NASCAR
Who are Some Drivers Closing in on the 2024 NASCAR Playoffs?
Nine weeks into the 2024 NASCAR season, six of the 16 golden tickets to the Playoffs have been claimed. This leaves 10 berths open for the remainder of the regular season, beginning Sunday at Talladega. Who are some drivers likely to break into victory lane again soon? Here are a few contenders who eye a season-defining win over the next few weeks.
Martin Truex Jr +101
Consistency has been key to Martin Truex Jr’s breakout performance so far in 2024. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has been at or near the regular season championship lead most of this year. He currently sis second, trailing Kyle Larson by 17 points after Texas. MTJ has had a few prime winning chances ripped away this year, including late leads at Bristol and Richmond. This team won the 2023 regular season title on the strength of three dominant wins.
MTJ has a few great tracks coming up for him, including his home track Dover in two weeks. JGR and Hendrick have been the two standout teams this year, making up eight of the nine wins. Expect the 19 to return to victory lane before long with their weekly speed.
Ty Gibbs +63
The winless driver who’s turned the most heads by far in 2024 is Ty Gibbs. The 21 year old in the No. 54 Toyota owns three top-fives, nine top-10s, and a 10.6 average finish through nine races. 200 laps led is also fourth-best in the series, placing the sophomore driver sixth in points.
Being over a full race ahead of the cut line, Gibbs’ future for a first Playoff appearance has little doubt. Experience will only make him better, with a maiden victory certainly approaching on his horizon.
Ryan Blaney +61
Despite being reigning Cup champion, Ryan Blaney’s best result this year has been second. Even with Ford still having zero wins overall, Blaney does boast four top-fives. Talladega this week is the next prime winning chance ahead for the Penske No. 12. The drafting track began their run last fall that ended with the Bill France Cup.
Aside from Sunday, Blaney has shown enough promise to be all but penciled into the Playoffs. The next few months should yield a win or two at least for 2023’s top dog.
Tyler Reddick +52
Had Texas ran green to its finish, we’re likely talking about a clutch second half from Tyler Reddick. A slow final pit stop and late wall contact relegated the No. 45 to finish fourth however. Pit road blunders notwithstanding, the 23XI Racing team has been trending towards victory lane in recent weeks. Reddick has four straight top-10s and six in the last seven races.
Self-inflicted errors appear to be costing this group valuable positions and wins on a near weekly basis. Missed opportunities like Texas will only become bigger fumbles over the summer and fall months. Reddick’s team threw a way a few potential wins a season ago, and these issues are still present. Alas, Reddick does have speed to perhaps overcome any missteps and park it in victory lane soon.
Following Talladega’s ultimate wildcard on Sunday, the 2024 season will have 10 races in the rearview mirror. The regular season is also quickly approaching its halfway point, with many elite drivers still shut out of victory lane. The Playoff leaderboard will likely undergo several drastic changes over the next few weeks. It’s a mere matter of time until a few drivers find their way back to familiar ground as race winners.
Written by Peter Stratta
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