Ranking the 5 worst drivers in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series by points
The 2024 NASCAR season wrapped up with championship races at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 10. Team Penske's Joey Logano won his third Cup Series title, moving level with racing legends like Tony Stewart and Darrell Waltrip. Joe Gibb's Denny Hamlin was unable to reach the championship 4 as he competed another year without a title.
Some failed to register strong finishes. Here are the five full-time NASCAR Cup Series drivers with the lowest points this season.
#5 NASCAR Cup Series' rookie - Zane Smith (505 points)
Zane Smith drove the No. 71 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports, in a partnership with Trackhouse Racing for his first full-time season. He finished the season 30th in the final standings. The 25-year-old came close to winning at Nashville but finished 0.068 seconds behind Joey Logano.
Despite two top-5 and four top-10 finishes, he remained at the bottom of the standings. Smith's ride for the next is still uncertain.
#4 Justin Haley (503 points)
Spire Motorsports' No. 7 Chevrolet driver, Justin Haley also didn't have a great season. He was disqualified in one race, struggled with consistency and finished with 503 points, managing two top-10 finishes early in the year.
Haley, who swapped rides at Kansas Speedway with Corey LaJoie, will replace him as the driver of the No. 7 car in 2025.
#3 Austin Dillon (493 points)
Austin Dillon won a controversial race this season but finished in 32nd place in the final standings.
After ending a long winless streak at Richmond, the No. 3 Chevrolet driver was penalized 25 points for intentional wrecking of two drivers, Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano. He also lost his playoff spot.
Dillion will return to Richard Childress Racing next year.
#2 Corey LaJoie (489 points)
Rick Ware Racing's Corey LaJoie finished in 33rd place in the final standings with 489 points after wild moments. His No. 51 Ford flipped at Talladega and Michigan. His team also got penalized for failing inspections multiple times. The penalties include losing a pit stall and a crew member.
He earned a top-10 finish at Darlington and missed out on the playoffs, so LaJoie's return to the Cup Series in 2025 is uncertain.
#1 John Hunter Nemechek (447 points)
John Hunter Nemechek, 27, had only four top-10 finishes this year. The No. 42 Toyota driver for Legacy Motor Club ranked the lowest among full-time NASCAR Cup Series drivers with 447 points.
Nemechek's best result was sixth at Bristol. He will return to Legacy Motor Club next year.