NASCAR 2024 Cup drivers who had the best consistency on the track delivered standout performances throughout the season. Yet, despite their solid finishes, the playoff system seemed to overlook their hard work. With the controversial elimination format, drivers who showed steady excellence found themselves eliminated, leaving fans wondering if consistency should matter more.
Joey Logano’s 2024 Championship and the NASCAR Elimination Format
Joey Logano won the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Championship, but his victory caused some controversy. Many fans don’t support the elimination format, which decides who moves on in the playoffs. Under this system, drivers are eliminated after each round of races, which means a driver could have a bad race and still make it to the final. Fans feel this takes away from the idea of a championship being about a whole season of hard work and consistency.
The main problem fans have with the elimination format is that it focuses too much on one race, instead of rewarding drivers who perform well all season. In the past, NASCAR’s point system rewarded consistency, where a driver’s overall performance was what mattered. But now, with eliminations, a single race can decide the championship, and some feel that’s not fair. They think it’s more about luck than skill, and that doesn’t sit well with a lot of long-time fans.
Even though some fans aren’t happy with the current system, NASCAR still stands by it. They believe the excitement and drama it creates is good for the sport. But the debate isn’t over, and many fans still question whether this system is the best for the future of NASCAR.
Even with all the criticism, there were drivers who showed amazing consistency throughout the 2024 season. Here are the drivers with the best average finishes, proving that being consistent still matters, even with the current format.
5. Tyler Reddick
Tyler Reddick, driving for 23XI Racing, showed why he is a rising star in NASCAR. He finished the 2024 season with an average finish of 13.19, ranking fifth overall. Reddick had three wins, 12 top-five finishes, and 21 top-10 finishes. He also led 597 laps across the 36 races, with an impressive 97.31% of laps completed. His average starting position was 10.2, which helped him consistently run up front. Reddick’s high finish was 1st, while his low was 35th. He had four DNFs, but his consistent finishes were a big factor in his strong performance this year. With a total of 9,482 laps run, Reddick proved that his steady approach could compete at the highest level.
4. William Byron
William Byron finished the 2024 season with an average finish of 12.94, landing him in fourth place. Byron had a solid year, scoring three wins, 13 top-five finishes, and 21 top-10 finishes. He led 357 laps and ran 97.88% of the total laps in the season. Byron’s performance was marked by consistency, with an average starting position of 9.6. His high finish was also 1st, while his low was 38th. Despite his strong performance, Byron finished 3rd in the overall standings with 5,034 points, proving his reliability on the track. With four DNFs and a total of 9,537 laps run, Byron showed that he could stay competitive throughout the season, making him one of the top drivers.
3. Kyle Larson
Kyle Larson, a dominant force for Hendrick Motorsports, finished the 2024 season with an average finish of 12.91, securing third place in this ranking. Larson’s season included six wins, 15 top-five finishes, and 18 top-10 finishes. He led an impressive 1,699 laps and had an average starting position of 8.8, which allowed him to stay near the front throughout the season. Larson completed 95.33% of laps, leading to a total of 9,052 laps run. His high finish was 1st, while his low was 39th. Larson had five DNFs, but his six wins, the most by any driver this season, kept him in contention for the championship. Despite his occasional bad finishes, Larson’s performance solidified him as one of the most consistent and skilled drivers of the year.
2. Christopher Bell
Christopher Bell from Joe Gibbs Racing finished with the second-best average finish of 12.81 in the 2024 season. Bell had three wins, 15 top-five finishes, and 23 top-10 finishes, showcasing his ability to remain consistent throughout the season. He led 1,145 laps, and with an average starting position of 11.2, Bell was able to make up ground during races and finish strong. Bell completed 95.42% of laps run, totaling 9,298 laps. His high finish was 1st, and his low was 38th. Bell had six DNFs, but his overall consistency in avoiding bad finishes made him a strong contender. His steady performance helped him finish 5th in the final standings, further proving his status as one of the rising stars of NASCAR.
1. Chase Elliott
Chase Elliott, the #9 driver for Hendrick Motorsports, had the best average finish of 11.72 in the 2024 season. Despite a challenging year, Elliott’s ability to manage races and avoid mistakes helped him achieve the top ranking in average finish. He had one win, 11 top-five finishes, and 19 top-10 finishes, with 431 laps led throughout the season. Elliott’s average starting position was 11.6, and he completed 98.50% of laps run, totaling 9,598 laps. His high finish was 1st, while his low was 36th. Elliott had two DNFs, showing that he could remain competitive even when faced with challenges. He finished 7th in the final standings with 2,342 points, proving that consistency can sometimes be more important than victories. Despite a somewhat disappointing win total, Elliott’s solid performances earned him the top spot in terms of consistent finishes across the season.
News in Brief: NASCAR 2024 Cup Drivers Who Had the Best Consistency
In the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series, several drivers showcased incredible consistency throughout the season, but the playoff system robbed them of their rightful chances. Despite strong performances, such as Tyler Reddick’s steady finishes and Chase Elliott’s solid race management, the elimination format ultimately took precedence, often punishing those who deserved more. NASCAR’s focus on drama and single-race eliminations sparked a debate among fans.
ALSO READ: Why NASCAR Fans Walked Out During Joey Logano’s Championship Celebration
