As a result of inherent unpredictability of auto racing, it is extraordinarily arduous to foretell who will probably be among the many championship favorites initially of each NASCAR season. Some drivers who had expectations coming into 2024 have met or exceeded them, whereas a couple of unlucky males have fallen effectively wanting their prior targets.
These are the 5 NASCAR Cup Collection drivers who’ve didn’t carry out like they have been anticipated to by way of the primary 22 races of the season.
Kyle Busch
Let’s go for the low-hanging fruit first. Busch is having the worst 12 months of his profession, and there appears to be little hope that the No. 8 staff — or Richard Childress Racing as an entire — will flip issues round. Whereas it is true {that a} matter of inches at Atlanta might be the distinction in Busch lacking the playoffs, a single win would not have modified the outlook of Busch’s 2024 season — the two-time champ is simply plain gradual.
Zane Smith
Smith deserves his flowers for an uptick in efficiency over the past month — together with a career-best runner-up effort at Nashville — however thirty third in factors is much from what anybody was anticipating from the 2022 Truck Collection champion. Smith has the potential to blossom right into a Cup Collection star, however with fellow rookie Carson Hocevar beating him each week, it is time for Smith to do some soul-searching earlier than his 2025 plans are determined for him.
Corey LaJoie
LaJoie has been harped on sufficient at this level, so here is a fundamental abstract — his rookie teammate is outrunning him constantly, he is making few mates within the storage and his automotive appears to be magnetically interested in the tow truck. In Yr 4 at Spire Motorsports, LaJoie is operating out of each time and excuses to carry out, and dealing with legendary crew chief Rodney Childers in 2025 could also be his final probability.
Ross Chastain
Now simply seven factors above the lower line with 4 regular-season races to go, Chastain — and Trackhouse as an entire — want to seek out some supply of pace within the worst method. Not all of Chastain’s misfortune this season might be positioned on his shoulders, but when there was ever a time for the watermelon farmer to revert to his extra aggressive ways, it could be now.
Austin Dillon
Should you’re questioning why Dillon will get the nod over the likes of Harrison Burton, Daniel Suarez and Austin Cindric, it is as a result of his growing old teammate has one way or the other carried the shell of Richard Childress Racing to the playoff lower line. Dillon’s future within the cockpit appears to carry nothing however vainness for RCR’s future, and with a younger expertise in Jesse Love ready within the wings, it might be in the very best curiosity of each RCR and Dillon if he decides to maneuver from the driving force’s seat to the chief suite.
