‘Tis the season to look again and replicate on the 12 months, whereas additionally planning and desires in hopes of making the brand new 12 months much more eventful or spectacular. So, this time final 12 months, I sat down and compiled a want checklist of types to share with you, very like this one forward of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Collection season. Whereas a few of my hopes did come fruition, others actually did not age properly. Of the ten objects on that checklist, about half of them got here true. Of observe, we lastly bought 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 a substitute, 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 Collection, which is a optimistic. 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 executed, it didn’t spark a DTS-esque response to the game as I hoped it will.
With 2025 simply on the horizon, what wish to see within the subsequent season? This 12 months’s want checklist will attempt to not tread the identical floor as one 12 months 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 profitable the crown with the bottom common end of any champion within the historical past of the game (17.1). Nevertheless, if they’ll do it, really change one thing important. 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: Lengthen the ultimate spherical past a single race.
Champion Joey Logano, Workforce Penske, Shell Pennzoil Ford Mustang
Picture by: Ben Earp / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
2. A decision to the constitution dispute earlier than going to trial
The constitution dispute has not gone away. Actually, 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 12 months. I do not anticipate it to be resolved earlier than then, however I’m hoping that some kind of decision will be reached and that this example will be settled with out a multi-year authorized battle.
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing, The Huge 615/MoneyLion Toyota Camry, Michael Jordan
Picture by: John Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
3. NASCAR has a profitable journey right down to Mexico
For the primary time ever, the NASCAR Cup Collection 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 your entire sport to Mexico Metropolis with out logistical points, placed on a present in entrance of a packed home, and show that NASCAR will 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 12 months 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 12 months, 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 grew to become a full-time driver in 2005. He additionally bought 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 ultimately, his document win streak got here to an finish and KB ended the 12 months twentieth in factors. Nobody desires to see a champion like Busch battle. Hopefully, we get to see that basic victory bow a minimum of as soon as in subsequent 12 months’s Cup Collection.
Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing, zone / Thorntons Chevrolet Camaro
Picture by: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
5. Phoenix hosts the finale for the ultimate time
Nothing towards Phoenix, which is a superb facility and a novel observe 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 tough at slower, flatter tracks like Phoenix. Homestead could be most popular vacation spot, however there are different choices which can be additionally promising areas for the title-decider. However please, do not simply preserve 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 Pictures
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 principle character of NASCAR. Ross Chastain is simply thrilling to look at, however sadly, he did not have the automobile to compete on the stage 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 a lot of the 12 months. Within the few occasions we did see him close to the sharp finish of the sector, he did not disappoint, comparable to in his thrilling back-and-forth battle with Kyle Larson at Kansas or blocking your entire area 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 best for the drama he brings.
Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing, Busch Mild Chevrolet Camaro, Austin Cindric, Workforce Penske, Low cost Tire Ford Mustang, Corey LaJoie, Spire Motorsports, Chili’s Catch-a-Rita Chevrolet Camaro
Picture by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
7. Getting producer loyalty underneath management
The penultimate race of the 2024 season was overshadowed by some blatant race manipulation. It got here because of producer loyalties with NASCAR later penalizing three completely different groups for trying to control the end 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 would proceed to occur transferring ahead.
#24: William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, Liberty College Chevrolet Camaro, #3: Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing, Bass Professional Outlets Chevrolet Camaro
Picture by: John Ok Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
8. Spire wins a race on benefit
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 might make for an ideal underdog story if Spire may discover their technique to Victory Lane subsequent 12 months, and I feel it would simply occur.
Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports, Premier Safety Chevrolet Camaro
Picture by: Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
9. Kyle Larson really completes ‘The Double’
Larson’s extremely anticipated try at working 1100 miles in someday between the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 did not fairly work out this 12 months. 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 attempt. 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 have been completely able to placing on a present at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. There was some implausible racing. And certain, there have been some incidents, however the race by no means became a wreck-fest. So, this is to hoping we get to see one thing like that once more with the celebs of NASCAR ripping round on an oval with some rooster tails behind them. Additionally, Shane van Gisbergen could be an absolute blast to look at on this scenario…
Goodyear tires
Picture by: Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
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