The season finale shouldn’t be only the crowning of the series champion, but additionally the tip of careers, partnerships and, in some cases, race teams. The thirty sixth and final point-scoring race of the 2024 NASCAR Cup season at Phoenix Raceway was no exception. While everyone focused on the championship game, several other storylines were quietly tying up their very own endings within the background.
MTJ goes fishing
There was Martin Truex Jr., making his final start as a full-time driver. Since 2005, MTJ has not missed a single Cup race in a formidable run of nearly 700 races in a row. Truex was greeted with thunderous applause by fellow drivers on the pre-race meeting, who then took a gaggle photo with the long run NASCAR Hall of Famer.
Martin Truex Jr, Joe Gibbs Racing, Bass Pro buy Toyota Camry
Photo: Danny Hansen / NKP / Motorsport Images
Anyone who watches NASCAR long enough would immediately recognize the DEI-style paint scheme – a scheme harkening back to his Cup debut nearly twenty years ago – leading the charge in his final full-time race. And while the race itself didn't go perhaps the best way Truex would have liked to finish all the pieces that had been a theme for him this 12 months, he crossed the finish line in seventeenth place.
Later on pit road, he was approached by legends akin to Michael Jordan and Jeff Gordon who simply desired to shake his hand.
“Yes, it means a lot to have respect for such players and know what importance they have for the sport,” Truex said. “Absolute legends, right? I'm glad I've earned this respect over time, and it means rather a lot to me. From here on out I'm just going to rejoice and race here and there for fun. Hopefully it can be less stressful than days like today.
NASCAR giant broadcasts resignation
For Truex, the choice to finally step away from the weekly grind was his, but for others it was the tip, and never entirely by selection. Stewart-Haas Racing, co-owned by Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, is closing its doors at the tip of the season. They were considered one of only three four-car World Cup events in the game, and have been a relentless presence on the grid since 2009. On Sunday, cars numbered 4, 10, 14 and 41 raced under the SHR banner for the ultimate time, with 323 employees cheering them on. The better of the group was Noah Gragson, who finished the race in twelfth place.
Some drivers took a victory lap of sorts on the warm-up lap, after which Stewart himself led the last competitor off the track. 16 seasons, 70 wins, 62 pole positions, almost 20,000 laps ahead later – the journey is over.
“Man, this is just a special group and I can't thank everyone at SHR enough for everything they've done this season,” said Berry, who’s headed to Wood Brothers Racing in 2025. “We've had some really tough times of circumstances and a lot of uncertainty, and group 4 still showed up and gave it their all, which I am very grateful for.”
Chase Briscoe, Stewart-Haas Racing, Mahindra Tractors Ford Mustang
Photo: Danny Hansen / NKP / Motorsport Images
Chase Briscoe, who took SHR's last victory with a dramatic victory within the Southern 500 at Darlington, was probably as joyful as he's ever been with someone running close behind all day.
“I mean, that's probably the most smiling and laughing we've ever had after finishing 29th,” Briscoe noted. “So yes, in fact we’d have liked to have done higher, but ultimately it was about having fun with ourselves, the people and all the pieces that makes Stewart-Haas so special. It was a beautiful place. I’m so grateful that I even have been capable of call home for the last seven years. Honestly, I knew it was going to be somewhat emotional, but I used to be crying before we left pit road. I used to be just grateful to Tony for the chance (Stewart) and Gene (Haas) gave me. My dream was to get into the Cup Series and the No. 14 automobile was a automobile I all the time supported, so the incontrovertible fact that I got to drive it and do it for my childhood hero was special. pretty cool. Definitely something I never took without any consideration.
Almost 20 years of delivering it to P1
Elsewhere, the sun was quietly setting on one other partnership dating back to 2006. FedEx has stood by Denny Hamlin since his Cup debut nearly twenty years ago and has been considered one of the industry's longest-tenured driver/partnerships – perhaps beaten only by Bass Pro Stores and Truex. However, FedEx regularly disappeared from the No. 11 Toyota, sponsoring fewer races annually. Hamlin posted a somber video on race morning, thanking FedEx and essentially confirming his departure. Hamlin won his first race in these colours in his automobile, taking the checkered flag on the Clash at Daytona in 2006 as a 25-year-old rookie. 47 of his 54 Cup wins over time have include FedEx as a primary sponsor.
“Thank you to FedEx for being with us from the very beginning,” Hamlin's voice began within the video. “All the victories and all the defeats…thank you for letting me be me. For always making a difference. For helping this Virginia kid make his dream come true. Thank you FedEx for everything.”
End of record winning streak
Finally, a formidable statistic also got here to an unceremonious end. Kyle Busch held the record for many consecutive years, winning races a complete of 19 times. While 2024 was arguably the worst 12 months of his profession, he still got here agonizingly near extending his winning streak with second-place finishes at Darlington and Daytona. He also lost the lead at Kansas and lost Atlanta within the closest three-wide photo finish in NASCAR history.
Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Racing, Freeway Insurance Chevrolet Camaro, Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet Camaro and Ryan Blaney, Team Penske, BodyArmor Zero Sugar Ford Mustang Race to Checkers
Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images
The streak definitely didn't end without KB's brave fight, however it ultimately ended with a twenty first place finish in Phoenix. The mantle with the longest energetic winning streak goes to newly crowned three-time champion of the game Joey Logano, who has won not less than one race for 13 consecutive seasons.
These are only the most important storylines that played out within the shadow of the most important event on Sunday. Moreover, highly respected industry figures have retired, while several drivers still face an uncertain future in the game. But like every season finale, some stories will end with a joyful or bittersweet ending, and the remainder shall be ready for the following chapter to be added – next 12 months.
