After a wild season that saw surprise winners, drama, and incredible performances from the drivers, it all comes down to this. Four drivers enter the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race hoping to claim a title. The highest finisher walks away with the prize.
The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion between Tyler Reddick, Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, and William Byron.
How did we get here?
Who will prevail?
Let’s dive in.
How Did We Get to the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race?
Of the four title hopefuls heading into Phoenix, three advanced by virtue of a win in the Round of 8.
Joey Logano was the first winner to punch his ticket, thanks to a daring strategy call at Las Vegas that saw the #22 hold off a hard-charging Christopher Bell.
Tyler Reddick came next. After finding himself upside down at Vegas, the 23XI team bounced back with an incredible run at Homestead that saw him pass two cars on the last lap.
For Ryan Blaney, he needed a win in the final race of the round at Martinsville. With fresher tires than the cars in front of him, the driver of the #12 carved his way up through the field to take the checkered flag and keep his hopes of a back-to-back championship alive.
Should Christopher Bell race for the NASCAR Championship?
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) November 3, 2024
Watch this move on the final lap. pic.twitter.com/3A3BrNe0fd
Finally, William Byron was the lone driver to advance on points. This is where things get a bit hairy, courtesy of the immensely flawed playoff system currently in place. With the laps winding down, Byron couldn’t lose another spot lest Christopher Bell tie him in points and advance via tiebreaker.
Thankfully for Byron, two Chevrolet drivers essentially served as a road block. Ross Chastain’s and Austin Dillon’s teams were both subsequently penalized for their roles in the debacle.
Christopher Bell would end up passing Bubba Wallace in the final lap to tie Byron, but because it was ruled he rode the wall in the process, Bell was disqualified. Wallace’s team was also penalized in the process.
2024 NASCAR Championship Cup Race Entry List
The series finale for 2024 features a full 40-car field on Sunday. Some part-time drivers who haven’t run the majority of the races this year include JJ Yeley in the #44 and Jeb Burton in the #50.
Seven-time champ Jimmie Johnson will race once again in the #84 while Derek Kraus takes the wheel of the #16 for Kaulig Racing and Chad Finchum drives the #66. A full field is a rarity these days and while none of the drivers are likely to be competitive its always nice to see all 40 slots filled up.
2024 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race Odds and Predictions
Among the playoff contenders, Ryan Blaney has the best odds of winning the race at +350. He had the best finish of the Championship Four during the spring race at Phoenix as well as during this event last season – which saw him finish second and claim the championship.
After Blaney – William Byron, Joey Logano, and Tyler Reddick all have +650 odds to win on Sunday. Each has had good runs at Phoenix in the past but one big piece to consider is Logano’s extra time to prepare for this race thanks to his win at Las Vegas.
Enter a contender. Exit a champion.
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 5, 2024
First to the finish line captures the crown. #Championship4 pic.twitter.com/9H8rVfjiSf
The Penske cars have run extremely well at Phoenix in championship races, leading me to believe Logano and Blaney will be the favorites once again. Of the two, I think Blaney has run better most of the year and that consistency will carry him to his second-straight title.
Ryan Blaney is my race winner and championship winner pick.
Be sure to check out the schedule below so you don’t miss any on-track action from the weekend. We’ve got the series finales for the ARCA West Series, Trucks, Xfinity and Cup so make sure you don’t miss the conclusion of this year’s NASCAR calendar.
Friday 11/08
Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100 (ARCA West Series) – 12:30 p.m. CT on FloRacing
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Qualifying – 3:05 p.m. CT on FS2
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship Race – 7:00 p.m. CT on FS1
Saturday 11/09
NASCAR Xfinity Series Qualifying – 3:00 p.m. CT on USA
NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying – 4:05 p.m. CT on USA
NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race – 6:00 p.m. CT on the CW
Sunday 11/10
NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race – 2:00 p.m. CT on NBC
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