Sunoco Rookie Of The Year Sticker

2023 NASCAR Cup Sunoco Rookie of the Year Standings

Updated 11-30-2023

Sections of this page (jumps):
Rookie Stripes, Standings, Race-by-Race Results

Rookie of the Year Pages by Season / Year:
2024,2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013
All-Time NASCAR Cup Rookie of the Year Winners / Stats / Records page

The SUNOCO ROOKIE OF THE YEAR SCORING SYSTEM

National Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year points system: 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.

only includes rookies that are running for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award and plan on running all 36 races

ROOKIE ‘YELLOW‘ STRIPES
rookies will be noted on the car they drive by a yellow stripe on the rear bumper of the car.
sometimes a driver not a Rookie of the Year Candidate may have to run a yellow stripe if they not competed on that race track before.
or if NASCAR decides the driver doesn’t have enough experience.
No idea when this first started appearing on rookie cars, but have seen it on a car as early as 1970.

2023 SUNOCO ROOKIE OF THE YEAR STANDINGS

car#, driver, rookie/driver points, best 2023 finish
1) #54-Ty Gibbs, Toyota, 771 POINTS (670 + 101 stage points)
………best finish of 4th in October; 4 top 5’s & 10 top 10’s in 2023; 18th in points
2) Noah Gragson (formerly of the #42 LMC Chevy), 199 POINTS (185 + 14 stage points)
………best finish of 12th at Atlanta, March 19; 33rd in points; was suspended 8/5/-9/12/2023; was released from #42 LMC team in August 2023
(points also can include any points garnered from the Daytona Duel races, see below)

  • Ty Gibbs wins the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year award: #54-Ty Gibbs showed up a the NASCAR Awards Banquet smiling and ready to receive his 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year trophy. But the former NASCAR Xfinity Champion said he was not absolutely satisfied with this first full-season run, even if he had plenty to be proud of. Gibbs earned the first top-five and top-10 NASCAR Cup Series finishes of his career—posting four top fives and an impressive 10 top 10s over the 36-race season in the No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. He led 112 laps, including 102 laps in the fall Bristol, Tenn. night race where he finished fifth—his best overall race effort, statistically speaking. His top finish was fourth-place at the Charlotte ROVAL.(NASCAR News Wire)(11-30-2023)
  • Gragon finished 11th in ASA race at Toledo: NASCAR national series driver Noah Gragson has filed an entry for Saturday’s ASA STARS National Tour Glass City 200 at Toledo Speedway. Gragson will team up with Rette Jones Racing, co-owned by Terry Jones, a former ARCA Late Model Sportsman champion at Toledo Speedway, along with 2009 ARCA Menards Series championship crew chief Mark Rette.(9/13/2023) Gragson finishes 11th It was Jesse Love taking the win in the first 200-lap Template Super Late Model Glass City 200 over teammate Cole Butcher and Chase Burda. Love took the lead late in the second stage and held on over the past 50-plus laps for his fourth-career Super Late Model win and his first ASA STARS National Tour victory. Noah Gragson finished 11th after some late race mechanical issues, Gragson started 2nd.(ASA Stars National Tour, click on Event Results for Gragsons results)(9-17-2023)
  • Gragson Reinstated: NASCAR announced Tuesday (9/12/2023) afternoon that Noah Gragson has been reinstated, effective immediately. Gragson was suspended by NASCAR on August 5 and asked for his release from Legacy Motor Club the following day.(see more)(9-12-2023
  • Gragson released from LEGACY MOTOR CLUB ride per request: Noah Gragson requested to be released from his contract as the driver of the #42 NASCAR Cup Series entry for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB.
    “I have asked LEGACY MOTOR CLUB to release me from my contract so that I can take time to work through the NASCAR reinstatement process. I love racing, and I am looking forward to a second chance to compete for wins at the highest level of NASCAR – and most importantly, make my family, my team and the fans proud of me once again.” – Noah Gragson
    “Noah has a ton of talent and has a great personality. This is a difficult situation, but we are proud that Noah has taken ownership of his actions and are confident he will work through this process with NASCAR and come back stronger.” – Cal Wells III, CEO, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB(Legacy Motor Club)(8-10-2023)
  • Noah Gragson put indefinite suspension by Legacy Motor Club and NASCAR: UPDATE: Legacy Motor Club announced Saturday (8/5) that it suspended NASCAR Cup Series driver Noah Gragson for “actions that do not represent the values of our team.” NASCAR officials announced later Saturday that Gragson was indefinitely suspended for violating the member conduct section of the NASCAR Rule Book. The organization said in a statement that Xfinity Series regular Josh Berry would substitute in the #42 Legacy MC Chevrolet this weekend at Michigan International Speedway.
    Gragson’s infraction falls under Section 4.4.D. of the NASCAR Rule Book, which concerns member conduct. NASCAR officials released a statement Saturday afternoon that reads: “NASCAR fully supports Legacy Motor Club’s decision to suspend Noah Gragson. Following his actions on social media, NASCAR has determined that Gragson has violated the Member Conduct section of the 2023 NASCAR Rule Book and has placed him under indefinite suspension.” Gragson, 25, is in his first full season in the Cup Series. He ranks 33rd in the series standings, and he missed a race earlier this year because of concussion-like symptoms.
    Gragson issued a statement on social media shortly after Legacy Motor Club made its announcement. I am disappointed in myself for my lack of attention and actions on social media. I understand the severity of this situation. I love and appreciate everyone. I try to treat everyone equally no matter who they are. I messed up plain and simple.(NASCAR.com)
    Gragson was suspended for liking a social media post featuring a meme that mocked the death of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers in May of 2020.(8-5-2023)
    UPDATES Road Course Veteran Mike Rockenfeller to pilot the LEGACY MOTOR CLUB #42 Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course and Watkins Glen.(Legacy Motor Club Twitter/X
    Reports had Legacy Motor Club releasing driver Noah Gragson but the team has denied doing so.(8-8-2023)
  • Noah Gragson out at Sonoma due to concussion-like symptoms: NASCAR Cup Series rookie driver of the #42 Sunseeker Chevy, Noah Gragson will not compete in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway (6-11-2023). GMS Racing and NASCAR Truck Series veteran Grant Enfinger will drive the #42 this weekend. Last Sunday at World Wide Technology Raceway, Gragson was involved in a crash on Lap 197 and was evaluated and released from the infield care center. Upon return home to North Carolina, he began to experience concussion-like symptoms mid-week and is seeking treatment.(see more here)(6-8-2023)

HIGHEST FINISHING ROOKIE BY RACE

only includes rookies that are running for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award and plan on running all 36 races

race, driver(times rookie of race), finish, points
1) Daytona 500, #42-Gragson (1 race best rookie), finished 24th, 13 points
2) Auto Club, #54-Gibbs(1), 16th, 21
3) Las Vegas, #54-Gibbs(2), 22nd, 15
4) Phoenix, #54-Gibbs(3), 28th, 9
5) Atlanta, #54-Gibbs(4), 9th, 28
6) Circuit of the Americas (Texas), #54-Gibbs(5), 9th, 28
7) Richmond, #54-Gibbs(6), 9th, 29 (28 + 1 stage pt)
8) Bristol (dirt), #54-Gibbs(7), 10th, 27
9) Martinsville, #54-Gibbs(8), 18th, 19
10) Talladega, #54-Gibbs(9), 31st, 6
11) Dover, #54-Gibbs(10), 13th, 29 (24 + 5 stage pts)
12) Kansas, #42-Gragson(2), 29th, 16 (8 + 8 stage pts)
13) Darlington, #54-Gibbs(11), 16th, 21
14) Charlotte, #54-Gibbs(12), 26th, 21 (11 + 10 stage pts)
15) Gateway (World Wide Technology Raceway), #54-Gibbs(13), 20th, 17
16) Sonoma, #54-Gibbs(14), 18th, 21 (19 + 3 stage pts)
17) Nashville, #54-Gibbs(15), 14th, 23
18) Chicago Street Course, #54-Gibbs(16), 9th, 35 (28 + 7 stage pts)
19) Atlanta(2), #42-Gragson(3), 33rd, 4
20) New Hampshire, #54-Gibbs(17), 27th, 10
21) Pocono, #54-Gibbs(18), 5th, 36 (32 + 4 stage pts)
22) Richmond(2), #54-Gibbs(19), 15th, 25 (22 + 3 stage pts)
23) Michigan, #54-Gibbs(20), 11th, 34 (26 + 8 stage pts)
24) Indianapolis (road course), #54-Gibbs(21), 12th, 25
25) Watkins Glen, #54-Gibbs(22), 5th, 47 (32 + 15 stage pts)
26) Daytona(2), #54-Gibbs(23), 35th, 9 (2 + 7 stage pts)
PLAYOFFS
27) Darlington(2), #54-Gibbs(24), 21st, 16
28) Kansas(2), #54-Gibbs(25), 14th, 23
29) Bristol, #54-Gibbs(26), 5th, 42 (32 + 10 stage pts)
30) Texas, #54-Gibbs(27), 33rd, 4
31) Talladega(2), #54-Gibbs(28), 34th, 3
32) Charlotte (ROVAL), #54-Gibbs(29), 4th, 35 (33 + 2 stage pts)
33) Las Vegas(2), #54-Gibbs(30), 34th, 3
34) Homestead, #54-Gibbs(31), 7th, 34 (30 + 4 stage pts)
35) Martinsville(2), #54-Gibbs(32), 12th, 28 (19 + 9 stage pts)
CHAMPIONSHIP RACE
36) Phoenix(2), #54-Gibbs(33), 21st, 16
Highest Finishing Rookies, Times:
#54-Gibbs, 33
Gragson, 3
Races with no rookie, 0
* also garnered stage points

2023 Sunoco Rookie of the Year Race-by-Race Results

* earned stage points in the race

Phoenix(2) Championship Race Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (11-5-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 21st, 16 points
#?-Gragson, no longer with #42 LMC team, after seven race suspension

Martinsville(2) Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (10-29-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 12th, 28 points (19 race + 9 stage points)*
#?-Gragson, no longer with #42 LMC team, after seven race suspension

Homestead Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (10-22-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 7th, 34 points (30 race + 4 stage points)*
#?-Gragson, no longer with #42 LMC team, after seven race suspension

Las Vegas(2) Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (10-15-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 34th, 3 points
#?-Gragson, no longer with #42 LMC team, after seven race suspension

Charlotte ROVAL Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (10-8-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 4th, 35 points (33 race + 2 stage points)* (career best finish)
#?-Gragson, no longer with #42 LMC team, after seven race suspension

Talladega(2) Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (10-1-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 34th, 3 points
#?-Gragson, no longer with #42 LMC team, after seven race suspension

Texas Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (9-24-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 33rd, 4 points
#?-Gragson, no longer with #42 LMC team, after seven race suspension

Bristol Night Race Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (9-16-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 5th, 42 (32 race + 10 stage points)*
#?-Gragson,  no longer with #42 LMC team, after seven race suspension

Kansas(2) Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (9-10-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 14th, 23 points
#?-Gragson, indefinite suspension by team and NASCAR, no longer with #42 LMC team

Darlington(2) Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (9-3-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 21st, 16 points
#?-Gragson, indefinite suspension by team and NASCAR, no longer with #42 LMC team

Daytona(2) Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (8-26-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 35th, 9 (2 race + 7 stage points)*
#?-Gragson, indefinite suspension by team and NASCAR, no longer with #42 LMC team

Watkins Glen Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (8-20-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 5th, 47 (32 race + 15 stage points)*
#?-Gragson, indefinite suspension by team and NASCAR, no longer with #42 LMC team

Indianapolis Road Course Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (8-13-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 12th, 25 points
#?-Gragson, indefinite suspension by team and NASCAR, no longer with #42 LMC team

Michigan Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (8-6-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 11th, 34 (26 race + 8 stage points)*
#42-Gragson, indefinite suspension by team and NASCAR

Richmond(2) Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (7-30-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 15th, 25 (22 race + 3 stage points)*
#42-Gragson, 28th, 9

Pocono Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (7-23-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 5th, 36 (32 race + 4 stage points)*
#42-Gragson, 22nd, 15

New Hampshire Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (7-16-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 27th, 10 points
#42-Gragson, 32nd, 5

Atlanta(2) Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (7-9-2023):
#42-Gragson, finished 33rd, 4 points
#54-Gibbs, 34th, 3

Chicago Street Race Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (7-2-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 9th, 35 (28 race + 7 stage points)*
#42-Gragson, 25th, 12

Nashville Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (6-25-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 14th, 23 points
#42-Gragson, 26th, 11

Sonoma Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (6-11-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 18th, 22 (19 race + 3 stage points)*
#42-Gragson, DNR, Did Not race due to concussion

Gateway Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (6-4-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 20th, 17 points
#42-Gragson, 33rd, 4

Charlotte Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (5-29-2023)(was supposed to be 5-28-2023, rain):
#54-Gibbs, finished 26th, 21 points (11 race + 10 stage points)*
#42-Gragson, 36th, 1

Darlington Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (5-14-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 16th, 21 points
#42-Gragson, 26th, 11

Kansas Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (5-7-2023):
#42-Gragson, finished 29th, 16 points (8 race + 8 stage points)*
#54-Gibbs, 34th, 11 (3 race + 8 stage points)*

Dover Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (5-1-2023)(was supposed to be 4-30-2023, rain):
#54-Gibbs, finished 13th, 29 (24 race + 5 stage points)*
#42-Gragson, 34th, 3

Talladega Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (4-23-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 31st, 6 points
#42-Gragson, 32nd, 10 (5 race + 5 stage points)*

Martinsville Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (4-16-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 18th, 19 points
#42-Gragson, 30th, 7

Bristol(dirt) Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (4-9-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 10th, 27 points (4th top 10 in a row)
#42-Gragson, 33rd, 4

Richmond Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (4-2-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 9th, 29 points (28 race + 1 stage pt)
#42-Gragson, finished 37th/last, 1

Circuit of the Americas (Texas) Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (3-26-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 9th, 28 points
#42-Gragson, 20th, 18 (17 race, 1 stage pts)*

Atlanta Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (3-19-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 9th, 28 points
#42-Gragson, 12th, 25

Phoenix Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (3-12-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 28th, 9 points
#42-Gragson, 29th, 8

Las Vegas Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (3-5-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 22nd, 15 points
#42-Gragson, 30th, 7

Auto Club Speedway Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (2-26-2023):
#54-Gibbs, finished 16th, 21 points
#42-Gragson, 22nd, 15

Daytona 500 Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (2-19-2023):
#42-Gragson, finished 24th, 13 points
#54-Gibbs, 25th, 17 (12 race, 5 stage pts)*

Daytona Duel 150 Qualifying Races Rookie of the Year Race Results & Points (2-16-2023):
#42-Gragson, finished 11th in Duel #2, 0 points
#54-Gibbs, finished 19th in Duel #1, 0 points
(top 10 in each Duel gets points for 1-10 finishing spots (10 pts down to 1))

* earned stage points in the race
DNR = Did Not Race/Not Entered
DNQ = Did not qualify/Make the race
TBD = To be determined