The 2025 DNQ Net Positive Cup Series Championship comes down to a three-way brawl

The 2025 DNQ Cup Series Championship comes down to a three-way brawl under the lights — and the math is simple: Robert Showalter, Jimmy Allen, and Jeremy Murphy are the only drivers left with a shot at the title.

After a season defined by tight battles, tire samples, and short-track chaos, the standings entering the finale are razor-thin at the top. Showalter leads with 1,440 points, followed by Allen at 1,375 (–65), and Murphy at 1,315 (–125). With a maximum of 190 points available for the winner, the margin for error has evaporated.

Here’s how each driver can lock down the championship — or lose it.

Robert Showalter (Leader – 1,440 points, 4 wins)

Showalter controls his own destiny. A finish of 11th or better guarantees him the championship, no matter what the others do. An 11th-place nets around 127 points, giving him 1,567 total — just enough to hold off Allen, even if Allen wins.

But any finish 12th or worse opens the door. If he stumbles — or, in true DNQ fashion, gets caught behind a “cockroach” backmarker — the title could slip away. A 12th-place finish (124 points) would drop his total to 1,564, allowing an Allen victory (worth 190 pts, for 1,565 total) to steal the crown by a single point.

Still, Showalter holds the tiebreaker edge with four wins, compared to Allen’s and Murphy’s two each. Unless disaster strikes, the championship is his to lose.

“Showalter’s been the guy all year,” “But it’s DNQ — 11th place sounds easy until someone’s hub flies off in front of you.”

Jimmy Allen (2nd – 1,375 points, 2 wins, –65)

Allen’s path is straightforward: he has to win, or at least finish top-two, and hope Showalter falters.

If Allen wins, he reaches 1,565 points — enough to take the championship if Showalter finishes 12th or worse.If Allen finishes 2nd (170 points, total 1,545), he’d need Showalter to finish 19th or lower to have a shot.A 3rd-place finish (165 points, 1,540 total) means Showalter would need to finish 21st or worse.

Essentially, Allen needs perfection and luck. Anything short of a podium and Showalter locks it up. Any points tie goes to Showalter via the wins tiebreaker, meaning Allen must outright beat him in points to wear the crown.

“Jimmy’s got one play — go full send,” “He’s gotta win and pray Showalter finds a cockroach or a berm the hard way.”

Jeremy Murphy (3rd – 1,315 points, 2 wins, –125)

Murphy’s scenario is pure longshot territory — but it’s DNQ, where chaos is always lurking.

Murphy must win the finale (190 points → 1,505 total) and hope for an absolute meltdown up front. For him to pass Showalter, Showalter would have to finish 32nd or worse (≤64 points). And to beat Allen, Allen would have to finish 11th or worse (≤130 points).

If Murphy wins and Allen finishes 11th, they’d tie at 1,505 points — Murphy would take the title on the tiebreaker with 3 wins to Allen’s 2.

Anything less than a win, and Murphy’s out.

“Murphy needs a miracle,” “Like, Showalter’s chain flying off and Allen getting lost on the way to the grid. It’s not impossible — just DNQ impossible.”

Championship Outlook

The math is clear — but the racing won’t be. Showalter just needs to finish top-11, but that’s easier said than done on a track that eats karts for breakfast. Allen can only win it if he wins the race and Showalter stumbles. Murphy? He’ll need divine intervention and a perfect night.

Still, in a season where nothing has gone to script, one bad restart or one slow lap car could flip the championship on its head.

The finale is set for this weekend at Millbridge Speedway, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Will Showalter seal the deal? Can Allen steal it late? Or will Murphy pull off the unthinkable?

Stay tuned — because if there’s one thing the DNQ Cup Series guarantees, it’s drama until the final checkered.