AJ Allmendinger qualified 20th in the No. 16 Celsius Chevrolet for the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Early in the race, Allmendinger reported the car was building tight, as it did in practice, but he no longer had rear security. Allmendinger continued to battle the handling of the car for the duration of the race, fighting hard to gain position in the top 15. Allmendinger avoided a late race wreck, spinning while trying to avoid a wrecking competitor. The No. 16 did not have any damage, but needed to come to pit road for fresh tires. With 14 laps remaining, Allmendinger restarted in 21st-place. Allmendinger finished 19th in the South Point 400.
No. 10 Sugarlands Shine x Field & Stream Camaro ZL1
Ty Dillon and the No. 10 Sugarlands Shine x Field & Stream Chevy started Sunday’s South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway from the 35th position. With an ill-handling car from the start, the team worked to make adjustments throughout the race, but were unable to improve the Sugarlands Shine x Field & Stream Chevy. With the call to pit for the final time late in the race for a routine green-flag pit stop, a miscommunication between competitors resulted in contact to the rear of the No. 10 Chevy and ended the team’s day early. Dillon was credited with a 37th-place finish.
About Kaulig Racing
Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time, multi-car NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, owned by award winning entrepreneur, Matt Kaulig. Established in 2016, Kaulig Racing™ has earned 27 NXS wins, made the NXS Playoffs consecutively each season since the playoff system started, and won two regular-season championships. In 2021, the team competed in select NCS events, before expanding to a two-car, full-time NCS team in 2022 and adding a third, part-time entry during the 2023 season. Since its first NCS start in 2021, the team has earned two wins. Kaulig Racing is currently fielding two full-time entries in the NCS and continues to field three full-time NXS entries. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.
RICK WARE RACING South Point 400 Date: Oct. 12, 2025 Event: South Point 400 (Round 33 of 36) Series: NASCAR Cup Series Location: Las Vegas Motor Speedway (1.5-mile oval) Format: 267 laps, broken into three stages (80 laps/85 laps/102 laps)
Race Winner: Denny Hamlin of Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota) Stage 1 Winner: William Byron of Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet) Stage 2 Winner: Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet)
RWR Finish:
● Cody Ware (Started 36th, Finished 35th / Accident, completed 243 of 267 laps)
RWR Points:
● Cody Ware (36th with 215 points)
Race Notes:
● Denny Hamlin won the South Point 400 to score his milestone 60th career NASCAR Cup Series victory, his series-leading sixth of the season, and his second at Las Vegas. His margin over second-place Kyle Larson was 1.533 seconds.
● There were five caution periods for a total of 32 laps.
● Twenty-five of the 38 drivers in the race finished on the lead lap.
Sound Bites:
“It was a long day and definitely hard fought. We were hopefully gonna get a chance to throw tires on it but, unfortunately, the No. 54 came down off the wall and came down and collected us in a bad wreck. It’s a really disappointing day. We had a decent No. 51 Arby’s Steak Nuggets Ford Mustang today. I wish we could’ve gotten to the end to see where we would’ve shaken out, but I’m looking forward to getting to Talladega next weekend and, hopefully, end up in victory lane.” – Cody Ware, driver of the No. 51 Arby’s Steak Nuggets Ford Mustang Dark Horse
Next Up:
The next event on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule is the YellaWood 500 on Sunday, Oct. 19 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. The eighth race in the 10-race NASCAR Playoffs starts at 2 p.m. EDT with live coverage provided by NBC and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Toyota continues streak of only manufacturer to have at least one driver in the Championship 4 each season
LAS VEGAS (October 12, 2025) – Denny Hamlin made a power move by his teammate Chase Briscoe in the closing laps before driving away to win his 60th NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday evening. Hamlin also became the all-time Toyota Cup Series winner with his sixth victory of the season, and Hamlin also continued Toyota’s record as the only manufacturer to have at least one driver in the Championship 4 every season in the current format.
It was a strong day for Toyota as four of the top-five finishers were driving Camrys at the finish line – Hamlin, Christopher Bell (third), Chase Briscoe (fourth) and Tyler Reddick (fifth). It is the second straight mile-and-a-half race that Toyota had four of the top five finishers, and 15th occurrence all-time. Toyota has now had four of the top-five finishers in three of the seven Playoff races (Darlington, Kansas, Las Vegas).
With the strong performance of the Team Toyota drivers, Hamlin, Bell and Briscoe are all above the cutline heading into Talladega. Bell is currently third overall, 20 points to the good, while Briscoe is in fourth, 15 points above the cutline.
Toyota GAZOO Racing Post-Race Recap NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) Las Vegas Motor Speedway Race 33 of 36 – 400.5 miles, 267 laps
TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS
1st, DENNY HAMLIN
2nd, Kyle Larson*
3rd, CHRISTOPHER BELL
4th, CHASE BRISCOE
5th, TYLER REDDICK
15th, ERIK JONES
17th, RILEY HERBST
22nd, BUBBA WALLACE
29th, JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
34th, TY GIBBS
*non-Toyota driver
TOYOTA QUOTES
DENNY HAMLIN, No. 11 ampm Toyota Camry XSE, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 1st
What does this mean for you?
“Yeah, just an incredible team effort. I’ve only had five minutes to think about what just happened. Certainly, didn’t expect it – I just drove as hard as I could. Huge to get ampm their first win, and huge thank you to everyone that has been a part of our team this season – Toyota, Progressive, Sport Clips, National Debt Relief, King’s Hawaiian, Bob’s Discount Furniture, Coca-Cola, Jordan Brand, Shady Rays and Logitech G.”
Can you talk about how much you prepared for this race?
“A lot. I don’t know. It constantly occupies my mind, and everything I need to do to get better as a driver. I work really hard at it, so it is super rewarding to get results like this.”
CHRISTOPHER BELL, No. 20 Rheem Toyota Camry XSE, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 3rd
What is the biggest takeaway from this afternoon?
“I don’t know. Kind of déjà vu as last year. Just we were all a little bit at the beginning of the race, obviously got going pretty good there the second half of the race. I felt like at the second half, I had what I needed to go out there and win. I just didn’t do a good job on the restarts, didn’t get through there. I don’t know. Feels a lot like last year. Hopefully we can execute the next two a little bit better than last year.”
Almost got collected in the crash. How dicey of a moment was that for you?
“That’s just being fortunate, being blessed. They crashed. The sun is right there. There’s tire smoke. I had no idea where any of ’em were. Just kind of prayed, hit the brake, tried to keep it as far left as I could. Fortunately, we missed it. Yeah, I don’t know, it literally feels like déjà vu. Yeah, proud of everyone on this Rheem team. We didn’t get a Rheem win this year, but came really close. Guess we’ll roll the dice at Talladega.”
CHASE BRISCOE, No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry XSE, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 4th
How hard were you hanging on there at the end?
“I was hanging on. Yeah, I thought I was in a really good spot there, the first three or four laps after the restart, my car drove really good. As I ran, I was just absolutely sideways in our Bass Pro Shops Toyota. I thought there for a while when they were racing hard enough, maybe I was going to sneak one off on them. Just really loose at the end. Glad at least a JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing) car won. That’s going to sting for a while.”
What kind of day do you have to have next week?
“We got to go there, race, see what happens. Obviously, that’s where the biggest points swing is probably going to come for all of us. Luckily for us, we didn’t use our one mulligan today, I guess. Go there, see what we can do, hopefully come out there on the plus side, maybe even win it, go on to Martinsville and see what we can do.”
TYLER REDDICK, No. 45 Jordan Brand Toyota Camry XSE, 23XI Racing
Finishing Position: 5th
Can you talk about your run as a whole?
“Yeah, really solid day for us and our Jordan Brand Camry. It was really, really fast. Just not ultimately able to get the job done fortunately but it was nice to have the speed that we did and be at the front the majority of the day.”
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.
Toyota directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 49 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina began to assemble automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.
American-made trucks are built for strength, endurance, and reliable performance. Whether they are used for heavy hauling or transporting race cars, these powerful American vehicles need regular servicing to stay in top condition. In Perth, many owners depend on skilled mechanics who understand their unique design and demands. Regular maintenance not only prevents costly breakdowns but also helps the truck run efficiently for longer.
Knowing what proper servicing involves can help truck owners keep their vehicles strong and dependable.
Why American Trucks Need Expert Servicing
American trucks such as Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, and GMC models differ from many local vehicles. They are built for toughness and power, often featuring advanced systems and large diesel engines. Because of this, they require workshops that specialize in truck repairs and have experience with U.S. brands.
For example, a Dodge Ram’s transmission or a Ford F-250’s diesel engine system needs the right diagnostic tools and mechanical knowledge. Not every workshop is equipped for that. Choosing a service center that focuses on heavy vehicle repairs like F Trucks WA ensures proper inspection, maintenance, and calibration. These experts also understand parts procurement, which helps source original or high-quality replacement parts faster and more reliably.
Key Services for High-Performance and Race Transport Trucks
Trucks that carry performance vehicles or race cars have tougher jobs than most. They travel long distances while carrying heavy and valuable cargo. Because of this, they need more detailed servicing and constant monitoring. Below are some key areas that mechanics focus on.
1. Engine and transmission maintenance
The engine is the truck’s main source of power. Mechanics check oil levels, coolant, and transmission fluids to keep everything running smoothly. They also inspect belts, injectors, and filters to avoid engine strain. When needed, technicians may recommend engine rebuilds to restore power and efficiency. Keeping the transmission well-lubricated improves towing strength and reduces wear during long drives.
2. Suspension and brake checks
Suspension systems support balance and control, especially when carrying race cars. During servicing, mechanics check the shocks, struts, and bushings to make sure they handle weight safely.
The braking system is just as important. It undergoes a detailed safety assessment to confirm that all parts—from pads and rotors to brake lines—are working properly. Safe, responsive brakes are essential when towing on Perth’s busy or uneven roads.
3. Electrical system and diagnostics
Modern American trucks use advanced repair technology for their electronic systems. These systems manage performance, towing sensors, and safety features. Technicians use diagnostic scanners designed for U.S. trucks to locate faults in sensors or wiring. Identifying these issues early helps prevent electrical problems and keeps the truck’s lighting, dashboard, and navigation systems functioning properly.
4. Cooling and exhaust system care
A dependable cooling system protects the engine from overheating, especially in hot weather. Mechanics inspect the radiator, check hoses for leaks, and replace coolant when needed. The exhaust system also requires attention to maintain performance and meet emission standards. For trucks with diesel engines, regular exhaust and filter checks improve efficiency and extend engine life.
5. Wheel alignment and tire maintenance
Wheels and tires affect handling and fuel efficiency. Mechanics perform alignments and rotations to ensure even tire wear. Balanced tires provide a smoother ride and reduce stress on suspension parts. For race car transport trucks, maintaining proper tire pressure and tread depth is vital for safety during long trips.
Common Challenges for American Trucks in Perth
An orange truck with its hood open, showcasing the engine in an automotive workshop. The setting is modern and clean, with yellow lines on gray floor tiles adding contrast to the scene. There’s a well-lit area around it where various tools can be seen neatly arranged. This shot captures the vehicle under detailed, serious arrangement for repair or service, providing a clear view of both the car’s exterior and interior details. –ar 23:15 –v 6.1 Job ID: 344f6325-c5d2-41af-b885-d9af88031a3a
The climate and roads in Perth can be demanding for large trucks. Constant exposure to heat, sea air, and long travel distances can cause early wear. Common problems include:
Rust from coastal air
Overheating during summer drives
Transmission strain from frequent towing
Electrical issues from vibration or moisture
Regular servicing can prevent these issues from becoming serious. For example, getting a mobile servicing appointment before a long race event can help catch small faults early. Many Perth workshops offer on-site inspections and quick truck repairs, which saves time and helps avoid roadside breakdowns.
Simple Maintenance Tips Between Services
Even with regular professional care, truck owners can do small things to keep their vehicles in good condition:
Check oil, brake, and coolant levels often
Keep the air filter clean for better fuel use
Maintain correct tire pressure before long trips
Avoid carrying loads beyond the rated capacity
Pay attention to unusual sounds or vibrations
Following these habits between scheduled services reduces the need for major truck repairs and helps maintain safe performance on the road.
Conclusion
Proper American truck servicing in Perth is essential for keeping these powerful machines reliable and safe. Trucks like the Ford F-250 or Chevrolet Silverado perform best when handled by skilled technicians who understand diesel engines, advanced systems, and heavy towing needs. With consistent maintenance and expert truck repairs, owners can keep their vehicles performing at their best. Investing in professional care ensures these trucks remain strong, efficient, and ready for any road across Perth and beyond.
Online casinos are increasingly combining two types of bonuses in one package: free spins and coins for sweepstakes. This is not a coincidence. Players want to immediately understand what they are getting, and operators are adapting to demand. Fortune Coins Free Spins is one example where the offer looks profitable for both a beginner and those who already know the mechanics of such platforms.
The trend is clear: the more content from the first minutes, the higher the chances that the player will stay. But not everything is so simple. The main thing is to understand what you are getting. Not by the advertising banner, but by the facts.
Why did it become popular?
Previously, bonuses were divided: either free spins or coins. And now they are combined. There are several reasons:
Increasing engagement – different types of bonuses allow trying both slots and raffles.
The player gets not only a chance to win, but also more time in the game.
A newbie quickly gets acquainted with the mechanics of the platform – what spins are, how sweepstake coins work, and why convert them.
The format is beneficial to both parties. The player gets two game channels. The operator gets a chance to keep the user for 10 minutes, but for at least an hour.
What is usually included in the combined welcome bonus
There are many options, but the general scheme hardly changes. Approximate composition:
From 100 to 500 free spins (sometimes broken down by days).
5,000–20,000 sweepstake coins.
Additional gold coins for in-game activity.
Limited validity period (up to 7 days).
Bonuses only for certain slots.
This set allows you to test the platform without making an investment and without rushing into your first deposit. The main thing is to use the bonus before the end of the term. Then everything will burn out.
What to check before activation
Even if the offer looks attractive, you shouldn’t click “get” right away. Some nuances need to be checked:
Which slots are involved? Usually, the choice is limited, especially for free spins.
Is there a wager? For sweep coins – no, but for free spins – maybe.
Expiration date. Often, the bonus is available 24-72 hours from the moment of activation.
Regional restrictions. Some bonuses do not work in certain states.
Withdrawal conditions. Even if you win, platforms can limit withdrawals in the first days.
If you ignore these points, you can lose the entire bonus before you figure out what you got at all.
Pros and cons of a double bonus
To avoid illusions, it is worth looking at the advantages and weaknesses of the format.
Pros:
Two types of currency – more game scenarios.
The possibility of winning without a deposit.
Accelerated acquaintance with the platform.
Often — risk-free participation in tournaments and sweepstakes.
Bonuses are activated automatically, without promo codes.
Cons:
Limited time of use.
Free spins often come with a minimum bet.
It is not always clear what to do with coins without an explanation.
Some offers are unprofitable without a subsequent deposit.
The terms and conditions may be written in small print, and violations may lead to the bonus being blocked.
The format works, but it is not suitable for everyone. For those who just want to play without obligations — yes. For those who immediately expect to win — no.
Who should use such a bonus?
Not every player will get the most out of the combined bonus. This format is more for those who:
Are you ready to spend 1-2 hours playing without replenishment?
I am interested in sweepstake platforms.
Want to get free spins without risk.
Are you ready to understand the rules before activation?
If you don’t like reading the terms and conditions, don’t plan to waste time, or want to top up your account right away, it’s easier to choose another bonus.
A bonus with free spins and sweepstake coins is not a freebie, but a tool. It gives you a start. Without investments, but also without guarantees. You can win. You need to figure it out. Playing without understanding is useless. The format works if you use it wisely. Those who are looking for easy money will miss out. Those who think and read the rules will come out on top.
Poker has been around in America since the 1800s, and honestly? It’s never been hotter. You’ve got ESPN showing tournaments 24/7, online sites popping up everywhere, and suddenly everyone thinks they’re the next Phil Ivey. Whether you’re already grinding or just poker-curious, there’s something addictive about this game that hooks people fast.
Getting into the US poker scene isn’t as intimidating as it looks on TV. Sure, you won’t be sitting across from Daniel Negreanu tomorrow, but there are tons of ways to jump in right now. From your couch to the casino floor, let’s break down five solid ways to get your poker fix.
1. Online Poker – Start Here (Seriously)
Online poker changed everything — platforms basically brought Vegas to your laptop. You can play Texas Hold’em at 2 AM in your pajamas — try doing that at the Bellagio.
The beauty of online play is that nobody cares if you’re terrible at first. Start with micro-stakes (we’re talking pennies here) and work your way up. I’d recommend beginning with $0.01/$0.02 games where losing $20 won’t ruin your month. Plus, most sites have play-money games if you want to learn without any risk.
Pro tip: Use those tutorial videos. They’re actually helpful, unlike most online tutorials that waste your time.
2. Local Tournaments – Where Things Get Real
Nothing beats live poker. The tells, the table talk, that guy who always wears sunglasses indoors — it’s a whole experience you can’t get online.
Local tournaments happen everywhere. Your neighborhood casino probably runs daily tournaments for $60-$100 buy-ins. Community centers sometimes host charity games. Heck, I’ve seen poker tournaments in bowling alleys.
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit Events are the gold standard if you want to get serious, but don’t jump into those until you’ve got some experience under your belt.
Fair warning: live poker etiquette matters. Don’t be that person who acts out of turn or splashes chips everywhere. Watch a few hands first, learn the flow.
3. Poker Clubs – Find Your People
Poker clubs are where you’ll meet the regulars who actually know what they’re doing. These aren’t just random games — they’re communities.
Places like the Silicon Valley Poker Club or the New York Poker Club run organized games and actually teach newcomers properly. Many clubs offer training sessions, which beats learning bad habits from YouTube videos. Plus, you’ll network with players who can point you toward better games and opportunities.
Search Facebook groups or ask around at local card rooms. Most cities have at least one established club.
4. Hit the Casinos – Go Big or Go Home
Want the full poker experience? Nothing beats a real casino poker room. The Bellagio in Vegas, Borgata in Atlantic City — these places are poker meccas for good reason.
Casino poker rooms run games around the clock. You’ll find everything from $1/$2 no-limit (perfect for beginners) to nosebleed stakes where people buy in for more than your car’s worth. The atmosphere’s electric, the dealers are professional, and you might even spot a poker celebrity.
Just remember: casinos have dress codes and house rules. Don’t show up in flip-flops expecting to play. Call ahead and ask about their requirements.
5. Online Communities – Your Poker Education
Playing US poker without studying it is like trying to learn guitar without listening to music. Online forums are where you’ll actually improve.
The TwoPlusTwo forum is the Harvard of poker discussion. Reddit’s poker community is more casual but still valuable. These places teach you concepts you’d never figure out on your own. Strategy discussions, hand reviews, industry news — it’s all there.
Don’t just lurk, either. Post hands you’re unsure about, and ask questions. The poker community is surprisingly helpful to newcomers who show genuine interest in improving.
Ready to Play?
The US poker scene has room for everyone, from weekend warriors to future pros. Online sites offer convenience, local games build skills, casinos provide thrills, and communities teach strategy. Pick what appeals to you most and dive in.
Just remember — poker is gambling, so don’t risk money you can’t afford to lose. Start small, learn constantly, and enjoy the ride. Who knows? You might discover your new obsession.
Denny Hamlin earned a one-way ticket to the 2025 Championship 4 round with a clutch NASCAR Cup Series victory in the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, October 12.
The three-time Daytona 500 champion from Chesterfield, Virginia, led four times for nine of 267 scheduled laps in an event where he lost the lead at the event’s start from pole position and dealt with early handling issues despite racing upfront and recording stage points during the event’s first two stages.
Photo by Ron Olds for SpeedwayMedia.com
Hamlin’s race-winning move then occurred within the final 30 laps after he pitted for four fresh tires during a caution and amid a harrowing accident that knocked Playoff contender William Byron out of race-winning contention. Then, through a brief restart with 23 laps remaining before the final one that occurred with 14 laps remaining, Hamlin, who restarted sixth, methodically bolted his way to the front. Following a late duel with Playoff contender Kyle Larson and teammate Chase Briscoe, the latter of whom was strategically on two fresh tires, Hamlin navigated his way to the lead with four laps remaining. From there, Hamlin captured a victory that enabled him to cross off 60 victories from his bucket list and place him in a prime position to achieve his first elusive championship.
With on-track qualifying that determined the starting lineup occurring on Saturday, October 11, Denny Hamlin notched his fourth Cup pole position of the 2025 season and the 47th of his career with a pole-winning lap at 184.849 mph in 29.213 seconds. Joining Hamlin on the front row was teammate Chase Briscoe, the latter of whom clocked in his best qualifying lap at 184.622 mph in 29.249 seconds.
Prior to the event, Ross Chastain dropped to the rear of the field due to unapproved adjustments that were made to his entry.
When the green flag waved and the event commenced, Denny Hamlin, who started on the inside lane, launched ahead of the field with the lead through the frontstretch and the first two turns. As the field fanned out through the backstretch, Hamlin retained the lead until teammate Chase Briscoe overtook Hamlin through Turns 3 and 4, which allowed Briscoe to lead the first lap.
Over the next four laps, Briscoe maintained a steady advantage over Hamlin as both were pursued by Playoff contenders Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Christopher Bell, respectively, in the top five. With Tyler Reddick, Playoff contender Kyle Larson, Bubba Wallace, Playoff contender Joey Logan,o and Alex Bowman racing in the top 10, Briscoe proceeded to lead by three-tenths of a second over Hamlin on the 10th lap.
Through the first 25 scheduled laps, Briscoe extended his lead to three seconds over Hamlin while Byron, Elliott, and Bell trailed by as far back as four seconds in the top five, respectively. Meanwhile, Reddick, Larson, Logano, Bowman, and Wallace continued to race in the top 10 ahead of Ty Gibbs while Ryan Blaney, the lone Playoff contender racing outside the top 10 on the track, was mired back in 12th place ahead of Chris Buescher, Ryan Preece, and Shane van Gisbergen.
Then on Lap 33, a first round of green-flag pit stops occurred as select names led by Larson, Logano, Ross Chastain and Reddick pitted their respective entries. More names that included Wallace, Zane Smith, Austin Cindric, Byron, Hamlin, Elliott, Bell, Blaney, Ty Gibbs, Preece, van Gisbergen, Erik Jones, Austin Dillon and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. pitted throughout the next two laps before the leader Briscoe pitted on Lap 36. Briscoe, though, endured a slow pit service after his pit crew had issues getting the left-rear wheel adjusted and secured on the No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry XSE entry.
By the time Briscoe exited pit road, he had been overtaken by Byron, Reddick and Larson on the track. Once the first round of green flag pit stops cycled through as Todd Gilliland pitted, Byron cycled to the lead on Lap 41. As Byron led, Reddick trailed the latter by within seven-tenths of a second while Larson, Briscoe and Hamlin were scored in the top five over Elliott, Bell, Wallace, Bowman and Logano, respectively. Meanwhile, Blaney, who cracked the top 10 prior to the pit stops, was mired back in 12th place behind Ty Gibbs.
At the Lap 50 mark, Byron was leading by more than a second over Reddick while Larson, Briscoe and Hamlin trailed in the top five, respectively, by as far back as four seconds. Byron proceeded to add another second to his advantage over Reddick by Lap 65. By then, Elliott navigated his way up to fourth place behind teammate Larson and in front of Briscoe, Hamlin and Bell while Logano was back in 10th place.
On Lap 71, the event’s first caution flew when Blaney, who was racing in 12th place, cut a right-front tire and went dead straight into the outside wall through Turns 3 and 4. The damage to Blaney’s No. 12 Menards Ford Mustang Dark Horse entry was enough to terminate Blaney’s start to the Round of 8 and his hopes for a second Cup Series championship.
“No warning. The left-front tire blew into [Turn] 3 and yeah, [it’s] unfortunate [to] going home early,” Blaney said in the infield care center. “Obviously, we have to look forward to [Talladega Superspeedway and Martinsville Speedway]. [It’s] Not the spot you want to be in. I actually thought we got our car fairly decent and was looking forward to keep going and never got it. Pretty simple: [I] Got to go win one of the next two weeks and hopefully, we can rebound and do it.”
During the caution period, the lead lap field led by Byron pitted for service and Byron retained the lead by exiting pit road first ahead of Larson, Briscoe, Elliott and Reddick.
With three laps remaining in the first stage period, the event restarted under green. At the start, Byron fended off Briscoe, Larson and the field through the first two turns to retain the lead. As the field fanned out through the backstretch, Larson, Briscoe, Hamlin and Elliott all fiercely battled for the runner-up spot, with Hamlin and Elliott making contact through the frontstretch, while Byron retained the lead. In the process of the runner-up battle, Wallace, Bell and Reddick joined the battle while Logano was trying to maintain a top-10 spot for a stage point.
When the first stage period concluded on Lap 80, Byron captured his eighth Cup stage victory of the 2025 season. Teammate Larson settled in second ahead of Briscoe, Hamlin and Elliott while Wallace, Bell, Reddick, Ty Gibbs and Logano were scored in the top 10, respectively.
Under the first stage break period, the front runners led by Byron remained on the track while some racing within the midfield region, including Noah Gragson, Erik Jones, Austin Dillon, Brad Keselowski, Josh Berry, Michael McDowell, Justin Haley, Cody Ware, Ross Chastain, Zane Smith, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Kyle Busch, Austin Cindric, Cole Custer, Riley Herbst, Todd Gilliland and Ty Dillon pitted.
The second stage period started on Lap 86 as Byron and Larson occupied the front row. At the start, Byron was nearly turned by Briscoe as the latter was pushing the former through the frontstretch. Amid Briscoe’s contact, Byron kept his No. 24 Relay Chevrolet entry racing straight and he dueled with Larson through the first two turns and the backstretch. Then as Briscoe tried to make a three-wide move beneath both Byron and Larson for the lead entering Turn 3, Larson rocketed his No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet entry ahead and he led the next lap (Lap 87) while Byron was mired in a battle with Briscoe and Hamlin for the runner-up spot. As the field fanned out and battled fiercely for spots, Larson retained the lead by a tenth of a second over Briscoe at the Lap 90 mark while Byron, Hamlin and Wallace trailed in the top five.
At the Lap 100 mark, Larson was leading by seven-tenths of a second over teammate Byron while Briscoe, Hamlin and Elliott trailed in the top five, respectively. Behind, 23XI Racing’s Reddick and Wallace were racing in sixth and seventh ahead of Ty Gibbs, Logano and van Gisbergen while Bell was mired in 11th place ahead of Carson Hocevar, Chris Buescher, Preece, Noah Gragson, Brad Keselowski, Austin Dillon, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., John Hunter Nemechek and Daniel Suarez.
By Lap 115, another round of green flag pit stops slowly commenced as some including Bell and Buescher pitted their entries. On Lap 119 and as more competitors, including a bevy of Playoff contenders pitted, Larson pitted from the lead. During the pit stops, Elliott was penalized for an uncontrolled tire violation. Once the second round of green flag pit stops concluded as Wallace and Cole Custer pitted from the lead, Larson cycled back to the lead on Lap 126.
At the halfway mark between Laps 133 and 134, Larson was leading by a tenth of a second over a hard-charging Reddick while Byron, Hamlin, Briscoe, Ty Gibbs, Bell, van Gisbergen, Logano and Buescher followed suit in the top 10, respectively. Meanwhile, Elliott, who served a drive-through penalty from his uncontrolled tire violation penalty, was scored the first competitor a lap down in 29th place while Wallace, who was penalized for speeding on pit road during his latest pit service, was strapped back in 34th place.
Through the Lap 145 mark, Larson stretched his lead to a second over Reddick while third-place Byron trailed by one-and-a-half seconds. Behind, teammates Hamlin and Briscoe were scored in the top five and both Bell and Logano were racing in seventh and eighth while Elliott was ranked the second competitor scored a lap down in 28th. Larson proceeded to stabilize his lead to a second over Reddick by the lap 155 mark. By then, Elliott was ranked the third competitor mired a lap down in 27th as he had both Todd Gilliland and Austin Cindric to overtake before the second stage’s conclusion and to have any opportunity to receive the free pass.
When the second stage period concluded on Lap 165, Larson cruised to his eighth Cup stage victory of the 2025 season. Reddick followed suit in second place while Byron, Hamlin, Briscoe, Bell, Ty Gibbs, Alex Bowman, Logano and Hocevar were scored in the top 10, respectively. By then, Elliott was awarded the free pass as he was the first competitor scored a lap down in 25th place.
During the second stage break period, the lead lap field led by Larson pitted for service. Following the pit stops, Larson exited pit road first and he was followed by Reddick, Hamlin, Briscoe and Byron. Amid the pit stops, Daniel Suarez was penalized for equipment interference.
With 95 laps remaining, the final stage period commenced as Larson and Reddick occupied the front row. At the start, Larson retained the lead over Reddick, Hamlin and the field through the frontstretch, the first two turns and the backstretch. As the field fanned out, Hamlin challenged Larson for the lead and he led the next lap from the outside lane by a hair before Larson reassumed the top spot. Hamlin then went from second to fifth over the next two laps as Reddick, Bell and Byron overtook him. With Briscoe mired in sixth place behind Hamlin, Larson retained the lead by a tenth of a second over a hard-charging Reddick with 90 laps remaining.
As the event reached its final 75 laps, Larson continued to lead by four-tenths of a second over teammate Byron while Reddick, Hamlin and Bell followed suit in the top five, respectively. Behind, Briscoe, who reported a potential toe link issue to his entry after he scrubbed the wall during the latest restart, retained sixth place ahead of Gibbs, Bowman, Hocevar and Buescher while Logano and Elliott were mired in 16th and 21st, respectively.
With approximately 57 laps remaining, a late cycle of green flag pit stops commenced as Playoff contenders Briscoe and Logano pitted their respective entries. More names that included Bowman, Gibbs, Stenhouse, Cindric, Gilliland, Chastain, Wallace, Reddick, Byron and Bell pitted over the next three laps before Larson pitted from the lead with 53 laps remaining. By the time Larson returned to the track, teammate Byron overtook him on the track.
With 50 laps remaining, Hamlin, who was among a handful of competitors who have not yet pitted, pitted under green. Elliott also pitted with Hamlin while Hocevar and Keselowski, both of whom have yet to pit, cycled to first and second on the track. As Hocevar pitted with 48 laps remaining before Keselowski pitted a lap later, Byron cycled to the lead with 46 laps remaining.
Down to the final 40 laps of the event, Byron was leading by seven-tenths of a second over Larson while third-place Bell trailed by more than a second. Bowman and Reddick followed suit in the top five ahead of Gibbs, Briscoe, Hamlin, Buescher and Austin Dillon while Logano and Elliott were mired in 14th and 18th, respectively.
Six laps later, Larson assumed the lead from teammate Byron after Byron got loose entering Turn 2. Another five laps later, the caution flew for a harrowing accident when Byron, who was racing in the runner-up spot, T-boned into the rear of Ty Dillon in Turn 4. The incident occurred as Dillon, who did not give any indication through the radio that he was pitting, was reducing pace and preparing to pit, which was unbeknownst to Byron as the latter was approaching the former at full speed. Amid Dillon and Byron’s collision, John Hunter Nemechek spun through pit road to avoid the carnage.
Despite emerging uninjured, Byron was left visibly frustrated on receiving no radio communication nor any hand signals from Ty Dillon prior to the collision.
“I never saw [Dillon] wave,” Byron said in the infield care center. “I didn’t see any indication he was pitting. I thought the [pit] cycle was fully over. Nobody said anything to my spotter from what I know. I had zero idea. I was watching him, thinking he missed the bottom a little bit, and then he just started slowing, and I just had no idea what was going on. I’m just devastated. I had no indication.”
During the caution period, the leaders peeled off the track and onto pit road for service. Following the pit stops and with mixed strategies occurring, Briscoe, who opted for only a two-tire pit service, exited pit road first with the lead. Briscoe was followed by Logano and Keselowski, the latter two of whom also opted for two fresh tires, while Larson followed suit on four fresh tires. Van Gisbergen and Bowman while Bell, Gibbs, Reddick and Hamlin followed suit in the top 10.
The start of the next restart with 23 laps remaining did not last long as Bell, Gibbs, and van Gisbergen, all of whom were restarted in the top-10 mark, made contact against one another amid a tight squeeze. The contact sent Gibbs spinning and hitting the outside wall through the first two turns backwards while van Gisbergen spun from the top to the bottom of the track, which ignited a multi-car wreck that involved Chastain, Austin Dillon, Elliott, AJ Allmendinger, Gilliland, Zane Smith, Cody Ware, and Hocevar. At the moment of caution, Briscoe retained the lead over Logano while Bowman, Larson, Keselowski, Bell and Hamlin followed suit.
As the event restarted with 14 laps remaining, Briscoe and Logano battled for the lead in front of Larson, Bowman, Keselowski and Hamlin while the field fanned out and dueled amongst one another for late spots. With the field returning to the frontstretch, Briscoe received the upper hand from the inside lane that enabled him to lead the next lap over Logano. As Briscoe then led the next two laps, Larson, Hamlin and Reddick navigated their way past Logano, which dropped the latter to fifth place as Logano was beginning to fade on only two fresh tires.
Down to the final eight laps of the event, Hamlin reeled in Larson for the runner-up spot through the backstretch. As Larson tried to force Hamlin up the track to stall Hamlin’s momentum, the latter instead drag-raced with Larson through the frontstretch before Larson used the inside lane to muscle back ahead and slide in front of Hamlin through the first two turns. Hamlin would then continue to reel Larson back in before he executed his overtake on the latter from the inside lane entering Turn 1 with five laps remaining. Amid the battle, Briscoe retained a steady advantage.
Then with four laps remaining, Hamlin, who reeled in and gained lots of ground on Briscoe from Turns 3 and 4, made his move to Briscoe’s outside through the frontstretch. With four fresh tires working to his advantage compared to Briscoe’s two tires, Hamlin used the outside lane through the first two turns to rocket his No. 11 ampm Toyota Camry XSE entry ahead entering the backstretch. From there, Hamlin proceeded to slowly stretch his advantage as Larson started to reel in Briscoe for the runner-up spot.
When the white flag waved and the final lap started, Hamlin remained in the lead by a second over both Larson and Briscoe. With the latter two unable to reel in Hamlin as Hamlin had clean air all to himself, Hamlin was able to cycle his way around Las Vegas Motor Speedway smoothly for a final time before he returned to the frontstretch and claimed the checkered flag by one-and-a-half seconds over Larson with Briscoe trailing by nearly two seconds.
With the victory, Hamlin notched his 60th NASCAR Cup Series career victory. In doing so, he became the 11th competitor overall to achieve the feat, and he moved into a tie with Kevin Harvick for 10th place on the all-time wins list. Hamlin also notched his second victory at Las Vegas, his sixth of the 2025 season and his first since he won at World Wide Technology Raceway in early September.
By winning the Playoff’s Round of 8 opener at Las Vegas, Hamlin, who is in his 20th consecutive season of Cup Series competition, earned an automatic berth to the Championship 4 round. In doing so, he will race for his first elusive Cup Series championship at Phoenix Raceway on November 2.
Photo by Ron Olds for SpeedwayMedia.com.
“[The win] Definitely means a lot,” Hamlin, who fought tears of joy on the frontstretch, said on NBC. “Obviously, [I] want to say hi to my dad, family back at home, all the friends that came out here for Vegas, hoping we get 60 [wins]. I didn’t think we were. [I] Just put the pedal down those last 10 laps and made it happen.”
“[Crew chief] Chris [Gayle] did an amazing job on that final [pit] stop getting the car just right,” Hamlin added. “I just held it down. That’s all I could do is just to go for it. I felt like I had nothing to lose. Just go for it and try to punch a ticket now. Man, this one feels great. I just don’t know what to say. It was very unexpected with those last 15 laps. I didn’t think we were going to win, but I knew I was going to give it all I had.”
Kyle Larson, who led a race-high 129 laps, settled in second place while Christopher Bell came home in third place. Chase Briscoe, who led 57 laps, settled in fourth place while Tyler Reddick completed the top five on the track.
Despite falling short of winning the Round of 8 opener, both Larson and Briscoe remained cautiously optimistic over their championship hopes for this season as they, along with six other Playoff contenders, look ahead to the upcoming events at Talladega Superspeedway and Martinsville Speedway.
“I thought I had a big enough gap down the backstretch to go to the top [lane] and get rolling momentum,” Larson said. “[Hamlin’s] car, the Toyotas in general, were really, really, really fast on a short run and had a lot of speed. He must have nailed the bottom behind me, got to my inside. It was over from there…Happy, though, to still get a good finish. It was getting hectic there. Obviously, [the Playoffs] could completely flip next week. I do feel like our superspeedway stuff has gotten a lot better. We’ve done really well on them this year. You can never expect a good finish or a finish at all when you go there. We’ll just try and go and execute like we have been this year at [Talladega Superspeedway and Martinsville Speedway]. Hopefully, we can have another good points day and maybe Martinsville will be a little bit easier.”
“I was hanging on,” Briscoe added. “I thought I was in a really good spot there. The first three or four laps after the restart, my car drove really good. As I ran, I was just absolutely sideways. I thought there for a while when [the competitors] were racing hard enough, maybe I was going to sneak one off on them. Just really loose at the end. Glad at least a [Joe Gibbs Racing] car won. That one will sting for a while. We got to go [to Talladega], race and see what happens. Obviously, that’s where the biggest points swing is probably going to come for. Luckily for us, we didn’t use our one mulligan, I guess, today. We’ll just go there, see what we can do and hopefully, come out there on the plus side, maybe even win it, and go on to Martinsville and see what we can do.”
Joey Logano notched a sixth-place result while Alex Bowman, Kyle Busch, Ryan Preece, and Brad Keselowski rounded out the top 10 on the track. Notably, Chase Elliott finished in 18th place, while William Byron and Ryan Blaney, both of whom were unable to complete the event due to their respective incidents, settled for 36th and 38th, respectively.
There were 21 lead changes for 11 different leaders. The event featured five cautions for 32 laps. In addition, 25 of 38 starters finished on the lead lap.
Results:
1. Denny Hamlin, nine laps led 2. Kyle Larson, 129 laps led, Stage 2 winner 3. Christopher Bell 4. Chase Briscoe, 57 laps led 5. Tyler Reddick, one lap led 6. Joey Logano, one lap led 7. Alex Bowman 8. Kyle Busch 9. Ryan Preece 10. Brad Keselowski, two laps led 11. Austin Cindric 12. Chris Buescher 13. Noah Gragson 14. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 15. Erik Jones 16. Michael McDowell 17. Riley Herbst 18. Chase Elliott 19. AJ Allmendinger 20. Daniel Suarez 21. Todd Gilliland, one lap led 22. Bubba Wallace, five laps led 23. Ross Chastain 24. Zane Smith 25. Austin Dillon 26. Josh Berry, one lap down 27. Justin Haley, one lap down 28. Cole Custer, one lap down, one lap led 29. John Hunter Nemechek, two laps down 30. JJ Yeley, four laps down 31. Katherine Legge, six laps down 32. Carson Hocevar – OUT, six laps led, Accident 33. Shane van Gisbergen – OUT, Accident 34. Ty Gibbs – OUT, Accident 35. Cody Ware – OUT, Accident 36. William Byron – OUT, Accident, 55 laps led, Stage 1 winner 37. Ty Dillon – OUT, Accident 38. Ryan Blaney – OUT, Accident
*Bold indicates Playoff contenders.
Playoff standings:
1. Denny Hamlin – Advanced 2. Kyle Larson +35 3. Christopher Bell +20 4. Chase Briscoe +15 5. William Byron -15 6. Chase Elliott -23 7. Joey Logano -24 8. Ryan Blaney -31
The Round of 8 in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs continues next Sunday, October 19, at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama, for the YellaWood 500. The event’s broadcast time is slated to commence at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN Radio, SiriusXM and HBO Max.
Custer Finishes 28th in Cup Series Race on Sunday at LVMS
LAS VEGAS, NV (October 12, 2025) – Haas Factory Team posted strong results at Las Vegas Motor Speedway while proudly representing Ford Racing throughout the weekend. In the Xfinity Series, Sam Mayer secured top-10 finishes in all stages, strengthening his playoff position, while Sheldon Creed rebounded from early handling issues to finish 11th. On Sunday, Cole Custer persevered through the Cup race, ultimately finishing 28th.
Xfinity Series
41 Sam Mayer Sam Mayer finished among the top 10 in all three stages Saturday, gathering valuable stage points and fortifying his playoff hopes as the Round of 8 began. Rolling off 16th in the Audibel Ford, he quickly began picking off positions. An oil light issue surfaced on lap 16, but after resetting the gauges, Mayer continued to clock fast laps and it appeared there were no serious concerns. As the run progressed, his pace improved and he climbed to eighth by the end of the stage, earning three valuable stage points.
In Stage Two, Mayer’s team went to work on pit road, sending him back out in seventh. He continued to showcase speed, turning some of the fastest laps in the field. As the sun began to set, Mayer adapted well to the changing track conditions. He was able to smoothly navigate the turns, wrapping the corners tightly. Running consistently inside the top 10, Mayer finished eighth once again, banking more stage points.
The final stage brought a mix of challenges and opportunities, and Mayer rose to meet them. Restarting sixth, he initially slipped back to 10th as the car felt “edgy,” but he regained his rhythm as the run developed, working his way to ninth and eventually overtaking Brandon Jones for eighth with just over 60 laps remaining. After a green-flag pit cycle, a late caution bunched the field, and Mayer restarted 10th with 29 laps to go. He held his ground through the closing laps, bringing home a solid ninth-place finish. He now sits fourth in the standings, eight points above the cutline with two races remaining in the Round of 8.
“Everyone did a great job of getting this Ford Mustang ready to roll. We weren’t the best, but I think we deserved a little bit better than where we finished,” said Mayer. “Everybody did a great job getting us ready for this. We have some things to work out on pit road, but I’m excited for the next couple of weeks for sure since we’re coming out of here with a decent day.”
00 Sheldon Creed A determined effort in Las Vegas helped Sheldon Creed move from eighth to sixth in the playoff standings, with two races remaining in the Round of 8. Starting 10th in the Ollie’s Ford, he initially slipped back through the field while searching for grip in the early laps. A timely caution allowed the team to make chassis adjustments, and he immediately noticed better drivability on the restart. Although Creed finished Stage One in 26th, his lap times improved as the run went on, setting the foundation for a comeback effort.
Stage Two saw Creed and his team continue to fine-tune the car. After pitting between stages for additional adjustments, he restarted 19th and steadily worked his way forward. As the sun began to set and track temperatures cooled, the No. 00 Ford adapted well to the changing conditions. The car displayed stronger pace, and Creed reported that it fired off much better. It was clear the team had made meaningful progress, improving by 11 positions to finish the stage 15th.
The final stage showcased just how far Creed and his team had come. Restarting 11th after another pit stop, he navigated a chaotic restart and settled into 12th. Midway through the stage, the team made more adjustments during a green-flag pit stop. When the pit cycle played out, Creed had climbed as high as fifth. After a late caution shuffled positions, he restarted sixth, briefly reclaimed fifth, and ultimately crossed the line 11th after the car tightened up in the closing laps. Sitting sixth in the standings, Creed’s playoff hopes remain strong after rebounding from a slow start Saturday.
“After practice and qualifying I thought we were going to be really strong there and that’s twice now that this new tire has thrown us for a loop like that. We’ll be pretty good in practice and then we start the race like 10 out of 10 loose, so that was challenging to start,” said Creed. “That’s twice that we’ve done that. I’m not blaming it on anyone because I’m equally telling the guys what I think I need for the race and it’s kind of sending us for a loop. Overall, not a terrible finish for our Ollie’s Ford Mustang and I appreciate everyone for the effort.”
Cup Series
41 Cole Custer Cole Custer and the No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford team battled handling issues and a tough track position all afternoon at Las Vegas, ultimately bringing home a 28th-place finish in Sunday’s 267-lap event. Custer rolled off 21st but quickly found the balance of his car too loose in the opening laps, dropping to 26th by lap 15 and reporting the car was edgy and unstable over the bumps.
The team made its first pit stop on lap 35 for four tires and fuel, opting to stay out a few extra laps before pitting. The strategy left Custer a lap down to the leader shortly after, and he cycled back to 31st once pit stops completed. A timely caution on lap 71 allowed Custer to take the wave around and regain lead-lap status, ultimately ending Stage One in 29th place.
Stage Two adjustments provided slight improvements to the car’s handling, particularly on initial restarts and over long runs. Custer hovered around 30th for much of the stage and briefly led a lap during the green-flag pit cycle before settling into 28th at the stage’s conclusion. The team made a wedge adjustment during the caution in hopes of continuing to dial in the balance for the final run.
In the closing stage, Custer restarted 30th but dropped a few spots as the field spread out and track position became increasingly difficult to recover. He continued to battle through a long green-flag stretch until a caution on lap 235 allowed the team to take a wave around to gain a lap back. Another quick caution helped him gain a few more positions, and Custer ultimately came home 28th to close out a challenging day in Las Vegas.
“Everyone fought hard all day, but Las Vegas hasn’t been our place both times this year,” Custer said. “We’ll learn from it and move on to Talladega and try to have a good race there.”
Up Next Talladega Superspeedway (Talladega, AL)
The Xfinity Series – Saturday, October 18th at 4:00 p.m. ET on the CW Network.
The NASCAR Cup Series – Sunday, October 19th at 2:00 p.m. ET on NBC.
About Haas Factory Team The Haas Factory Team is a NASCAR Cup and Xfinity program owned by Gene Haas, founder of Haas Automation. Beginning in 2025, the team will feature Cole Custer driving the No. 41 Ford Mustang Dark Horse in the NASCAR Cup Series, while Sheldon Creed and Sam Mayer take on the Xfinity Series in the No. 00 and No. 41 Ford Mustangs, respectively. Based in Kannapolis, North Carolina, the Haas Factory Team reflects a commitment to performance and engineering excellence, carrying forward Gene Haas’s commitment to motorsports.
Late-Race Wreck Ruins Top-10 Run for Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Get Bioethanol Chevrolet Team at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Finish: 25th Start: 25th Points: 15th
“It never fails that when we have a great day going, something happens out of our control. Our Get Bioethanol Chevrolet was really good. The balance started on the free side and then we got it a little too tight. After our green flag stops, the car would fire off good. Almost too good, which is what caused us to fade at the end of the run. We were in position to get a top-10 finish but got caught up in that multi-car wreck with less than 25 laps to go. I hate it for our No. 3 team but it’s a positive that our Chevy had speed on an intermediate. Everyone did a great job today and this is something we can build off moving forward.” -Austin Dillon
Hometown Favorite Kyle Busch and the No. 8 zone Chevrolet Team Sail to Top-10 Finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Finish: 8th Start: 32nd Points: 22nd
“I’m proud of the entire No. 8 zone Chevrolet team for getting us to a place from qualifying 32nd to finishing eighth today at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. We worked throughout the race to correct rear grip issues and a loose-handling Chevy to get the car to a competitive pace by race’s end. Now, the name of the game is consistency and continuing to finish out front the remainder of the season, and of course get our Richard Childress Racing machine back to Victory Lane.” -Kyle Busch
NASCAR Cup Series Las Vegas Motor Speedway Round of Eight: Race One Team Chevy Post-Race Report October 12, 2025
Larson Opens NASCAR Cup Series Round of Eight with Runner-Up Finish at Las Vegas
A valiant effort by Kyle Larson and the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team ended with a runner-up finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway to open the NASCAR Cup Series Round of Eight. The finish – Larson’s 13th top-five result of the season – came with a strong points day that puts the 2021 champion in the top provisional points positions in the playoff rankings with a 35-point cushion heading to Talladega Superspeedway.
Kyle Larson led a lineup of three Team Chevy drivers with top-10 results at the 1.5-mile Nevada oval, with Alex Bowman crossing the line in seventh and the Las Vegas native, Kyle Busch, driving from the 32nd starting position to a strong eighth-place finish.
To get the NASCAR Cup Series Round of Eight underway, all three Team Chevy playoff contenders unloaded with speed that translated into top-six qualifying efforts – led by Chase Elliott, who lined up his No. 9 Chevrolet in the fourth position to take the green-flag at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Settling into the fourth position on the opening lap, Elliott was quickly challenged for position by his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, William Byron, who also earned a top-five starting position. With an early report of a good handling Chevrolet, Byron steadily made his way up into the runner-up position by Lap 29. The first green-flag pit cycle began shortly thereafter, with Crew Chief, Rudy Fugle, calling his driver down pit road for four tires and fuel on Lap 34. With a masterful 9.6-second stop by the No. 24 pit crew, Byron took advantage of a pit road mishap by then-race leader, Chase Briscoe, to inherit the lead once the pit cycle was complete. Byron’s long run speed prevailed as the Charlotte, North Carolina, native paced the field until a late-stage caution fell with nine laps to go. With the lead pack making the trip down pit road, the No. 24 pit crew put Byron on the front-row for the restart with the Team Chevy driver going on to pick up his seventh stage win of the season.
It was as an all-Hendrick Motorsports front-row with William Byron and Kyle Larson leading the field to the green-flag for Stage Two. A stellar start positioned Larson in the top spot to lead his first laps of the day. Sitting comfortable at the top of the leaderboard, Larson pulled away to nearly a two-second lead over teammate, Byron, at the 30-lap marker of the stage. With yet another green-flag pit cycle near the halfway mark of the stage, a clean stop by the No. 5 pit crew kept Larson in the top position once the field cycled through. Quiet on the radio, Larson went on to maintain an average one-second gap to second en route to a Team Chevy stage sweep at the 1.5-mile Nevada oval.
The first to exit pit road under the stage break, Kyle Larson resumed position in the lead, but saw a hard-charging William Byron in his rear-view mirror. Byron held the margin of Larson’s lead to under one-second for most of the run as the third green-flag pit cycle of the day was on the horizon. A 9.7-second stop for the No. 24 team was enough for Byron to make the pass on his teammate during the cycle that ultimately put him at the top of the leaderboard as the driver crossed the line to mark 45 laps to go. But his journey to an early Championship Four berth ended when a massive hit with a lap car ended the No. 24 team’s day early. Varying pit strategies among the lead pack saw Larson lineup in the fourth position as the first car with a set of four fresh Goodyear tires for the restart. With a short-run to the checkered-flag, Larson went on to cap-off a strong day with a runner-up finish.
UP NEXT: The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of Eight will continue at Talladega Superspeedway with the YellaWood 400 on Sunday, October 19, at 2 p.m. ET. Live coverage can be found on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Post-Race Driver Quotes:
Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Finished: 23rd
“It certainly wasn’t an ideal finish today for our Tootsie’s Chevy. In the final stage of the race, we got the handling figured out and were moving forward, then we got caught up in the accident and had some damage we had to work on. But, we rallied to finish 23rd.”
Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Finished: 25th
“It never fails that when we have a great day going, something happens out of our control. Our Get Bioethanol Chevrolet was really good. The balance started on the free side and then we got it a little too tight. After our green flag stops, the car would fire off good. Almost too good which is what caused us to fade at the end of the run. We were in position to get a top-10 finish but then got caught up in that multi-car wreck with less than 25 laps to go. I hate it for our No. 3 team but it’s a positive that our car had speed on an intermediate. Everyone did a great job today and this is something we can build off moving forward.”
Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Finished: 2nd
“I thought we did everything that we could do. The Toyota’s were really fast for the short-run there. I saw the No. 11 (Denny Hamlin, race winner) line up behind me and I knew he’d be difficult to hold off. If any one of the Toyota’s got clear and could get rolling, I knew it would be tough. He did a great job, though. He still had to make the right moves, which he did. I felt like I was doing all I could to stay in front of him, while also trying to track down the No. 19 (Chase Briscoe). We just came up a little bit short, but overall, it was a great day for the No. 5 Chevrolet team.”
Are you encouraged heading into Talladega Superspeedway and Martinsville Speedway?
“We did have a great points day, but it could easily change next week. We’ll just try to execute again; have a good points day at Talladega (Superspeedway) and be in a good position heading into Martinsville (Speedway).”
Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Finished: 8th
“I’m proud of the entire No. 8 zone Chevrolet team for getting us to a place from qualifying 32nd to finishing eighth today at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. We worked throughout the race to correct rear grip issues and a loose-handling Chevy to get the car to a competitive pace by race’s end. Now the name of the game is consistency and continuing to finish out front the remainder of the season, and of course get our Richard Childress Racing machine back to victory lane.”
Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Finished: 18th
“We started our day strong. I thought we had the balance of our No. 9 NAPA Chevy in a really good spot. I was just happy with the way it was driving. Unfortunately, we got a pit road penalty in Stage Two and we just got back in traffic. I needed something pretty different, balance-wise, to be good back there. I probably missed a little bit on my first read and we only had a couple shots to try and help that. Just got behind on adjustments for track position. We’ll regroup and try again next weekend at Talladega (Superspeedway).”
William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Sidelined by damage sustained in an accident in the final stage.
Finished: 36th
Walk us through how all of that went down and how much time you had to react when you saw the No. 10 (Ty Dillon) coming to pit road…
“Yeah, I never saw him (Ty Dillon) wave. I didn’t see any indication that he was pitting. It was probably 12 to 15 laps after we had pitted, so I thought the cycle was fully over. Nobody said anything to my spotter, from what I know. I had zero idea. Everyone has been wrapping the paint really far around the corner and that’s what I was doing to have a good lap. I was watching him thinking – okay, he missed the bottom a little bit here. He just started slowing and I had no idea what was going on. I’m just devastated. I had no indication. Obviously, I wouldn’t have just driven full-speed into the back of him like that.”
When you talk about the devastation, are you thinking you had a winning race car today?
“We were right there with the No. 5 (Kyle Larson). I got loose a few laps before and lost the lead, which I was bummed about. But I was going to try and get my balance back to a reasonable place. I was a little bit loose that run, looser than I was expecting to be, and I was just kind of pacing it. With as good as we were and as good as the race was going, for random things like that to happen, it just sucks. I can’t believe it. Obviously I would never do that. During the cycle, you’re anticipating guys pitting. It just sucks.”
Sidelined by damage sustained in an accident in the final stage.
Finished: 33rd
“Frustrating end to the day. My 88 Jockey Chevy was so good there at the start, then towards the end it was a bit tight but we were still in a position to get a good finish. Wish our result would’ve shown the race we had. Proud of my 88 team for bringing another rocket ship.”
About General Motors
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