As the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series nears its conclusion, the Round of 8 kicks off at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, setting the stage for a fierce battle among eight drivers, including four former Cup champions. But for Richard Childress Racing veteran Kyle Busch, predicting the Championship 4 lineup is far from straightforward.
With three races ahead in the Round of 8—including Martinsville, Homestead, and Las Vegas—Busch was asked to weigh in on which drivers he believes will make the cut for the final championship round. Despite the competitive field, Busch wasted no time in naming three drivers he feels are nearly guaranteed to advance: his former Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) teammate and the powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) duo of and .
However, when it comes to the battle for the fourth and final spot in the Championship 4, Busch singled out two drivers: veteran Denny Hamlin and 2024 regular season champion Tyler Reddick. This leaves defending champion Joey Logano, as well as past winner Martin Truex Jr., out of Busch’s predicted lineup.
“Barring craziness, which we all enjoy chaos, I would say that the race for the final spot is between the No. 45 (Reddick) and the No. 11 (Hamlin). The other three are set,” Busch remarked.
Busch’s comments underscore the difficulty of predicting the outcome of the 2024 season, with so many past champions in contention and unpredictable races still to come. For the two-time Cup champion, it’s not just about his fellow competitors—it’s about his own chances of keeping his nearly two-decade-long winning streak alive.
With just four races left in the season, Busch is acutely aware of the clock ticking on his shot at a 2024 victory. Despite a challenging year, he sees Las Vegas, his home track, as perhaps his best chance to turn things around.
“Time is running out. We’re getting close to the end of the year. I feel like this place is probably one of our best chances of being able to go out there and get that win this year,” Busch shared.
Should Busch manage to secure a victory in Las Vegas, it would mark a significant moment in his storied career and extend his impressive winning streak. All eyes will be on the No. 8 team to see if they can deliver a car capable of achieving this milestone for Busch.
As the competition heats up and the race to the Championship 4 intensifies, Busch’s predictions offer a bold perspective on how the 2024 NASCAR season might conclude. But with unpredictable tracks ahead, nothing is set in stone.
