Photo by Sanjeev Kugan via Uplash.

How often do you think about the physical makeup of your city? I’m not referring to the demographics or the sea of Chiefs fans, but rather the highways, streets and sidewalks—the infrastructure that fades into the background of our daily routines. Chances are, you don’t think about it very often. But these seemingly mundane elements of urban life may have more influence over how we live than you realize. 

One of the most significant concepts in urban planning is “urban sprawl.” This term describes the way a city expands as its population grows. Instead of building upward, creating dense, compact urban environments like New York City, many cities expand outward, covering more land in the process. The result is a sprawling city that may take up twice as much land as its original boundaries, with suburbs growing right along with it. Today, when you look at satellite images, you don’t just see cities bordered by farmland or nature. Instead, you see cities spilling into expansive suburbs, stitched together by ever-increasing highways, interstates, and vast seas of parking lots. This spread impacts everything from commuting times to the environment, influencing how we navigate our daily lives, often without us even noticing.

The spread-out nature of suburban developments means that homes, schools, stores and workplaces are often too far apart to walk or bike comfortably. Instead, residents are forced to rely on cars as their primary mode of transportation. This shift has profoundly shaped both the design of our cities and our daily habits. The need for parking lots, wide roads and highway systems becomes paramount, pushing out pedestrian-friendly spaces, bike lanes and efficient public transit routes.

This car-centric approach to urban planning has come with numerous consequences. Commuting times have stretched as suburbanites spend more time in traffic, contributing to stress and reducing quality of life. Environmentally, this car dependency has led to higher greenhouse gas emissions and increased pollution. As cars became a necessity rather than a choice, we’ve seen urban landscapes transform into sprawling networks of roads and parking lots, all of which are designed to support one mode of transportation, often at the expense of more sustainable and equitable alternatives.

Parking 

I’ll admit, as someone who lives on The Hill, I’m always on the lookout for the best parking spot. I’ve often complained about the lack of student parking close to the buildings where I live and attend class. But here’s the thing—this doesn’t actually reflect my broader views on parking. If anything, I believe we should have far less of it. In the U.S., there are an estimated 2 billion parking spaces, which amounts to more than six spots per car. This seems absurd at first glance but it starts to make sense when you consider how we got here. For decades, urban planning guidelines have recommended between five to ten parking spots for every 1,000 square feet of commercial building space. Think about the sprawling parking lots outside big-box stores or strip malls. How often have you seen these lots completely full? Chances are, not very often. The reality is we simply have too much parking.

At first, this might not seem like a problem. After all, what’s wrong with having more of a good thing? But parking isn’t free—it comes at a cost, both financially and environmentally. Let’s start with the financial side. Parking spaces require land and land costs money. Developers either purchase this land themselves, passing the cost on to consumers in the form of higher rent or prices or it’s subsidized by local governments, which means taxpayers foot the bill. In his article Why Free Parking is Bad for Everyone Joseph Stromberg explains, “Whether they’re [parking spots] constructed along with apartment buildings or shopping complexes, this cost ultimately gets passed along to consumers, in the form of rent or the price of goods.” This is especially unfair to those who don’t drive, often lower-income individuals, who end up subsidizing parking they never use. One estimate suggests that non-car owners in the U.S. collectively pay as much as half a billion dollars for parking spaces they don’t even benefit from.

Then there’s the environmental cost. Every summer, I try to spend time outside barefoot, only to be reminded of just how much hotter pavement is than grass. This isn’t just a minor inconvenience—it’s part of a larger issue. Cities are often referred to as “heat islands” because the abundance of roads, buildings, and parking lots makes them significantly hotter than surrounding areas. This heat has real consequences, from increased energy consumption for cooling to exacerbating health risks, especially for vulnerable populations. 

Additionally, parking lots contribute to water pollution. As Reimagining Parking: Unlikely Spaces for Climate Resilience notes, “Runoff from parking lots often contains high levels of pollutants. With nothing to absorb and redirect it, this heavily polluted runoff may end up in waterways,” harming aquatic ecosystems and contributing to the degradation of water quality. Ultimately, the surplus of parking spaces is an unsustainable and costly problem. Reducing the number of parking spots and reimagining how we use that space, whether that’s green infrastructure, parks or even affordable housing, could lead to healthier, more equitable and more resilient communities.

Interstates

Our interstate system is out of control. For decades, the mantra has been “expand, expand, expand,” leading to sprawling highways and massive interchanges like the notorious “Mixmaster” in Texas. These enormous infrastructure projects are often celebrated as symbols of progress and connectivity but they have come with serious social and environmental costs.

One of the most troubling aspects of the interstate system is its racist legacy. Highways were deliberately routed through predominantly Black neighborhoods, devastating these communities in the name of urban renewal and progress. This wasn’t an accident—it was part of a larger strategy that favored wealthier, predominantly white suburbs while isolating and marginalizing poorer urban areas. The result has been segregation. Highways serve as physical and social barriers between rich, often white, neighborhoods and poorer, more racially diverse areas. The historical context of this is important. During the mid-20th century, when the interstate system was being expanded, federal and local governments used highway construction as a tool to clear so-called “blighted” areas, which were often home to communities of color. These communities were labeled as such, not because of inherent deficiencies, but because of systemic disinvestment, redlining, and racial discrimination in housing policies. Bulldozing these neighborhoods to make way for highways allowed governments and developers to reconfigure cities in a way that prioritized the convenience and interests of suburban commuters at the expense of urban residents. 

The impact on these communities has been devastating. Homes were demolished, businesses were displaced and entire neighborhoods were wiped off the map. The construction of highways didn’t just disrupt the physical space—it tore apart the social fabric of these areas, displacing families and severing community ties. In many cases, residents were given little compensation and few options for relocation. These projects solidified economic and racial divides, creating an infrastructure that prioritizes cars and suburban living while neglecting public transportation and walkable urban spaces that would benefit lower-income residents.

The legacy of this planning is still evident today. Highways continue to act as barriers that separate wealthier, whiter neighborhoods from poorer, predominantly Black and Latino communities. These divisions are more than just geographic—they reinforce economic and social inequality. Residents on the “wrong” side of the highway are often cut off from economic opportunities, quality schools and public services. Meanwhile, wealthier neighborhoods are insulated from the challenges facing these communities, perpetuating cycles of poverty and segregation.

The environmental consequences of this interstate expansion are also significant. Highways contribute to pollution—in terms of air quality and noise as well as  their disproportionate affect on the health of those living near them. Studies have shown that communities living close to major highways experience higher rates of asthma, cardiovascular disease, and other health problems linked to pollution. Once again, it’s the same marginalized communities—often Black, Latino, and low-income—that bear the brunt of these environmental hazards. 

While it is true that the inventions of cars, roads, and interstates have improved the lives of many, it is also important to notice the harms they have caused. It is not my aim to convince you that cars are evil, but instead encourage you to think of a better tomorrow, where maybe we could resolve some of these issues.

Team Penske – Ford

The cars: Austin Cindric No. 2, Ryan Blaney No. 12, Joey Logano No. 22

The story: Penske is a team at the top of their game, with Logano winning the 2022 championship and Blaney winning the 2023 championship. Blaney has continued his form into 2024, while Logano has had a terrible start but is typically strong in the summer stretch. Cindric, meanwhile, looks to rebound in his third full-time season after a sophomore slump last year. Can the Penske crew make it three titles in a row?

The predictions: Blaney and Logano will both be title contenders as usual despite Logano’s slow start. Cindric will probably still be behind his teammates, but I expect him to improve over last year in nearly every metric and possibly get his second career win.

Wood Brothers Racing – Ford

The cars: Harrison Burton No. 21

The story: Wood Brothers is a team with a long history, having run the No. 21 car with the same paint scheme since the 1960s. Historical success does not translate to consistent results, however, and the No. 21 car has been quite slow with Burton behind the wheel. Even a close technical alliance with Penske hasn’t done much to help their speed.

The predictions: WBR has been terrible since Burton took over driving duties in 2022, and I don’t expect them to do much better in 2024. Burton needs to have a good year or else his time in the Cup Series might be over.

RFK Racing – Ford

The cars: Brad Keselowski No. 6, Chris Buescher No. 17

The story: After Buesher won three races in 2023 and both RFK cars finished top 8 in points, expectations for this team are high going into 2024. After a decade-long slump that saw the team downsize from five cars to two and lose multiple championship-tier drivers, RFK’s future is finally looking bright with a solid start to 2024.

The predictions: Keselowski is the last remaining competitive owner-driver, and I expect him to break his two-year winless drought this season. Buescher’s three wins should give him the confidence to continue his streak. A championship push may well be realistic for both RFK cars.

Stewart-Haas Racing – Ford

The cars: Josh Berry No. 4, Noah Gragson No. 10, Chase Briscoe No. 14, Ryan Preece No. 41

The story: Once a championship-tier organization, SHR is shedding relevance with each passing year. 2014 champion Kevin Harvick and longtime veteran Aric Almirola retired after 2023 with their roles filled by rookie Berry and second-year driver Gragson. Last year, Harvick dragged his team to relevance, but he’s not here to repeat those glories in 2024.

The predictions: With Harvick’s retirement, SHR lost its best driver by far. I would be shocked if any of their four cars were in the top 20 in points since Briscoe and the talented rookie Berry are their only realistic chances at relevance.

Front Row Motorsports – Ford

The cars: Michael McDowell No. 34, Todd Gilliland No. 38

The story: McDowell has been the underdog story of the 2020s, winning races in both 2021 and 2023  and bringing long-time backmarkers FRM to relevance. The No. 34 has made the most out of FRM’s resources and become a fan favorite through consistency and persistence which have brought the rewards of increased funding and support from Ford going into 2024.

The predictions: FRM’s increased manufacturer support has already paid dividends with McDowell and Gilliland showing lots of speed early in 2024. Front Row won’t make a championship run yet, but I would expect McDowell to compete for a win or two.

Rick Ware Racing – Ford

The cars: (Multiple Drivers) No. 15, Justin Haley No. 51

The story: Rick Ware has always been a backmarker team with quite slow cars, but they’ve been improving over the past few seasons. Adding Haley, a proven competitor capable of getting good runs out of weak cars, is a significant upgrade for this team, and we’ve seen RWR show more speed than usual early in 2024.

The predictions: RWR isn’t great, and they won’t be winning races anytime soon. What RWR is looking for is consistency and improvement, which I believe Haley can bring in the No. 51 while the No. 15 hosts a few drivers looking for a full-time ride.

Hendrick Motorsports – Chevy

The cars: Kyle Larson No. 5, Chase Elliott No. 9, William Byron No. 24, Alex Bowman No. 48

The story: This team oozes talent. Byron is coming off a breakout six-win year, Bowman is a dependable performer and 2020 champ Elliott is looking for revenge after a winless 2023. Add Larson, the 2021 champ and arguably the best race car driver in the world, and you have a terrifying juggernaut. They’ve already won three of the first six races: Byron won at Daytona and Circuit of the Americas, while Larson took Las Vegas.

The predictions: Hendrick is consistently the championship favorite. I expect Elliott and Bowman to have fantastic comeback seasons, Byron to keep winning races and Larson to at least be a championship contender right at the end.

Trackhouse Racing – Chevy

The cars: Ross Chastain No. 1, Daniel Suárez No. 99

The story: The young Trackhouse team is already a top-tier organization going into their fourth year of competition. Chastain is a championship threat with a flair for aggressive driving, Suárez got his second career win at the start of the year and the team co-owned by Pitbull (yes, that Pitbull) remains the most interesting team in the sport.

The predictions: Trackhouse has six wins over the past two seasons, and I think they’ll come back strong this year with both full time cars getting a win and Chastain making another deep championship run.

Richard Childress Racing – Chevy

The cars: Austin Dillon No. 3, Kyle Busch No. 8

The story: Adding two-time champion Busch for the 2023 season was a great decision as he brought the team legitimacy and three wins to boot. Dillon, on the other hand, had his worst statistical year since 2019 and his worst points finish ever. RCR has promise, but if they want to shake the “Richer Children’s Racing” moniker, they’re going to need to prove that both cars are legitimate contenders.

The predictions: In his second season at RCR, Busch will be searching for consistency to match his speed, which I think he’ll find despite a rough start. Dillon will likely rebound, but I still anticipate him to be a non-factor for wins or the championship.

Spire Motorsports – Chevy

The cars: Corey Lajoie No. 7, Zane Smith No. 71, Carson Hocevar No. 77

The story: A long-time backmarker, Spire has quietly been improving in recent years. Lajoie has established himself as a dependable and competent driver, and he’s paired with two talented rookies in Hocevar and Smith for 2024. If the team is going to make a big stride forward, this year would be a great time to see Spire move up the charts.

The predictions: Spire won’t be a title contender, but Lajoie is quite talented and will get a few good finishes. Hocevar and Smith will have some learning to do, but once they settle in, this team has potential to shake up the midfield.

Kaulig Racing – Chevy

The cars: (Multiple Drivers) No. 16, Daniel Hemric No. 31

The story: Kaulig brings a brand new driver lineup with Justin Haley moving on from the No. 31 and A.J. Allmendinger moving back to the lower-tier series from the No. 16. Hemric, a consistent performer in the lower series, takes over the No. 31 full-time, while the No. 16 has a rotating cast of part-time drivers. This will be an adjustment year; can Kaulig set up for the future?

The predictions: Kaulig has struggled through its first few seasons, and losing two talented, full-time drivers in Haley and Allmendinger is a tough blow. One Kaulig car in the top 20 in points would be a good season for this team.

JTG Daugherty Racing – Chevy

The cars: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. No. 47

The story: JTG Daugherty isn’t a flashy team, but in recent seasons Stenhouse has been a consistent and reliable driver, bringing this small team good results and the occasional win. They don’t have the speed or the resources of the big-name teams, but the JTG Daughtery crew has steadily found ways to finish races well and get themselves unexpected results.

The predictions: The No. 47 car won’t be in contention for a championship, but Stenhouse has shown good form recently, including a win in 2023. Don’t be surprised when this team randomly appears in the top ten or even top five several times this year.

Joe Gibbs Racing – Toyota

The cars: Denny Hamlin No. 11, Martin Truex Jr. No. 19, Christopher Bell No. 20, Ty Gibbs No. 54

The story: Coach Gibbs has built an empire headlined by 2017 champ Truex and 3-time Daytona 500 winner Hamlin. The up-and-coming Bell and Ty Gibbs (grandson of Joe) give them staying power. Despite losing two-time champ Kyle Busch after 2022, JGR has not missed a beat, racking up wins and remaining a title threat. With Bell and Hamlin winning early this year at Phoenix and Bristol, respectively, JGR is setting up for another great season.

The predictions: Truex, Hamlin and Bell have all been title contenders in the past few years, and I expect that to continue. Gibbs showed great promise in his rookie year and his 2024 is off to a fast start. He has a great chance to get his first Cup win later this year.

23XI Racing – Toyota

The cars: Bubba Wallace No. 23, Tyler Reddick No. 45

The story: This team, co-owned by JGR driver Denny Hamlin and NBA legend Michael Jordan, is coming off its best season yet with Reddick winning twice and both cars finishing top 10 in points. The future appears bright for the organization with two young talents behind the wheel and an ownership group invested in the team’s long-term growth.

The predictions: 23XI has steadily improved with each passing year, and I expect this trend to continue. Reddick will continue to contend for wins and might be a dark horse for the title, while Wallace has a great shot at his third career win.

Legacy Motor Club – Toyota

The cars: John Hunter Nemechek No. 42, Erik Jones No. 43

The story: LMC switched from Chevy to Toyota for the 2024 season after a disappointing 2023. Jones managed to have a few strong runs towards the end of last year. Nemechek joined LMC after two fantastic seasons in the lower series. After a terrible 2023, can LMC rebound into competitive form with a new manufacturer?

The predictions: This team is hard to predict. Despite finishing 27th and 32nd in points last year, there’s a surprising optimism about this team. I don’t expect title contention, but a win for one or even both LMC cars wouldn’t shock me.

Every weekend from now until November, these 36 cars will be in action with their drivers and teams traveling across the nation to compete at all manner of tracks. It is these tracks that we will turn to next, from the high banks of Daytona to the winding esses of Sonoma. I hope to see you there!

Chances are, you’ve heard of NASCAR, but you may not know much about the sport besides the fact that the cars go fast, turn left, and get into gigantic crashes. With the occasional NASCAR story sneaking onto news feeds, you probably also have some questions. Do Pitbull and Michael Jordan really own NASCAR teams? Do the drivers really only turn left? And how stock are these “stock cars,” anyway?

The short answers to these questions are “Yes”, “No”, and “Not in the slightest.” The long answers, plus a whole lot more, are what I’m here to explain. Welcome to the first of a four-part series exploring the world of NASCAR. This article will be a general primer, while parts two, three, and four will explore the drivers, the tracks, and the rules, respectively.

The Cars
A NASCAR Cup series “stock car” is about as far from a dealership car as possible. Cup cars weigh in at 3200 pounds with nearly a ton of extra aerodynamic downforce, and are powered by a 6 liter V8 engine that produces nearly 700 horsepower. These engines are paired with 15” brakes, allowing these cars to accelerate to high speeds and stop quickly. 

The car body is made of carbon fiber composites which are more resistant to deformation than metal bodies. The combination of grip and power means that Cup cars can reach 200 miles per hour, while the composite bodies mean that cars can get into minor scrapes and still remain competitive. It’s rare to find a race-winning car without at least some paint scratches and tire marks.

Cup cars also have extensive safety features to protect drivers during crashes. They range from the obvious, such as reinforced roll cages, to the technical, like carefully engineered front and rear clips built to absorb energy. Every part of the car is designed with safety in mind. Even the roof flaps that open up when a car begins to spin are there for safety. 

This safety-first mentality makes NASCAR the safest major motorsports series. Despite the massive crashes, more drivers miss races because of injuries sustained from off-track hobbies than because of injuries sustained in a NASCAR race.

The Drivers
Behind the controls of these brilliantly-engineered cars are some of the planet’s greatest drivers. Virtually every driver to start a NASCAR race has performed at a high level in some other series, and all of them have been driving race cars since well before they could legally drive a road car. Most NASCAR drivers have experience across several disciplines of racing, from dirt tracks to open-wheel cars.

Though many veterans, such as Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart, have retired from full-time driving in the last decade, NASCAR in 2024 has no shortage of names and personalities. There’s the defending champ Ryan Blaney; the 2020 champ and most popular driver Chase Elliott; the villains, three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin and two-time series champ Joey Logano; the veterans such as two-time champ Kyle Busch and 2017 champ Martin Truex Jr.; the underdogs like Michael McDowell, and even the happy-go-lucky watermelon farmer turned checkers-or-wreckers championship contender Ross Chastain. With thirty-six drivers on track, there’s plenty of contenders to cheer for.

The Teams
No NASCAR driver could race without a full team behind him. Some crew members are more visible than others, but all of them are vital to every race win. Here’s a few of the more important at-track team members:

Crew chief: This is the first crew member you’ll hear about. The crew chief sits on top of the team’s box on pit road, deciding on race strategy, when to pit, what adjustments to make to the car, and all the long-term details that can give a driver an edge.

Spotter: The spotter sits high above the track on top of the grandstands with binoculars to watch the race. They give drivers valuable information about where other cars are, what lanes other cars are driving in, which cars are gaining/losing time and anything else the driver needs to know.

Pit crew: These are the people who jump over the wall during a pit stop. There are five pit crew members: A front and rear tire changer, a tire carrier, a jackman and a fueler. They must change all four tires, fill the car with fuel, and make mechanical adjustments – all in under fifteen seconds. To say their jobs are high-pressure would be an understatement.

Car chief: Where the crew chief deals with in-race planning, the car chief deals with pre-race planning. They lead the engineering team and before a race will make sure everything on the car is optimized for performance while still meeting NASCAR’s stringent inspection policy.

The Tracks
The NASCAR Cup series season lasts from February into November and consists of 36 points races plus a few exhibition races. In 2024, NASCAR will host points-paying races at 26 unique tracks. Most tracks are ovals, but every track on the schedule is unique. Short ovals under a mile long require constant aggression with drivers using their bumper to help make passes. Longer ovals emphasize strategy, adaptability, engineering and less all-out aggression. Five road courses bring a unique challenge with each composed of varied turns requiring patience, skillful driving and turning right. They even hold a race on the streets of Chicago’s park district.

The most unique type of track on the schedule are the superspeedways. These large ovals are designed for maximum speed, and because drivers never have to get out of the throttle, winning one of the six superspeedway races requires drafting. 

Drafting is when one car drives very close behind another, making the trailing car push through less air, experience less drag, and thus go faster. Superspeedway races typically have two or three lines of drafting cars pushing each other, and with so many cars so close together, this type of racing requires everyone to be at their best to navigate to the front without crashing.

What to Know
The 2024 NASCAR season is about to begin, with the Daytona 500 happening on Sunday, Feb. 18. As one of the aforementioned superspeedways, Daytona always brings an exciting opening to the points-paying season. If you choose to tune in, here are some storylines to watch for:

• Defending champion Ryan Blaney is looking to be the first driver to win back to back titles since Jimmie Johnson won five straight from 2006 to 2010. His teammate Joey Logano won the title in 2022 and 2018.

• Kyle Larson has won on nearly every track he’s driven on in every discipline he’s tried, including a 10-win championship year in 2021. Now entering his 11th full-time season, he’s becoming a veteran and will doubtlessly be a championship favorite again this year.

• NASCAR decides a champion using a unique playoff system, in which sixteen drivers compete in the final ten races and gradually get whittled down until four drivers fight for the championship in November. With the field having more parity than ever, competition for the last of those sixteen spots will be incredibly tight this year.

So, whether you become a diehard fan who watches every race from Daytona to Phoenix, or if you just tune in sometimes to see the wrecks, NASCAR has something for everyone, and much of what turns a casual fan into a lifelong viewer is getting to know the stories of the drivers. Part 2 of this series will dive into the field of 36 fulltime cars, getting to know the drivers, the stories, and the expectations for 2024.