The Closest Finish In NASCAR Cup History… One Year Later

A finish so close, it made history. One year ago at Kansas, Kyle Larson edged Chris Buescher by just 0.001 seconds, the closest finish in NASCAR Cup Series history. Now, we look back at the aftermath, the what-ifs, and what this moment meant for NASCAR’s future.

• What if Buescher had won? Would Martin Truex Jr.’s final season have ended even earlier?
• Did Larson’s five bonus points even matter in the end?
• How did this race elevate Kansas Speedway’s reputation among fans and drivers?
• And could this moment define the entire Next Gen era?

The dramatic finish had a ripple effect, affecting playoff lineups, career legacies, and how we’ll remember the current generation of NASCAR. Some finishes are fun to watch, and others, like this one, stick with the sport forever. The Kansas 2024 race did both; it’s the clearest reminder of what this new era can deliver when everything clicks. Relive the moment. Rethink its impact. And ask yourself: Will we ever see something like this again?

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