Martin Truex Jr. “Cashes in” in Vegas

Martin Truex Jr. raced his way into the second round of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Playoff Series with a victory Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

LAS VEGAS – September 15, 2019 – Anthony Holbrook – BSN

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series descended to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Sunday Sept. 15^th for the South Point 400 Hotel and Casino 400 kicking off the 2019 post season playoffs.

Stage 1

Joey Logano accelerated the No. 22 Penske Ford from a 22^nd qualifying position deficit to gain valuable Stage points with a Stage 1 win.

Stage 1 Results

1. Joey Logano
2. Kevin Harvick
3. Aric Almirola
4. Daniel Suarez
5. Austin Dillon
6. Kurt Bush
7. William Byron
8. Martin Truex Jr.
9. Kyle Larson

10.  Erik Jones

Stage 2

With only 2 laps remaining, Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 – Matin Truex Jr. seized the lead from No. 22 Penske Driver –  Joey Logano, whom was additionally slowed down by track traffic to collect his 4^th Stage win of the 2019 season.

Stage 2 Results

1. Martin Truex Jr.
2. Joey Logano
3. Kyle Larson
4. Kevin Harvick
5. Chase Elliott
6. William Byron
7. Denny Hamlin
8. Ryan Blaney
9. Kurt Bush

10. Alex Bowman

South Point 400 Hotel and Casino – Final Stage

With 20 laps remaining in the final stage, Martin Truex Jr. set his sights on Kevin Harvick, and eventually made the pass on the outside to collect the win.  Harvick who was additionally held up by traffic, surrendered the lead to the 2017 Monster Cup Champion and was awarded an automatic second-round playoff spot.  

The Stuart-Haas Driver of the No. 4 Ford – Kevin Harvick ran a close second, while No. 2 – Brad Keselowski finished third in his Penske Ford.

Martin Truex Jr. won the second annual South Point 400, his 24th career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series victory.

South Point Hotel and Casino 400 –  Final results

1. (24) Martin Truex Jr. (P), Toyota, 267.

2. (3) Kevin Harvick (P), Ford, 267.

3. (18) Brad Keselowski (P), Ford, 267.

4. (8) Chase Elliott (P), Chevrolet, 267.

5. (23) Ryan Blaney (P), Ford, 267.

6. (19) Alex Bowman (P), Chevrolet, 267.

7. (14) William Byron (P), Chevrolet, 267.

8. (15) Kyle Larson (P), Chevrolet, 267.

9. (22) Joey Logano (P), Ford, 267.

10. (17) Ryan Newman (P), Ford, 267.

11. (9) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 267.

12. (7) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 267.

13. (4) Aric Almirola (P), Ford, 267.

                 14. (21) Paul Menard, Ford, 267.

15. (13) Denny Hamlin (P), Toyota, 267.

16. (27) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 267.

17. (6) Daniel Hemric , Chevrolet, 267.

18. (28) Chris Buescher, Chevrolet, 266.

19. (20) Kyle Busch (P), Toyota, 266.

20. (2) Daniel Suarez, Ford, 266.

21. (25) Matt DiBenedetto, Toyota, 266.

22. (11) David Ragan, Ford, 266.

23. (31) Bubba Wallace, Chevrolet, 266.

24. (10) Michael McDowell, Ford, 266.

25. (1) Clint Bowyer (P), Ford, 266.

26. (12) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ford, 265.

27. (16) Ryan Preece, Chevrolet, 265.

28. (33) Corey LaJoie, Ford, 265.

29. (30) Landon Cassill(i), Chevrolet, 265.

30. (29) Matt Tifft, Ford, 264.

31. (32) Ross Chastain(i), Chevrolet, 262.

32. (36) JJ Yeley(i), Ford, 260.

33. (35) BJ McLeod(i), Ford, 259.

34. (38) Joe Nemechek(i), Chevrolet, 257.

35. (34) Garrett Smithley(i), Ford, 255.

36. (26) Erik Jones (P), Toyota, 254.

37. (37) Reed Sorenson, Chevrolet, 250.

38. (39) Joey Gase(i), Toyota, 249.

39. (5) Kurt Busch (P), Chevrolet, Accident, 187

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 2019 Playoff Driver leaders

Martin Truex will hold a three-point lead over Kevin Harvick, while defending Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Champion Joey Logano is third ( seven points back) .

2019 regular season champ Kyle Busch (-19 points) and Brad Keselowski (-24 points) behind in playoff point standings in quest for the 10 race Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Championship Playoff trophy.

1. Martin Truex Jr.   2,082
2. Kevin Harvick      2,079
3. Joey Logano         2,075
4. Kyle Busch           2,063
5. Brad Keselowski  2,058
6. Chase Elliott         2,057
7. Denny Hamlin      2,056
8. Kyle Larson          2,044
9. William Byron      2,040
10. Ryan Blaney          2,039

Time of Race:

2 Hrs, 48 Mins, 34 Secs.

Average Speed:

142.555 MPH

Margin of Victory:

4.173 Seconds

Race Comments: Martin Truex Jr. won the second annual South Point 400, his 24th career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series victory.

Caution Flags: 4 for 22 laps; Laps: 82-86 (Stage 1 Conclusion [95]); 162-167 (Stage 2 Conclusion [37]); 182-185 (#24 Spin in Turn 4 [13]); 189-195 (#1 Incident in Turn 3 [34]).

Lead Changes: 24 among 14 drivers; C. Bowyer (P) 1; D. Suarez 2-30; A. Almirola (P) 31-33; J. Logano (P) 34-42; M. McDowell 43-58; J. Logano (P) 59-83; K. Harvick (P) 84-86; W. Byron (P) 87; J. Logano (P) 88-123; C. Buescher 124; J. Logano (P) 125-157; M. Truex Jr. (P) 158-167; J. Logano (P) 168; M. Truex Jr. (P) 169-170; C. Elliott (P) 171-181; J. Logano (P) 182; D. Hamlin (P) 183-185; R. Blaney (P) 186; K. Harvick (P) 187-229; C. Elliott (P) 230; W. Byron (P) 231-235; K. Larson (P) 236-237; M. DiBenedetto 238-246; K. Harvick (P) 247; M. Truex Jr. (P) 248-267.

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Race #2 of the 2019 playoff schedule travels cross country to Richmond Va., for the Federated Auto Parts 400 hosted by Richmond Raceway, Saturday, Sept. 21^th @ 7:30 pm.  NBCSN/NBC