The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season has been shaped by more than just wins and consistency. One such shaping was done by a new wrinkle in the points system. Earlier this year, NASCAR added a bonus point for the fastest lap in each race. This was a move designed to inject fresh strategy into events across all three national series. Unlike stage points, this bonus could be earned at any point in the race. This would be regardless of whether a driver was still in contention. The intention was to reward speed, but its ripple effects in the standings have been far more significant than many expected, setting the stage for debate over fairness.

Those ripples became waves when championship contenders began using unusual circumstances to capture the extra point. Kyle Larson returned from the gara

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