What’s Happening?
NASCAR is a team sport just as much as it is an individual sport. No driver has any success in NASCAR without a race team to put them there, but, unfortunately, some teams have missed the mark so far this season. We’ve already talked about the most disappointing drivers, but today, we talk about the most disappointing NASCAR teams of 2024.
- To be included, teams must perform below what they were expected to in the pre-season. If a team is towards the bottom of the standings, but either people expected them to be there or there has been a pattern beyond just this season, they’re not necessarily disappointing as much as they’re performing to expectations.
- This list includes teams from all three National Touring Series: the Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Craftsman Truck Series. Regional touring series teams will not be included.
- Teams on this list could turn their season around. However, they will have to work quickly to do so.
Cup – Legacy Motor Club
Legacy Motor Club made a big move last off-season by switching from Chevrolet to become a “Tier One” Toyota team. Expectations were high, but LMC has not performed well this season. Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek each sit outside of the top 20 in points and have not shown consistent speed all season.
No one expected LMC to compete for a Championship or anything like that, but many hoped the team would improve as the season progressed and compete for a Playoff spot. That has not materialized, and the team has regressed.
Xfinity – Kaulig Racing
While not much was expected of Kaulig Racing’s Cup Series program this season, many expected the Xfinity Series team to be a powerhouse. With SVG, Josh Williams, and A.J. Allmendinger teaming up, many expected Kaulg to contend for a regular-season Championship.
The only one that’s panned out is SVG, who’s only there through an alliance with Trackhouse. Williams and Allmendinger have gone winless this season, with Williams nowhere near Playoff contention. SVG has three road course wins, but he sits outside the top 10 in points as he tries to figure out ovals.
Cup – Richard Childress Racing
Richard Childress Racing is coming off of back-to-back multi-win seasons. This year, Austin Dillon and Kyle Busch are on pace to miss the Playoffs by a country mile. Executive Vice President Andy Petree retired, and RCR is set to make some big executive changes.
Where does RCR go from here? It all likely depends on whatever competition changes they make. If the hires are good, the team could improve, but if the tires are bad, the team will continue to falter.
Trucks – Front Row Motorsports
Front Row Motorsports has been a disappointment at both levels, particularly in the Truck Series. While the team is in must-win territory to make the Cup Series Playoffs, that’s not too far off from where it’s historically been. Their Truck Series program is used to compete in championships.
Layne Riggs has struggled, as he is in a must-win situation heading into the final race of the regular season at Richmond. This team is just two years removed from a Championship, but this year has been a struggle.
Trucks – Niece Motorsports
Niece Motorsports is coming off of a Championship 4 appearance with Carson Hocevar. This year, both full-time drivers, Bayley Currey and Matt Mills, are well outside of the Playoffs, and part-time driver Kaden Honeycutt has more top-10s than both drives combined. The team’s only win came with Ross Chastain at Darlington.
This team can win races, but it just hasn’t worked out. Could we see some major driver changes in the coming weeks?
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