The season finale is not only for crowning the collection champion, nevertheless it additionally signifies the tip of careers, partnerships and in some circumstances, race groups. The thirty sixth and closing points-paying race of the 2024 NASCAR Cup season at Phoenix Raceway was no totally different. Whereas all the main focus was on the championship showdown, a number of different storylines have been quietly tying up their very own endings within the background.
MTJ goes fishing
There was Martin Truex Jr., making his closing begin as a full-time driver. MTJ hasn’t missed a Cup race since 2005 in a formidable streak totaling almost 700 consecutive races. Truex was given a spherical of applause by his fellow drivers within the pre-race assembly, who then took a bunch image with the long run NASCAR Corridor of Famer.
Martin Truex Jr, Joe Gibbs Racing, Bass Professional Retailers Toyota Camry
Photograph by: Danny Hansen / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
Anybody who has been watching NASCAR for lengthy sufficient would have instantly acknowledged the DEI-esque paint scheme — a throwback scheme honoring his Cup debut from almost twenty years in the past — main the cost of his closing full-time race. And whereas race itself did not pan out maybe the way in which Truex would have wished to finish issues, which has been a theme for him this 12 months, he crossed the end line in seventeenth.
Later, on pit street, he was approached by legends similar to Michael Jordan and Jeff Gordon who merely wished to shake his hand.
“Yeah, it means quite a bit to have the respect of fellows like that and what they imply to the game,” stated Truex. “Absolute legends, proper? It makes me really feel good that I’ve earned that respect through the years, and it means quite a bit. From right here ahead, I’m simply going to go have some enjoyable and do some little bit of racing right here and there only for enjoyable. Hopefully, it will likely be much less demanding than days like at present.”
A NASCAR large calls it quits
For Truex, it was his option to lastly stroll away from the weekly grind, however for others, this was the tip and never precisely by alternative. Stewart-Haas Racing, co-owned by Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, are shutting their doorways now that the season is over. They have been considered one of simply three four-car Cup operations within the sport, and a relentless presence on the grid since 2009. On Sunday, the No. 4, No. 10, No. 14 and No. 41 raced underneath the SHR banner for the ultimate time with 323 workers cheering them on. Noah Gragson was one of the best of the bunch ending the race in twelfth place.
A few of the drivers organized a victory lap of kinds on the cool-down lap and later, Stewart himself directed the final hauler out of the observe. 16 seasons, 70 wins, 62 poles, almost 20,000 laps led later, the journey has come to an finish.
“Man, that is simply such a particular group and I can’t say thanks sufficient to everybody at SHR for all they did this season,” stated Berry, who’s heading to Wooden Brothers Racing in 2025. “We had some actually powerful circumstances and a whole lot of uncertainty, and the No. 4 group nonetheless confirmed up and gave it their all and I’m simply so grateful.”
Chase Briscoe, Stewart-Haas Racing, Mahindra Tractors Ford Mustang
Photograph by: Danny Hansen / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
Chase Briscoe, who earned SHR’s closing win with a dramatic victory within the Southern 500 at Darlington, was in all probability about as joyful as you may ever see somebody after operating close to the again all day.
“I imply, that is in all probability probably the most smiling and laughing we’ve ever had after a Twenty ninth-place end,” famous Briscoe. “So, yeah, we clearly would’ve liked to have a greater outcome, however on the finish of the day, it was all about simply having fun with one another and the folks and all the pieces that makes Stewart-Haas so particular. It’s been a spot I’m so grateful to have known as dwelling for the final seven years. I knew, truthfully, it was going to be a little bit bit emotional however, I imply, I used to be crying earlier than we rolled off pit street. Simply appreciative of the chance Tony (Stewart) and Gene (Haas) gave me. My dream was to make it to the Cup Sequence and the 14 automobile was the automobile I at all times cheered for, so the truth that I acquired to drive it and do it for my childhood hero was fairly cool. Positively one thing I by no means took as a right.”
Practically 20 years of delivery it to P1
Elsewhere, the solar was quietly setting on one other partnership courting again to 2006. FedEx has stood beside Denny Hamlin since he made his Cup debut nearly twenty years in the past and was one of many longest driver/partnerships remaining within the sport — maybe solely overwhelmed by Bass Professional Retailers and Truex. Nonetheless, FedEx has steadily disappeared from the No. 11 Toyota, sponsoring fewer races yearly. Hamlin posted a somber video on race morning, thanking FedEx and basically confirming their exit. Hamlin received his very first race with these colours on his automobile, taking the checkered flag within the 2006 Conflict at Daytona as a 25-year-old rookie. 47 of his 54 Cup wins through the years got here with FedEx as the first sponsor.
“Thanks FedEx for being there from the beginning,” a voiceover from Hamlin started within the video. “All of the wins, and all of the losses … thanks for letting me be me. For at all times making a distinction. For serving to make this child from Virginia’s dream come true. Thanks FedEx for all the pieces.”
The top of a report win streak
Lastly, a formidable statistic additionally got here to an unceremonious finish. Kyle Busch held the report for many consecutive years with a race win at 19 complete. Whereas 2024 was maybe the worst 12 months of his profession, he nonetheless got here agonizingly near extending that win streak with runner-up finishes at Darlington and Daytona. He additionally crashed from the lead at Kansas, and misplaced Atlanta within the closest three-wide photograph end in NASCAR historical past.
Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Racing, Freeway Insurance coverage Chevrolet Camaro , Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet Camaro and Ryan Blaney, Group Penske, BodyArmor Zero Sugar Ford Mustang race to the checkers
Photograph by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
The streak definitely didn’t finish with out a valiant battle from KB, nevertheless it did in the end finish with a Twenty first-place end at Phoenix. Taking over the mantle with the longest energetic win streak is the game’s newly topped three-time champion Joey Logano, who has received not less than one race for 13 consecutive seasons.
These are simply the key storylines that performed out within the shadow of the primary occasion on Sunday. So as to add, there have been retirements of highly-respected business figures, whereas a number of drivers nonetheless face unsure futures within the sport. However like each season finale, some tales will conclude with joyful or bittersweet endings in some type of bow, as the remaining will prepared themselves so as to add one other chapter — subsequent 12 months.
