveness makes him a magnet for contact. If there’s a wreck, he’s either causing it or somehow escaping it untouched while 18 cars pile up behind him.

Bryan’s Take:
Logano is the guy in your fantasy football league who refuses to trade fairly—but you can’t ignore his talent.

William Byron – The Sneaky Superstar

Team: Hendrick Motorsports (#24 Chevrolet)
2024 Season: Multiple wins, strong playoff run
Best Track Type: Intermediate tracks, road courses

Why He’s a Contender:
People forget how good Byron is until he’s suddenly leading with 10 laps to go. He doesn’t get as much hype as teammates Larson and Elliott, but he’s arguably the most complete driver in the Hendrick stable right now.

Byron has quietly turned into a guy who wins multiple races per year, and while his best tracks are 1.5-mile ovals, don’t be shocked if he runs up front at Daytona too—especially since Hendrick cars are fast in the draft.

Biggest Risk:
He doesn’t force the issue like Logano or Blaney. That’s good for finishing races but could cost him in a last-lap shootout.

Bryan’s Take:
Byron is the straight-A student who casually beats you at Call of Duty on the weekends. Smart, quick, and way better than you think.

Tyler Reddick – The High-Risk, High-Reward Pick

Team: 23XI Racing (#45 Toyota)
2024 Season: Regular season champion
Best Track Type: Road courses, high-banked ovals

Why He’s a Contender:
Okay, let’s get this out of the way—I picked Reddick as my new fantasy NASCAR main driver after Truex Jr. retired. So, am I biased? Maybe a little. But also… he’s legitimately one of the best pure racers in the field right now.

Reddick is a guy who pushes his car to the absolute limit every single lap. That makes him a serious threat at Daytona if he stays out of trouble. His Toyota team has plenty of superspeedway speed, and if he survives the chaos, he can absolutely win this race.

Biggest Risk:
He races with zero chill. If he sees a gap, he’s taking it—and sometimes that backfires big-time.

Bryan’s Take:
Reddick is like that one friend who always takes things a little too far… but you love them for it anyway.

Christopher Bell – The Silent Contender

Team: Joe Gibbs Racing (#20 Toyota)
2024 Season: Clutch playoff performances, multiple wins
Best Track Type: Short tracks, road courses

Why He’s a Contender:
Bell doesn’t talk much, but he lets his driving do all the work. This guy is ice-cold under pressure, and if he’s in a must-win situation, you do not bet against him.

On short tracks, he’s a monster. At Daytona? He’s getting better. He’s figured out how to stay out of the mess, and Toyota’s superspeedway program is strong right now.

Biggest Risk:
He’s not as aggressive as the big-name guys. If it comes down to a last-lap move, he might wait a little too long.

Bryan’s Take:
Bell is the guy who calmly wins poker tournaments while everyone else is freaking out. He’s got the talent—just needs the right scenario.

Final Thoughts on Part 1

So, that’s the top five drivers heading into Daytona, and honestly, any of them could win. If I had to pick a top dog for Daytona, I’d probably go Blaney or Logano—but Reddick is my guy for the season, so I’m riding with him.

Stay tuned for Part 2 (Drivers 6-10)—because you know we gotta talk about Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, and, of course, the return of Martin Truex Jr. for one last ride.