The Final race of the 2024 Cup season is upon us. A Championship title is on the line for four deserving drivers. The Cup Series has seen plenty of controversy and highlights this season, but now it’s time to put everything on the line for a championship. The LWOS’ NASCAR team shares their picks for who will win the title.
This year’s championship contenders have plenty of intrigue. They are led off by a driver with the most Championship four appearances in Cup Series history: two-time Cup Champion Joey Logano. Defending series champion Ryan Blaney is also back. William Byron is in his second-straight championship four, while Tyler Reddick makes his first Champ 4 appearance. Martinsville had plenty of drama and controversy, but the intensity will hit a new level in Phoenix.
Meet your NASCAR Cup Series Championship Four:
Tyler Reddick won the regular season championship and had quite the round of 8 to make his first Championship Four appearance. He went from flipping over at Las Vegas to winning on a last-lap pass at Homestead two weeks ago. Reddick won three races this season at Talladega, Michigan, and the affirmation Homestead. Despite his 23XI Racing team having plenty of issues off the track. That includes the future of the organization kind of in flux next season, Reddick hasn’t let it distract him. He’s tied for the most Top 10s and Top 5s of the four drivers in this championship fight. Reddick has plenty of support from co-owners Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin.
William Byron looks to take advantage of NASCAR’s decision to penalize Christopher Bell for his wall riding move at Martinsville, for a shot at his first Cup Championship. Byron is a three-time winner this season including the season-opening Daytona 500. His other two victories came at COTA and Martinsville. Sure he has won a race since early in the season, but Byron has been the most consistent of the Final Four. He has finished 6th or better in each of the last seven races. Byron will be trying to get Championship number 15 for Rick Hendrick in the team’s 40th season.
Ryan Blaney is fresh off his third victory of the season last weekend at Martinsville. He finds himself in the same situation he was in last season. A runner-up finish at Homestead, followed by a win at Martinsville in 2023, led to him winning the Cup title. He could become the first back-to-back Cup Champion since Jimmie Johnson’s run of 5 titles from 2006-2010.
Joey Logano continues to be a championship-level driver every even year. The 2018 and 2022 Cup Series Champion, will try to get number three after shocking everyone with his win at Las Vegas. For the driver with the least amount of Top 10 finishes in the Championship Four, he’s certainly a threat nonetheless. He’s used strategy to win each of his three victories this season. That could give him a clear advantage on Sunday.
Practice and Qualifying for the Cup Series Championship race was a tail of two stories for the Championship Four. It took three tries in tech for Logano’s No. 22 to pass, so he doesn’t get a good pit stall despite qualifying second. Byron will roll off eighth, while Reddick starts 10th. As for the defending Champion Blaney, he started 15th last year, he will start two spots deeper this time. Who knows what the none playoff drivers will have to say in Sunday’s race, but expect the unexpected.
The lineup is set for our #Championship4. @joeylogano secures his fifth front-row start of the 2024 season. pic.twitter.com/TzOajdMwZj
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 9, 2024
LWOS Teams picks for the Championship:
Kaleb Kraus:
I’m picking William Byron to get the job done. It’s the 40th anniversary season for Hendrick Motorsports. Byron is the first Daytona 500 winner to reach the Championship race since Jimmie Johnson won both in 2013. Sure he hasn’t won a race since April, but Byron’s No. 24 has been the most consistent driver in the last seven races. The non-championship drivers probably will have something to say about the race win, so in reality, the champion just has to beat the other three drivers. It’s a great cast of drivers in this Championship battle no doubt, but I just have a feeling the No. 24 is gonna get the title in 2024. Byron is my pick to win the Cup Championship. Time to bring home Championship number 15.
Hayden Murdock:
“Blaney, another great track for Blaney. Second at Homestead, Win at Martinsville, and title at Phoenix in 2023. He gets second at Homestead again, wins Martinsville again, and now a second title in 2024.”
Samuel Stubbs:
“Give me Blaney. History seems to be repeating itself, and while he won’t have the track position early on Sunday, he’ll have the speed to win the title.”
Penske is going for the three-peat. 🏆🏆🏆
Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano are battling to try and make history for their team. pic.twitter.com/X0P5TfG2TX
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) November 9, 2024
Where to Watch:
The final race for the Cup Series, the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race, will start at 3:00 PM Eastern Time. Coverage will be broadcast on NBC. Time will tell who will emerge as the NASCAR Cup Champion after 312 laps.
