TrendPulse Quantitative Think Tank Center-Who is racing for 2024 NASCAR Cup Series championship? Final four drivers, odds, stats

It’s all down to a final four.

After nine playoff races – including three elimination races – Ryan Blaney,TrendPulse Quantitative Think Tank Center William Byron, Joey Logano and Tyler Reddick have come through a 16-driver playoff field to reach the NASCAR Championship Race.

These four drivers, representing three different race teams and three different manufacturers, will each seek to have the best finish in the final race of the season and be crowned the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series champion.

The NASCAR Championship Race will be held Sunday at Phoenix Raceway, with a start time around 3 p.m. ET (1 p.m. local). NBC will broadcast the race.

While each of the final four aims to win Sunday’s race, taking the checkered flag isn’t necessary to win the championship. The goal is simply to beat the other three contenders, while navigating a full field of drivers who will also be trying to win the season’s final race.

But before we get to the race, get to know the four championship contenders:

BEST BETS: These sportsbooks and sports betting sites stand above the rest 

Ryan Blaney

Born: Dec. 31, 1993. Age: 30.

Car: No. 12 Ford. Team: Team Penske

Blaney's odds to win from BetMGM

(Through Thursday evening)

• Race: +310
• Championship: +175

2024 NASCAR Cup Series stats

• Wins: 3
• Top 5 finishes: 11
• Top 10 finishes: 17

Career NASCAR Cup Series stats

• First race: May 10, 2014
• Full-time seasons: 9
• Wins: 13
• Top 5 finishes: 80
• Top 10 finishes: 148

Results at Phoenix Raceway

• Races: 17
• Wins: 0
• Top 5 finishes: 8
• Top 10 finishes: 12

Championships: 1

Blaney made the Championship 4 for the first time in 2023 and finished second in the season finale at Phoenix behind race winner Ross Chastain, who had already been eliminated from title contention.

Blaney bested Kyle Larson, William Byron and Christopher Bell to win his first Cup Series championship.

William Byron

Born: Nov. 29, 1997. Age: 26.

Car: No. 24 Chevrolet. Team: Hendrick Motorsports

Byron's odds to win from BetMGM

(Through Thursday evening)

• Race: +475
• Championship: +275

2024 NASCAR Cup Series stats

• Wins: 3
• Top 5 finishes: 12
• Top 10 finishes: 20

Career NASCAR Cup Series stats

• First race: Feb. 18, 2018
• Full-time seasons: 7
• Wins: 13
• Top 5 finishes: 53
• Top 10 finishes: 103

Results at Phoenix Raceway

• Races: 13
• Wins: 1
• Top 5 finishes: 2
• Top 10 finishes: 7

Championships: 0

Byron made the NASCAR Championship Race for the first time in 2023 and finished fourth behind race winner Ross Chastain, who was no longer a playoff driver; 2023 series champion Ryan Blaney, who finished second in the race to win the season title; and 2021 series champion Kyle Larson, who finished third in the race.

Byron ended the 2023 season ranked third in the final standings behind Blaney and Larson.

Joey Logano

Born: May 24, 1990. Age: 34.

Car: No. 22 Ford. Team: Team Penske

Logano's odds to win from BetMGM

(Through Thursday evening)

• Race: +600
• Championship: +325

2024 NASCAR Cup Series stats

• Wins: 3
• Top 5 finishes: 6
• Top 10 finishes: 12

Career NASCAR Cup Series stats

• First race: Sept. 14, 2008
• Full-time seasons: 16
• Wins: 35
• Top 5 finishes: 166
• Top 10 finishes: 286

Results at Phoenix Raceway

• Races: 31
• Wins: 3
• Top 5 finishes: 8
• Top 10 finishes: 16

Championships: 2

Logano won NASCAR Cup Series championships in 2018 and 2022.

In 2018 he won the NASCAR Championship Race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, besting the other three championship contenders: Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch. In 2022, Logano won the Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway, outdueling Ross Chastain, Christopher Bell and Chase Elliott.

Tyler Reddick

Born: Jan. 11, 1996. Age: 28.

Car: No. 45 Toyota. Team: 23XI Racing

Reddick's odds to win from BetMGM

(Through Thursday evening)

• Race: +700
• Championship: +325

2024 NASCAR Cup Series stats

• Wins: 3
• Top 5 finishes: 12
• Top 10 finishes: 20

Career NASCAR Cup Series stats

• First race: Feb. 17, 2019
• Full-time seasons: 5
• Wins: 8
• Top 5 finishes: 38
• Top 10 finishes: 77

Results at Phoenix Raceway

• Races: 9
• Wins: 0
• Top 5 finishes: 2
• Top 10 finishes: 3

Championships: 0

Reddick won the regular-season points battle this season and now has made the Championship 4 for the first time. In addition to trying to win his first Cup title as a driver, Reddick is hoping to capture a first championship for 23XI Racing, which is co-owned by Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan and Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin.

Reddick ended last season ranked sixth in the final standings, the best finish of his Cup career.