One of the easiest ways to identify if a NASCAR driver was a rookie or not was through the stripes on the rear bumper of their race cars. The two yellow stripes were an easy indicator for personnel in the NASCAR garage to identify a young and upcoming driver. This would also allow seasoned race car drivers to exercise caution when going up against less experienced rivals.
However, from 2025 onwards, NASCAR has decided to do away with the rookie stripes. Jeff Gluck from Athletic shared the governing body’s reasoning behind this move: “NASCAR says the reason for no more rookie stripes is they’re unnecessary. There’s no need to signify a rookie driver, given these are the highest levels of stock car racing.” Well, these stripes had been a part of NASCAR traditions for a long time and didn’t affect the performance of the race car in any form. So this decision by NASCAR was indeed a surprise for Dale Earnhardt Jr., who shared the significance of stripes and why there was no need to discard them.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. couldn’t understand the logic behind removing rookie strips
For decades, the removal of the rookie stripes was seen as a milestone moment for the young drivers that they had proved their mettle to compete amongst the best. Apart from the NASCAR garage, these stripes also helped fans identify newer drivers. They came in handy at races like the Daytona 500, where multiple drivers and rookies used to compete for one of the biggest prizes in the sport.
Fans have already expressed their discontent with teams not being able to stand out with paint schemes and their sponsors. Which is why this decision to take off the stripes hasn’t gone down well with most supporters. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is among those who didn’t understand the reasoning behind the call to discontinue the rookie stripes. “I was surprised that I learned that the same way everybody else did through Ryan Williams, who is one of our designers at JRM. He busted that wide open on the internet. It shook me up there for a second because it’s such a cool tradition.” Jr. said this on the Dale Jr. Download.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. also took a stroll back in memory lane to highlight the significance of the rookie stripes. “In like 1980, for example, when you went to the Daytona 500, there were probably 70 to 80 cars trying to qualify for the Daytona 500. Multiple 20-25 rookies maybe, right? Lots of rookies, right? A dozen. That was when it was necessary. Not only for fans but drivers as well, and it was extremely necessary back then… I mean, that was just a thing; it didn’t have to go away. It was kind of a neat tradition that was right.”
NASHVILLE, TN – JUNE 18: #42: Carson Hocevar, Niece Motorsports, Chevrolet Silverado Niece with teammate #45: Ross Chastain, Niece Motorsports, Chevrolet Silverado GA Watermelon/CircleBDiecasts prior to the running of the Inaugural Rackley Roofing 200 on June 18, 2021 at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, TN (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Well, NASCAR is infamous for making elaborate changes to its rule book. However, this particular change had little significance in how it would affect on-track racing. It was a good reminder for the community, something they were used to seeing every year. But, unfortunately, the stripes won’t be visible on the back of rookie drivers in 2025.
This doesn’t mean that fans won’t be treated to a good fight between the rookies this year. In fact, it will be interesting to see how Riley Herbst and Shane van Gisbergen finish at the end of their rookie seasons.
Who will win the Rookie of the Year honors in 2025?
SVG certainly has grown in stature after his rookie season in the Xfinity Series last year. He was one of the few drivers to win multiple races, and he made it to the playoffs in his very first full-time run in NASCAR. The Kiwi driver will feel optimistic about adding another Cup Series win to his name with the No. 88 team. And with five road course races and a street race in Chicago, he is likely to convert at least one of these events into a win. So, he is indeed a favorite for the Rookie of the Year title.
However, Riley Herbst in the No. 35 Toyota with 23XI Racing could prove to be a surprise package. We all know how quickly the 23XI has adapted to the Next Gen car, and they made it to the championship race with Tyler Reddick last year. While Herbst isn’t a clear favorite to go up against SVG on road courses, it’s the oval tracks where he will have an edge.
“He’ll (Hocevar) be one of the Rookie of the Year contenders, with SVG. Quite the difference in background and everything. But it’ll be intriguing to watch that Rookie of the Year battle as they go through.” This is what Kevin Harvick had to say about the SVG versus Herbst battle going into 2025. Given how good of a show Carson Hocevar and Josh Berry put up last year, fans will be expecting something similar from these two as well.
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