As Motorsport.com does annually at the conclusion of the NASCAR season, it’s time to review the 10 closest finishes across the 2024 Cup, Xfinity, and Craftsman Truck Series. Known for its high-energy and thrilling conclusions, stock car racing once again delivered exciting moments this year, though the closest finish ranked only fifth on the list compared to previous years.
The Cup Series claimed five of the top ten tightest photo finishes, followed by Xfinity with three, and the Truck Series with two, the latter boasting the absolute closest finish of the season. Phoenix Raceway stood out unexpectedly, featuring in the top ten three times. Traditional draft-heavy tracks like Talladega, Daytona, and Atlanta continued to dominate close racing moments.
Here are the ten tightest NASCAR finishes from this past season, complemented by videos and photos:
10. NASCAR Xfinity Talladega (Fall): Austin Hill narrowly beats Carson Kvapil by 0.105 seconds, where Hill maintained control in overtime amid a chaotic pack.
9. NASCAR Xfinity Atlanta (Summer): Nick Sanchez edged out Carson Kvapil by 0.104 seconds, securing his first Xfinity Series win amidst strong competition.
8. NASCAR Cup Phoenix Finals: Ryan Blaney defeated Brad Keselowski by 0.097 seconds after Keselowski made a costly mistake in the final corner during their battle for victory.
7. NASCAR Cup Kansas (Fall): Chase Elliott won by 0.069 seconds over Denny Hamlin in a frenetic finish involving a crash triggered by Hamlin during a last-lap duel.
6. NASCAR Trucks Talladega (Fall): Gio Ruggiero claimed his first Trucks victory by just 0.059 seconds over teammate Corey Heim, defending his lead aggressively.
5. NASCAR Cup Phoenix (Spring): Christopher Bell beat Denny Hamlin by 0.049 seconds in a fierce final lap showcasing Bell’s streak of three consecutive wins.
4. NASCAR Xfinity Phoenix (Spring): Aric Almirola overcame Alex Bowman by 0.045 seconds after contact at the finish that pushed Bowman into the wall.
3. NASCAR Cup Daytona (Summer): Ryan Blaney surged from outside the top 10 in the final laps to narrowly beat Daniel Suarez by 0.031 seconds in a four-wide finish.
2. NASCAR Cup Talladega (Spring): Austin Cindric edged Ryan Preece by 0.022 seconds, though Preece was later disqualified for failing inspection.
1. NASCAR Trucks Atlanta (Spring): The closest finish of the year saw Kyle Busch just edge Stewart Friesen by 0.017 seconds in a dramatic final corner battle, with Busch continuing to cement his legacy as the winningest driver in Truck history.
Fan Take: This recap of the closest finishes highlights why NASCAR remains thrilling for fans, showcasing the razor-thin margins that define victory or defeat. Such exciting conclusions not only keep viewers on the edge of their seats but also underscore the intense competitiveness that propels the sport’s ongoing popularity and growth.
