#SrigleyStats Countdown to Daytona: 25 Days!
Wednesday, January 24th, 2024 -- 25 Days Until Daytona!
25 DAYS UNTIL DAYTONA!
Let’s look back at the history of the #25 in NASCAR’s National Series.
FIRST USAGE:
NCS: 1949-01 — Charlotte — Glenn Dunaway
NCS: 1949-01 — Charlotte — Bob Smith
NXS: 1982-01 — Daytona — Mickey Gibbs
NCTS: 1995-01 — Phoenix — Roger Mears
BEST FINISH:
NCS: 21 NASCAR Cup Series Wins (Most: Tim Richmond, 9)
NXS: 19 NASCAR Xfinity Series Wins (Most: Rob Moroso, 6)
NCTS: 3 NASCAR Truck Series Wins (Most: Peters/DiBenedetto/Tolsma, 1)
BEST START:
NCS: 37 NASCAR Cup Series Poles (Most: Ken Schrader, 17)
NXS: 22 NASCAR Xfinity Series Poles (Most: Rob Moroso, 8)
NCTS: 2 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Poles (Most: Sprague/Tolsma, 1)
IS THE NUMBER ACTIVE?
The #25 is currently active in both the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. However, the number hasn’t been utilized in the NASCAR Cup Series for several years.
It’s been nearly a decade since the #25 was utilized in the NASCAR Cup Series, last being used by Chase Elliott and Hendrick Motorsports in his part-time campaign at NASCAR’s top level, one season before going full-time.
However, the entry hasn’t competed on a full-time basis in the NASCAR Cup Series since Casey Mears drove it in 2007, one year before the #25 transitioned into being the #88.
In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Brett Moffitt piloted the #25 Ford Mustang on a full-time basis for AM Racing in 2023, the first season for the organization in the second-tier series, scoring nine top-10 finishes and a top-five in Chicago.
However, this season, AM Racing will only be fielding the #25 part-time in the Xfinity Series, as the team shifts its primary focus to the #15, which will be driven by rookie Hailie Deegan.
In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Rackley WAR fields the #25 Chevrolet Silverado. This past year, it was Matt DiBenedetto who piloted the entry for most of the season, putting himself in the post-season with 13 top-10 finishes.
However, after a nasty split between the two parties, DiBenedetto was left without a ride, and now Ty Dillon will take over the entry for the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series campaign.
WHO HAS MOST FREQUENTLY USED THE #25?
NASCAR Cup Series: Jabe Thomas — 306 Starts
NASCAR Xfinity Series: Bobby Hamilton, Jr. — 125 Starts
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series: Randy Tolsma — 49 Starts
MISCELLANEOUS STATS ABOUT THE #25 IN NASCAR
In the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series event at Charlotte in 1949, the #25 appeared twice in the 33-car field, with Bob Smith finishing 19th and Glenn Dunaway finishing 33rd — after being disqualified from the race.
Chase Elliott and Brad Keselowski were the last two drivers to pilot the #25 in the NASCAR Cup Series. Since making those starts in an extra entry for Hendrick Motorsports, both drivers have gone on to win NASCAR Cup Series titles.
Despite having the most starts in the NASCAR Cup Series while driving the #25, Jabe Thomas never led a lap while using the number.
Despite only being in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for three seasons, Rackley WAR accounts for nearly 25 percent of starts in the series for the #25.