Bryan Gable

The conclusion to the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season should have been a celebration. It should have been a moment that honored the series champion for an entire body of excellent work. But as the sun set over Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, Nov. 4, evening, the aftermath of the Cup Series championship race felt flatter than one of the many tires that had blown out all afternoon. That is not to take away from what Kyle Larson, the No. 5 team and Hendrick Motorsports accomplished.

Just when you thought Hendrick Motorsports was down and out in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, the team made the most of its trip to Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, Oct. 26. William Byron dominated the race, leading 304 laps and prevailing in a late-race duel over Ryan Blaney. The victory clinched Byron’s place in the Championship 4, and Kyle Larson took the last available transfer spot, scoring more points than Christopher Bell to keep his championship hopes alive.

As the NASCAR Cup Series season approaches its conclusion, most attention typically shifts toward the battle for the championship. Storylines about teams that do not make it to the playoffs tend to get lost in the shuffle. But before 2025 wraps up, it is worth examining what happened with Front Row Motorsports this season, and why a team that appeared to be poised for a breakout has mostly struggled. Front Row Motorsports had reason to be optimistic going into 2025.