Kyle Larson can’t seem to catch a break. Despite his jaw-dropping dominance in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series, the Hendrick Motorsports star was denied a Championship 4 spot and now, to add insult to injury, he’s also been snubbed for the prestigious Richard Petty Driver of the Year award.
Instead, an unlikely hero has emerged from the shadows—Justin Allgaier, the 2024 Xfinity Series champion, who finally had his moment in the NASCAR spotlight.
The Long Road to Recognition: Allgaier Finally Gets His Due
For years, Allgaier has been knocking on the door of greatness. The 38-year-old veteran has been a fixture in the Xfinity Series for over a decade, consistently finishing near the top—but never quite securing the top prize.
That all changed in 2024, when he finally delivered a championship season for Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports team.
📌 10 career top-five finishes in the Xfinity Series standings before 2024
📌 Runner-up in 2023, losing to Max Verstappen in a controversial vote
📌 Finally wins the Xfinity title in 2024, securing two victories and 10 top-five finishes
The Illinois native’s persistence has paid off, and the NMPA recognized his efforts, naming him the Richard Petty Driver of the Year—an honor that has been awarded annually since 1969.
Kyle Larson’s 2024 Curse: NASCAR’s Best Left Empty-Handed
Meanwhile, Kyle Larson is left wondering what more he has to do to get the recognition he deserves.
The California superstar was, by far, the most dominant driver in the NASCAR Cup Series last season, winning six races with his No. 5 Hendrick Chevrolet. Yet, thanks to NASCAR’s controversial playoff format, he was denied a spot in the Championship 4—an outcome that many believe robbed him of the Bill France Cup.
And now? No title, no Petty award, no justice.
Had Larson broken Team Penske’s stranglehold on the Cup Series title, it’s almost a certainty that he would have been the one taking home the Petty award instead of Allgaier. Instead, the playoff system once again leaves one of NASCAR’s biggest talents empty-handed.
Max Verstappen’s Reign of Terror Continues
While Larson got snubbed, Max Verstappen remains a dominant force in motorsports. The Dutch F1 superstar, who won 19 out of 22 races in the 2023 Formula 1 season, claimed the Richard Petty Driver of the Year award last year after securing his third consecutive world championship.
This time around, however, the NMPA press membership opted for a different path, choosing to honor Allgaier’s perseverance over Larson’s dominance.
The Verdict: Fair Recognition or Major NASCAR Snub?
While Justin Allgaier’s consistency and resilience make him a deserving winner, many in the NASCAR world will feel Kyle Larson was robbed—again.
With 2025 on the horizon, the burning question remains: Will Larson get his redemption, or will NASCAR’s system continue to work against him?
One thing is for certain—this debate isn’t dying anytime soon.
