As we embark on what could very well be the last single-race Championship 4 in NASCAR, let’s take a look at the teams that have excelled in the current format.

Richard Childress Racing – 1

Ryan Newman came second behind 2014 Champion Kevin Harvick during the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in what would become the only appearance for RCR. This would be the only time a non-winner would make the Round of 4.

TrackHouse Racing – 1

In a video game-style move that has been cemented into history by former team co-owner Pitbull in his music and NASCAR Playoffs adds for the rest of time, Ross Chastain’s wall ride scored TrackHouse their first Round of 4 appearance during the 2022 Cup Series Playoffs. Ross would finish second to the season champ, Joey Logano.

23XI Racing – 1

Last season, Tyler Reddick won at Homestead-Miami to lock 23XI Racing into their first appearance in the Championship 4. Reddick was the Regular Season Champion, and despite a great push, would finish 4th.

Furniture Row Racing – 3

With future Hall of Famer Martin Truex Jr behind the wheel of the No. 78 Camry, Furniture Row Racing made two appearances in the Championship 4 and the 78 Chevrolet to one. Truex would wheel the 78 to the Championship 4 in 2015, a title in 2017, and one final showing in 2018. Truex finished 4th in 2015 and a runner-up finish in 2018 before FRR closed its doors following that race.

Stewart-Haas Racing – 5

Stewart-Haas Racing had made five Championship 4 appearances with future Hall of Famer Kevin Harvick behind the wheel of their No. 4 car. He would win the inaugural season in 2014, runner-up in 2015, P.3 in 2017 and 2018, and again in 2019, when the team made its final appearance in the Championship 4.

Team Penske – 10

Team Penske has made 10 appearances in the Championship 4, including winning four NASCAR Cup Series titles. Joey Logano would make his maiden appearance in 2014, where he finished 4th. In 2016, he would finish 2nd behind the newly minted 7x champ Jimmie Johnson. Brad Keselowski would finish P.4 in 2017 before Joey won his first title in 2018. After a 2-year hiatus, Penske returned in 2020, with both Logano and Keselowski making it to Phoenix. Joey Logano would win title No. 2 in 2022, Ryan Blaney would make his Championship 4 debut and win it all in 2023, before the duo of Logano and Blaney would fight it out for Joey’s 3rd title in 2024.

Hendrick Motorsports – 11

NASCAR’s most dominant team has made 11 Championship 4 appearances with multiple drivers over the 12 years. Drivers such as Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Kyle Larson have given Rick Hendrick’s powerhouse the opportunity in 2015 with Gordon and 2016 with Johnson’s incredible 7th championship. They would return in force, winning titles with Elliott in 2020 and Larson in 2021. HMS has since had at least one car in the Championship 4 in each year since, but this year in 2025, they will get a 50/50 shot with Larson and Byron competing for the team’s 15th NASCAR Cup Series Championship.

Joe Gibbs Racing – 16

Joe Gibbs Racing has been Toyota’s Powerhouse team since 2008 and represented them in the Championship 4 every single year but 2024. JGR has made 16 driver appearances in the Championship 4, including two of Toyota’s three NASCAR Cup Series Championships in 2015 and again in 2019 with Kyle Busch, while he made a total of five. Denny Hamlin will make his 5th appearance this year alongside teammate Chase Briscoe, making his debut in the Championship 4. Martin Truex Jr, Carl Edwards, and Christopher Bell have all made an appearance for Joe Gibbs Racing as well.

Image Credit: Patrick Vallely