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NASCAR embarked on its season facing significant challenges, with the initial two races impacted by rain, seemingly setting a grim forecast for the 2024 year.
However, the premier motorsport series in America proved its adaptability by rescheduling the preseason race at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, moving it up a full day, which opened the door to a much more vibrant and unpredictable season.
The season saw an impressive diversity of winners, totaling 18, highlighted by Austin Dillon, who despite his victory faced disqualification from the playoffs due to reckless driving.
Joey Logano, amidst discussions regarding playoff fairness, emerged as the Cup Series champion, further fueling the conversation around the integrity of the competition.
As NASCAR looks ahead to the 2025 season, it prepares for an historic milestone with the first-ever points-paying Cup Series race outside the U.S. in Mexico City, complementing the launch of NASCAR’s new multi-partner television deal.
Additionally, the series contends with a federal antitrust lawsuit initiated by two teams, including one owned by NBA icon Michael Jordan.
NASCAR President Steve Phelps found himself defending the playoff format recently, promising to evaluate any necessary changes while highlighting the overall positive television ratings from the 2024 season.
He noted, “It says the sport is resilient and the sport is growing.”
The season began with an ominous forecast, as the third iteration of the exhibition Clash at the Coliseum faced impending rain.
Anticipating this, NASCAR officials opted to compress what was slated as a two-day event into a single Saturday— a day that was initially not designated for spectators. This unprecedented move incurred significant financial losses and lowered television ratings.
Further weather complications delayed the highly anticipated Daytona 500, while the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway was truncated by rain, impacting drivers’ performances, including Kyle Larson’s attempt to compete in both the Indy 500 and Coke 600 in a single day.
The Chicago street circuit also faced rain disruptions, marking a challenging season for NASCAR due to mother nature.
Despite these setbacks, Phelps reported significant recovery, with ratings having climbed out of a 27% drop by the conclusion of the season.
“If you had asked me at the beginning of the year, ‘I bet you can dig out of a 27% hole,’ I would have said there’s no way that’s going to happen,” he remarked, noting improvements in Cup race viewership.
Many of the winning drivers were familiar, with Larson leading the pack with six victories, while Daytona 500 champion William Byron was among several claiming three wins during the season.
Logano, despite only one regular-season win, triumphed in three playoff races, solidifying his place as one of only ten drivers to earn three or more Cup championships.
In a surprising turn, Chase Briscoe and Harrison Burton clinched the final two playoff slots in the last two races, marking significant emotional victories for both.
Briscoe’s win marked the end for Stewart-Haas Racing, while Burton celebrated his first win in his final season with Wood Brothers Racing.
Dillon managed to secure his first victory in almost two years at Richmond Raceway, though it was later disqualified due to his aggressive maneuvering that resulted in wrecks.
Allegations implying that Richard Childress Racing acquired setup knowledge from a competitor’s employee were also noted, despite the lack of formal complaint from the owners.
Controversy continued as NASCAR imposed hefty penalties against teams found to be collaborating to boost performance for mutual interests.
Such actions led to discussions of potential driver suspensions moving forward.
As the playoffs unfolded, questions were raised about the playoff format after Logano, who was initially out after the second round, benefitted from a later inspection failure that reinstated him, ultimately leading to his championship victory.
NASCAR maintained that the best drivers contended for the title, yet plans for future evaluations of the playoff structure were also hinted at.
NASCAR has faced legal challenges for over two years relating to revenue-sharing negotiations tied to charter agreements.
Recently, a contentious proposal was presented shortly before the playoffs, leading 13 of the 15 teams to sign charters, while the two holdouts—23XI Racing, owned by Jordan and Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports—sought legal action against NASCAR for antitrust violations.
The aftermath saw NASCAR revoking charters from the dissenting teams, which had guaranteed participation in every race and revenue.
While these teams can compete as ‘open’ cars, their status lacks the privileges of chartered entries, complicating their futures amid expansion plans and driver signings for 2025.
The impending legal battles pose a significant dilemma, particularly with charter expirations looming, leading the teams to seek urgent legal recourse.
An attorney advocating for the teams expressed concerns that without a resolution, both drivers and sponsors could potentially seek opportunities elsewhere, jeopardizing the future stability of the teams involved.
This ongoing legal situation is poised to develop, with a resolution sought before the preseason Clash at Bowman-Gray Stadium in North Carolina set for February 2, leaving many awaiting the next chapter in this unfolding drama.
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