Las Vegas, NV. – October 16, 2023
The NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Round of 8 rolled into Sin City for the South Point 400 hosted by Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Located less than 20 miles from the Famous Las Vegas Strip, the 1.5-mile Tri-Oval Speedway hosted their first NASCAR Cup event on March 1, 1998. The South Point 400 offered 267 Laps (400 Miles) of excitement for the competitors vying for victory. Playoff Contenders Yung Money Kyle Larson along with Christopher Bell set the front row at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
South Point 400 – Recap:
Stage 1
Christopher Bell broke away clean, clearing Kyle Larson for the early lead. Bell’s position would be contested as Larson sharpshot down low to steal away Bells progression two laps later.
Larsons lead see sawed between the two drivers as Bell recovered his post position with 50 laps remaining in Stage 1.
Pit cycles separated the battling foes as Kyle Larson recycled and returned to the front as Bell was shuffled back after each received green flag pit attention.
A final Stage caution reset the field as frontrunners opted for tires and liquid adrenaline.
Bell led the pack out of the pit for a final shootout to determine the Stage victor.
Larson rode the ridge accumulating enough motivation to overtake Bell on the final Stage 1 segment.
Kyle Larson won Stage 1 Checkers accompanied with valuable Championship Stage Points Chips at Vegas.
South Point 400 – Results
Stage 1
1. Kyle Larson
2. Christopher Bell
3. Brad Keselowski
4. Tyler Reddick
5. Martin Truex Jr
6. Ryan Blaney
7. Denny Hamlin
8. Kyle Busch
9. Kevin Harvick
10. William Byron
South Point 400 – Recap:
Stage 2
Early-Stage pit strategy was utilized as Denny Hamlin took a two tire service to advance his field position on the track. Denny Hamlin’s fresher Goodyears overtook Playoff Contender Martin Truex Jr. within 10 laps of the opening of Stage 2.
Carson Hocevar wore out a right rear sending him overpoweringly into the safety barrier wall, inviting a second Stage Caution flag.
Cup Champ Brad Keselowski and race leader Kyle Larson battled for bragging rights. Brad would advance while Kyle Larson scrubbed the safety barrier briefly descending his advancement.
Larson would recover with 4 new tires overtaking William Byron and Brad Keselowski running 3 wide recuperating the lead with 10 circuits remaining in Stage 2.
Kyle Larson collected Stage 2 honors in Sin City.
South Point 400 – Results:
Stage 2
1. Kyle Larson
2. Ross Chastainand
3. Christopher Bell
4. Denny Hamlin
5. Brad Keselowski
6. William Byron
7. Kyle Busch
8. Ryan Blaney
9. Tyler Reddick
10. Bubba Wallace
South Point 400 – Recap:
Final Stage
Chase Brisco loses control, brushing the safety barrier wall, slowing down the field under his caution.
Previous adversary Christopher Bell bumped Kyle Larson to the lead, as contenders stacked up behind the front runner. Kyle Larson competed with Brad Keselowski and Christopher Bell as each attempted to derail the Champ.
Christopher Bell gave a gallant effort gathering momentum on the high lane in his attempt to run down Larson, only to run out of real estate and laps.
Kyle Larson secures a Championship 4 ticket compliments of Los Vegas Motor Speedway!
After the Post Race Inspection, Play Off Contender Ryan Blaney failed Post Race Inspection (Left Front Damper) did not meet the overall specified length. (NASCAR Rule Book: Section 14.11.3.5).
Ryan Blaney will be disqualified for the stated race and points earned will be eliminated.
South Point 400 – Final Stage – Results
Pos | Driver
1. Kyle Larson
2. Christopher Bell
3. Kyle Busch
4. Brad Keselowski
5. Ross Chastain
6. Ryan Blaney D.Q.
6. William Byron
7. Tyler Reddick
8. Martin Truex Jr
9. Denny Hamlin
10. Chris Buescher
11. Joey Logano
12. Bubba Wallace
13. Aric Almirola
14. Daniel Suarez
15. Kevin Harvick
16. Michael McDowell
17. Austin Dillon
18. Corey LaJoie
19. Harrison Burton
20. AJ Allmendinger
21. Justin Haley
22. Austin Cindric
23. Ty Dillon
24. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
25. Ryan Preece
26. Todd Gilliland
27. Erik Jones
28. JJ Yeley
29. Brennan Poole
30. BJ McLeod
31. Chase Elliott
32. Chase Briscoe
33. Ty Gibb
34. Alex Bowman
35. Carson Hocevar
NASCAR Cup Series
Points Standings
(after South Point 400)
Pos | Driver | Wins | Points
1. Kyle Larson | 1 Win
2. William Byron | +9
3. Martin Truex Jr | +2
4. Denny Hamlin | +2
— Championship Cutline —
5. Christopher Bell | -2
6. Tyler Reddick | -16
7. Ryan Blaney | -17
8. Chris Buescher | -23
The NASCAR Cup Series returns to the Homestead-Miami Superspeedway for the 4EVER 400 Presented by Mobil 1.
Green Flag scheduled:
Sunday October 22, 2023
2p.m.
NBC / SiriusXM 90 NASCAR Radio
