A Christmas want record for NASCAR 2025

‘Tis the season to look again and replicate, whereas additionally planning and needs in hopes of constructing the brand new 12 months much more eventful or spectacular. This time final 12 months, I sat down and compiled a want record of kinds to share with you, very similar to this one forward of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Collection season. Whereas a few of my hopes did come fruition, others definitely did not age properly. Of the ten gadgets on that record, about half of them got here true. Of word, we lastly received to see Brad Keselowski snap his winless streak, Denny Hamlin continues to embrace his villainous position, and some extra worldwide racing stars ventured over into the world of inventory automotive racing.

As for issues that did not pan out, Stewart-Haas Racing didn’t ‘discover its footing.’ As a substitute, SHR shut its doorways after 15 years of competitors. However they did exit with one final second of glory as Chase Briscoe received the Southern 500. All 4 drivers additionally discovered new properties within the Cup Collection, which is a constructive. Whereas the Daytona 500 was thrilling, it didn’t have a clear end with the winner taking the checkered and yellow flag collectively. And whereas the brand new NASCAR Netflix docuseries was extraordinarily properly achieved, it didn’t spark a DTS-esque response to the game as I hoped it will.

With 2025 simply on the horizon, what would you wish to see within the subsequent season? This 12 months’s want record will strive to not tread the identical floor as one 12 months in the past, however there’s nonetheless lots to hope for this vacation season…

1. Format adjustments that are not merely rearranging chairs

NASCAR has hinted at doable adjustments to the playoff format for 2025, which follows Penske’s third consecutive Cup title and Joey Logano successful the crown with the bottom common end of any champion within the historical past of the game (17.1). Nevertheless, if they’ll do it, truly change one thing important. Do not add a couple of extra bonus factors or place sure protections across the common season champion to assist them keep away from an early playoff exit. Be daring or do not hassle. My suggestion: Lengthen the ultimate spherical past a single race.

2. A decision to the constitution dispute earlier than going to trial

The constitution dispute has not gone away. In truth, it is now escalated right into a full blown lawsuit between 23XI Racing/Entrance Row Motorsports and NASCAR. The France household has been accused of working an illegal monopoly that has violated antitrust legal guidelines, and the contentious courtroom battle will not even go to trial till December of subsequent 12 months. I do not count on it to be resolved earlier than then, however I hope that some type of decision could be reached and that this case could be settled and not using a multi-year authorized battle.

Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing, The Large 615/MoneyLion Toyota Camry, Michael Jordan

Photograph by: John Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Photographs

3. NASCAR has a profitable journey all the way down to Mexico 

For the primary time ever, the NASCAR Cup Collection goes to race in Mexico subsequent June. Competing at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, the race will likely be a historic second for the game and hopefully, a profitable one too. Please get the whole sport to Mexico Metropolis with out logistical points, placed on a present in entrance of a packed home, and show that NASCAR could be greater than a US-centric racing sequence. It additionally would not harm if Daniel Suarez was up there battling for the win…

Daniel Suarez, NASCAR announcement Mexico Metropolis

Photograph by: NASCAR Media

4. Kyle Busch places the worst season of his profession behind him

2024 was a painful 12 months for Kyle Busch and his followers. The winningest driver within the historical past of the game throughout all three nationwide divisions did win two Truck races, however past that, there was little to be enthusiastic about. This 12 months, Busch posted the worst common end of his profession throughout a season together with the bottom variety of top-fives, top-tens, and laps led since he grew to become a full-time driver in 2005. He additionally received punched within the face, so yeah, it has been tough. Busch did have moments within the No. 8 RCR Chevrolet, coming agonizingly near victory on a number of events. However ultimately, his document win streak got here to an finish and KB ended the 12 months twentieth in factors. Nobody desires to see a champion like Busch battle. Hopefully, we get to see that basic victory bow no less than as soon as in subsequent 12 months’s Cup Collection.

Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing, zone / Thorntons Chevrolet Camaro

Photograph by: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / Motorsport Photographs

5. Phoenix hosts the finale for the ultimate time

Nothing towards Phoenix, which is a superb facility and a novel monitor that has earned its place on the schedule, however it is time to transfer the finale. It is partly the fault of the automotive, as passing is extraordinarily troublesome at slower, flatter tracks like Phoenix. Homestead could be most popular vacation spot, however there are different choices which can be additionally promising areas for the title-decider. However please, do not simply preserve it unchanged for 2026 and past.

Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing, The Beast Killer Dawn Toyota Camry, begin, inexperienced flag

Photograph by: Gavin Baker / NKP / Motorsport Photographs

6. The ‘Melon Man’ again as a weekly contender

The Melon Man, the wall-rider, or public enemy No. 1 — at one level known as the principle character of NASCAR. Ross Chastain is simply thrilling to observe, however sadly, he did not have the automotive to compete on the stage we have seen in earlier years. He did handle to win a race, however the No. 1 was absent from the battle for the win a lot of the 12 months. Within the few occasions we did see him close to the sharp finish of the sector, he did not disappoint, reminiscent of in his thrilling back-and-forth battle with Kyle Larson at Kansas or blocking the whole area within the Daytona 500 earlier than crashing in a daring transfer up the center for the win. A quick Chastain makes for a extra entertaining race for all of us, and the game is healthier for the drama he brings.

Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing, Busch Gentle Chevrolet Camaro, Austin Cindric, Workforce Penske, Low cost Tire Ford Mustang, Corey LaJoie, Spire Motorsports, Chili’s Catch-a-Rita Chevrolet Camaro

Photograph by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Photographs

7. Getting producer loyalty underneath management

The penultimate race of the 2024 season was overshadowed by some blatant race manipulation. It got here on account of producer loyalties with NASCAR later penalizing three completely different groups for making an attempt to control the result of the combat to make the Championship 4. Whereas drivers will at all times assist these from the identical camp, Martinsville was a bridge a too far and I hope we see nothing prefer it once more within the 2025 playoffs. NASCAR wants to attract a agency line within the sand and make the price of such actions far outweigh the reward, or it’s going to proceed to occur shifting ahead.

#24: William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, Liberty College Chevrolet Camaro, #3: Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing, Bass Professional Retailers Chevrolet Camaro

Photograph by: John Ok Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Photographs

8. Spire wins a race on benefit

Spire Motorsports confirmed spectacular velocity over the course of the 2024 season. Carson Hocevar received Rookie of the 12 months honors and now, he’ll be teamed up with Justin Haley and Michael McDowell for 2025. Veteran crew chief Rodney Childers has additionally joined Spire. It might make for an amazing underdog story if Spire might discover their solution to Victory Lane subsequent 12 months, and I feel it’d simply occur.

Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports, Premier Safety Chevrolet Camaro

Photograph by: Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Photographs

9. Kyle Larson truly completes ‘The Double’

Larson’s extremely anticipated try at operating 1100 miles in sooner or later between the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 did not fairly work out this 12 months. Rain pushed the five hundred to a later begin time and by the point he arrived in Charlotte, the identical storm hit the 600 and ended that race. It was a deflating finish to Larson’s try, however the excellent news is that he’ll get one other strive. McLaren and Hendrick have joined pressured once more for Memorial Day weekend in 2025.

Kyle Larson, McLaren-Hendrick Chevrolet

Photograph by: Penske Leisure

10. One other wet-weather oval race

Okay, usually it is a very unhealthy thought to hope for rain at a NASCAR race, however we noticed that the wet-weather tires had been completely able to placing on a present at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. There was some incredible racing. And certain, there have been some incidents, however the race by no means was a wreck-fest. So, here is to hoping we get to see one thing like that once more with the celebs of NASCAR ripping round on an oval with some rooster tails behind them. Additionally, Shane van Gisbergen could be an absolute blast to observe on this state of affairs…

Goodyear tires

Photograph by: Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Photographs