THE RACE: South Point 400
TRACK: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Race #27 of 36
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs race #1 of 10
Date: Sunday, September 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, NV
Scheduled Green Flag (approx): 3:16 pm/et
Sections on this page:
Television | Radio/Streaming | Schedule | Track/Race Info | Race Rundown
Qualifying / Practice / Entry Info | Weather Links | Tire Notes | Odds
NASCAR America: 1:30pm/et on NBCSN
NASCAR Countdown to Green: 2:30pm/et on NBCSN
Television Race Coverage: NBCSN, 3:00pm/et
Practices:
Friday, September 14, 2:05-2:55pm/et, TV-NBCSN;
Saturday, September 15, 1:05-1:50pm/et, TV-NBCSN;
Saturday, September 15, 3:30pm-4:20pm/et, TV-NBCSN.
Qualifying for positions 1-40, Friday, September 14 at 7:30 pm/et, TV-NBCSN;
re-air scheduled: None
In the Booth: Rick Allen, Jeff Burton, Steve Letarte, Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
Pre/Post-Race and Hosts: Krista Voda, Kyle Petty, Dale Jarrett
Pit Reporters: Marty Snider, Kelli Stavast, Dave Burns
Features Reporter: Rutledge Wood
Breaking News: Nate Ryan
Scheduled Race Re-Air Dates/Times:
TBA
TV Listings, Links and Info:
see the TV Listings and Links page
Performance Racing Network (PRN)
SiriusXM Satellite NASCAR Channel 90
ONLINE STREAMING
NBC Sports - Live
Radio: PRN Live Streaming
SiriusXM Internet Radio (available via internet connected device, with subscription)
EVENT SCHEDULE
Event Schedule times are local to the track
Thursday, September 13
7:00 PM-9:00 PM MENCS HAULERS ENTER (EQUIPMENT UNLOAD)
Friday, September 14
8:00 AM-6:30 PM MENCS GARAGE OPEN
10:00 AM MENCS ROOKIE MEETING, SPOTTER MEETING, & RANDOM DRAWING
11:05 AM-11:55 AM MENCS 1ST PRACTICE
4:30 PM (7:30 PM/ET) MENCS QUALIFYING (MULTI-VEHICLE / THREE ROUNDS)
Saturday, September 15
8:30 AM-4:00 PM MENCS GARAGE OPEN
10:00 AM-10:50 AM MENCS 2ND PRACTICE
12:30 PM-1:20 PM MENCS FINAL PRACTICE
Sunday, September 16
6:30 AM MENCS GARAGE OPENS
10:00 AM MENCS DRIVER / CREW CHIEF MEETING
11:20 AM MENCS DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS
12:00 PM (3:00 PM/ET) MENCS RACE (267 LAPS, 400.5 MILES)
MENCS = Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Las Vegas Motor Speedway Track News, Stats & Links page
March 2017: see the Las Vegas Race Info page
March 2018: see the Las Vegas Race Info page
Race Festivities/Officials:
Grand Marshal: Brendan Gaughan
Command to start engines: Brendan Gaughan
Honorary Starter/Wave Green Flag: Jeff Coe
Honorary Pace Car Driver: TBA
Color Guard: Nellis Air Force Base Honor Guard
Invocation: Billy Mauldin
National Anthem: Sierra Black
Flyover: A-10s, Strike Fighter Squadron 213 Blacklions, Nellis AFRB
Sunday Las Vegas Notebook: Late cautions foil Kyle Larson's winning chances at Las Vegas; Jimmie Johnson finds speed in Vegas but can't shake bad luck; Austin Dillon is a survivor in war of attrition in the desert.[More](9-16-2018)
Saturday Las Vegas Notebook: Alex Bowman's rookie joke prompts a "serious" question; Kyle Larson sings the praises of departing teammate; Short strokes.[More](9-15-2018)
Friday Las Vegas Notebook: Justin Allgaier not taking any of this season's successes for granted; Kyle Larson's special paint scheme honors the victims of the 2017 Las Vegas concert tragedy; Team Penske announces new sponsorship with MoneyLion.[More](9-14-2018)
What to Watch For: Las Vegas Motor Speedway: NASCAR Playoffs Get Underway; Busch, Harvick Look to Keep Rolling on 1.5-Mile Tracks; Brad Keselowski Enters Playoffs Blue Hot; Who's Hot and Who's Not - Las Vegas.[More](9-14-2018)
Las Vegas Motor Speedway Weekend Preview: Showtime for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs; Playoff Time Approaches for Xfinity; Round Two for Trucks.[More](9-13-2018)
A look at many news, notes and story lines for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas, see the stats on the NASCAR National Series News & Notes -- Las Vegas Motor Speedway
A look at some of the top statistical performers and top-10 driver ratings at Las Vegas, see the stats on the Statistical Advance - Analyzing Las Vegas Motor Speedway page
Brad Keselowski wins a Vegas race that trips up most Playoff contenders: In a war of attrition that caused a multitude of problems for the majority of Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff contenders, Brad Keselowski emerged unscathed with his third straight victory in the series and the 500th triumph for Team Penske in all forms of racing combined. Sunday's South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the Playoff opener for NASCAR's foremost series, went to overtime, lasting five laps longer than the scheduled 267. But Keselowski held the top spot through three tension-laden restarts to beat runner-up Kyle Larson to the finish line by 1.276 seconds on the final two-lap shootout.[More](9-16-2018)
Brad Keselowski won the South Point 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in an Overtime finish. The win is his 3rd consecutive win of 2018, 3rd win at Las Vegas and 27th career win.
#42-Larson finished 2nd followed by #78-Truex, Jr., #22-Logano, #12-Blaney, #10-Almirola, #18-Busch, #19-Suarez, #31-Newman, and #21-Menard.
A number of Playoff drivers had problems during the race.
Pole winner #20-Jones was caught in an accident on lap 147 when #4 Harvick lost a tire and got into the wall. Jones had nowhere to go and ran into the back of Harvick. Harvick finished 39th, Jones 40th.
#9-Elliott was also eliminated from the race early. He finished 36th after contact following a spin by #1-McMurray on lap 211.
#18-Busch slid into the infield grass with 35 laps remaining. He lost a lap, but later got the free pass. He rebounded to finish 7th.
#11-Hamlin spun off turn 4 and into the infield grass with 21 laps left. He could not continue and finished 32nd.
#48-Johnson and #14-Bowyer made contact with less than 10 laps to go. Both drivers had to pit. Johnson finished 22nd, #14-Bowyer 23rd.
#88-Bowman also had a tire go down late and finished 19th.
#41-Busch was caught in an accident with 2 laps remaining and brought out a red flag for track cleanup and led to an overtime finish. He ended up 21st.
Stage 1 was won by #78-Truex, Jr., finished 3rd.
Stage 2 was won by #2-Keselowski.
There were 23 lead changes among 9 drivers and 12 cautions for 59 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was: 111.849mph.
See unofficial race results, awards, laps led, cautions and more at:
Unofficial Race Results (pdf)
Cumulative Report (pdf)
Penalty Report (pdf)
See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Race & Points Report (pdf).
Where the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Playoff drivers finished at Las Vegas:
#2-Brad Keselowski, 1st
#42-Kyle Larson, 2nd
#78-Martin Truex, Jr., 3rd
#22-Joey Logano, 4th
#12-Ryan Blaney, 5th
#10-Aric Almirola, 6th
#18-Kyle Busch, 7th
#3-Austin Dillon, 11th
#88-Alex Bowman, 19th
#41-Kurt Busch, 21st
#48-Jimmie Johnson, 22nd
#14-Clint Bowyer, 23rd
#11-Denny Hamlin, 32nd
#9-Chase Elliott, 36th
#4-Kevin Harvick, 39th
#20-Erik Jones, 40th
MENCS at Las Vegas
- Brad Keselowski: 3rd straight MENCS win (went winless in first 24 races of season); 1st time in career winning 3 straight Cup Series races
- Keselowski: 3rd driver with a 3-race win streak this season (Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick); 1st time there's been 3 separate 3-race win streaks in a season since 1971 (Richard Petty 3 times, Bobby Allison one); 1st time there's been 3 different drivers with 3-race win streaks in a season in series history
- Keselowski: 27th career Cup Series win; 29th-most all-time (1 away from tying Carl Edwards and Rex White for 27th)
- Keselowski: 3rd win at Las Vegas is tied with Matt Kenseth for 2nd all-time (behind Jimmie Johnson's 4)
- Keselowski: 7th career playoff race win (T-6th all-time)
- Keselowski: 3rd time winning opening race of playoffs (most of any driver)
- 3 of last 7 years the winner of the playoff opener went on to win championship
- Team Penske: 500th win across all forms of motorsports
- Kyle Larson: finished 2nd; 6th runner-up finish this year (0 wins); would be 3rd driver in series history with at least 6 runner-up finishes in a season without a win (Harry Gant: 7 in 1981; Terry Labonte: 6 in 1982)
- 8 playoff drivers finished 19th or worse; other 8 finished 11th or better (top-7 finishers were all playoff drivers)
(ESPN Stats & Info)
Race Fast Facts - Las Vegas
Crew Chief: Paul Wolfe
Brad Keselowski (P) won the Inaugural South Point 400, his 27th victory in 332 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series races.
This is his third victory and 15th top-10 finish in 2018.
This is his third victory and seventh top-10 finish in 11 races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Kyle Larson (P) (second) posted his fourth top-10 finish in six races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It is his 15th top-10 finish in 2018.
Martin Truex Jr. (P) (third) posted his sixth top-10 finish in 14 races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
William Byron (37th) was the highest finishing rookie.
Martin Truex Jr. (P) leads the point standings by 2 points over Kyle Busch (P).
(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(9-16-2018)
2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Standings:
[after Las Vegas - race 1 of 3 in the Round of 16, 1 of 10 in the Playoffs]
1) #2-Brad Keselowski, Las Vegas win
2) #78-Martin Truex Jr., 2087
3) #18-Kyle Busch, 2085
4) #4-Kevin Harvick, 2060
5) #22-Joey Logano, 2056
6) #41-Kurt Busch, 2046
7) #12-Ryan Blaney, 2042
8) #42-Kyle Larson, 2041
9) #10-Aric Almirola, 2034
10) #3-Austin Dillon, 2031
11) #14-Clint Bowyer, 2029
12) #88-Alex Bowman, 2028
Currently outside the top 12 to advance to the next round:
13) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 2022
14) #9-Chase Elliott, 2019
15) #20-Erik Jones, 2009
16) #11-Denny Hamlin, 2008
See the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings page (pdf) and Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf)
See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Race & Points Report (pdf).
Top-Ten Stage 2 Results (lap 160) of the South Point 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (lap 160/267):
#2-Keselowski, 10pts, 1 playoff point
#41-Busch, 9pts
#78-Truex, Jr., 8pts
#48-Johnson, 7pts
#1-McMurray, 6pts
#22-Logano, 5pts
#9-Elliott, 4pts
#12-Blaney, 3pt
#88-Bowman, 2pts
#42-Larson, 1pt
Top-Ten Stage 1 Results (lap 80) of the South Point 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (lap 80/267):
#78-Truex, Jr., 10pts, 1 playoff point
#4-Harvick, 9pts
#88-Bowman, 8pts
#41-Busch, 7pts
#9-Elliott, 6pts
#18-Busch, 5pts
#22-Logano, 4pts
#20-Jones, 3pts
#10-Almirola, 2pts
#31-Newman, 1 pt
Lucky Dogs, drivers that got a lap back during the cautions (and their finish):
Caution 1: #47-Allmendinger, 14th
Caution 2: #21-Menard, 10th
Caution 3: #37-Buescher, 15th
Caution 4: #95-Smith, 12th
Caution 5: #43-Wallace, 38th
Caution 6: #72-LaJoie, 16th
Caution 7: #00-Cassill, 18th
Caution 8: #15-Chastain, 20th
Caution 9: #18-Busch, 7th
Caution 10: #15-Chastain (2), 20th
Caution 11: #23-Yeley, 17th
Caution 12: #88-Bowman, 19th
Sunday pre-race schedule (Eastern time):
3:00pm: Presentation of Colors by: Nellis Air Force Base Honor Guard
3:00pm: Invocation by: MRO Chaplain Billy Mauldin
3:01pm: National Anthem by: Sierra Black
3:02pm: Flyover by: (4) A-10s, Strike Fighter Squadron 213 Blacklions, Nellis AFRB
3:07pm.: "Drivers, Start Your Engines" command by: Brendan Gaughan
3:16pm: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series SouthPoint 400
See the starting lineup for the South Point 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on the Starting Lineup Page (pdf).
To the rear: #51-McLeod (rear gear change), #3-Dillon (unapproved body modifications)
NASCAR Overtime Race Procedure: Rule and notes on the NASCAR Overtime rules/news/stats page.
Wave Around: how the wave around rule works: All vehicles between the leader and the caution vehicle at the start/finish line when the "one to go" signal is given by the starter are considered "Wave Around" eligible. "Wave Around" vehicles will not be permitted to enter pit road at any time during this yellow flag/caution period. "Wave Around" vehicles must receive the green flag on the race track before being permitted to enter pit road without a penalty. Vehicles under a penalty and the "Free Pass" vehicle will not be eligible to receive a "Wave Around".
Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the South Point 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway have been made.
With 40 cars running, pit stalls 43, 42, 41 are not in use.
Pole winner #20-Jones chose pit stall 1, the first stall available [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole winner #22-Logano. took pit stall 15, with an opening in front of it.
#11-Hamlin, who starts 3rd, took the 31st stall, with an opening in front of it.
The final pit stall was taken by #4-Harvick, who starts 5th.
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on Jayski.com's Pit Stall Selection chart.(9-15-2018)
Links to results, practices, qualifying PDF's: (will be added as available)
Official Race & Points Report
Race Results
Drivers Points
Owners Points
Cumlative Race Report
Penalty Report
Pitstalls
Happy Hour Practice Speeds
Practice 2 Speeds
Starting Lineup
Qualifying Results
Qualifying Order
Practice 1 Speeds
Crew Rosters
Latest / Final Entry List
Preliminary Entry List
See the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race results page
QUALIFYING INFO, PRACTICE SPEED and ENTRIES
Happy Hour (final) practice for the South Point 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is over, after 50 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#20-Jones 181.251
#12-Blaney 181.238
#88-Bowman 181.202
#2-Keselowski 181.099
#31-Newman 180.777
best 10 consecutive lap avg (of 30 drivers): #20-Jones
slowest: #51-McLeod 168.135
notes: There were three 15-minute holds for failing pre-qualifying inspection twice; the #7, #21, and #47.
See the fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap average, laps run on the Happy Hour Practice speeds page (pdf) (9-15-2018)
First Saturday practice for the South Point 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is over, after 50 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#31-Newman 183.892
#12-Blaney 183.268
#10-Almirola 183.194
#24-Byron 183.107
#19-Suarez 182.822
best 10 consecutive lap avg (of 19 drivers): #14-Bowyer 181.010
slowest: #40-Timmy Hill 167.240
See the fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap average, laps run on the Second Practice speeds page (pdf) (9-15-2018)
Erik Jones takes the pole for Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Playoff opener: Before Friday's Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series knockout qualifying session at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Erik Jones considered himself a sleeper entering the first race of the Playoffs. That was before the driver of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota announced his presence by winning the pole for Sunday's opening postseason race, the South Point 400. Jones toured the 1.5-mile intermediate speedway in 28.705 seconds (188.121 mph) to earn his first Busch Pole Award of the season and the second of his career by .003 seconds over Team Penske driver Joey Logano (188.101 mph). [More](9-14-2018)
Erik Jones won the Busch pole for the South Point 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with speed of 188.121mph for his 1st pole of 2018, 1st at Las Vegas and 2nd of his career.
#22-Logano will start 2nd followed by #11-Hamlin, #18-Busch, #4-Harvick, #12-Blaney, #9-Elliott, #41-Busch, #88-Bowman, #78-Truex, Jr., #42-Larson, and #1-McMurray.
#20-Jones was fastest in the second round with a speed of 187.911mph.
#4-Harvick was quickest in the first round with a speed of 188.778mph, will start 5th.
Driver(s) who will miss the race: none as 40 were entered for 40 spots
See round-by-round qualifying results on the Qualifying results page (pdf) and the complete starting lineup on the Starting Lineup page (pdf).(9-14-2018)
Where the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Playoff drivers will start at Las Vegas:
#20-Erik Jones, 1st
#22-Joey Logano, 2nd
#11-Denny Hamlin, 3rd
#18-Kyle Busch, 4th
#4-Kevin Harvick, 5th
#12-Ryan Blaney, 6th
#9-Chase Elliott, 7th
#41-Kurt Busch, 8th
#88-Alex Bowman, 9th
#78-Martin Truex, Jr., 10th
#42-Kyle Larson, 11th
#2-Brad Keselowski, 13th
#14-Clint Bowyer, 15th
#10-Aric Almirola, 16th
#48-Jimmie Johnson, 17th
#3-Austin Dillon, 18th
Las Vegas Motor Speedway - Qualifying Fast Facts:
Erik Jones (P) won the Busch Pole Award Pole Award for the Inaugural South Point 400 with a lap of 28.705 seconds, 188.121 mph.
This is his second pole in 66 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series races.
This is his first pole and 17th top-10 start in 2018.
This is his first pole in three races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Joey Logano (P) (second) posted his 18th top-10 start of 2018 and his ninth in 11 races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Denny Hamlin (P) (third) posted his third top-10 start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It is his 19th in 27 races this season.
William Byron (21st) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Statistics)(9-14-2018)
Second Round of Qualifying for the South Point 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is over, after 10 scheduled minutes.
#20-Jones 187.911
#4-Harvick 187.833
#22-Logano 187.820
#11-Hamlin 187.663
#42-Larson 187.201
the rest of the top 12: 9 78 18 12 88 1 41
out of the top 12 and not advancing to round 3: 2 17 10 48 3 19 21 24 14 31 6 34
(9-14-2018)
First Round of Qualifying for the South Point 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is over, after 15 scheduled minutes.
#4-Harvick 188.778
#22-Logano 188.699
#88-Bowman 188.258
#42-Larson 187.990
#14-Bowyer 187.963
the rest of the top 24: 10 12 20 48 2 3 24 41 21 31 11 6 19 1 17 78 9 34 18
out of the top 24 and not advancing to round 2: 95 32 38 37 47 13 43 72 99 15 96 23 00 51 66 7
Drivers who will miss the race: none, 40 entered
(9-14-2018)
Coverage of Qualifying for the South Point 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is scheduled for Friday, September 14, 2018 at 7:30pm/et.
Television (TV): NBCSN, 7:30pm/et
Radio: Live online at Performance Racing Network (PRN)
Group qualifying under the three-round qualifying format:
• Round 1 -- All entries will have 15 minutes to post a qualifying time, after which the 24 registering the fastest laps will advance to the second round. Those failing to advance will be sorted based on first-round times in descending order (from fastest to slowest).
• Round 2 -- The 24 fastest from the first round will have 10 minutes to post a second-round qualifying time, with the 12 fastest advancing to a third round. Those not advancing will earn starting positions 13 through 24 based on time, again in descending order.
• Round 3 -- The final round will be five minutes in length. The fastest times from this session will determine the first (Coors Light Pole Award) through 12th starting positions.
There will be a seven-minute break between each round; teams may make adjustments to their entries only during the individual breaks. They will not be allowed to jack the vehicle or raise the hood, and once the car or truck enters the garage, it will no longer be permitted to return to the track for additional qualifying attempts.
Qualifying Order for the South Point 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is posted.
The first driver to be lined up on pit road will be #21-Menard.
The final driver lined up on pit road will be #95-Smith
The order is set by a random draw, how cars park on pit road before they qualify, held about an hour before the first practice.
After the first round, the cars lined up by speed.
For the qualifying order, see the Qualifying Order page (pdf).(9-14-2018)
Friday practice for the South Point 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is over, after 50 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest and notes:
#22-Logano 189.653
#4-Harvick 189.460
#10-Almirola 188.864
#20-Jones 188.640
#41-Busch 188.140
most laps run: #13-Dillon, 18 laps
best 10 consecutive lap avg: $43-Wallace 178.333. He was the only driver to run 10 consecutive laps.
slowest: #7-Sorenson 172.117, #66-Hill 170.702
See the fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap average, laps run on the First Practice speeds (pdf) (9-8-2018)
Entry List for the South Point 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is posted, 40 teams/drivers [for 40 spots] are listed.
Some of the drivers entered include: #6-Bayne, #7-Sorenson, #23-Yeley, #51-McLeod, #66-Hill, #72-LaJoie, #96-Earnhardt, and #99-Weatherman.
Since only 40 cars are entered, all drivers will make the race.
See the full entry list on the Entry List (pdf)
For qualifying rules and formats, see the Qualifying Rules page
How to Calculate Track Speeds: use the formula Speed = Distance divided by Time. Distance is Track Length, and Lap Time into Hours. Once hour is 3600 seconds, so the calculation for a 48 second lap at Las Vegas(2.5 miles) would be: Speed = 2.5 x (3600/48), = 2.5 x 75 = 187.500mph. For a 19 second lap at Las Vegas(.533 miles): Speed = .533 x (3600/19), = .533 x 189.474 = a speed of 100.990mph
Weather Channel
Accuweather
National Weather Service
Race Weather
Race Day Forecast
Weather Underground
Brian Neudorff @NASCAR_WXMAN
Aaron Studwell @RaceWeather
Las Vegas Goodyear Tire Notes See complete tire information for the race weekend across all series on the [Goodyear Tire Notes - Las Vegas Motor Speedway page.(9-11-2018)
RACE & CHAMPIONSHIP ODDS
Vegas Insider
Race and Championship odds
NASCAR Top-Five Finish Prediction
Las Vegas Race Preview by Micah Roberts
Bovada Sportsbook:
Race and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Championship