Stubbs: Best tracks for 5 marquee drivers to claim first wins of '25
June 20 - With 16 races of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season complete going into Sunday's 400-miler at Pocono Raceway, several stars remain winless as the circuit nears the halfway mark.
Here are five big-name drivers who have yet to win this season -- and the track where they're most likely to break through.
--Chase Elliott
Elliott has been consistent this year, as he sits fourth in points and has yet to finish outside the top-20. But that consistency hasn't translated to race-winning speed very often, as Elliott has only led 95 laps. This is a rare situation where numbers do lie -- statistically, the driver of the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet has looked the part of a championship contender, but he's failing the eye test.
Pocono history: 15 starts, one win (2022), four top-fives, 10 top-10s
Track where's most likely to break through: Watkins Glen (Aug. 10)
Elliott has won twice before at Watkins Glen, and while his last victory at the New York road course came in 2019, it remains one of his best tracks. Eliott has not won on a road course in the Next-Gen car, but he's finished top-five in both road course races this season.
--Tyler Reddick
Big things were expected of Reddick after a Championship 4 appearance in 2024, but those expectations are yet to be realized. The No. 45 team has shot itself in the foot several times in recent weeks, and while Reddick is all set to coast into the playoffs on points, it's slightly worrying that he's been unable to get back to victory lane in the 23XI Racing Toyota.
Pocono history: Seven starts, zero wins, two top-fives, four top-10s
Track where he's most likely to break through: Chicago Street Course (July 6)
Reddick was the runner-up in Chicago a year ago and has turned into a fantastic road racer in recent years. Chicago is as big of a wild card as any race on the schedule, but that may be exactly what Reddick needs in order to see the checkered flag.
--Chase Briscoe
Briscoe's first year at Joe Gibbs Racing has seen its share of highs and lows and his playoff positioning is in jeopardy, but a win would solve that problem. A lack of overall pace hasn't been the issue, seeing as Briscoe won three consecutive poles at Charlotte, Nashville and Michigan, but being unable to put an entire race together has cost the No. 19 Toyota team.
Pocono history: Five starts, zero wins, zero top-fives, zero top-10s
Track where he's most likely to break through: Dover (July 20)
Dover hasn't been great for Briscoe, who doesn't have a top-10 at the track in four starts. But the No. 19 team with Martin Truex Jr. knew how to get around the "Monster Mile," as Truex won at the one-mile oval in 2023 and finished third in 2024. If crew chief James Small can use those notes, Briscoe could snag his first win with JGR.
--Ryan Preece
Preece and the brand new No. 60 team have put together a solid season so far for RFK Racing. He is only 19 points out of the playoffs going into Pocono, and has shown winning speed in several races this season. With a cut line that will be constantly moving over the next 10 weeks, a win is his best bet -- and his only sure one -- to make the playoffs.
Pocono history: Eight starts, zero wins, zero top-fives, one top-10
Track where he's most likely to break through: Richmond (Aug. 16)
Short tracks are clearly Preece's best track type, and while Richmond doesn't appear to be a great track for him on the stat sheet, it's probably his best shot to win at a non-superspeedway.
--Kyle Busch
For the second straight year, Busch is in danger of missing the playoffs. With his winless streak officially eclipsing two full seasons, a win for Busch in one of the last 10 races would be one of the biggest of his career.
Pocono history: 37 starts, four wins (2017-19, 2021), 11 top-fives, 18 top-10s
Track where he's most likely to break through: Daytona (Aug. 23)
It's hard to trust that Busch and the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevy will have winning pace at any track other than the drafting ovals of Atlanta and Daytona. Daytona in particular seems to be a better track for Busch, who had a runner-up finish at the 2.5-mile tri-oval in August 2024.
--Samuel Stubbs, Field Level Media
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