The NASCAR Cup Series season has yielded two photo finishes, the end of a 110-race winless streak, an altercation on pit road and a surprise winner at Talladega.
That was just in the first 13 races!
Cup teams return to action this weekend after competing in the annual All-Star Race, leaving a total of 23 races until the end of the season. If the first 13 races were any indication, there will be plenty of action as drivers compete for the championship.
These are the remaining races that stand out for their potential to launch fireworks.
Tracks take center stage this week because the All-Star Race has no bearing on driver Power Rankings. The usual top 10 will return after the Coca-Cola 600.
NASCAR POWER RATINGS Keynote USA SPORTS
1. Atlanta II (September 8 in the US) – The spring race in Atlanta provided a photo finish as Kyle Busch, Daniel Suarez and Ryan Blaney swerved three times at the finish line. This ended a wild race in which 30 cars were involved in incidents. Now, the next race in Atlanta will begin the first round of the playoffs. Will the race be calmer as drivers try to avoid any incidents, or will the added importance of advancing beyond the first round increase the level of intensity? This question makes Atlanta II a race to watch.
This will also be Atlanta’s only opportunity to host a playoff race, creating a special moment in NASCAR history. Atlanta will return in the summer of 2025 to begin television coverage on TNT Sports.
2. Bristol Night Race (September 21 in the US) – College football has the Rose Bowl, “The granddaddy of them all.” NASCAR has the Bristol Night Race. This race closes the first round of the playoffs and forces teams with championship aspirations to deliver a perfect performance over 500 laps. Some mistakes could lead to unscheduled pit stops that would leave contenders several laps behind the leaders. Others could cause multi-car accidents on the high banks. There is constant intrigue during the Bristol night race as drivers jockey for position and tempers flare. Combine those factors with potential tire wear, as fans saw in the spring, and fans could be in for the quintessential NASCAR experience.
Hamlin lays eggs on Bristol crowd after playoff win
“Everyone likes a winner,” says a flippant Denny Hamlin amid a chorus of boos at Bristol Motor Speedway after his victory in the round of 16 to automatically advance to the round of 16 of the Cup playoffs.
3. Coca-Cola 600 (May 26 on Fox) – Before the Next Gen era, oval racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway had lost some luster. They didn’t generate much emotion. However, the last two races at the 1.5-mile oval have shown that CMS is back. Last season’s race featured 32 lead changes over 400 laps as drivers competed for position in NASCAR’s longest event. They swung in three directions, used every lane possible, and occasionally made mistakes while trying to push the cars to their limits. It was pure euphoria. The expectation is that the action-packed racing will continue this weekend as drivers complete 600 miles in memory of service members who gave their lives in service to the country.
Highlights: Blaney wins in Charlotte
Ryan Blaney pulled away from William Byron in the closing laps to end his winless streak.
4. Martinsville II (November 3 on Keynote USA) — While short track racing has drawn criticism in the Next Gen era, the Martinsville playoff race has continued to generate drama. Just look at Ross Chastain riding the wall to beat Denny Hamlin for the final Championship 4 spot in 2022. Last season, William Byron advanced after battling heat-related issues and a poorly handling race car. Hamlin fell short of the Championship 4 after leading 156 laps. Regular season champion Martin Truex Jr. missed the Championship 4 due to a speeding penalty and a slow pit stop.
Martinsville may not offer the same bumps and bangs that NASCAR fans are accustomed to, but it serves as the ultimate pressure cooker for drivers seeking a championship. Some rise to the occasion, like Ryan Blaney did last season. Others make critical mistakes.
5. Darlington II (September 1 in the US) – Darlington, once the first playoff game for Cup teams, moved to the end of the regular season to account for the Olympic break (coverage on Keynote USA Sports). “The Lady in Black” will host the final race to determine the 16-driver playoff field. Darlington rewards drivers who can control their tires and avoid hitting the wall. Reward pit crews who make perfect pit stops. Drivers weigh in on the challenges the South Carolina track poses and the mistakes that can occur regularly. What happens when these drivers face the added intensity due to the possibility of missing the playoffs? This will require watching television.
6. Chicago Street Race (July 7 on Keynote USA) — Rain had a significant impact on NASCAR’s inaugural race weekend on the streets of Chicago. However, it did not stop the action during the Cup race. In this event, several drivers made mistakes and crashed into the tire barriers. It also featured intense racing between Justin Haley and newcomer Shane van Gisbergen as each attempted to make NASCAR history by winning the first race on the streets of the Windy City.
Highlight: van Gisbergen wins Cup race in Chicago
Shane van Gisbergen makes history as the first driver to win during his NASCAR Cup Series debut in 60 years following his victory at the Chicago Street Course.
7. Homestead (October 27 on Keynote USA) – Homestead has not hosted the championship race since the 2019 season, but continues to play a role in determining the outcome of the season. The Florida track hosts a round of 16 race, one that favors drivers who can keep their car just inches from the outside wall. The winner, if still in the playoff picture, clinches a spot in the Championship 4. Christopher Bell made the most of this past season by winning for the first time at Homestead. He wasn’t a favorite to win at Homestead due to his previous career-best finish at the track (eighth in 2020), but he rose to the occasion. Who will be the next?
Bell qualifies for Championship 4 with victory in Miami
“I have the best team behind me,” says a jubilant Christopher Bell after a “whirlwind” race and a win that secures him in the Championship 4 alongside Kyle Larson at Phoenix Raceway.
8. Daytona II (August 24 on Keynote USA) — Daytona may not host the regular season finale this season, but that doesn’t mean this race will be without intrigue. It will be one of two remaining opportunities for winless drivers this season to secure a playoff spot, so the intensity will be there. Aggressive blocks will be launched at critical moments. There are likely to be multiple incidents that attract contenders. Once the race is on its final lap, drivers who once worked together will likely abandon each other and take the field of three for a late acceleration race.
Highlights: NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona
Watch highlights from the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway, the finale of the 2023 regular season before the playoffs.
9. Indianapolis (July 21 on Keynote USA) – For the first time in the Next Gen era, Cup drivers will compete on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. The return of this setup is a welcome sight for NASCAR drivers. They have the chance to win at an iconic location and kiss the bricks. NASCAR fans have a chance to see if the Next Gen car can improve racing at another high-speed track.
10. Iowa (June 16 in the US) — Another short track in the top 10? That can’t be right. Well, it is. Iowa is a new addition to the schedule and will host its first Cup race to kick off the Keynote USA/USA portion of the schedule. There will be concerns about how the Next Gen cars will run at the .875-mile track, but Cup drivers have demonstrated the ability to generate excitement at new tracks over the years. Chicago, Gateway and Road America are all examples. Additionally, the Cup race was sold out in December, so the best drivers will be able to compete in front of packed stands.
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