CHARLOTTE, N.C. — On a cool Friday night in uptown Charlotte, the NASCAR trade celebrated its heroes, trade inspirations and champions on the Charlotte Conference Heart for the primary time within the sport’s fashionable period.
Race groups, drivers and followers gathered to look at these 2024 victors obtain their trophies and to see the game honor these whose careers impacted NASCAR not solely this season however for years and even a long time.
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Cup Collection champion Joey Logano started the afternoon celebrating his third title with the long-lasting Goodyear Gold Automobile given to every yr’s champion after which later being feted by the game on the tuxedo-and-gown banquet that will probably be televised on The CW Community on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.
The 34-year-old’s three titles within the No. 22 Staff Penske Ford are actually essentially the most amongst all energetic drivers, and he’s one among solely 10 opponents within the historical past of the game to have ever earned a trio of championship trophies.
Logano thanked his group and group proprietor Roger Penske, and the daddy of three gave a particular nod to his spouse Brittany, who he praised for taking good care of their younger household and residential — permitting him to keep up championship focus. He thanked his household, who was additionally within the viewers, “remembering after I was a child and obtained a go-kart for Christmas and now I’m sitting right here a three-time Cup champion, it’s simply actually unbelievable.”
“To me, we did get a number of alternatives, and life’s actually all about what you do with the alternatives, you don’t know when they’ll come your manner, however are you able to take benefit after they do,” continued Logano, who obtained a full-room standing ovation when launched by NASCAR President Steve Phelps.
Logano, whose 4 wins in 2024 gave him 36 complete, was noticeably sentimental, reflecting on his profession and season’s accomplishments.
“In case you take the chance that God’s given us to speak to folks, to encourage others to reside a lifetime of generosity, that’s when these eventualities of simply driving in circles aren’t simply driving in circles anymore,” Logano mentioned, noting the game’s enormous push to assist Hurricane Helene victims in Western North Carolina.
“That, to me, is one thing I’m most happy with on this trade and being a part of that,” added Logano, who has personally helped elevate cash and ship provides to the affected areas.
“I’m happy with successful. I’m proud to be a part of this group, however what I’m in all probability most happy with is the center of this sport.”
Logano’s group proprietor, NASCAR Corridor-of-Famer Penske, has now earned 5 NASCAR Cup Collection championships, together with the final three consecutively between Logano (2022 and 2024) and Ryan Blaney (2023).
“From my perspective, Joey Logano was a winner when he got here to our group in 2013,” Penske mentioned in his remarks on stage, including, “We’re so happy with all our groups. Racing is a standard thread by way of our companies. It’s teamwork. It’s stress. It’s integrity. It’s transparency. And this has constructed the Penske model. And we’re thrilled to be right here.”
Past the Logano-Penske dominance, it was an evening of emphasizing highlights throughout all NASCAR collection — these in supporting roles within the pits and past.
The Xfinity Collection and its first-time champion, widespread veteran JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier, together with Craftsman Truck Collection first-time champion Ty Majeski and his ThorSport Racing group, have been celebrated.
Allgaier’s group co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. was visibly excited to honor his longtime driver.
“I’m usually not this type of individual, however I knew we have been going to win it. I’m usually the sort of one who thinks concerning the odds and wonders how we would lose a race or what are the obstacles in entrance of us,” Earnhardt mentioned. “However for some motive, I simply felt just like the universe owed Justin, and we have been going to gather once we obtained to Phoenix.”
“Man did he stand up on the wheel, all these restarts, these have been traditional, traditional moments and when you simply watched that seven-car work all evening lengthy you might see how unhealthy Justin wished it,” Earnhardt continued. “He carried the entire firm on his again that evening. Simply happy with him and so grateful to have the ability to see Justin have fun this tonight.”
The game additionally celebrated Earnhardt’s good buddy, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Martin Truex Jr, the 2017 Cup Collection champion, who retired from full-time competitors on the finish of the 2024 season and likewise marked the excellence earned by a former Staff Penske champion as properly in Brad Keselowski, who claimed his first victory (at Darlington Raceway) as a driver-owner of Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing.
Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott, the 2020 collection champion, was named the game’s Most Widespread Driver for the seventh consecutive season.
“In the beginning, thanks to the followers,” mentioned Elliott, 28, who gained at Texas Motor Speedway this season. “After I have a look at this award, regardless if I win it or not … I’ve all the time seen it as a chance to honor and respect the legacy my household has arrange for me.”
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Former Craftsman Truck Collection and Xfinity Collection champion was acknowledged because the Nationwide Motorsports Press Affiliation (NMPA) Myers Brothers Award winner. Biffle, an avid pilot, flew rescue missions and dropped provides to the residents in Western North Carolina following the devastating harm from Hurricane Helene in October.
“I believed, if I didn’t go, who’s going to go,” mentioned Biffle, who mentioned he obtained 12,000 messages for assist and flew provides into the realm for 14 consecutive days after the storm hit.
“I didn’t do something any completely different than anybody on this room would have,” a humble Biffle added.
In different awards introduced on the evening, , the longtime president of Toyota Racing Improvement (TRD) was introduced the Invoice France Award of Excellence for his contributions to the game. Wilson is retiring after main the Toyota racing effort in NASCAR for 30 years — a tenure that included Toyota’s first Cup Collection championship in 2015 and two extra in 2017 and 2019.
Legacy Motor Membership driver was named the Comcast Group Champion Award winner for his work in selling most cancers screenings, elevating cash for breast most cancers sufferers and longtime literacy advocacy, studying books to high school youngsters as he travels across the nation racing.
The NASCAR Basis formally introduced , of Axton, Virginia because the 2024 winner of the celebrated Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. Simmons obtained a $100,000 donation from The NASCAR Basis to her God’s Pit Crew non-profit group, which offers catastrophe aid assist to households.
The night, hosted by Jamie Little, Adam Alexander and Kim Coon, concluded shortly after 8 p.m. ET with the hosts reminding the gang and followers that NASCAR racing resumes with the NASCAR Conflict exhibition on the venerable Bowman Grey Stadium on Feb. 2 (8 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). The Daytona 500 opens the factors season Feb. 16 at Daytona Worldwide Speedway (2:30 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
