‘Tis the season to look again and replicate, whereas additionally planning and desires in hopes of constructing the brand new yr much more eventful or spectacular. This time final yr, I sat down and compiled a want listing of types to share with you, very like this one forward of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Sequence season. Whereas a few of my hopes did come fruition, others definitely did not age properly. Of the ten objects on that listing, about half of them got here true. Of observe, we lastly acquired to see Brad Keselowski snap his winless streak, Denny Hamlin continues to embrace his villainous function, and some extra worldwide racing stars ventured over into the world of inventory automobile racing.
As for issues that did not pan out, Stewart-Haas Racing didn’t ‘discover its footing.’ As an alternative, SHR shut its doorways after 15 years of competitors. However they did exit with one final second of glory as Chase Briscoe gained the Southern 500. All 4 drivers additionally discovered new properties within the Cup Sequence, which is a constructive. Whereas the Daytona 500 was thrilling, it didn’t have a clear end with the winner taking the checkered and yellow flag collectively. And whereas the brand new NASCAR Netflix docuseries was extraordinarily properly completed, it didn’t spark a DTS-esque response to the game as I hoped it will.
With 2025 simply on the horizon, what would you wish to see within the subsequent season? This yr’s want listing will strive to not tread the identical floor as one yr in the past, however there’s nonetheless a lot to hope for this vacation season…
1. Format modifications that are not merely rearranging chairs
NASCAR has hinted at potential modifications to the playoff format for 2025, which follows Penske’s third consecutive Cup title and Joey Logano successful the crown with the bottom common end of any champion within the historical past of the game (17.1). Nonetheless, if they’ll do it, really change one thing vital. Do not add just a few extra bonus factors or place sure protections across the common season champion to assist them keep away from an early playoff exit. Be daring or do not trouble. My suggestion: Prolong the ultimate spherical past a single race.
Champion Joey Logano, Crew Penske, Shell Pennzoil Ford Mustang
Picture by: Ben Earp / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
2. A decision to the constitution dispute earlier than going to trial
The constitution dispute has not gone away. In actual fact, it is now escalated right into a full blown lawsuit between 23XI Racing/Entrance Row Motorsports and NASCAR. The France household has been accused of working an illegal monopoly that has violated antitrust legal guidelines, and the contentious courtroom battle will not even go to trial till December of subsequent yr. I do not count on it to be resolved earlier than then, however I hope that some type of decision could be reached and that this example could be settled with no multi-year authorized battle.
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing, The Huge 615/MoneyLion Toyota Camry, Michael Jordan
Picture by: John Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
3. NASCAR has a profitable journey right down to Mexico
For the primary time ever, the NASCAR Cup Sequence goes to race in Mexico subsequent June. Competing at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, the race might be a historic second for the game and hopefully, a profitable one too. Please get the whole sport to Mexico Metropolis with out logistical points, placed on a present in entrance of a packed home, and show that NASCAR could be greater than a US-centric racing sequence. It additionally would not harm if Daniel Suarez was up there battling for the win…
Daniel Suarez, NASCAR announcement Mexico Metropolis
Picture by: NASCAR Media
4. Kyle Busch places the worst season of his profession behind him
2024 was a painful yr for Kyle Busch and his followers. The winningest driver within the historical past of the game throughout all three nationwide divisions did win two Truck races, however past that, there was little to be enthusiastic about. This yr, Busch posted the worst common end of his profession throughout a season together with the bottom variety of top-fives, top-tens, and laps led since he turned a full-time driver in 2005. He additionally acquired punched within the face, so yeah, it has been tough. Busch did have moments within the No. 8 RCR Chevrolet, coming agonizingly near victory on a number of events. However in the long run, his document win streak got here to an finish and KB ended the yr twentieth in factors. Nobody needs to see a champion like Busch battle. Hopefully, we get to see that basic victory bow at the least as soon as in subsequent yr’s Cup Sequence.
Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing, zone / Thorntons Chevrolet Camaro
Picture by: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
5. Phoenix hosts the finale for the ultimate time
Nothing towards Phoenix, which is a good facility and a singular monitor that has earned its place on the schedule, however it is time to transfer the finale. It is partly the fault of the automobile, as passing is extraordinarily troublesome at slower, flatter tracks like Phoenix. Homestead can be most popular vacation spot, however there are different choices which might be additionally promising places for the title-decider. However please, do not simply maintain it unchanged for 2026 and past.
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing, The Beast Killer Dawn Toyota Camry, begin, inexperienced flag
Picture by: Gavin Baker / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
6. The ‘Melon Man’ again as a weekly contender
The Melon Man, the wall-rider, or public enemy No. 1 — at one level known as the primary character of NASCAR. Ross Chastain is simply thrilling to look at, however sadly, he did not have the automobile to compete on the degree we have seen in earlier years. He did handle to win a race, however the No. 1 was absent from the battle for the win many of the yr. Within the few instances we did see him close to the sharp finish of the sector, he did not disappoint, akin to in his thrilling back-and-forth battle with Kyle Larson at Kansas or blocking the whole subject within the Daytona 500 earlier than crashing in a daring transfer up the center for the win. A quick Chastain makes for a extra entertaining race for all of us, and the game is healthier for the drama he brings.
Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing, Busch Gentle Chevrolet Camaro, Austin Cindric, Crew Penske, Low cost Tire Ford Mustang, Corey LaJoie, Spire Motorsports, Chili’s Catch-a-Rita Chevrolet Camaro
Picture by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
7. Getting producer loyalty below management
The penultimate race of the 2024 season was overshadowed by some blatant race manipulation. It got here on account of producer loyalties with NASCAR later penalizing three completely different groups for making an attempt to govern the result of the battle to make the Championship 4. Whereas drivers will all the time assist these from the identical camp, Martinsville was a bridge a too far and I hope we see nothing prefer it once more within the 2025 playoffs. NASCAR wants to attract a agency line within the sand and make the price of such actions far outweigh the reward, or it’ll proceed to occur transferring ahead.
#24: William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, Liberty College Chevrolet Camaro, #3: Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing, Bass Professional Retailers Chevrolet Camaro
Picture by: John Okay Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
8. Spire wins a race on advantage
Spire Motorsports confirmed spectacular pace over the course of the 2024 season. Carson Hocevar gained Rookie of the Yr honors and now, he’ll be teamed up with Justin Haley and Michael McDowell for 2025. Veteran crew chief Rodney Childers has additionally joined Spire. It will make for an ideal underdog story if Spire may discover their strategy to Victory Lane subsequent yr, and I believe it’d simply occur.
Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports, Premier Safety Chevrolet Camaro
Picture by: Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
9. Kyle Larson really completes ‘The Double’
Larson’s extremely anticipated try at operating 1100 miles in someday between the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 did not fairly work out this yr. Rain pushed the five hundred to a later begin time and by the point he arrived in Charlotte, the identical storm hit the 600 and ended that race. It was a deflating finish to Larson’s try, however the excellent news is that he’ll get one other strive. McLaren and Hendrick have joined compelled once more for Memorial Day weekend in 2025.
Kyle Larson, McLaren-Hendrick Chevrolet
Picture by: Penske Leisure
10. One other wet-weather oval race
Okay, usually it is a very dangerous thought to hope for rain at a NASCAR race, however we noticed that the wet-weather tires had been completely able to placing on a present at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. There was some unbelievable racing. And positive, there have been some incidents, however the race by no means became a wreck-fest. So, here is to hoping we get to see one thing like that once more with the celebrities of NASCAR ripping round on an oval with some rooster tails behind them. Additionally, Shane van Gisbergen can be an absolute blast to look at on this scenario…
Goodyear tires
Picture by: Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Learn Additionally:
On this article
Be the primary to know and subscribe for real-time information e mail updates on these subjects
Subscribe to information alerts
