NASCAR
The Top-10 NASCAR Moments from the 2023 Season
10 months and thousands of miles of racing are sure to leave countless memorable moments across any NASCAR season. 2023 was no different, with a few high points standing out above the rest. Here’s a look at the top time capsule memories from 2023.
10. Passions are High in Pocono Finish
A list of yearly high points fittingly begins with the HighPoint.com 400. The closing laps of Pocono in July saw Denny Hamlin battle Kyle Larson for the win. On a late restart, the No. 11 ran the No. 5 wide through turn one, forcing the Hendrick Chevrolet to lift. Hamlin would go onto a very historic victory, while Larson was left dejected. Pocono marked career win number 50 for Hamlin, Toyota’s 600th NASCAR triumph, and also made driver 11 The Tricky Triangle’s all-time wins leader. Despite Larson pledging post-race to eventually get Hamlin back, this promise has gone empty-handed so far.
9. Sendoff for Auto Club Speedway
A fan-favorite racetrack had one last hurrah all the way back in week two. Following more than a quarter-century of racing memories, Auto Club Speedway hosted their final NASCAR weekend. The two-mile oval went out with a bang, marking Kyle Busch’s first win with the Richard Childress Racing No. 8. Busch became the only driver with 19 consecutive winning seasons thanks to this victory. Nobody else in NASCAR history has matched this feat.
Later that day, the weather-delayed Xfinity race would also be won by John Hunter Nemechek. A Nemechek taking the final checkers in Fontana was only fitting. John Hunter’s father Joe led the field to green in Auto Club’s first Cup race in 1997. This would be the first of a banner seven-victory season for the No. 20 Toyota. Now facing demolition and an uncertain future, Southern California race fans got to enjoy Auto Club one final time.
8. Highs and Lows of Daytona Regular Season Finale
The August trek to Daytona to set the Playoff grid had a season’s worth of storylines and drama packed into 400 miles. Ryan Preece’s late tumble and pirouetting down the backstretch had everyone’s breath held for a few fateful moments. The No. 41 Ford was tossed in the air like a toy, barrel rolling end over end more than 10 times. Once the race got going again in overtime, RFK Racing’s Brad Keselowski hit the afterburners, pushing teammate Chris Buescher clear of the pack and to victory lane.
7. Chastain Gets Chastised at Darlington
Racing door-to-door with Kyle Larson for the Goodyear 400 win at Darlington, Ross Chastain overstepped the line in many people’s eyes. The No. 1 took himself and the 5 out of contention late, earning harsh words post-race from Rick Hendrick. After being overly aggressive for the past two years, Chastain noticeably dialed himself back after this moment. Little has changed though, with Chastain winning twice since then, including the season finale at Phoenix.
6. Xfinity Playoff Pressure-Cooker in Martinsville
Saying tempers flared in the Xfinity Series Playoff cut race at Martinsville does not do it justice. After running 1-2 on the last lap, teammates Sheldon Creed and Austin Hill were none too happy with each other after they both lost. RCR executives immediately scolded Creed, with Richard Childress later calling him “the stupidest driver.” Creed now moves onward from the RCR Xfinity team though, with many cold shoulders left in his wake.
5. Kansas Spring Race Leaves Some in Stitches
What many consider the best finish of the NASCAR Cup Series season came on a May afternoon in Kansas. As possible foreshadowing to the aforementioned Pocono scuffle, Denny Hamlin made contact with Kyle Larson on the last lap. Larson’s 5 half-spun into the wall, allowing the 11 to get by for his first win of the season. Larson was as self-deprecating as ever post-race, kicking himself for letting his big lead dwindle away.
On pit road post-race, a heated Noah Gragson also confronted Ross Chastain about his aggressive blocking. A conversation quickly turned physical, with Chastain landing a punch on Gragson’s face. Security immediately broke up both drivers though, not letting this situation escalate any further.
4. Garage56 Puts NASCAR on Global Stage
Happening thousands of miles and an ocean away from any NASCAR race this year was a radical step into a new realm. In collaboration with Hendrick Motorsports, NASCAR entered a modified Next Gen car into the 24 Hours of Le Mans under the Garage 56 entry. The big, loud, and fast stock car blew the doors off of every nimble and agile sports car. This French excursion helped introduce countless previously-oblivious fans to NASCAR thunder. The reach attained by this international effort is still being seen today, and will ideally continue with future appearances for this beast.
3. Blaney Breaks Through with Cup Title
The youngest ever Championship 4 field would end with a new driver hoisting the Bill France Cup. After finishing second to non-contender Ross Chastain in the Phoenix finale, Ryan Blaney took top NASCAR honors for 2023. Blaney restarted late behind two Hendrick Motorsports cars but slowly worked his way forward over the closing laps. This marked back-to-back titles for Team Penske, a first for their NASCAR division. Now representing the sport as a new champion, Blaney is already shouldering this elevated platform with pride.
2. Returning to NASCAR’s Roots at North Wilkesboro
May 21, 2023 was a night 27 years in the making for NASCAR. For the first time since 1996, Cup cars took to the track at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The legacy track hosted the All-Star Race for its first time, capping off a year-long revival effort to breathe new life into the Wilkes County venue. Kyle Larson went to victory lane that night, taking his third $1 million check over the past five years.
The atmosphere and energy present throughout every person in attendance at Wilkesboro was unlike anything felt in a long time at any NASCAR event. The sport successfully brought one of its original tracks back from the brink of destruction. Being one of the lucky few to be there in person, Wilkesboro truly felt like a time capsule trapped in NASCAR’s golden age.
Ideally North Wilkesboro will never be in a similar state of desolation again, and will make countless more NASCAR memories for decades to come.
Honorable Mentions:
Before the top moment is revealed, here are a few more highlight reels that just narrowly missed the top-10 cut.
Hamlin, Elliott Clash in Charlotte
A large lapse in judgement by Chase Elliott would have a season-defining fallout. After the No. 9 car was ran wide by Denny Hamlin, Elliott retaliated and wrecked him at Charlotte. After reviewing data from the 9 car, NASCAR chose to suspend Elliott for the next week.
The fan-favorite was still trying to rally back into the Playoffs from his early-season injury. Missing a seventh race put Elliott in too deep a points hole to recover from. The Hendrick 9 team would ultimately miss the postseason for the first time in their history. How Elliott recovers from this lackluster run and any 2024 bounce back will be an intriguing story to follow all season long.
Trucks Torn Up in Championship Race
For one reason or another, the 2023 Truck Series championship finale will live on in NASCAR history. Carson Hocevar and Corey Heim each took turns wrecking each other, ending both driver’s title hopes. This race eventually went into quadruple-overtime, after an already late start time. As a result, Ben Rhodes was crowned champion for the second time at roughly 1:00 a.m. ET. The beaten and battered No. 99 Ford just beat Grant Enfinger to the line by a few feet for this championship.
“I Beat Your Favorite Driver”
Self-imposed championship favorite Denny Hamlin had his most dominant Playoff run in the Bristol Night Race. Getting out of the car to a chorus of boos from the Tennessee fans, Hamlin embraced his villain status by proclaiming that he “beat your favorite driver, all of them.” Hamlin fans and haters alike were energized after this moment, with nobody remaining silent. Team 11’s march to the elusive championship trophy may have ended in the Round of 8, but Hamlin cemented himself as the black hat among fans this night.
1. New Zealand Zest after Inaugural Chicago Street Race
July 4th weekend was nothing short of NASCAR bringing the show to countless race fans and leaving them very entertained. The inaugural Chicago Street Race around Grant Park was unlike anything NASCAR had ever undertaken, and ended with a new winner. New Zealand Supercars ace Shane Van Gisbergen wheeled the Trackhouse Racing Project 91 car to victory lane in his stock car debut. Fans in the Windy City and the world over were newly introduced to NASCAR, with SVG’s triumph making waves to previously untapped markets all the way down under. Ideally with no weather issues in 2024, how the Chicago Street Race follows up such a grand slam first showing will be fun to witness.
2023 may fully be in the rearview mirrors now for NASCAR. This offseason will be as blink-and-you-miss-it as always though, with the Busch Light Clash less than three months away. 2024 will be here in due time and with it more opportunities for ‘I remember when’ moments that will keep fans buzzing.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Johnathan Bachman/Getty Images
