The conclusion to the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series did not disappoint as two teammates battled it out for championship honours.
In the end, it was Team Penske’s Joey Logano who came out on top, claiming his third triumph and becoming just the 10th driver in history to do so.
He fought off a hard-charging Ryan Blaney in the closing stages, who appeared to have more pace in his car than anyone else on track.
His efforts were thwarted by the moves of two rivals along the way after a late caution shook up the playing field.
Kyle Larson and William Byron were ‘racing harder’ against Ryan Blaney
With not a lot to fight for at the end of the race other than pride, both Kyle Larson and William Byron were fairly intent on not letting Blaney pass easily.
In fact, he was held up just enough for it to prevent him from getting a good chance to overtake Logano for the win at the end.
Former NASCAR star Kevin Harvick noticed it and discussed the battle on the Happy Hour podcast after the race.
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“This leads to what happened getting to this point. What happened in Martinsville, who got knocked out of the way, who’s not happy with who?
“It was fairly obvious to me that the #24 and mostly the #5, they were racing Blaney like there was no tomorrow.
“They were definitely racing harder against Blaney than they were everybody else. They made it very difficult.”
Why Blaney should expect more of the same in 2025
Although Byron was on a very strong run of form heading into the final round, he failed to come out on top yet again.
He will be more motivated than ever in 2025 to bounce back and finally win his first championship, which he has been tantalisingly close to for a while now.
Larson although already a title winner, will be equally as eager having missed out on making the Championship 4 this season.
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That was despite being the fastest driver for most of the year, taking the most wins, stage wins, and leading the most laps.
Expect both to spare no inch for Blaney when they take to the track again in a quest to win the NASCAR Cup Series championship.