The first-ever NASCAR awards event, called the Grand National Bash, presented by ChaLew Performance, is set to bring fresh attention to every level of stock car racing in 2025.
The new celebration was created by Xfinity Series driver and team owner Tommy Joe Martins, who wanted an event that doesn’t just honor the top NASCAR Cup Series teams, but also the smaller NASCAR teams working hard behind the scenes.
Martins has spent most of his career racing with limited resources, and he explained his hope for this event. “Throughout my career, I’ve primarily competed with smaller organizations… I’ve often felt the effort it takes to simply participate gets overlooked and under-appreciated.” He added that the Bash is built to include everyone: “All of us are racing for something… It doesn’t exist without all of us. And that should be celebrated!”
Introducing The Inaugural Grand National Bash presented by @ChaLewRaceParts! pic.twitter.com/e8f46nsWTQ
— Grand National Bash (@GrandBash) November 14, 2025
NASCAR Awards Team Categories and Nominees
The Grand National Bash groups teams into four levels: Premier, Affiliate, Independent, and Breakout, showing the range of support and resources across national NASCAR events in 2025. A panel of media members, owners, drivers, agents, and team representatives selected the nominees. Racing Insights also supplied helpful stats for the process.
Premier Organization of the Year features big names such as Front Row Motorsports, Haas Factory Team, Joe Gibbs Racing, Jr. Motorsports, Kaulig Racing, McAnally Hilgemann Racing, Niece Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing, Spire Motorsports, and Tricon.
Affiliate nominees are AM Racing, Big Machine Racing, CR7 Motorsports, Halmar Friesen Racing, Jordan Anderson Racing, Rackley W.A.R., RSS Racing, Sam Hunt Racing, and Viking Motorsports.
Independent nominees include Alpha Prime Racing, DGM Racing, Freedom Racing Enterprises, Jeremy Clements Racing, Joey Gase Motorsports, Motorsports Business Management, Reaume Brothers Racing, SS Greenlight Racing, and Young’s Motorsports.
Breakout Organization nominees span Alpha Prime Racing, AM Racing, Cope Family Racing, Freedom Racing Enterprises, Front Row Motorsports, Haas Factory Team, Halmar Friesen Racing, Jordan Anderson Racing, McAnally Hilgemann Racing, and Viking Motorsports.
Crew Chiefs and Team Honors
Beyond organizations, the event also highlights team performance through crew chief awards. Premier Team nominees include the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing entry led by Danny Stockman, the No. 7 JR Motorsports team with Jim Pohlman, and the No. 98 ThorSport team under Joe Shear Jr.
In the Affiliate group, nominees include the No. 9 CR7 Motorsports team led by Mike Shelton and the No. 75 Henderson Motorsports team led by Chris Carrier.
Independent Team nominees include the No. 07 SS Greenlight Racing team (Paul Clapprood) and the No. 76 Freedom Racing Enterprises entry (Mike Hillman Jr.).
Breakout Team honors include the No. 4 Alpha Prime Racing team (Joe Williams Jr.) and the No. 99 Viking Motorsports team (Pat Tryson).
Here are the nominees for Breakout Driver of the Year! pic.twitter.com/hVhpCGDPMb
— Grand National Bash (@GrandBash) November 15, 2025
Driver Categories and Special Highlights
The driver awards cover Premier, Affiliate, Independent, Part-Time, and Breakout levels. Premier Driver nominees include Austin Hill, Chandler Smith, Christian Eckes, Corey Heim, Jesse Love, Layne Riggs, Rajah Caruth, Sam Mayer, and others.
Affiliate nominees include Blaine Perkins, Dean Thompson, Grant Enfinger, Jeb Burton, Harrison Burton, Kaden Honeycutt, Kyle Sieg, Matt DiBenedetto, Nick Sanchez, and Ryan Sieg. Independent nominees feature Anthony Alfredo, Brennan Poole, Jeremy Clements, Josh Bilicki, Parker Retzlaff, and more.
Breakout Driver nominees highlight rising talent, including Andres Perez de Lara, Brenden Queen, Brent Crews, Giovanni Ruggiero, Jake Garcia, Layne Riggs, and Tyler Ankrum.
Special categories, such as Lap of the Year, recognize standout qualifying moments. Examples include Connor Zilisch’s .562 margin at Watkins Glen and Parker Retzlaff winning the pole at Rockingham by .001.
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