The Coolest 2024 Race Finishes

^{Nov 21, 2024 | Edition #100}

👋 Dear Motorheads,

It’s official, folks! The Lucky Dog on Track newsletter has hit the century mark, with this send marking its 100th edition!
For us, this milestone is not just a number, but a testament to the incredible community we’ve built together.
So here’s to these (and the next 100 as well!)

To thank you for being the driving force behind this milestone, we are firing on all cylinders, making this off-season worth your while. And for that, we have a lot of new things cooking behind the scenes.
So stay tuned and let us know what you think, starting with our first story today...

Today, We’ll Uncover the Following Stories From the NASCAR Universe:

🙌 Kyle Larson’s Most Underrated 2024 Moment

🏁 Kyle Busch Is Trying Out a New Series

📺 Is NASCAR Starting Something Good or Bad?

💥 NASCAR’s Old Network Returns With a Bang

⏪ Season Rewind

Most Nail-Biting Finishes of 2024

The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series was an absolute barn burner! From rookie victors to playoff spoilers, this season had it all, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. But now that the checkered flag has waved, we’re sure, just like us, you’re missing the high-octane action too. That's why the Lucky Dog went back in time to bring you the top 5 most thrilling race finishes of 2024.

#5 Harrison Burton’s Historic Win at Daytona

In a night full of firsts, Harrison Burton scored his first Cup victory at the 2024 Coke Zero Sugar 400. As the 24YO outran Kyle Busch to the finish line, it wasn’t just a milestone for Burton. It was also a huge moment for Wood Brothers Racing, who marked their 100th victory in the sport. (It is a great feeling. We now know).

With the wholesome image of the Burton Family celebrating and Leigh Diffey’s iconic “Jeff, your little boy has DONE IT!” line, this win will stay with us for a long time.

#4 Chris Buescher Defeats a Road Course Maestro

When Chris Buescher clinched the win at Watkins Glen, it wasn’t just another road course victory. It was a spectacle that sent shockwaves through NASCAR. While the win was already a playoff spoiler, it also felt like a throwback to the iconic 2012 rivalry between Marcos Ambrose and Brad Keselowski.

But what made Buescher’s victory even more electrifying was the way he held off Shane van Gisbergen—NASCAR’s road course sensation. It was surely the kinda battle we hope to see when we tune in to NASCAR on Sundays. Here is a video capturing the final moments of that race.

#3 Daniel Suarez’s Unexpected Victory

If there’s one thing we NASCAR fans crave, it’s a dramatic finish—and that’s exactly what Daniel Suárez served up at Atlanta! With the final lap ticking down, his fearless three-wide move cut through the field like a hot knife through butter.

The tension was palpable as he took the checkered flag, narrowly edging out 2023 Cup Champion Ryan Blaney by a mere 0.003 seconds.

#2 Tyler Reddick’s Final Push for the Championship 4

As Michael Jordan said, “Little kid drove his a** off,” Reddick did put up quite a show, punching 23XI’s first-ever entry in the Championship 4. Imagine, after leading just 98 of the 267 laps, Reddick somehow threaded the needle between Ryan Blaney and his boss Denny Hamlin in a move that left fans screaming.

And, next thing we know, Reddick snuck past them, finishing 0.241 seconds ahead of Blaney. (Now that we look at it, Blaney had a tough season, didn’t he?)

#1 The Closest Finish in Cup Series History

If you’re looking for the definition of a jaw-dropping NASCAR finish, look no further than Kyle Larson’s win from May. While Larson remained a dominant force the entire regular season, what we saw in Kansas Speedway, was nothing short of epic. In a race where every fraction of a second mattered, the #5 driver edged out Chris Buescher by a mind-blowing 0.001 seconds.

This finish shattered records, toppling the legendary 0.002-second margin between Ricky Craven and Kurt Busch at Darlington in 2003. So at least in our books, this deserves to be the best finish of the year.

🏁 Lucky Dog’s Quick Poll 🏁

🫶 The Pit Stop

Stay in the Race: Move Freely with BraceAbility

After years of cheering for your favorite NASCAR driver, you know the rush of every lap, every turn, and every finish line. But when pain starts holding you back, it’s like being stuck in the pit instead of racing toward the checkered flag.

BraceAbility is here to change that. Like a finely tuned engine, our partner’s orthopedic braces are built to get you moving again—whether it’s joint pain, injury recovery, or chronic discomfort. Trusted by thousands, their braces deliver the support you need to keep up with life’s race.

Don’t let pain put you in the rearview mirror. Shop now and reclaim the freedom to enjoy every moment—because you deserve to be in the driver’s seat, pain-free.

📈 Trending News

Kyle Busch Wanders Into Unchartered Territories

The NASCAR season may be over, but it seems Kyle Busch didn’t get the memo to slow down. After what was arguably a difficult year, Rowdy is trading his stock car for something a little more... let’s just say nimble.

As you would have guessed, we are talking about midget cars. Those lightweight machines have way too much horsepower, allowing them to fly around the track as fans cheer on. While it’s a blast to watch, imagine how fun it must be to drive them. In fact, a lot of NASCAR folks, including Tony Stewart, Kyle Larson, and Christopher Bell, have tried their hand at the Midget scene. And now it is Busch’s turn.

Since this is an uncharted territory for the NASCAR Driver, it will be a challenge. With that said, no one really thought Busch’s seat-fitting alone would prove to be a task. In case you missed it, here is a clip of the hilarious moment.

As things stand, the 39YO has his sight set on Chili Bowl—a legendary event that has always been on Busch’s wishlist. But there's more to it than just chasing a trophy. It’s also about family. Racing alongside his 9YO son Brexton, a budding sprint car prodigy, adds a layer of sentiment to this chapter. In Busch’s own words, “To be able to compete there, and then alongside my son Brexton at the Tulsa Shootout, is making this year one to remember.”

This seems much needed for the veteran after he had a rather sad Cup season. But don’t think for a second he’s coasting into the main event. Kyle Busch is putting in the laps to master the craft, starting with a USAC-sponsored race at Bakersfield Speedway in just five days, followed by another showdown at Ventura Raceway. In his attempt to perfect the craft, he would also go against Brexton in The Tulsa Shootout in December.

Do you think that be enough to best over 300 drivers that come to compete at the famed event? Regardless, Rowdy seems confident and at the same time realistic. We just have to wait and see if that proves to be enough!

Continue Reading: Kyle Busch Turns to Wife Samantha’s Plan After Embarrassing Midget Car Dilemma

🔎 The In-Depth View

Has NASCAR Made Too Bold of a Gamble for Growth?

As we’re all waiting for the 2025 season now, let’s take a moment to actually talk about it, in regard to the major upcoming changes.

While FOX Sports and NBC will continue to hold down the fort as the trusted NASCAR coverage veterans, Amazon Prime, and TNT will be joining the party as well. This marks a bold move by NASCAR, as it ventures into the realm of streaming services with Prime.

Looking at Amazon’s global reach, this partnership, to be fair, will put NASCAR in front of millions of international viewers, giving the sport a whole new audience. But there’s no success without risks.

Industry analysts worry that the fragmented broadcasting landscape and the exclusive streaming deal could dilute the audience. And yes, there’s always the chance of an offset due to the complexity of navigating different services.

Still, NASCAR President Steve Phelps believes the deal will "grow the sport while delivering our product to fans wherever they are." With this, what has been an American-dominant sport will have the potential to go global, capitalizing on Amazon’s 200 Million viewers in 200+ countries.

But what about the existing audience, you ask? Well, as per Phelps, “70% of NASCAR fans have Amazon Prime.” So in theory, this does seem like a win-win move. However, it's still uncertain if five races would be enough for NASCAR to achieve what it's set its eyes on.

If you ask the Lucky Dog, it would ultimately come down to NASCAR's ability to balance tradition with innovation. All in all, they shouldn’t anger their loyal fans while looking for new viewership. But what do you think? Are you on board with NASCAR’s new media deal?

Continue Reading: NASCAR Faces a Bleak Future With Its New Money-Making Agenda

📈 Trending News

Returning Network Assembles the Dream Team!

Since we are already on the topic of the New Media Rights deal, here is a related update, which will surely bring a smile to your face. As TNT looks to get back on the NASCAR bandwagon after 2014, they recently announced the team that will be heading their 2025 broadcast. And it is a good one!

Leading the charge is none other than The People’s Champion, Dale Earnhardt Jr, who is arguably the perfect man for the job considering his passion for the sport. Just like us, Junior is also feeling excited and “nostalgic” about TNT’s return. But he has a few more reasons to be pumped; one being that he will be joined by two other heavyweights of the broadcasting world. 

The first one is TNT’s veteran, Adam Alexander, a seasoned play-by-play commentator with a knack for keeping fans glued to their screens.

As Alexander already has an impressive broadcasting resume, we know he’ll do great at Cup as well. However, it's the reuniting Alexander-Earnhardt Jr pair that would be interesting to watch. 

Last but not least, rounding out this dynamic trio is Dale Jr’s former HMS crew chief, Steve Letarte. Already a part of the Dirty Mo Dough family, Letarte is known to give fans some great strategy breakdowns while adding serious depth to the coverage.

The only downside, though? This dream team will be calling just 10 races during the midseason stretch. But those 10 races will indeed be worth it! 

Continue Reading: Steve Letarte Works Three Jobs to Sustain Two Daughters and His Thirst for NASCAR at 45

📰 Lucky Dog's Recommended Reads

1. Wife Leah Pruett Pens a Heartfelt Message for Tony Stewart - Full Story

2. Sprint Car World to Miss Toyota Driver Till Next Season Due to Grueling Injury - Full Story

3. Shane van Gisbergen Controversially Differentiates Between Next Gen and Xfinity Cars - Full Story

4. Martin Truex Jr Warned to Turn Down Denny Hamlin’s Offer - Full Story

5. Carson Hocevar Exposes Chevrolet’s Harsh Reality - Full Story

✨ Featured Comment

In our last edition, we asked you to pick Richard Petty's best paint scheme, and 64.16% of you voted for "Blue Plymouth Superbird". Among the 64.16% was Super Fan - Scott Smith, who shared an interesting comment...

Lucky Dog's Take: While most of us surely feel the same, do you know the story of how 'Petty Blue' came into being?

Sometime in the late 1950s, The King found himself in a pinch, needing his car painted before a race. But with limited resources, his team improvised and mixed whatever paint they had on hand - some blue, some white. The resulting shade, born out of necessity, went on to become an iconic part of Petty's trademark. Who would've thought, right?

If you have any such comments, let us know in the polls. You can also write back to us. With this, the next Lucky Dog on Track 'Featured Comment' could be yours.

💌 Feedback