The Official 2024 NASCAR Regular Season Discussion Thread

[Doom]

BACOOOON

Good for Almirola to hold off retirement and resume his NASCAR Cup career.

 

[Doom]

Team Penske extends Blaney's and Logano's contracts:

Ryan Blaney signs long-term extension with Team Penske​

ESPN

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Team Penske signed Ryan Blaney to a multiyear contract extension ahead of his final push to make NASCAR's playoffs.

Blaney has been part of the Penske organization since he was 19 and ran three races in 2012 in the Xfinity Series. He's been part of the three-car Cup lineup at Penske since 2018 and the team said Wednesday his extension is a "long-term agreement" for him to remain in the No. 12 Ford.

"Team Penske has been family to me for 10 years, so I'm incredibly excited to continue with this family for the future," said Blaney. "Roger Penske is a legend in our sport, and I've always said getting to drive for him is something everyone dreams of doing. I look forward to continuing to win for Team Penske, Roger and all of our partners, as we work towards our goal of winning a Cup Series championship."

The seven-time Cup winner has made the playoffs every season since 2017 but finds himself on the bubble with two regular-season races remaining. Blaney is ranked second in the standings -- which in any other year would be good enough for one of the 16 spots in the playoff field.

But drivers qualify for the playoffs by winning a race and there have been 15 different race winners so far and Blaney's only victory this season came in the non-points All-Star race. Blaney is locked into a battle with 2017 NASCAR champion Martin Truex Jr. for the final spot in the field. Truex is ranked fourth in the Cup standings.

The series races Sunday at Watkins Glen International, where Blaney finished a career-best fifth in 2019. His average finish is 11th in five career starts.

"Ryan has become one of the top competitors in the NASCAR Cup Series and we are excited for him to continue his career and build on his success with Team Penske," said Roger Penske. "He has been a key part of our team for more than a decade and we have seen him grow and develop, both on and off the track."

Team Penske extends Joey Logano's contract for No. 22 Ford​

ESPN

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Team Penske signed Joey Logano on Wednesday to a long-term contract extension that locks down both the 2018 NASCAR champion and teammate Ryan Blaney for the next several years.

Blaney got a contract extension last week, and Logano's has been finalized to keep him in the No. 22 Ford.

"Over the last 10 years Joey has become such an important part of Team Penske and we know he will continue to be a leader and a winner with the No. 22 Ford team well into the future," said team owner Roger Penske. "Joey is a great champion of our sport and we are proud of how he continues to produce for our team and represent all of our partners."

Logano joined Team Penske ahead of the 2013 season after he was dumped by Joe Gibbs Racing over lack of performance. But he's flourished at Penske and won 27 Cup races, including the 2015 Daytona 500, the 2016 NASCAR All-Star race, the 2021 Bristol Dirt race and the first Next Gen race in the January exhibition at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Logano won his championship in 2018 when he beat Carl Edwards in the season finale to earn his only Cup title. It was only the second Cup title in Penske's storied history.

"Since taking over the No. 22 car at Team Penske, I've had the opportunity to accomplish so many of my dreams both on and off the track," Logano said. "For the last 10 years, Roger has provided me the resources to be competitive, a team that stands behind me and leadership that is second to none.

"I'm excited to be continuing our relationship together so we can keep focusing on winning races, more championships and doing what we do for many years to come."

Logano has made the playoffs all but one season since joining Team Penske and has reached the championship round four times. He's currently fourth in the Cup Series standings with two wins heading into Saturday night's regular-season finale at Daytona.

 

[Stellar]

Guess who’s back, back again, Craftsman back, tell a friend!

One sec, making sure that it's not April 1st. Nope.

This is really cool! Awesome!

 

[Stellar]

Rain has canceled both qualifying's for the races. So far the rain is showing to last until sometime after 8pm. Really hope that they can get that Xfinity Series race in tonight. Then I look at tomorrow for the cup race and it's showing to rain tomorrow evening as well. If these races get moved to being during the day on Sunday (think it's supposed to rain then also) then ill be sad. Been looking forward to 2 night races in Daytona. Does it always rain there? Seems like it.

 

[Stellar]

Race is starting up! ...Last years cup series race that is.

Looks like they are still hopeful to get the Xfinity Series race in tonight. If they are willing to let the race go very late in to the night there is a chance...

 

[Hidden Blaze]

If it gets to late, hoping they don’t race tonight, I can’t stay up all night tonight so I’m gonna need to know something soon lol

 

[Doom]

If it gets to late, hoping they don’t race tonight, I can’t stay up all night tonight so I’m gonna need to know something soon lol

I figure that it's best if they decide to postpone the race if it keeps raining.

 

[Doom]

They got the dryers out to dry the track.

 

[Stellar]

According to the forecast the rain will be ending soon...if it even still is raining there. Kind of looked like the rain had stopped.

 

[Stellar]

30 dryers out on the track... wow. lol

 

[Chris]

30 dryers out on the track... wow. lol

electric bill bout to be crazy

 

[Doom]

The cars are coming out!

 

[Stellar]

Betcha those kids singing didn't think that they would have to wait until after 10:30pm their time to do the singing. lol

 

[Doom]

The green flag is finally out!!!

 

[Doom]

Sammy Smith hits the wall and the caution is out.