NASCAR 2024 Year in Review: Top 24 Storylines
From dramatic finishes and major wrecks to controversies both on and off the track, 2024 was a year filled with captivating NASCAR moments. Here’s a countdown of the season’s top 24 stories, based on their significance and impact on the sport:
24. Ty Majeski Wins Truck Series Title
Majeski claimed his first Truck Series championship, a crowning achievement after a career built on hard work and dedication. With three victories and six poles in 2024, he secured the title in his third full-time season at ThorSport Racing.
23. Justin Allgaier Captures Xfinity Title
After 14 years in the Xfinity Series, Allgaier won the championship in a dramatic finale. Despite wrecking his primary car and dealing with penalties during the race, the JR Motorsports driver battled back to claim his first title.
22. Talladega’s Historic Crash
Talladega witnessed one of the largest crashes in NASCAR history, involving 28 cars. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. survived the wreck and went on to win the race, marking a memorable and chaotic moment at the track.
21. Investors Enter Race Teams
In 2024, several NASCAR teams welcomed significant investors. Joe Gibbs Racing sold a minority stake to NFL owner Josh Harris and NBA owner David Blitzer, while Trackhouse Racing partnered with Avenue Sports Fund, signaling a growing trend of financial involvement in NASCAR teams.
20. Connor Zilisch Wins Xfinity Debut
Connor Zilisch made an immediate impact by winning in his Xfinity debut at Watkins Glen. As a Trackhouse Racing development driver, he impressed with several top-5 finishes, setting the stage for a full-time 2025 season with JR Motorsports.
19. Martin Truex Jr. Announces Retirement
Truex revealed his decision to retire from full-time racing at the end of 2024. Despite a winless season and an early playoff exit, Truex will continue in a limited role for the 2025 Daytona 500, marking the end of an illustrious full-time career.
18. Close Finishes Galore
The season saw some of the closest finishes in NASCAR history. Kyle Larson edged Chris Buescher by 0.001 seconds at Kansas, while Daniel Suarez triumphed at Atlanta by just 0.003 seconds in a thrilling three-way finish.
17. Bowman-Gray & Mexico City Added to Schedule
NASCAR announced exciting new venues for 2025, including the historic Bowman-Gray Stadium for the Clash and a Cup points race at Mexico City’s Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, expanding the series’ global presence.
16. Wet Weather Tires in Action
NASCAR introduced wet weather tires, first used at Richmond and New Hampshire. The latter race saw NASCAR complete the final laps under wet conditions after a two-hour delay, showcasing the tires’ competitiveness on a damp track.
15. Harrison Burton Delivers 100th Victory for Wood Brothers
Harrison Burton secured a historic win at Daytona, marking the 100th Cup victory for Wood Brothers Racing. Despite knowing he wouldn’t return in 2025, Burton’s triumph became a legacy-defining moment for the team.
14. Struggles and Progress with Short-Track Package
NASCAR continued to face challenges with the Next Gen car’s short-track package, especially at Bristol. However, tire improvements at Martinsville signaled progress toward better racing on short tracks and road courses.
13. Alex Bowman’s Eventful Season
Bowman’s year included a victory at the Chicago street race, overcoming job speculation and a post-race inspection penalty at Charlotte. He ultimately advanced to the second round of the playoffs and finished ninth in the standings.
12. Chase Elliott’s Rebound
After missing much of the previous season due to a broken leg, Chase Elliott returned strong in 2024. He snapped a 42-race winless streak with a victory at Texas and finished with 11 top-5s, averaging an 11.7 finish.
11. Tyler Reddick Shines with Michael Jordan in Attendance
Tyler Reddick’s standout season included a regular-season title and memorable victories at Homestead and Talladega. With Michael Jordan often at the track, Reddick’s wins added extra star power to his accomplishments.
10. Kyle Busch’s Win Streak Ends
Busch’s historic streak of winning at least one Cup race in each of his first 19 seasons came to an end in 2024. Despite several near-misses, including close finishes at Atlanta, Busch’s record will stand for the foreseeable future.
9. William Byron Wins Daytona 500
Byron claimed his first Daytona 500 victory, despite a rain delay and a dramatic finish where his teammate Alex Bowman was initially thought to be the winner. The victory solidified Byron’s position as a rising star in the sport.
8. Denny Hamlin Comes Up Short Again
Hamlin’s three wins increased his career total to 54, but once again, he fell short of capturing his first Cup title. With crew chief Chris Gabehart moving to a different role, Hamlin’s pursuit of a championship continues.
7. Joey Logano Wins Third Cup Title
Logano made history by winning his third Cup championship, joining an elite group of drivers. Despite a 15th-place finish in the regular season, he excelled in the playoffs, claiming four victories, including the season finale at Phoenix.
6. Stewart-Haas Racing’s Final Season
Stewart-Haas Racing announced it would close at the end of 2024 due to financial difficulties. Despite a disappointing season, the team made history with Chase Briscoe’s victory at Darlington, marking the end of an era.
5. Martinsville Controversy: Manipulation Allegations
The playoff race at Martinsville saw teams accused of manipulating the outcome to benefit certain drivers. NASCAR penalized several teams, including Austin Dillon, Ross Chastain, and Bubba Wallace, for their roles in the controversial race.
4. Kyle Busch and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Fight
Tempers flared at the All-Star Race when Busch turned Stenhouse, leading to a fight between the two drivers in the infield. Stenhouse was fined and suspended, while the incident added to the drama of the season.
3. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports Sue NASCAR
23XI and Front Row Motorsports filed a lawsuit against NASCAR over its charter system, alleging antitrust violations. The case could have long-term implications for NASCAR’s operations and its relationship with teams.
2. Kyle Larson’s Failed Double
Larson’s attempt to win both the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in the same day fell short due to weather delays and penalties. Although he failed to complete the double, the effort captured fans’ imaginations, and Larson plans to try again in 2025.
1. Austin Dillon’s Richmond Win Controversy
Dillon’s win at Richmond was overshadowed by post-race penalties. Despite initially being declared the winner, Dillon’s victory was disqualified from playoff contention due to contact with Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin in the closing laps. NASCAR’s decision to penalize him sparked debate, making it one of the most controversial moments of the season.
2024 was a year full of drama, triumphs, and setbacks, leaving fans excited for what lies ahead in the 2025 season.