NASCAR’s 2024 Money Game: Opening the Jaw-Dropping Million Dollar Curtain

Over the course of 75 years, NASCAR has grown out of its shell to now become a global racing giant. While its roots trace back to its humble beginnings in the Southern part of the country, Stock Car Racing’s elite promotion is no longer the bootlegger racing series that it once was. The organization has spread its wings, expanding its operations to become a million-dollar company, fielding larger-than-life teams and sponsors, and minting millions in revenue.

While one might argue that the sport has lost out its core fanbase that made the sport what it is today, the sanctioning body is still a major player in motorsports, even featuring a racecar in the 24 hours of Le Mans that got the whole world talking. For the ones that question the organization’s business capabilities, citing the statistics, the world’s largest automobile manufacturer just signed a deal with a top team.

Despite dropping TV ratings and viewers, NASCAR’s controversial charter system has been a boon and a source of dispute at the same time. Amidst all this let us look at some of the hottest money games in the organization as the 2023 season heads for an epic grand finale.

NASCAR’s revolutionary charter system summed up in the simplest way

For the most part of its 75 years of entertaining the fans with its aggressive style of racing, it was the organization’s way or the highway until NASCAR’s revolutionary charter system came into place in 2016. Unlike NASCAR Founder, Bill France Sr or his son Bill France Jr. who would never abide by a franchise model, the organization’s current Chairman/CEO Brian France who is also a businessman understood the significance of adopting changes to the changing times to stay relevant.

He understood that the team in the sport needed NASCAR much like NASCAR needed its team to run the promotion without any hiccup. Considering the dwindling popularity of the sport, the CEO adopted the charter system that gave a new breath of air to the sport. Simply put, the charter system ensured that the team owners would get a proper return from the investment at the time of withdrawal.

Let us take an example here, if Rick Hendrick decides to sell his team when he feels like it’s time to pull the shutters down he will be credited with a moderate return for his investment. This not only gives the owners a sense of security but also encourages other key players to invest largely in the sport just like Michael Jordan did in 2020 when he partnered with Cup Series veteran Denny Hamlin to a new team- 23XI Racing, investing a total of $150 million.

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Now that the air around the charter system is cleared, let us take a look at some of the biggest deals of 2023 and 2024.

Biggest draws of 2023 – The Kyle Busch effect

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Arguably one of the biggest moves in 2023 was Kyle Busch‘s move from Joe Gibbs Racing to Richard Childress Racing. After several rounds of close talks and disputes, NASCAR’s 2-time Cup Series champion sided with Chevy, switching over his base to RCR from Joe Gibbs’ Toyota team- a team with whom he earned both his titles in 2015 & 2019.

Busch’s change of heart to RCR and Chevy had its ripple effects across the sport. Not only did the “Rowdy” boost the morale of the downtrodden team that fell from grace after the death of its superstar Dale Earnhardt, but he also brought massive revenue to the team in the form of sponsors. While Busch’s last season with JGR was nothing short of a disaster for the driver and the team, unable to land a new sponsor, Busch finally decided to go to RCR.

And the season started off with a bang. Along with 3 spectacular wins (compared to last season’s 1 win) to his name, Busch brought, Cheddar’s, 3CHI, Lenovo, ALSCO, and BetMGM alongside, bringing hope to Richard Childress in the process. Busch’s parting with JGR also prompted Gibbs to promote his grandson to the Cup Series to replace the outgoing champion for his rookie season in the #54 Toyota.

The other major change the community saw also came from another Busch, Kurt Busch. Sidelined from a concussion, the elder Busch announced his semi-retirement from the sport last year prompting DH and Jordan to fill the spot with Tyler Reddick who departed from RCR. Though Monster Energy withdrew its partnership from the team once Busch decided to step away from the track, Rocket League became Reddick’s primary sponsor for his 2023 campaign.

Tony Stewart’s Ford team, Stewart-Haas Racing also saw a shake-up. Ryan Preece took the place of Cole Custer in the #41 Ford while Custer was pushed back into the Xfinity Series schedule for another year. Whereas Jimmie Johnson tried his luck with Noah Gragson, fielding him in the #42 Chevy that went terribly wrong for them. On the other hand, Kaulig Racing gave the road racing sensation, AJ Allmendinger a seat in its #16 car for 2023.

Rumors and news surrounding NASCAR’s 2024 silly season – Josh Berry replaces Harvick & SVG’s Trackhouse Racing announcement

While the 2023 Cup Series is reaching its final laps and the NASCAR circus gets into the round of 8, talks on the 2024 iteration of the silly season have gained traction. And the first to break the news was Stewart announcing the replacement of the outgoing veteran Kevin Harvick. A few months ago in the presser, Stewart announced that Xfinity Series sensation and HMS’ super-sub Josh Berry will take the mantle at the #4 team.

However, with the 2014 Cup Series champion, Harvick retiring from the sport, his primary sponsor, $110 billion worth Anheuser-Busch revealed its 2024 plans, partnering with Trackhouse Racing as Ross Chastain’s primary sponsor. The trouble doesn’t end there for SHR, Aric Almirola who was supposed to retire last year announced that he will be back for another year when asked by his sponsor, Smithfield.

The #10 driver’s indecisiveness and his sponsor’s possible absence raise a lot of doubt about the #10 SHR team’s future. The chances of promoting Cole Custer to a full-time in the #10 is not out of the question yet as sources suggest Ryan Preece will remain in the #41’s seat for another year.

Another massive news is the air surrounding Chicago’s triumphant, Shane Van Gisbergen’s arrival to NASCAR. Justin Marks-owned team has finally signed a contract that will have the 3-time Supercar champion try his luck in the ovals not as a full-time Cup Series driver but across various divisions of the promotion in order to learn the ropes of NASCAR and live his dream as a race car driver in the US. Joe Gibbs Racing veteran, Denny Hamlin also has signed his extension contract when his bossman surprised the 42-year-old, dropping in on his studio floor.

This move probably will prompt Hamlin’s longtime sponsor, Fed-Ex to continue its operations with the #11 JGR team. Martin Truex Jr also has confirmed that he will put on the helmet once again for JGR in 2024. Kaulig Racing also features changes. Justin Haley has confirmed this will be his last season with the team as he moves to Rick Ware Racing and Ford for his 2024 campaign. Whereas Daniel Hemric returns back to the Cup Series with Kaulig Racing bringing him along in the #31 Chevy.

Another news that has caused deep speculations in NASCAR nation is the arrival of Xfinity Series champion, John Hunter Nemechek back in the Cup Series schedule. While JJ dropped a bomb announcing his departure from his long-time partner to side with the world’s biggest automobile manufacturer, Toyota, JHN was signed in by the Johnson for 2024, replacing the troublesome rookie Noah Gragson in the #42 car.

The 2024 silly season unveils its rowdiness as “Rowdy” drops a bombshell with his KBM announcement

In the latest news, the “Rowdy” Kyle Busch just broke the internet with his announcement. Kyle Busch Motorsports is officially sold to Spire Motorsports. As of now, the number is around $25 million regarding KBM’s sale to Spire Motorsports. Despite the rumors surrounding the news of the possible switch of ownership, Busch released an official statement, confirming the news.

Spire Motorsports heel move came in as the 2023 biggest money moves, as it looks to field a third team for its 2024 Truck Series campaign. The team recently purchased the No. 78 car’s charter from Live Fast Racing for reportedly $40 million so the team could expand to three cars next season.

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