Bubba Wallace made history at the 2025 Brickyard 400, earning his first NASCAR Cup Series crown jewel victory with a thrilling win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The race ended in double overtime after a red flag delay due to rain. Wallace crossed the finish line just 0.222 seconds ahead of Kyle Larson, marking one of the closest finishes at the historic track.
This win is Wallace’s third career NASCAR Cup Series victory and his first since September 2022 at Kansas Speedway. More importantly, it ends a 100-race winless streak and solidifies his position as one of the sport’s elite drivers. He also becomes the first Black driver to win a major NASCAR event on the Indianapolis oval, adding another milestone to his resume.
Wallace’s victory locks him into the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, making him the 13th different driver to win a race this season. His triumph not only boosts his confidence but also significantly improves his place in the playoff standings.
Chase Elliott continues to lead the regular season points standings with 726 points. He is followed closely by William Byron with 722 points and Kyle Larson with 711. Denny Hamlin is just behind with 706 points. These drivers are in a tight battle for the regular season championship, which carries bonus playoff points.
Christopher Bell holds fifth in the standings with 664 points, while Tyler Reddick is sixth with 655. Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe, Alex Bowman and Chris Buescher round out the top ten. Wallace, with 550 points, is now in 11th place. Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, Ryan Preece, Kyle Busch and Ty Gibbs make up the rest of the top 16.
In terms of playoff seeding, Wallace climbs to ninth place thanks to the seven playoff points he earned with his win. Chris Buescher currently sits on the bubble in 16th place, just ahead of Ryan Preece by around 42 points. Drivers like Kyle Busch, Ty Gibbs and A.J. Allmendinger are now below the playoff cut line and will need strong finishes or a win in the remaining regular season races to move into the postseason field.
The standings continue to be tightly contested, with Elliott, Byron, Larson and Hamlin all within 20 points of each other. Wallace’s win reshapes the playoff outlook as the regular season winds down. With only four races left before the playoffs begin, drivers are scrambling to gather every possible point.
Wallace’s performance at Indianapolis serves as a major momentum shift, especially given the historical significance of his win. Indianapolis Motor Speedway has long been one of NASCAR’s most prestigious venues, and Wallace’s triumph places him among the legends who have conquered the Brickyard.
As the field heads into the final stretch of the regular season, Wallace has not only secured his place in the championship hunt but also established himself as a serious contender. His crew executed flawlessly under pressure, and the team’s strategy proved decisive in managing the double overtime finish.
The next few races will determine the final playoff picture. With several big names still looking for a win and playoff spots up for grabs, the battle is far from over. Wallace’s name is now written into the Brickyard history books, and his fans and team will be hoping this marks the beginning of a deep postseason run.
If he can carry this momentum into the playoffs, Wallace could become a surprise title challenger. For now, he can celebrate a long-awaited victory and a monumental moment in his racing career.