The season finale is not just for crowning the series champion, but it also signifies the end of careers, partnerships and in some cases, race teams. The 36th and final points-paying race of the 2024 NASCAR Cup season at Phoenix Raceway was no different. While all the focus was on the championship showdown, several other storylines were quietly tying up their own endings in the background.
MTJ is going fishing
There was Martin Truex Jr., making his final start as a full-time driver. MTJ hasn’t missed a Cup race since 2005 in an impressive streak totaling nearly 700 consecutive races. Truex was given a round of applause by his fellow drivers in the pre-race meeting, who then took a group picture with the future NASCAR Hall of Famer.
Martin Truex Jr, Joe Gibbs Racing, Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry
Photo by: Danny Hansen / NKP / Motorsport Images
Anyone who has been watching NASCAR for long enough would have immediately recognized the DEI-esque paint scheme — a throwback scheme honoring his Cup debut from nearly two decades ago — leading the charge of his final full-time race. And while race itself didn’t pan out perhaps the way Truex would have wanted to end things, which has been a theme for him this year, he crossed the finish line in 17th.
Later, on pit road, he was approached by legends such as Michael Jordan and Jeff Gordon who simply wanted to shake his hand.
“Yeah, it means a lot to have the respect of guys like that and what they mean to the sport,” said Truex. “Absolute legends, right? It makes me feel good that I’ve earned that respect over the years, and it means a lot. From here forward, I’m just going to go have some fun and do a little bit of racing here and there just for fun. Hopefully, it will be less stressful than days like today.”
A NASCAR giant calls it quits
For Truex, it was his choice to finally walk away from the weekly grind, but for others, this was the end and not exactly by choice. Stewart-Haas Racing, co-owned by Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, are shutting their doors now that the season is over. They were one of just three four-car Cup operations in the sport, and a constant presence on the grid since 2009. On Sunday, the No. 4, No. 10, No. 14 and No. 41 raced under the SHR banner for the final time with 323 employees cheering them on. Noah Gragson was the best of the bunch ending the race in 12th place.
Some of the drivers organized a victory lap of sorts on the cool-down lap…
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