Throughout every NASCAR season, conflicts are bound to arise between drivers. Whether it’s a quiet conversation on pit road after the race or a full-blown brawl on pit road, conflict exists in all forms. Keep this page bookmarked all season as we talk about all driver conflicts in 2024.
Joey Logano vs Ty Gibbs: Clash
On the final restart of the Clash at the LA Coliseum, Ty Gibbs pushed Joey Logano up the track to take Logano out of contention. Logano was hot under the collar and confronted Gibbs near the haulers after the race. Logano spoke out after the conflict saying, “I don’t know what the next step is to earn respect with the kid.“
Corey LaJoie vs Austin Cindric: Daytona 500
The 2024 Daytona 500 ended under caution after Austin Cindric and Corey LaJoe made contact on the last lap, sending both Cindric and Ross Chastain into a spin. LaJoie commented after the race saying, “It’s the last lap. I’ve seen [Cindric] do a lot of dumb things too, and we’re not friends, so, that’s that.”. Cindric responded by saying, in part, “He tried to fit a car where there wasn’t a car and just continued to push through my left rear until I wrecked”.
Ryan Blaney vs Ross Chastain: Las Vegas
Ross Chastain gave a backhanded compliment to Ryan Blaney after Las Vegas for Blaney’s aero blocking, and Blaney responded with a Star Wars meme with the caption, “Ironic”. This would be somewhat trivial if not for the two drivers battling for the lead at Phoenix in 2023 during the Championship race, causing some friction between the two drivers.
Erik Jones vs Chase Briscoe: Phoenix
Erik Jones was unhappy with Chase Briscoe after the Phoenix race for contact on a late restart. The incident was never shown on TV, but, the two eventually talked before the Bristol race, seemingly putting the conflict to bed.
Kyle Busch vs Christopher Bell: COTA
Christopher Bell was charging through the field late at Circuit of the Americas, and, in that state of aggression, he spun out Kyle Busch in turn one. While Busch still ended up in the top 10, he confronted Bell after the race. While most of the dialogue is indecipherable, Busch asked one simple question, “Have I ever wrecked you?” At the very least, Busch sent a clear message not to mess around with him.
Martin Truex Jr. vs Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson: Richmond
Martin Truex Jr. was not happy after Richmond because he believed that Denny Hamlin jumped the restart. He expressed that frustration by roughing up Kyle Larson on the final, which escalated into Truex Jr. breaking a toe link on the cool-down lap. However, Larson seemed to brush it off to the media after the race.
Kyle Larson vs Bubba Wallace: Richmond
Bubba Wallace and Kyle Larson got together late in the race at Richmond, causing Larson to spin into the infield. The incident ultimately worked out for Larson as he gained positions on pit road under that caution, and Wallace fell back after an issue on pit road. Wallace quickly made his way to Larson’s car after the race to apologize, and Larson quickly accepted.
Josh Berry vs Daniel Suarez: Richmond
Daniel Suarez found himself spinning out early in the race at Richmond off of the front bumper of Josh Berry. Both drivers talked to Frontstretch after the race. Suarez said “We’re good”, while also providing a warning to Berry to not do so again. Berry gave his perspective, saying Suarez will, “Race me the way I race him.”
Austin Hill vs SVG: COTA
During Overtime of the Xfinity Series race at COTA, Austin Hill and SVG both roughed each other up, which opened the door for Kyle Larson to take home the win. The two exchanged words after the race, with Hill claiming that he felt SVG lifted early. Whether or not this grows beyond COTA is to be determined.
Joey Gase vs Dawson Cram: Richmond
Joey Gase was spun out by Dawson Cram during the Xfinity Series race at Richmond, and Gase used his rear bumper to express his displeasure to Cram. The two also talked after the race, but, Cram elected to spin this into a positive following the race. On Sunday, he sold announced that he was selling a T-Shirt themed around the bumper toss, with all proceeds going to Donate Life, a charity that Gase partners with.
Stewart Friesen vs Nick Sanchez: Bristol
Stewart Friesen went to confront Nick Sanchez after the Truck Series race at Bristol where Friesen and Sanchez wrecked coming off of turn four. Even though Friesen came up on Sanchez, Friesen was still hot, and the two got into a brief scuffle before being separated.
We will keep this article updated as the 2024 season rolls on.
The 2026 Daytona 500 wasn’t just another crown jewel; it felt like a turning point. After lawsuits, format changes, broadcast criticism, and a long offseason full of tension, this race carried real weight. And when the checkered flag flew at Daytona International Speedway, the winners and losers went far beyond the finishing order.
From MJ embracing Jim France after months of legal tension, to questions about fuel saving, pack racing, and whether this superspeedway package needs a serious tweak, this race sparked conversations that could shape the entire 2026 season. There were clear steps forward, but also warning signs hiding in plain sight. We break down who really won, who didn’t, and why this Speedweeks might matter more than most people realize. Watch the full breakdown and tell me where you land.
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Where do all the drivers stand after the first official points race in the standings table?
After winning the opening points race of the season at Daytona by leading one lap, Tyler Reddick made it to the top of the standings. Under the new rules, he managed to pull up 58 points. The 23XI Racing driver pocketed 55 for the win and added three more by finishing Stage 2 in P8. He may have squeezed out at least one more had he landed inside the top 10 in Stage 1, but after getting swept into a Lap 5 crash, Reddick limped the Stage 1 in P20, giving him no extra points.
Rounding out the top 10 are Brad Keselowski with 39 points in sixth despite a P5 finish, followed by his RFK Racing driver, Chris Buescher, in seventh with 39, Bubba Wallace in eighth with 37, Carson Hocevar in ninth with 36, and Ryan Blaney in 10th with 36.
Atlanta could be a springboard for Elliott, who owns an average finish of 11.4 across 14 starts there, with two wins, including one in last year’s fall race, plus three top fives and nine top 10s. The track could also pull Kyle Busch back into contention. Having already shown his speed at Daytona by winning the pole, he may potentially pull it off at the 1.54-mile track. The RCR driver sits P14 in the standings, but with an average finish of 8.8 at Atlanta since 2023 across six starts, the place might finally snap his 94-race drought.
Then again, Connor Zilisch has only one start at the track and came home P11 last year when he made his third Cup start there, making Atlanta a stage where he could stamp his mark.
Ryan Blaney will also have a better chance than anyone else to climb through a win or even points alone at Atlanta. The No. 12 Team Penske driver has one win there from 2021, but consistency has been his strong suit, with seven top fives and nine top 10s in 15 starts. And that puts him in a position to move the needle when the field rumbles into Atlanta.
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The Daytona 500 and Speedweeks may be over, but that doesn’t mean the chaos will cool off for the stars of NASCAR’s three National Series, as they roll into Hampton, Georgia, to the high banks of EchoPark Speedway for one of the schedule’s most unique race weekends.
Note: This article will be updated as more information about the weekend comes out.
