The premier event, originally held in cities like New York City and Las Vegas, switched to Nashville in 2019, attributed to the Music City’s rising prominence. The event celebrated all three national division champions: Ryan Blaney of Team Penske, Cole Custer of Stewart-Haas Racing, and Ben Rhodes of ThorSport Racing, who drove their championship-winning vehicles down Broadway alongside fans. Ford made a historical sweep, a feat not accomplished in over two decades.
Custer’s redemption story unfolded with a three-wide pass on the late-race restart at Phoenix that sealed his triumphant victory in the NXS series, after being demoted by SHR. Rhodes displayed resilience in the Truck Series title-decider, emerging with his second championship in three years. Notably, the drivers weren’t the only participants in the festivities, with all 16 Cup Series playoff drivers and their respective manufacturers in attendance. Chevrolet and Ford drivers showcased significant accomplishments, reaffirming the highly-competitive nature of the sport. Blaney, supported by his crew chief Jonathan Hassler, basked in the spotlight as the 2023 champion.
The Bristol Motor Speedway was the site of Ty Gibbs’ coronation as the NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year. The 2022 Xfinity titleholder, who moved up to the Cup Series with Joe Gibbs Racing, finished the year 18th in points and captured the prestigious award. Moreover, the season began with a victory, as Ricky Stenhouse Jr. provided an electrifying start by securing a stunning win at the season-opening Daytona 500.
Olivia Carter revs up excitement in the world of NASCAR. As a dedicated motorsports enthusiast, she covers race results, driver profiles, and the latest developments in the NASCAR world, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
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