Three NASCAR Cup Series drivers exceeding expectations halfway through 2025 season

With the NASCAR Cup Series officially at the halfway mark of the 2025 season, there's more than enough of a sample size to gauge driver performance relative to expectations. Here are three drivers that are exceeding expectations 18 races into the 2025 campaign. 

Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Chevrolet, Spire Motorsports 

Hocevar has been in the headlines plenty throughout the season, and while he's ruffled a few feathers, the second-year driver has also shown plenty of speed. Hocevar is yet to win in 2025, but he's been in contention in a plethora of races and is 18th in the standings - the best of the three-car Spire Motorsports organization. 

Erik Jones, No. 43 Toyota, LEGACY Motor Club 

Jones' capabilities behind the wheel have never been a secret, but after an abysmal 2024 season, LEGACY Motor Club had more than a few doubters when the haulers rolled into Daytona. Jones has come to life in recent weeks, rising to 16th in the standings and becoming a weekly contender inside the top 15. Jones has taken the No. 43 back to the top of the pylon over the last month of the season, and it seems that his second win as the driver of the famed 43 could be coming sooner rather than later. 

Ryan Preece, No. 60 Ford, RFK Racing

Expanding to a third car is always a risk for an organization, but RFK Racing's decision to put Preece in a third entry has paid off so far. While he's currently below the playoff cut line, Preece is 14th in the regular season standings and would be higher if not for a post-race DQ at Talladega. As the march towards the Cup Series playoffs continues, Preece's name will be mentioned as a contender on a frequent basis.