The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season is still over two months away, but fans are already anticipating races. However, some races are more highly anticipated by fans than others. Which races are one that fans are looking forward to, and which races are fans not looking forward to as much heading into 2024?
5. All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway (May 19th)
Last year was an incredible event at the North Wilkesboro Speedway even if the race itself left something to be desired. However, a new surface and a potentially improved short-track package make this event an interesting one in 2024. Virtually the entire NASCAR fanbase is rooting for North Wilkesboro Speedway to succeed, and this is another opportunity for the track to do so. It may not have the charm of the first race back since it is not the first race back, but, some new storylines make this race anticipated.
4. Southern 500 at Darlington (September 1st)
The Southern 500 at Darlington is always one of the most highly anticipated events of the season, but, this year’s race is just a bit more interesting. Instead of being the first race of the Playoffs, it is now the Playoff cut-off race as the last race of the regular season. It will be interesting to see how Darlington works as a cut-off race instead of the Playoff opener, and, even though the Playoff opener was popular, it will be an interesting story to watch.
3. Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway (March 17th)
The dirt race at Bristol is no more, and, in its place is the return of the spring race at Bristol. The Food City 500 return means another race on the concrete Bristol, which is one of the most popular tracks on the circuit. While some fans are skeptical about the spring race at Bristol returning because of questionable weather, there are also fans who are looking forward to the race returning.
2. Iowa Speedway (June 16th)
The one brand new venue on the 2024 Cup Series schedule is Iowa Speedway, which opens the NBC portion of the schedule in June. Iowa was a very popular addition amongst the fans, and it is a night race making for another fun element. The short track package does give some fans pause about the race product, but, the track has multiple grooves and variable banking. It has elements that could make for a good race.
1. Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (July 21st)
A NASCAR crown jewel returns. The Brickyard 400 comes back to the NASCAR schedule in 2024 after three years on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course. As for whether or not the race will be any good, that is to be determined, but, recent races with the Next-Gen car at Pocono do give some hope that this race could be interesting. Fans are excited about this race returning, and, it should make for a fun event regardless of how the race goes.
5. Coke Zero Suger 400 at Daytona International Speedway (August 24th)
The Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona has been a race that many fans have been asking to be moved back to the July 4th weekend. However, in 2024, it is not even the cut-off race for the Playoffs as it has been in recent years. It’s in this weird space where it’s not in its traditional slot, but it’s also not in as prominent of a date as it has been.
4. Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway (September 8th)
Atlanta has become a popular race track post-reconfiguration after a good race in July. However, both of its’ 2024 dates moved. Now, the second race at Atlanta is the opening race of the Playoffs. This means there are now two drafting-style race tracks in the Playoffs, which, not every fan likes. As a result, this race is dreaded by a few.
3. Wurth 400 at Dover Motor Speedway (April 28th)
Dover Motor Speedway is not an unpopular race track, but, its’ date is not a great one. It is at the end of April, which is difficult when it comes to weather, and it is too far removed from the Playoffs and the start of the season for there to be much momentum around this race. Any track may struggle having a date during this time of year, especially a track as far north as Dover.
2. Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway (June 9th)
The current road course package with the Next-Gen car is not great, and Sonoma Raceway has historically not been the most popular road course with fans. On top of that, many fans were hoping for Sonoma to be moved to the spring where the grass surrounding the track would be green instead of brown. That is not happening, so, it is pretty much the same old Sonoma for 2024.
1. AutoTrader Echo Park Automotive 400 at Texas Motor Speedway (April 14th)
Texas Motor Speedway is one of the least popular tracks in NASCAR. Now, it is in early April, which is an inconsequential date on the Cup Series calendar. The 2023 race was not terrible by any means, but, it was not enough for people to be anticipating the 2024 race any more than in previous years. It’s not a popular track, and it is on a ho-hum date.
Which races are you most looking forward to, and which races are you not looking forward to? It will be interesting to see how this list ages as the season rolls on.
