Could the 2025 lineup be the most skilled group of drivers in NASCAR history?

Sean Gardner/Getty Images

As we observed Josh Berry and the Wood Brothers revel in their unexpected triumph at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, a particular thought lingered in my mind. It was a notion I couldn't dismiss that evening, and it has continued to occupy my thoughts in the days that followed. In fact, I have been contemplating it for some time now. 

It is a straightforward yet contentious question, one that merits our attention: Is this the most skilled NASCAR Cup Series garage we have ever encountered? 

Before we delve into this inquiry, it is essential to clarify a significant point. I am not suggesting that the current level of talent surpasses that of previous eras, such as 1974, when the then-named Winston Cup Series held 30 races, with only one victory not claimed by the formidable quartet of Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough, David Pearson, and Bobby Allison (with a nod to Canadian Earl Ross for his win at Martinsville). These four were not just the best of their time; they are all contenders for a place on NASCAR's all-time podium.

Similarly, I am not asserting that the current leaders of the Cup standings are on par with the legends of 1992, when Alan Kulwicki clinched the championship in a Ford Thunderbird by outsmarting Bill Elliott and outlasting Davey Allison and Harry Gant. This era also featured notable talents like Mark Martin, Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace, Terry Labonte, and Darrell Waltrip, all of whom would later be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Reflecting on more recent seasons, I recall 2011, a year that showcased 18 different race winners. It was the season when Tony Stewart secured the title in a tiebreaker against newly inducted Hall member Carl Edwards. This was a rare year when Jimmie Johnson did not claim the Cup, yet it included heavyweights such as Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, and the Busch brothers. The competition was so intense that even David Ragan and Regan Smith managed to win races but still could not break into the top 20 in points.

These were remarkable seasons driven by exceptional drivers, but we must avoid the pitfall of allowing nostalgia to cloud our judgment.