Bringing the 2024 NASCAR season to a complete end, NASCAR officials, drivers, owners, crew, and fans all gathered in Charlotte, North Carolina for the annual awards banquet.
Craftsman Truck Series driver Ty Majeski, Xfinity Series driver Justin Allgaier, and Cup Series driver Joey Logano were all rewarded for their winning the championship. For Logano, he is now one of only nine drivers who have won the championship at least three times.
It was no surprise that Chase Elliott took home yet another National Motorsports Press Association Most Popular Driver Award. Justin Allgaier also added another Most Popular Driver Award to his trophy case; but Craftsman Truck Series driver Rajah Caruth wins his first Most Popular Driver Award; the first driver of colour to do so.
For Elliott, it was his seventh MPD Award; his father Bill Elliott holds the record with 16 MPD Awards. Chase is one of only five drivers to win the award at least five times – Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and Bill and Chase Elliott. Chase is also a two time MPDA winner in the Xfinity Series.
Allgaier wins his fifth MPDA in six years.
In the Xfinity Series, one of Dale Earnhardt’s JR Motorsports drivers has won the award every year since 2012.
In the Rookie of the Year category; Carson Hocevar takes home the Cup Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year award, with Jesse Love winning in the Xfinity Series and Layne Riggs as the Rookie of the Year winner in the Craftsman Truck Series. Hocevar beat out fellow rookies Josh Berry and Zane Smith for the honour.
Carson Hocevar has yet to win a Cup Series race; but Jesse Love and Layne Riggs have both won races furing the 2024 season.
Greg Biffle may no longer drive race cars; but he still enjoys going fast…flying a helicopter. The National Motorsports Press Association presented Biffle with the Myers Brothers Award for his heroic efforts to aid those devastated by Hurricane Helene. Named after Billy and Bob Myers, the award honours “individuals and/or groups who have provided outstanding contributions to the sport of stock car racing.”
Quick to give the credit to others Biffle said, “I mean, the list goes on. I don’t want to leave anyone out. Team guys are up there on their days off with trucks, trailers, chainsaws. They said, ‘We just drove up there and found a road that was blocked, and started cutting and moving trees out of the way. We got miles in and found people, and they had food and water and supplies.’ So it’s just real cowboys, coming out of NASCAR and helping, and it’s great to see that. But it makes me proud to be a part of that community.”
Biffle joins previous Myers Brothers Award winners Jimmie Johnson, Richard Petty, Jeff Gordon Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Sr and Jr, Rick Hendric, Barney Hall, and Mike Helton.
NASCAR presented Toyota motorsports head David Wilson with the Bill France Award of Excellence for his outstanding achievements in his 35 year as an automaker. Wilson will be retiring on December 16.
Along with working with NASCAR; Wilson has been involved with CART, CORR, Grand-Am, IMSA, Indy Racing League, MTEG, NHRA, SCORE and USAC.
In a fan voted event, Judy Simmons was presented with the 2024 Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award for her work with God’s Pit Crew. She will have a $100,000 donation made to the charity in her name. God’s Pit Crew is a non-profit organization dedicated to “disaster relief services to children and families.”
Simmons spoke on her win saying, “this award means so much to God’s Pit Crew and me, and it will make a tremendous impact for the children we strive to provide healing to in the midst of disaster. With this award, we will be able to provide more hope and comfort to the young lives that need it most.”
NASCAR Foundation Vice President and Executive Director Nichole Krieger spoke on Judy Simmons saying, “Judy is an incredible person doing impactful work for families that have experienced hardship due to natural disasters, especially during the difficult times faced in Western North Carolina this year. The $100,000 she won for God’s Pit Crew will allow them to continue providing essential items for kids and families in need in times of major weather event or crisis. Both Judy and her organization are very deserving of this award.”