It's a time to look back and reflect, and at the identical time make plans and needs within the hope that the brand new 12 months shall be much more eventful and spectacular. This time last 12 months, I sat down and put together something of a wish list that I desired to share with you, very like this one ahead of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season. While a few of my hopes have come true, others have actually not aged well. Of the ten items on this list, about half got here true. Notably, we finally got to see Brad Keselowski end his winless streak, Denny Hamlin proceed to play his villainous role, and several other other international racing stars enterprise into the world of stock automobile racing.
In terms of things that didn't work out, Stewart-Haas Racing “didn't find its footing.” Instead, SHR closed its doors after 15 years of competition. However, they did manage to have one last moment of glory when Chase Briscoe won the Southern 500. All 4 drivers also found latest homes within the Cup Series, which is a positive. While the Daytona 500 was exciting, it didn’t end easily because the winner took the checkered flag and yellow flag together. And while Netflix's latest NASCAR docuseries was exceptionally well done, it didn't generate the DTS-style response to the game I expected.
The 12 months 2025 is already on the horizon. What would you wish to see in the subsequent season? This 12 months's wish list will try to not follow the identical standard as last 12 months, but there remains to be a number of hope for this holiday season…
1. Format changes that don't simply involve rearranging chairs
NASCAR has hinted at possible changes to the playoff format for 2025, which comes after a 3rd straight Penske Cup title and Joey Logano being crowned with the bottom average rating of any champion within the history of the game (17.1). However, in the event that they do that, they’ll actually change something vital. Don't add just a few extra points or surround the regular-season champion with some protection to assist him avoid an early playoff exit. Be brave or don't worry. My suggestion: extend the ultimate round beyond one race.
Champion Joey Logano, Team Penske, Shell Pennzoil Ford Mustang
Photo: Ben Earp / NKP / Motorsport Images
2. Resolution of charter dispute before trial
The charter dispute has not gone away. In fact, the case has now evolved right into a full-blown lawsuit between 23XI Racing/Front Row Motorsports and NASCAR. The France family has been accused of running an illegal monopoly violating antitrust regulations, and the disputed court battle is not going to end until December next 12 months. I don't expect this to be resolved anytime soon, but I hope that some resolution might be reached and that this example might be resolved with no multi-year legal battle.
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing, Wielka 615/MoneyLion Toyota Camry, Michael Jordan
Photo: John Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Images
3. NASCAR had a successful trip to Mexico
For the primary time in history, the NASCAR Cup Series will happen next June in Mexico. The race, which is able to happen on the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit, shall be a historic moment for the game and, hopefully, also a successful one. Please bring the complete sport to Mexico without the logistical issues, placed on a show in front of a packed audience, and prove that NASCAR might be greater than only a US-centric racing series. It also wouldn't hurt if Daniel Suarez was there to fight for the win…
Daniel Suarez, NASCAR broadcasts Mexico
Photo: NASCAR Media
4. Kyle Busch is having the worst season of his profession
2024 has been a painful 12 months for Kyle Busch and his fans. The best driver within the history of the game in all three national divisions won two truck races, but otherwise there was little to get enthusiastic about. This 12 months, Busch posted the worst season average of his profession, in addition to the fewest top-fives, top-10s and lead laps since he became a full-time driver in 2005. He also got hit within the face, so yes, it was hard. Busch had moments within the No. 8 RCR Chevrolet, coming agonizingly near victory multiple times. However, his record streak eventually got here to an end and KB finished the 12 months twentieth in points. Nobody wants to look at a champion like Busch fight. We hope to see this classic victory arc not less than once during next 12 months's cup series.
Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing, Zone/Thorntons Chevrolet Camaro
Photo: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / Motorsport Images
5. Phoenix hosts the finals for the last time
Nothing against Phoenix, which is a terrific facility and a singular track that deserves its place on the schedule, nevertheless it's time to maneuver the ultimate. Part of that is the automobile's fault, as overtaking is incredibly difficult on slower and flatter tracks like Phoenix. The preferred destination could be a farm, but there are other options which might be also promising locations for the title decider. But please don't leave it because it is just until 2026 and beyond.
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing, The Beast Killer Sunrise Toyota Camry, start, green flag
Photo: Gavin Baker / NKP / Motorsport Images
6. “Melon Man” returns in a weekly competition
Melon Man, the wall rider, i.e. public enemy number one – at one point called the predominant hero of NASCAR. Ross Chastain is just exciting to look at, but unfortunately he didn't have the automobile to compete at the extent we've seen in previous years. He managed to win the race, but the number one was absent from the fight for victory for many of the 12 months. The few times we saw him near the sharp end of the sector, he didn't disappoint, akin to his thrilling fight with Kyle Larson in Kansas or blocking the complete field on the Daytona 500 before hitting a daring move down the center that secured the victory. A quick Chastain makes the race more entertaining for all of us and the game higher for the drama he brings.
Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing, Busch Light Chevrolet Camaro, Austin Cindric, Team Penske, Discount Ford Mustang Tires, Corey LaJoie, Spire Motorsports, Chili's Catch-a-Rita Chevrolet Camaro
Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images
7. Controlling manufacturer loyalty
The penultimate race of the 2024 season was overshadowed by blatant race manipulation. This got here about because of this of the manufacturer's loyalty to NASCAR, which later punished three different teams for trying to govern the final result of the fight with the intention to claim the championship 4. While drivers will at all times help those in the identical camp, Martinsville was a bridge too far and I even have hopefully we won't see something similar within the 2025 playoffs. NASCAR needs to attract a firm line within the sand and be certain that the price of doing thus far outweighs the reward, or this may proceed to occur.
#24: William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, Liberty University Chevrolet Camaro, #3: Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing, Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet Camaro
Photo: John K. Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Images
8. Spire wins the race on merit
Spire Motorsports showed impressive speed within the 2024 season. Carson Hocevar won Rookie of the Year honors and can now team with Justin Haley and Michael McDowell in 2025. Veteran crew member Rodney Childers also joined Spire. If Spire could find yourself in Victory Lane next 12 months, it will be a terrific underdog story and I believe it would just occur.
Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports, Premier Security Chevrolet Camaro
Photo: Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Images
9. Kyle Larson Actually Finishes 'The Double'
Larson's long-awaited try and run 1,500 miles in in the future between the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 didn't quite work out this 12 months. Rain pushed the five hundred to a later start, and by the point it reached Charlotte, the identical storm hit the 600 and ended the race. Larson's attempt ended disastrously, but the excellent news is that he’ll try again. McLaren and Hendrick will rejoin the team for Memorial Day weekend in 2025.
Kyle Larson and McLaren-Hendrick Chevrolet
Photo: Penske Entertainment
10. Another oval race in wet weather
OK, it's normally a really bad idea to hope for rain during a NASCAR race, but we've seen wet weather tires perform admirably at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. There were unbelievable races. Sure, there have been some incidents, however the race never became a wreck fest. So hopefully we'll see something like this again with NASCAR stars moving around an oval with rooster tails behind them. Plus, Shane van Gisbergen could be absolutely great to look at in this example…
Goodyear tires
Photo: Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Images
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