Revisiting NASCAR's Greatest Legacies

December 30, 2024

Dec 30, 2024 | Edition #117

👋 Dear Motorheads,

Just like that, we’re gearing up to say goodbye to another unforgettable year. What a ride it’s been—Harrison Burton’s surprise win, the fiery clash between Kyle Busch and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and even the never-ending updates on the lawsuit that still keep us all on the edge of our seats.

But before we cross the finish line, today gives us a chance to celebrate two remarkable journeys. Ryan Blaney turns 31, and we’re also paying tribute to a NASCAR legend who set the bar with three consecutive championships.

In the spirit of honoring greatness, Lucky Dog is also bringing back some of the sport’s biggest names from the early 2000s, reliving their career-defining moments—the ones that remind us exactly why we fell in love with NASCAR in the first place.

🫡 The Lucky Dog Salutes

Celebrating Ryan Blaney & Cale Yarborough!

Dear Ryan,

We’ve got a confession: the Lucky Dog is a bit envious of you. Your birthday’s on the 31st? It’s like throwing the biggest party of the year and getting to celebrate all over again as everyone reflects on the past year and plans for the one ahead.

But seriously, happy birthday, Ryan! We’re sure you’ve got some big plans for the big day, and you totally deserve it. From the moment Dave and Lisa welcomed you into the world, it seems like everyone’s been along for the journey, cheering you on every step of the way.

And we didn’t know you were tender as a kid. Yes, your mom[Lisa Blaney] has shared some great stories about her “baby boy.”

Speaking of the family, your grandfather Lou Blaney, and your dad Dave paved the way, it was only a matter of time before you started making waves in NASCAR.

And, your first Cup victory in Pocono? It was unforgettable—holding off Busch’s No. 18 and battling side-by-side with Harvick’s No. 4. That lead you took to win for Wood Brothers Racing was something special.

And then, your championship year. You broke a 59-race winless streak in style at Charlotte Motor Speedway with a crown jewel victory in the Coca-Cola 600. To top it off, you punched your ticket to the Championship 4 by winning the Round of 8 finale at Martinsville. That was commendable!

As the 2024 season rolled in, defending your title didn’t go as planned, but you had something even more special to celebrate—marrying the love of your life, Gianna Tulio. And you both looked great!

Speaking of greatness, you’ve always shown respect for the veterans. We all remember the video you shared of Mr. Yarborough when he passed away in 2023. Sadly, we lost the NASCAR legend on December 31st—the same day you were born 30 years ago.

Cale’s legacy will forever be cherished. He wasn’t just a driver—he was a force of nature, and his place in NASCAR history is secure. From being the first to win back-to-back championships—and then doing it three years in a row—Cale Yarborough set the bar ridiculously high for future drivers. That 1979 Daytona 500, with the first-ever flag-to-flag TV coverage, is a moment that still lives in NASCAR history. And the infamous brawl with the Allisons? Have a look for yourself.

With 83 career wins and three Daytona 500 victories, Cale Yarborough is tied for sixth on the all-time wins list [Richard Petty’s the one with the most Daytona 500 wins].

So, here’s to you, Ryan—a driver who carries the heart of NASCAR’s golden era into every lap, and to the legend [Cale Yarborough] who you’ve watched closely as you learned racing. Thanks for making NASCAR great!

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🗝️ From the Vault

Missing NASCAR Veterans From the Good Ol’ Days

Looking back on the good times [like we did with Cale Yarborough], Lucky Dog can’t help but think about some of the NASCAR veterans who made the sport so memorable in the early 2000s. They might not have been the absolute greatest, but we are sure you miss them as much as we do. If you’re a true NASCAR fan, you’ll maybe even have a favorite of one of them.

Kasey Kahne

First up is Kasey Kahne, who made 2006 a year to remember. Even though Jimmie Johnson clinched his first championship that season, it was Kahne who stole the spotlight with some record-breaking moments. His first win of the year—and his eighth for Team Evernham—came at Atlanta, and it was no ordinary victory.

That win snapped a 29-year drought for Dodge in the victory lane, a streak dating back to when Richard Petty held off David Pearson for Cale Yarborough to take the chequered. Definitely a year to remember for all Kasey Kahne fans, as he “will always be the biggest what if in racing,” for them.

Carl Edwards

If you remember, the 2008 season was the best of Carl Edwards' Hall of Fame career. While he dominated the season with nine wins and a P2 finish, the show that Edwards and Jimmie Johnson put up at Kansas Speedway, was a classic NASCAR battle.

With Johnson and Edwards battling for the lead in the Camping World RV 400, the tension was electric. The former, refusing to settle for second, made a gutsy, all-or-nothing move in the final laps.

The crowd held its breath as Edwards’ bold gamble unfolded, but the wall did more than he anticipated—it slowed him down just enough for Johnson to cruise to victory. Edwards’ plan? “Hit the wall,” but just not enough to cost him the win. What a move, Carl! Despite that loss, Lucky Dog salutes you for your courage and skill!

Mark Martin

If you were a Mark Martin fan in 2009, it probably felt like his last, best shot at a championship. Joining the powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports lineup gave him a much-needed second wind. That year, Martin won five races—his first victories in four years—and showed flashes of the brilliance that hadn’t been seen since his heyday in 1998.

Martin came agonizingly close to the title, finishing second, just 141 points behind his teammate, Jimmie Johnson. Despite the heartbreak, it was still a remarkable season for him. But the thrilling final win of the year came in Phoenix, where he won for the first time in nearly four years, snapping a 121-race winless streak. This was a popular win. Mark Martin was the oldest driver to win a Cup race at that time.

And now, long after Martin has retired, his humor is still intact. It looks like he’s finally won a championship in 2024, [and we aren’t even kidding].

Juan Pablo Montoya

How could we leave Montoya off this list? The guy could race anything with wheels and win—Formula 1, IndyCar, Champ Car, and yes, NASCAR. While his NASCAR career was brief, Montoya’s 2009 season was impressive. A contender for the championship, and in fact, he was the only driver to score four top-fives in the first four playoff races. 

Montoya had everything going for him until wrecks in three of the next four races took him out of the running. One classic moment? When Montoya got into the back of Carl Edwards in Texas [Dickies 500].

Despite the setbacks, an 8th-place finish in the standings was a solid achievement for a driver still learning the stock car ropes.

Tony Stewart

Ah, comes in, Tony Stewart—the definition of "fan favorite." Whether it was his knack for consistent finishes or his ability to snatch wins, Smoke always knew how to keep things interesting. In 2009, he grabbed four wins and finished sixth in the standings, but what truly set him apart was his unapologetic attitude.

“Smoke” was always at the center of the drama, and honestly, that’s part of what made him so iconic. With SHR out of the picture, NASCAR will miss his aura for sure!

🏁 Lucky Dog’s Quick Poll 🏁

Which of These NASCAR Veterans Would You Want to See in a Cup Car Again?

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Last Poll’s Result: We asked for your thoughts on Tony Stewart and SHR stepping away from NASCAR. While 50.61% of you agreed it was the right move for him, 27% still feel there’s always going to be a “Smoke” void that no one else can fill.

🗞️ NASCAR Shorts!

Ex-Tech Inspector Questions Dirt Racing’s Integrity

Kyle Larson and Brad Sweet’s racing series is at the center of controversy after allegations from a former employee. Kevin Nouse, who served as the technical director for High Limit Racing, has now claimed that rule violations were ignored during his time with the organization.

The allegations have sparked a heated debate on social media, but High Limit Racing has firmly denied them. Read Full Story

🔎 The In-Depth View

‘New Tracks’ on the NASCAR Circuit?

NASCAR just locked in a massive broadcasting deal worth $7.7 billion, thanks in part to big players like Amazon coming on board as streaming partners. With all this buzz, there’s a lot of talk about what the future holds for the sport. Changes are definitely on the horizon, and one of the biggest questions is whether we could see some brand-new tracks added to the schedule.

And when we say "new tracks," we’re not talking about resurrecting old, forgotten ones. We’re talking about fresh, untested circuits shaking things up. All this sounds pretty exciting, right?

But the last time NASCAR built a brand-new, permanent track was in 2006 with Iowa Speedway. And if you think about it, the last major addition to the U.S. racing scene was COTA back in 2012. So, it’s been a long while. However, with all the fresh cash from the new broadcasting deal, there could be new additions.

Building a new track means huge investments—land, infrastructure, government negotiations, and then getting the local community on board. So, some might even argue it’s too much of a risk—too much money to invest in something that might not pay off. But the alternative is that NASCAR could look for new markets. Maybe where the sport hasn’t really taken off yet.

We know the sport’s expansion into new international markets like Mexico is happening in 2025. So, there’s potential for new racing venues abroad. And there’s a positive feedback as well. We have Daniel Suarez [the Mexican driver] who is all excited and can’t wait for us all to experience Mexico’s crazy traffic.

But if NASCAR were to build a new track, it would probably have to be part of a larger sports and entertainment development, kind of like what we saw in the 1990s when land was cheaper, and the sport was booming.

In the end, while the idea of a new track sounds exciting, it feels a little far-fetched. But who knows? With all the changes happening in NASCAR right now, anything is possible. Let’s just keep our fingers crossed!

👀 Must-See Moments

When Kyle Larson's Win Touched His Son's Heart

Now, let’s last but not least, the most dominant force of 2024—Kyle Larson. This season, Larson was the only driver to secure six wins, and while the first two came pretty smooth, his third victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway meant different.

It wasn’t just another race for Larson; it was a moment that would forever bond him and his son, Owen, in a way that only a father and son could experience, and that’s something Larson will never forget.

Speaking of the track, Larson had already made history at Vegas before. But as holding off Tyler Reddick, Larson crossed the finish line to a roar from the crowd, the victory carried an added layer of emotion. It was about the father-son bond that filled the air.

Of course, Larson’s son couldn’t be more proud! Owen, who turned 10 on December 23rd, took a raw paper & pencil to describe how he sat nervously in the motorhome, watching his dad dominate the race. "I started to get my shoes on because I wanted to meet my dad in Victory Lane," he wrote.

It was a simple yet powerful moment, capturing the joy of a son witnessing his father’s triumph—and the bond that racing, and life itself, is all about. You should see how cute the kid’s handwriting is. This would melt your heart. 

And, when the white flag was waved, he sprinted through the pits [small feet trying to chase his father]. The sense of urgency must have been palpable as Owen’s words painted a picture of a son’s admiration and love for his father in the letter.

As Owen made it to the front stretch, just in time to witness his father, he climbed atop the car and waved his arms to the crowd. And, he “will always remember this moment.” [Owen, so would fans! Your father’s legacy will always be cherished and will go down in NASCAR history.]

For Kyle Larson also, it wasn’t just the margin of victory or the dominance on the track that made it special—it was “cool to win in Vegas.”

📰 Lucky Dog's Recommended Reads

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  3. Amazon’s $7 Billion Gamble that NASCAR Fans Can’t Ignore - Full Story

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