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How Are NASCAR’s 2023 Star Drivers Performing in 2024?

BRISTOL, TENNESSEE - MARCH 17: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Gainbridge Cal Ripken Sr. Fdn. Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 17, 2024 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

Joshua Lipowski

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Royal T Grafix

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What’s Happening?

2023 was a year full of surprises and feel-good stories, but that’s now in the past. The focus is on 2024 and whether or not drivers can replicate their highest highs and turn them into sustained success. Some succeed, but others do not. Today, we take a look at the breakout stars of 2023 to see how they are performing in the early stages of 2024.

  • This list is not limited to any series. Any driver who had a great 2023 season that people were uncertain about heading into it is eligible.
  • Even though it is early in 2024, NASCAR has now raced on every track type on the schedule. That’s enough of a sample size to paint a picture of where drivers truly are heading into 2024.
  • Fans love breakout stars, and these stars create feel-good stories for the fans. However, expectation begins to set in following a breakout season.

Cup Series: Chris Buescher

YearRacesWinsTop-5sTop-10sAvg. FinishLaps LedPolesPoints
Position
202336391712.1 25507th
2024601413.520012th

Chris Buescher has enjoyed a decent, but not spectacular start to 2024. He’s the second-highest Ford driver in the points standings, and he’s comfortably in the Playoffs for the moment. Overall, it’s a decent follow-up to a career season to this point given that his equipment may not be doing him any favors.

Xfinity Series: Jesse Love

YearRacesWinsTop-5sTop-10sAvg. FinishLaps LedPolesPoints
Position
2023201017184.1147771st
2024501211.419124th
*2023: ARCA Menards Series Stats

The Daily Downforce #4 NASCAR prospect, Jesse Love, took the ARCA Menards Series by storm in 2023, and the jump up to Xfinity has been a smooth one in 2024. He likely would have a win if not for fuel mileage at Atlanta, and he has two poles already. Love is establishing himself as one of NASCAR’s brightest young prospects.

Cup Series: Michael McDowell

YearRacesWinsTop-5sTop-10sAvg. FinishLaps LedPolesPoints
Position
20233612819.097015th
2024600221.037120th

Michael McDowell has shown flashes of brilliance this season, but mechanical failures at Daytona and COTA robbed him of potentially good finishes. He still has two top-10s and his first career pole coming at Atlanta. Once Front Row Motorsports gets its equipment working properly, McDowell could make some noise this season.

Xfinity Series: Sam Mayer

YearRacesWinsTop-5sTop-10sAvg. FinishLaps LedPolesPoints
Position
2023334111913.217703rd
2024500125.60019th

Sam Mayer had the breakout year he was waiting for in 2023, but, 2024 has been a disaster so far. Mayer recorded 3 DNFs in the first four races, but, COTA gave him something to smile about. A 9th place finish was his first top-10 of the season, and time will tell if he can regain the form from his hot streak in 2023.

Cup Series: Carson Hocevar

Rookie of the Year Battle: Who Are the Rookies in Trucks, Xfinity, and Cup?
YearRacesWinsTop-5sTop-10sAvg. FinishLaps LedPolesPoints
Position
2023234111311.627104th
2024600023.00025th
*2023: Craftsman Truck Series Stats

Carson Hocevar has yet to crack a top-10 finish this season, but, that doesn’t mean he hasn’t shown flashes. Keep in mind that he joined a race team that finished 33rd in Owner’s points in 2023, so, sitting 25th in points with a pair of top-15 finishes is an improvement. He’s doing a solid job, and it will be interesting to see if he gets better.

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AUSTIN, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 28: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #9 Safety Culture Chevrolet, drives during the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Focused Health 250 at Circuit of The Americas on February 28, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

O’Reilly: SVG Wins at COTA

by Cody Williams

What’s Happening?

The checkered flag is out for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series competitors at COTA, and it was Shane van Gisbergen who was left standing tall at the end of the race. His 5th career O’Reilly Auto Parts Series victory, it was his first at the track.

  • The opening stage was dominated by the JRM duo of Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen with the No. 1 of Zilisch looking to be the stronger of the two early on. Prior to the end of the stage, both short-pitted, making a long-term play for the win. SVG still managed to end the stage in 10th.
  • Austin Hill stayed out after a disappointing showing in Atlanta last week to collect some stage points. Also running strong in the first stage were Justin Allgaier, Sam Mayer, Brandon Jones, and Jesse Love.
  • Despite not being in his usual ride, Carson Kvapil was very competitive in his DGM No. 91 Chevy. Granted, the car was prepared by JR Motorsports ahead of this race, but it was DGM guys running the show. They did an admirable job, bringing the car home in the 19th position after falling off late. He’ll have 5 more starts in the car later this year to fill out the remainder of his schedule.
  • The second stage belonged to Sam Mayer. Finishing 2nd in the first stage and winning Stage 2, he had a mighty good points day today. Meanwhile, his former teammate Justin Allgaier also had a strong finish in stage 2. That’s a promising sign, considering his heartbreaks in Daytona and Atlanta, respectively.
  • Connor Zilisch had far from a perfect race today. Sure, he led a bulk of the opening stage, but mechanical issues plagued him later in the race. Extra time on pit road making repairs put him behind the 8 ball in Stage 2. This put the race firmly in the hands of SVG. He did manage to battle back to the top 5 before he was dumped by Corey Day and the controversy around that driver continues to build. Zilisch brought it home in 21st with significant damage.
  • With Connor Zilisch’s issues, it was more or less a cakewalk for Shane van Gisbergen in the JRM No. 9. He went on to win, scoring his 5th career win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. He has an opportunity to sweep the weekend. He starts tomorrow’s Cup race in the 13th position.

Race Results

Caution Tracker
  • Lap 20: End of Stage 1
  • Lap 35: Baltazar Leguizamon spins
  • Lap 40: End of Stage 2
  • Lap 57: Sage Karam

Points Standings

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AUSTIN, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 28: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #9 Safety Culture Chevrolet, Connor Zilisch, driver of the #1 Roto-Rooter Chevrolet, and Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Bennett Transportation Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Focused Health 250 at Circuit of The Americas on February 28, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

O’Reilly: Mid-Race Report, It’s the Zilisch and SVG Show!

by Cody Williams

What’s Happening?

The first two stages are in the books for the stars of tomorrow in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at COTA. Predictably, Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen dominated the first two stages. As they short-pitted at the end of each stage, Austin Hill and Sam Mayer both went to collect stage wins, respectively. Here are the key takeaways from the race so far.

  • Austin Hill, after a disappointing finish to last week’s race in Atlanta following being sent by Ross Chastain, won the opening stage of the race. This was, of course, after Connor Zilisch and SVG short pitted, playing the long game for the win. Zilisch led a bulk of the opening stage, leading 12 of the opening 20 laps. On pit road, SVG managed to leapfrog Zilisch for the would-be race lead.
  • The only incident to note in the opening stage was when Jeremy Clements got off course. The caution did not fly, and he finished the stage in the 30th position.
  • Key drivers earning stage points in the opening stage include Austin Hill (10), Sam Mayer (9), Justin Allgaier (8), Brandon Jones (7), Jesse Love (6), Carson Kvapil (5), Corey Day (4), and Rajah Caruth (2).
  • The second stage wasn’t quite as cut and dry as the first. While battling for the lead, Connor Zilisch overdrove a corner, making an uncharacteristic mistake. He went over the radio to complain that it felt like his car was pulling to the right, an indication of a possible issue with his left side brakes.
  • There was a late caution in the stage as Baltazar Leguizamón suffered a brake failure and plowed hard into the tire barrier. He was okay but this effectively ended his day. SVG and Connor Zilisch both came down pit road during this caution. Zilisch had a slow stop as his No. 1 crew started to check out the right side of the car for potential brake problems. Sam Mayer went on to win the stage.
  • Earning stage points in the second stage were Sam Mayer (10), Justin Allgaier (9), Carson Kvapil (8), Jesse Love (7), Austin Hill (5), Sammy Smith (4), Brandon Jones (3), and Ryan Sieg (1).

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AUSTIN, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 28: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #9 Safety Culture Chevrolet, and Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Bennett Transportation Chevrolet, lead the field during the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Focused Health 250 at Circuit of The Americas on February 28, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

What to Keep an Eye on in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race at COTA

by Cody Williams

What’s Happening?

The NASCAR Saturday Double-Header continues with O’Reilly Auto Parts Series action from Circuit of the Americas (COTA). Here’s what you need to look out for and what to expect in today’s race.

  • Road course heavy hitters, Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen, are in the field today. You know what that means: another slobber knocker of a race between them as everyone else struggles to keep up. And, you guessed it: they both are starting on the front row with Zilisch claiming the pole in his No. 1 JRM Chevy. SVG is driving the No. 9.
  • Since Zilisch is in the No. 1, Carson Kvapil has been demoted to the No. 91 of DGM Racing. While the car is prepared by JR Motorsports, it won’t be his usual pit crew. Rather, his crew is made up entirely of DGM employees. So, there are a lot of unknowns for him heading into today’s race. He’s starting 6th.
  • Speaking of JRM, Rajah Caruth turned some heads in the first two races of this season. How will he fare on a road course? That No. 88 team is used to winning on these types of tracks. Keep an eye on him. Caruth is rolling off 19th.
  • Austin Hill bounces back after a disappointing finish last week in Atlanta, thanks to the ruthless bumper of Ross Chastain. He’s rolling off in the 3rd position.
  • Coverage for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at COTA begins at 3 PM EST on the CW.

Starting Lineup

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