Atlanta Braves legend Chipper Jones has thrown his support behind Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson and William Byron as the frontrunners for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series championship. As the season unfolds, the battle for the title has been dominated by Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing, with occasional strong showings from Team Penske. Currently, the championship race appears to be a showdown between the HMS duo of Larson and Byron and the JGR pair of Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin.
Jones, a Hall of Famer and one of the greatest third basemen in MLB history, recently shared his thoughts on the 2024 championship during a media appearance. He identified Larson and Byron as the top contenders from Hendrick Motorsports but ultimately sees the No. 5 Chevrolet of Larson as the driver most likely to take the title. Jones’s confidence in Larson is well-founded, considering the 2021 Cup champion has secured the most wins this season with four.
The third HMS driver, reigning Cup champion Chase Elliott, also remains in the championship conversation, along with the JGR duo. With all six drivers likely to advance to the Round of 8, the competition to reach the Championship 4 is expected to be fierce, making predictions difficult at this stage of the season.
Jones’s comments come ahead of a historic crossover event between NASCAR and MLB, with Bristol Motor Speedway set to host a regular-season game between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds. The event will mark the first time an MLB game is held at a racetrack, with a temporary field being constructed in the infield area. The game aims to break the attendance record for a baseball game.
Chipper Jones and NASCAR star Chase Elliott were present at the official announcement of the event, sharing their excitement for the unique occasion. Elliott promised fans an unforgettable experience at the track, while Jones eagerly anticipates watching the game from the stands. The crossover event is generating significant buzz, and it will be fascinating to see how the track is transformed to host the game.
Photo from Kyle Larson Instagram
