The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Season at a Glance
The nascar drivers 2024 roster delivered one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory, with Joey Logano claiming the Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway for his third career title.
Here are the key facts you need right away:
| Category | Winner / Detail |
|---|---|
| Cup Series Champion | Joey Logano (Team Penske) |
| Regular Season Champion | Tyler Reddick |
| Most Wins | Kyle Larson (6 wins) |
| Daytona 500 Winner | William Byron |
| Rookie of the Year | Carson Hocevar |
| Manufacturers’ Champion | Chevrolet (15 wins) |
| Total Races | 36 |
A few other drivers worth noting at the top:
- Ryan Blaney – Defending champion, finished 2nd in final standings
- William Byron – Finished 3rd, won 3 races including the Daytona 500
- Tyler Reddick – Finished 4th, won 3 races and the Regular Season title
- Christopher Bell – Won 3 races, reached the Championship 4
- Denny Hamlin – Won 3 races during the regular season
It was also the final season for Stewart-Haas Racing and the last full-time year for veteran Martin Truex Jr., making 2024 a landmark year for the sport.
I’m Faisal S. Chughtai, a digital strategist and founder of ActiveX with deep experience tracking motorsports rosters and performance data — including everything surrounding nascar drivers 2024. In the sections below, we’ll break down every key driver, team, win, and storyline from the full season.
Nascar drivers 2024 helpful reading:
The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Championship and Standings
The 2024 season reached its crescendo at Phoenix Raceway, where the desert sun bore witness to a historic achievement. Joey Logano, driving the No. 22 Ford for Team Penske, navigated the high-stakes finale to secure his third NASCAR Cup Series title. This victory cemented Logano’s legacy as one of the elite multi-time champions in the sport’s history, joining an exclusive club of legends.
The battle for the Bill France Cup was a duel between Penske teammates for much of the final stage. Ryan Blaney, the 2023 champion, put up a valiant defense of his title, finishing second in the race and second in the overall standings. The “Penske Power” was on full display as the organization secured its third consecutive driver’s championship.
To give you a clear picture of how the top of the field shook out, we’ve compiled the final standings for the elite performers of the year.
Final Top 5 Driver Standings 2024
| Rank | Driver | Team | Manufacturer | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joey Logano | Team Penske | Ford | 3rd Career Title |
| 2 | Ryan Blaney | Team Penske | Ford | Defending Champ / 2nd Overall |
| 3 | William Byron | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | Daytona 500 Winner |
| 4 | Tyler Reddick | 23XI Racing | Toyota | Regular Season Champion |
| 5 | Christopher Bell | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 3 Wins in 2024 |
Top Performing nascar drivers 2024
While Logano took home the big trophy, Kyle Larson was arguably the most dominant force throughout the 36-race calendar. Larson, piloting the No. 5 for Hendrick Motorsports, racked up a season-high 6 victories. His wins spanned a variety of track types, including a dominant performance at Las Vegas, a historic photo finish at Kansas, and a masterclass under the lights at Bristol. Despite his win count, a mix of misfortune in the Round of 8 kept him out of the Championship 4, though he still secured the Owners’ Regular Season Championship for Hendrick Motorsports.
Another standout among nascar drivers 2024 was Tyler Reddick. Driving for Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing, Reddick showcased incredible consistency to clinch the Regular Season Championship. His ability to find speed on the high line, particularly during his win at Homestead-Miami to clinch a title berth, made him a fan favorite throughout the playoffs.
The Championship 4 Contenders
The playoff format in 2024 was as brutal as ever, whittling the field down through three intense elimination rounds. The four drivers who earned the right to race for the title in Phoenix were:
- Joey Logano: Secured his spot early with a win at Las Vegas.
- Tyler Reddick: Clinched his berth with a dramatic last-lap pass at Homestead.
- Ryan Blaney: Surged into the finale with a “walk-off” win at Martinsville, mirroring his 2023 path to the title.
- William Byron: Advanced on points after a consistent post-season run.
Drivers like Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin, despite having three wins each, found themselves on the outside looking in after the Round of 8. Bell’s season was particularly heartbreaking, as he missed the finale by a razor-thin margin following a points penalty at Martinsville.
Full-Time Teams and the nascar drivers 2024 Roster
The 2024 grid was composed of 36 chartered entries, representing the pinnacle of stock car racing. We saw a fascinating mix of veteran stalwarts and fresh faces taking the wheel for the sport’s biggest organizations.
Hendrick Motorsports remained the gold standard for many, fielding the powerhouse lineup of Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Alex Bowman. Meanwhile, Joe Gibbs Racing continued its Toyota-backed dominance with Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr., Christopher Bell, and Ty Gibbs.
For a deeper dive into how these lineups evolved for the following years, check out our guide on 2026 NASCAR Cup drivers list and team changes.
2024 Full-Time Chartered Entries
- Team Penske (Ford): Austin Cindric (#2), Ryan Blaney (#12), Joey Logano (#22)
- Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet): Kyle Larson (#5), Chase Elliott (#9), William Byron (#24), Alex Bowman (#48)
- Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota): Denny Hamlin (#11), Martin Truex Jr. (#19), Christopher Bell (#20), Ty Gibbs (#54)
- Stewart-Haas Racing (Ford): Josh Berry (#4), Noah Gragson (#10), Chase Briscoe (#14), Ryan Preece (#41)
- 23XI Racing (Toyota): Bubba Wallace (#23), Tyler Reddick (#45)
- Richard Childress Racing (Chevrolet): Austin Dillon (#3), Kyle Busch (#8)
- Trackhouse Racing (Chevrolet): Ross Chastain (#1), Daniel Suárez (#99)
- Spire Motorsports (Chevrolet): Corey LaJoie/Justin Haley (#7), Zane Smith (#71), Carson Hocevar (#77)
- Legacy Motor Club (Toyota): John Hunter Nemechek (#42), Erik Jones (#43)
Rookie of the Year and New nascar drivers 2024
The 2024 rookie class was one of the most talented in years. Carson Hocevar ultimately claimed the Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors. Driving the No. 77 for Spire Motorsports, Hocevar impressed the garage with his raw speed and improved maturity, frequently outperforming more seasoned veterans in mid-tier equipment.
Josh Berry took over the legendary No. 4 Ford following Kevin Harvick’s retirement, bringing a hard-nosed, short-track style to Stewart-Haas Racing. Zane Smith also made the jump to full-time Cup competition with Spire (via a Trackhouse alliance), showing flashes of the talent that made him a Truck Series champion. If you’re interested in how these rookies performed in the lower tiers before making the jump, see the xfinity-race-results-today-latest-standings.
Manufacturer Performance and Team Changes
The 2024 season saw the debut of new body styles for both Ford and Toyota. Ford introduced the Mustang Dark Horse, which struggled early but dominated the playoffs. Toyota rolled out the Camry XSE, which proved to be a qualifying juggernaut.
Despite the new competition, Chevrolet walked away with the Manufacturers’ Championship, securing 15 wins throughout the season. A major storyline was Legacy Motor Club’s switch from Chevrolet to Toyota, a move aimed at gaining more technical support from a manufacturer. Additionally, we saw the introduction of the 2026 Ford Mustang NASCAR debut plans being discussed as teams looked toward future innovations.
2024 Race Winners and Season Highlights
The 2024 schedule consisted of 36 points-paying races, starting with the “Great American Race” and ending with the championship finale.
William Byron kicked off the year by winning a rain-postponed Daytona 500 on a Monday afternoon. It was a massive win for Hendrick Motorsports, occurring on the 40th anniversary of the team’s first start. From there, the season was a whirlwind of parity and historic moments.
For those looking to keep up with the current schedule, we recommend the complete guide to today’s NASCAR race.
2024 Race-by-Race Winners
- Daytona 500: William Byron
- Atlanta: Daniel Suárez (3-wide photo finish!)
- Las Vegas: Kyle Larson
- Phoenix: Christopher Bell
- Bristol: Denny Hamlin (Extreme tire wear race)
- COTA: William Byron
- Richmond: Denny Hamlin
- Martinsville: William Byron
- Texas: Chase Elliott (Snapped 42-race winless streak)
- Talladega: Tyler Reddick
- Dover: Denny Hamlin
- Kansas: Kyle Larson (Closest finish in history: .001 seconds)
- Darlington: Brad Keselowski (Snapped 110-race winless streak)
- Charlotte (600): Christopher Bell (Rain-shortened)
- Gateway: Austin Cindric
- Sonoma: Kyle Larson
- Iowa: Ryan Blaney (Inaugural Cup race at track)
- New Hampshire: Christopher Bell
- Nashville: Joey Logano (5 Overtimes!)
- Chicago Street: Alex Bowman
- Pocono: Ryan Blaney
- Indianapolis: Kyle Larson (Brickyard 400 return to oval)
- Richmond (2): Austin Dillon
- Michigan: Tyler Reddick
- Daytona (2): Harrison Burton (100th win for Wood Brothers)
- Darlington (Southern 500): Chase Briscoe
- Atlanta (Playoffs): Joey Logano
- Watkins Glen: Chris Buescher
- Bristol (Night): Kyle Larson
- Kansas (Playoffs): Ross Chastain
- Talladega (Playoffs): Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Roval: Kyle Larson
- Las Vegas (Playoffs): Joey Logano
- Homestead: Tyler Reddick
- Martinsville (Playoffs): Ryan Blaney
- Phoenix (Finale): Joey Logano
Standout Performances and Historic Finishes
The nascar drivers 2024 roster will be remembered for producing two of the closest finishes in the sport’s history. At Atlanta, Daniel Suárez edged out Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch in a breathtaking three-wide photo finish.
However, that was eclipsed just weeks later at Kansas Speedway. Kyle Larson and Chris Buescher banged doors coming to the checkered flag, with Larson officially winning by a margin of .001 seconds. It was the closest finish since the advent of electronic timing, proving that every inch matters in the Cup Series.
Notable Retirements and Team Closures
The 2024 season was an emotional farewell for several icons. Martin Truex Jr., the 2017 champion and one of the most respected nascar drivers 2024, retired from full-time competition. His steady hand and “clean” racing style left a lasting impact on Joe Gibbs Racing and the sport at large.
Even more shocking was the announcement that Stewart-Haas Racing would close its doors at the end of the season. The four-car powerhouse, co-owned by Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, had been a fixture of the garage for years. While Gene Haas opted to retain one charter to form the “Haas Factory Team” for 2025, the closure forced drivers like Josh Berry, Noah Gragson, and Ryan Preece to seek new homes, creating one of the wildest “Silly Seasons” in history.
Frequently Asked Questions about NASCAR Drivers
Who won the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Championship?
Joey Logano won the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Championship. Driving for Team Penske, he won the season finale at Phoenix Raceway to secure his third career title (2018, 2022, 2024). Logano’s playoff run was characterized by clutch wins at Las Vegas and Phoenix.
Which driver had the most wins in 2024?
Kyle Larson had the most wins in 2024, securing 6 victories. His wins came at Las Vegas, Kansas, Sonoma, Indianapolis (Brickyard 400), Bristol, and the Charlotte Roval. Despite leading the series in wins and laps led, he finished 6th in the final standings due to the playoff elimination format.
Who won the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year?
Carson Hocevar won the 2024 Rookie of the Year award. Driving the No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports, Hocevar was the highest-finishing rookie in the points standings, beating out fellow newcomers Josh Berry, Zane Smith, and Kaz Grala.
Conclusion
The 2024 NASCAR season was a masterclass in drama, speed, and transition. From the record-breaking finishes of Kyle Larson to the championship poise of Joey Logano, the nascar drivers 2024 lineup gave us a year to remember. We saw the end of an era with Stewart-Haas Racing and the retirement of Martin Truex Jr., but we also saw the rise of a new generation of talent ready to take the mantle.
At Apex Observer News, we are committed to bringing you the most up-to-date coverage of the racing world. Whether you are looking for the next Cup Series race guide or want more automotive news and racing updates, we have you covered. The engines may have cooled for 2024, but the race for 2025 and beyond is already heating up!
