Okay, the break is over. Energy down the streaming providers. Shut the ebook. Wipe the sand off your toes.
It’s time to get again to work and actuality.
So it goes for NASCAR Cup collection groups this week, as preparation for Richmond Raceway hits the ultimate stretch following the two-week Olympic cease. It’s additionally the ultimate stretch of the season, 14 straight weeks, that may embody the push to the postseason and the crowning of a brand new champion.
There won’t have been racing over the past two weeks, however there’s nonetheless rather a lot shaping up that’s going to come back to fruition on this closing stretch. From on the racetrack to the enterprise going down off of it, it’s full steam forward.
Right here are some things to maintain in your radar:
Foolish season
Prepared? Right here we go:
• Entrance Row Motorsports has but to announce the motive force of its third automobile but it surely’s not anticipated to be a shock or shock. As soon as the motive force is called, the automobile numbers for every shall be assigned.
• Ryan Preece has no introduced plans for subsequent season and is probably going weighing choices in all three collection.
• Trackhouse Racing is anticipated to buy a 3rd constitution and if it does, Shane van Gisbergen is prone to be the motive force.
A yr in the past, the corporate was excessive on Zane Smith, who it signed to a long-term contract however loaned out to Spire Motorsports. The plan was to broaden in 2025 and convey Smith in home. However then van Gisbergen burst onto the scene and determined he wished to come back to NASCAR.
So, the place do issues at present stand? Trackhouse Racing has to resolve if it’s van Gisbergen or Smith, and if it’s not Smith, does the staff proceed loaning him out elsewhere, or minimize ties? Smith’s identify has been rumored to be within the operating for a return to Entrance Row Motorsports.
Josh Berry (left) may have a brand new dwelling subsequent season, however Corey LaJoie (Proper) continues to be on the lookout for someplace to go. Rusty Jarrett/Motorsport Pictures
• Corey LaJoie is on the job hunt after being knowledgeable by Spire Motorsports he gained’t drive the No. 7 automobile subsequent season. LaJoie stated on his podcast final week “I’ll be nice,” even when he doesn’t know what his subsequent transfer going to be – and he acknowledges it is probably not in racing.
• Spire Motorsports now has to fill the No. 7 automobile after releasing LaJoie. Whoever it finally ends up being will work with championship-winning crew chief Rodney Childers.
• Spire Motorsports additionally has to place collectively the staff for Michael McDowell. The No. 71 proper now could be a hodgepodge of members from Spire and Trackhouse Racing since Zane Smith is a Trackhouse Racing contracted driver. As Smith strikes on subsequent yr, it places them able of constructing the No. 71 (together with discovering a crew chief) right into a full-fledged Spire Motorsports staff.
• Haas Manufacturing unit Group has but to call a crew chief for Cole Custer. The group can be nonetheless working to fill out its two Xfinity Sequence automobiles.
• 23XI Racing is anticipated to buy a 3rd constitution. Riley Herbst’s identify has come up in dialog as a possible candidate.
There are different names which have popped up within the rumor mill, similar to Sam Mayer. He believes he ought to be thought-about for a Cup Sequence trip, saying at Iowa Speedway it makes him “so mad” his identify will not be on the market as a result of he and his staff have confirmed themselves. There may be additionally Harrison Burton, who’s on the surface wanting in proper now as he’s being changed subsequent yr at Wooden Brothers Racing by Josh Berry.
After which there’s Justin Haley. Though Haley signed a multiyear cope with Rick Ware Racing, his identify continues to be thrown round as probably going elsewhere. It’s one thing to maintain behind your thoughts because the board continues to shuffle for 2025.
The regular-season championship
NASCAR is in its eighth season of awarding factors on the finish of the common season and in some way the battle nonetheless will get neglected. It’s simple to know; the playoff grid and which drivers are in or out is extra enticing and simpler to comply with. However don’t overlook the general championship standings as a result of the drivers definitely don’t as they totally perceive the importance of each level.
Kyle Larson leads teammate Chase Elliott by 10 factors and Tyler Reddick by 15. These three are in one of the best place to take the additional 15 factors that include successful the common season championship. However there are seven drivers lower than 100 factors behind Larson.
The reseeding all the time performs into the early rounds of the postseason, as do playoff factors. It makes a driver’s path a lot simpler when there’s insurance coverage to fall again on if a mulligan arises within the postseason. And for individuals who won’t get the complete 15, each different level is simply as essential inside the highest 10 and might be the distinction between advancing or developing quick. We’ve seen it again and again, and count on this yr to be no completely different so by paying consideration now it gained’t be a shock when it begins to develop within the closing weeks of the season.
THe common season championship nonetheless must be determined. Final yr’s winner Martin Truex Jr., in the meantime, is heading in the direction of retirement. Lesley Ann Miller/Motorsport Pictures
Chris Buescher
With regards to the battle to make the playoffs, Buescher is a captivating case in how merciless racing destiny may be. In Might, it regarded like a matter of time earlier than Buescher and the No. 17 staff wound up in victory lane, and he got here shut in back-to-back weeks at Darlington and Kansas. However contact with Tyler Reddick ended his possibilities at Darlington with lower than 10 laps to go, and at Kansas, he was on the dropping finish of the closest end in Cup Sequence historical past.
And now, Buescher sits fifteenth of 16 on the playoff grid with 4 races left within the common season. His benefit on the cutline is, sarcastically, 17 factors. When requested by RACER earlier than the break if these shut finishes now sting extra due to the place he’s on the playoff grid, Buescher laughed and stated, “they’re beginning to.”
There isn’t a doubt Buescher’s group is postseason worthy. There isn’t a doubt they’re able to successful a race or two or extra. However proper now, this staff must get again to pulling down these high 5 finishes whereas not being on the dangerous finish of any unlucky twists and turns.
Martin Truex Jr.
As his closing season winds down, it means fewer and fewer possibilities to win one final race. Truex has been winless since July 2023 and has had an up and down season. Though he sits seventh within the general standings, Truex is thirteenth on the playoff grid (the very best driver with out a win) with two top-10 finishes within the final 10 races.
The 2017 collection champion goes out on his phrases and there could be nothing like going to victory lane earlier than he does. Undoubtedly, it might be a preferred victory inside the storage. However not each driver has had such a chance on this closing season – Kevin Harvick being the latest final yr.
If Truex gained not less than as soon as extra, it might give him 35 within the Cup Sequence. It might break a tie Truex is in with Kurt Busch on the all-time wins checklist, which might be adequate to place Truex twentieth on the checklist.
Charters
No, a deal continues to be not performed. Is it shut? Has any widespread floor been discovered? Actually, it will depend on who you ask as a result of there might be one reply at one finish of the storage and one thing completely different as soon as making it to the opposite finish. The identical goes for whether or not or not the clock is ticking loudly or there’s nothing to fret about.
There may be a variety of chatter on the market about what either side needs and it’s laborious to maintain up with what’s correct and what’s simply rumor. The longer this goes on, the extra fascinating it turns into of seeing what’s going to find yourself within the closing deal and who blinks first to signal.
