2024 NASCAR Season Recap: Spotlight on Unsung Heroes and Surprising Achievements
The 2024 NASCAR season is officially in the rearview mirror, with Joey Logano claiming his third Cup Series Championship and the coveted Bill France Cup. While the spotlight shines on the season’s biggest winners, here are some unique awards recognizing the lesser-known achievements of drivers and teams throughout the year.
Dale Jarrett Award (Most Improved Driver): Noah Gragson, Stewart-Haas Racing

Noah Gragson turned his career around in 2024 after a disastrous 2023 season, where the most memorable image of his performance was his car stuck under a pile of tires at the Chicago Street Course. Driving full-time for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) this year, Gragson’s improvement was remarkable. He secured seven Top 10 finishes, compared to none in 2023, and improved his average finish by nearly 10 places, from 28.2 to 19.6. His Adjusted Points+ Index surged from a dismal 31 to a respectable 86, the biggest improvement among all drivers.
Mr. Consistency Award (Best Average Finish): Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports

After a tough 2023 marred by injuries and suspension, Chase Elliott returned to form in 2024. Although his championship bid ended in the Round of 8, Elliott was the most consistent driver in the series. The No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevy finished outside the Top 30 only twice in 36 races and logged 19 Top 10s. His average finish of 11.7 led all regular drivers this year and ranks as the second-best in the Next Gen era.
Jerry Nadeau Award (Best Qualifier): Michael McDowell, Front Row Motorsports
Despite a lackluster season that saw his average finish fall to 21.3, Michael McDowell shone during qualifying. He posted an average starting position of 14.6, the best of his career, and led all drivers with six pole positions, edging out Kyle Larson. Unfortunately, McDowell struggled to translate his Saturday success into Sunday results, finishing just 80.6% of his races, one of the lowest completion rates among regular drivers.
Ricky Rudd Award (Best Journeyman Driver): Ricky Stenhouse Jr., JTG-Daugherty Racing
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. followed up his 2023 Daytona 500 win with another superspeedway victory at Talladega in October, marking the first time in his career he won in back-to-back seasons. Stenhouse’s win was his fourth restrictor-plate victory, tying him for 10th all-time and placing him third among active drivers.
Dale Earnhardt Award (Best on Restrictor-Plate Tracks): William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports

William Byron dominated on superspeedways in 2024, kicking off the season with a win at the Daytona 500 and adding two other Top 10 finishes on plate tracks. His Adjusted Points+ Index of 198 on restrictor-plate tracks was the best among regular drivers, outperforming names like Christopher Bell, Kyle Busch, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Marcos Ambrose Award (Best on Road/Street Courses): Chris Buescher, RFK Racing

Chris Buescher emerged as the top road-course racer in 2024, outperforming notable names like Chase Elliott and Tyler Reddick. He clinched a thrilling victory at Watkins Glen, secured two additional Top 10 finishes at Sonoma and COTA, and never placed lower than 20th on road courses all season.
Darrell Waltrip Award (Best on Short Tracks): Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing

Denny Hamlin delivered one of the best short-track campaigns of his career in 2024. He tied for the series lead in short-track wins (2) and Top 5 finishes (5), with an impressive Adjusted Points+ Index of 250, just behind Chase Elliott (254).
Mark Martin Award (Most Underrated Driver): Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing

Despite missing the playoffs for the first time since 2021, Ross Chastain quietly had a strong season. His average finish (14.9) and Driver Rating (83.6) were better than several playoff drivers, proving he was still a playoff-caliber contender.
Jeff Gordon Award (Highest Peak During the Season): Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing

At his best, Christopher Bell outshone everyone in 2024. He posted the highest rolling average Driver Rating during the season’s top 5-race (119.2) and 10-race stretches (109.9). While Bell narrowly missed the Championship 4, his peak performance solidified his reputation as one of the fastest drivers in the series.
David Gilliland Award (Best vs. Teammates): Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports

Carson Hocevar outperformed his teammates at Spire Motorsports all season, with a 70.8% head-to-head winning percentage, the best among full-time Cup drivers. His dominance against Justin Haley and Corey LaJoie highlighted his exceptional talent.
Greg Biffle Award (Best Non-Playoff Driver in Playoffs): Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing

Chastain earned this distinction by excelling during the playoffs, despite missing them. He scored a win at Kansas, two Top 5s, and five Top 10s, with an Adjusted Points+ Index of 138 during the final 10 races, outperforming all other non-playoff drivers.
Good Enough to Win Award (Unluckiest Driver): Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing

Ty Gibbs drove like a winner multiple times in 2024 but failed to secure a victory. Based on his performances at Chicago Street, Darlington, COTA, and others, Gibbs had a 1.5-victory shortfall—the highest among winless drivers this season. If he maintains his form, victory seems inevitable in the near future.
While the big names and champions take the headlines, these awards highlight the depth of talent and storylines that defined the 2024 NASCAR season. With so many standout performances, 2025 promises even more excitement on the track.