‘Tis the season to look back and reflect on the year, while also making plans and wishes in hopes of making the new year even more eventful or spectacular. So, this time last year, I sat down and compiled a wish list of sorts to share with you, much like this one ahead of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season. While some of my hopes did come fruition, others certainly didn’t age well. Of the ten items on that list, about half of them came true. Of note, we finally got to see Brad Keselowski snap his winless streak, Denny Hamlin continues to embrace his villainous role, and a few more international racing stars ventured over into the world of stock car racing.
As for things that didn’t pan out, Stewart-Haas Racing did not ‘find its footing.’ Instead, SHR shut its doors after 15 years of competition. But they did go out with one last moment of glory as Chase Briscoe won the Southern 500. All four drivers also found new homes in the Cup Series, which is a positive. While the Daytona 500 was thrilling, it did not have a clean finish with the winner taking the checkered and yellow flag together. And while the new NASCAR Netflix docuseries was extremely well done, it did not spark a DTS-esque response to the sport as I hoped it would.
With 2025 just on the horizon, what would like to see in the next season? This year’s wish list will try not to tread the same ground as one year ago, but there’s still plenty to hope for this holiday season…
1. Format changes that aren’t simply rearranging chairs
NASCAR has hinted at possible changes to the playoff format for 2025, which follows Penske’s third consecutive Cup title and Joey Logano winning the crown with the lowest average finish of any champion in the history of the sport (17.1). However, if they’re going to do it, actually change something significant. Don’t add a few more bonus points or place certain protections around the regular season champion to help them avoid an early playoff exit. Be bold or don’t bother. My suggestion: Extend the final round beyond a single race.
Champion Joey Logano, Team Penske, Shell Pennzoil Ford Mustang
Photo by: Ben Earp / NKP / Motorsport Images
2. A resolution to the charter dispute before going to trial
The charter dispute has not gone away. In fact, it’s now escalated into a full blown lawsuit between 23XI Racing/Front Row Motorsports and NASCAR. The France family has been accused of operating an unlawful monopoly that has violated…
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