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NASCAR Insights: Byron, Wallace finish regular season ranked top 10 in all categories

Cameron Richardson

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Of the 36 points-eligible drivers through the 26-race regular season in 2025, only two drivers ranked inside the top 10 of all five of NASCAR Insights' statistical categories (passing, defense, speed, restarts, pit crew) for the year: 2025 Regular Season Champion William Byron and 23XI Racing's Bubba Wallace. It's significant for both as they prepare for their respective postseason runs starting with Sunday's Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway (6 p.m. ET, USA Network, HBO Max, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, NBC Sports App). RELATED: Cup Playoffs standings | Darlington schedule Byron finished the regular season ranked first in both speed and restarts, and was the only driver to lead multiple categories after Saturday night's race at Daytona International Speedway. The No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports driver snagged two wins on the year and is tied for the fourth-best average finish so far this season (13.9) among full-time drivers. A series-high 247 stage points ultimately put Byron in position to win his maiden Regular Season Championship. Wallace's numbers are a bit more surprising despite him making his second playoff appearance after winning the Brickyard 400 in July. The No. 23 Toyota pit crew was among the best in the field all season long and ranked second during the regular season. Through seven DNFs and notable regression in average finish (down to 18.9 vs. 15.3 in 2024), Wallace was seventh in passing, ninth in defense, eighth in speed and third on restarts. If Wallace can clean up the execution on track, he can put together an eye-opening playoff run. The second race in the Round of 16 at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway will lay the foundations for where both 23XI and Hendrick are at on speed compared to Team Penske, which won at Gateway with Austin Cindric last season and has captured the past three championships at Phoenix Raceway. Speaking of Team Penske, three-time and defending champ Joey Logano finished 2025 ranked fifth in passing and first in defense. The old saying of "defense wins championships" may be the name of the game for the No. 22 driver, as a pedestrian regular season didn't yield signs of a title contender. However, if you know Logano's playoff history and the strategy gambles from crew chief Paul Wolfe, they will pounce and win their way to a championship if his competitors leave the door just slightly ajar. Other notables entering the Cup Series Playoffs: