Carson Hocevar – Cup; Jesse Love – Xfinity; Layne Riggs - Trucks
National Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year (ROY) points system: Since the 2018 season, the Sunoco Rookie of the Year point system mirrors the points structure that awards the season-long championship, including stage points and playoff points, with the eventual Sunoco Rookie of the Year earning the most points throughout the season.
As is the case with the season-long points structure, a race win earns a Sunoco Rookie 40 points and five playoff points. A second-place finish earns a Sunoco Rookie 35 points; a third-place finish nets 34 points, and so on. A Sunoco Rookie who wins a stage earns 10 points and one playoff point.
The Sunoco Rookie of the Year points system is in all three NASCAR national series – the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series.
Carson Hocevar – Cup ROY
Carson Hocevar, driver of Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, has been named the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year.
The Portage, Mich., native earned the honors on the strength of one top-five, six top-10 and 13 top-15 finishes. In his first full-season at the controls of the No. 77 Chevrolet, Hocevar brought home a career best third-place finish in the Cup Series September visit to Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International.\
“Being named Sunoco Rookie of the Year is special,” said Hocevar. “I got beat out for Rookie of the Year in the CRAFTSMAN Truck series, and I didn’t run in the Xfinity Series full time so to win the award in the NASCAR Cup Series is a huge accomplishment for our whole team. It definitely didn’t come easy. Josh (Berry) has won a bunch of Xfinity races, and the No. 4 team won tons of races and a championship with Rodney (Childers) and (Kevin) Harvick. We also had Zane (Smith) in contention, who raced for Spire Motorsports and has won several Truck Series races and a championship. It was a good group of accomplished drivers vying for it, and it means a lot to come out on top. We ran really strong at the end of the year and were able to pull away in terms of points. These last several weeks show our capabilities as a team.
“This award will be something that will live with me my whole career, and I’m proud to be known as the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year. There’s an elite list of guys who have won it, and many of them went on to win races and championships. The award is something you only have one shot at. You can never go back and try to win Rookie or the Year later down the line. It is the only thing like that in racing. It is cool to win something so significant this year, and the mission is now to get the No. 77 car to Victory Lane and in the playoffs in 2025.”
He’s the real deal, and he’s just getting started.
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 11, 2024
Congratulations to @CarsonHocevar, the 2024 #SunocoRookie of the Year in the NASCAR Cup Series! pic.twitter.com/Hbho7JcKT2
Jesse Love – Xfinity ROY
Nineteen year old Jesse Love, who drives the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, made a name for himself already in his inaugural season at the Xfinity Series level. One win, seven top-five finishes, eighteen top-ten finishes, and five pole awards on his way to the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award.
“Jesse is an exceptionally talented racecar driver, having achieved championships in every series he has raced. Hard to believe he has been racing for 14 years, started at 5. Jesse is cool under pressure. He knows what he wants and how the car needs to feel. He races way above his years. We are looking forward to his second year in the Whelen car. The year 2025 promises to be thrilling. Jesse has demonstrated remarkable driving skill. His car control and adaptability indicate that he will keep progressing,” said RCR Xfinity Series Competition Director Danny Lawrence.
Love’s average finish in his first year of Xfinity Series competition has been an impeccable 11.97, which was better than some of the Championship 4 contenders.
While Love fell short of a Championship 4 appearance at Phoenix Raceway, he can say he made it farther than many other seasoned veterans have in the Xfinity Series.
“To get this far into the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs in our first year together is an accomplishment,” said Love.
18 top 10's, a series-leading five poles, a win at @TALLADEGA, & a Round of 8 #NASCARPlayoffs run.@jesselovejr1 is the 2024 #XfinitySeries Rookie of the Year. pic.twitter.com/IVWXO081Ks
— Xfinity Racing (@XfinityRacing) November 14, 2024
Layne Riggs - Truck Series ROY
Through 22 races, Front Row Motorsports Layne Riggs had mathematically clinched the 2024 Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors but was not officially awarded the honor until he finished the season in good standing, per the program guidelines and eligibility.
“Winning Rookie of the Year was a great testament to my team and what we were able to accomplish at the end of the season,” Riggs said. “The beginning of the year was a rocky and tough start, but we fought through the growing pains and that brought us together as a strong team. At the end of the year, we really showed what we had.”
Thanks for bringing home @NASCAR Truck Rookie of the Year - even better, during #NinerNationWeek! Hope you like being on stage - you’ve got another accolade in less than 4 weeks 🎓⛏️@unccharlotte @Charlotte49ers https://t.co/89yZmvEJdT
— UNC Charlotte College of Engineering (@CLT_Engineering) November 16, 2024
Sunoco has a long and rich history. In 1920, Sunoco opens its first gas station in Ardmore, PA. The era of "premium gas at regular gas prices" began. Sunoco blended its first high-octane fuels, 260 and 280 in 1950 and racers came knocking. Click here for more Sunoco history.
We love seeing past and present Sunoco Rookie Contenders dominate the track! 🏎💨🏁 Who do you think is the next Sunoco Rookie of the Year? Let us know in the comments! ⬇️🔥 pic.twitter.com/5vi6t4uTrJ
— Sunoco (@SunocoRacing) August 30, 2024
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