LAS VEGAS – March 8, 2021 – Anthony Holbrook
NASCAR returned to Las Vegas Motor Speedway after a thrilling South Beach showdown in the Sunshine State. Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 race kicked off NASCAR’s first West Coast swing of the 2021 Cup Series season.
Already three of the 16 playoff positions checked off compliments from previous longshot race winners’ Michael McDowell, Christopher Bell and William Byron.
Kevin Harvick who finished fifth last week at Homestead, sits alone at pole entering the fourth race of the season
Pennzoil 400 – Stage 1 Recap:
As the Green flag flies in Vegas, contenders quickly challenge the 1.5 mile speedway contesting four wide in the middle of pack to three wide for the lead.
William Byron controls the leads with 10 Laps complete in Stage 1 followed by Chase Elliott, Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Larson.
Completion Caution pit service shuffles the lead to Denny Hamlin followed by Brad Keselowski and Kyle Larson, respectfully.
21 laps to go in Stage 1, Joey Logano out front with Chase Elliott breathing down his neck. Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski and Ryan Blaney round out the top 5.
Brad Keselowski wins his first stage win of the year.
Pennzoil 400 – Stage 1 Results:
1. Brad Keselowski
2. Chase Elliott
3. Ryan Blaney
4. Denny Hamlin
5. Alex Bowman
6. Christopher Bell
7. William Byron
8. Matt DiBenedetto
9. Joey Logano
10. Martin Truex Jr
Pennzoil 400 – Stage 2 Recap:
Stage 2 restart spotlighted Brad Keselowski guarding his lead. Driver/s aggression as well as position on track were separated by inches while attempting 3 wide maneuvers behind Keselowski.
Tyler Reddick circulates to the lead as leaders pit for a final service stop with 29 Laps to go in Stage 2.
Didn’t take long for Kyle Larson to muscle his machine to the front with 14 laps to go and cruises to 3 second Stage win over a distant Brad Keselowski.
Pennzoil 400 – Stage 2 Results:
1. Kyle Larson
2. Brad Keselowski
3. Denny Hamlin
4. William Byron
5. Ryan Blaney
6. Alex Bowman
7. Christopher Bell
8. Martin Truex Jr
9. Kyle Busch
10. Chase Elliot
Pennzoil 400 – Final Stage Recap:
Final Stage restart Kyle Larson still hanging out up front, followed by Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch and Alex Bowman round out the top five.
Chase Elliott along with Aric Almorlia both have separate track issues, setting back hopes for any contending chance to win.
Kyle Larson continues to pace the pack with 55 circuits remaining as the field follows accordingly.
As the laps wrap down, Kyle Larson managed to distance his lead with 25 laps to go. Brad Keselowski covered second with Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch rounding out the top five.
Kyle Larson hit the jackpot collecting his first win in two year with new race team owner Hendrick Motorsports.
Kyle Larson is the fourth different winner in the 4th event in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season.
Pennzoil 400 Final Results
| 1 | Kyle Larson |
| 2 | Brad Keselowski |
| 3 | Kyle Busch |
| 4 | Denny Hamlin |
| 5 | Ryan Blaney |
| 6 | Martin Truex |
| 7 | Christopher Bell |
| 8 | William Byron |
| 9 | Joey Logano |
| 10 | Erik Jones |
| 11 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. |
| 12 | Austin Dillion |
| 13 | Chase Elliott |
| 14 | Chris Buescher |
| 15 | Ryan Preece |
| 16 | Matt DiBenedetto |
| 17 | Michael McDowell |
| 18 | Ryan Newman |
| 19 | Kurt Busch |
| 20 | Kevin Harvick |
| 21 | Chase Briscoe |
| 22 | Tyler Reddick |
| 23 | Ross Chastain |
| 24 | Anthony Alfredo |
| 25 | Cole Custer |
| 26 | Daniel Suarez |
| 27 | Alex Bowman |
| 28 | Bubba Wallace |
| 29 | Justin Haley |
| 30 | BJ McLeod |
| 31 | Garrett Smithley |
| 32 | Cody Ware |
| 33 | Quin Houff |
| 34 | Joey Gase |
| 35 | Josh Bilicki |
| 36 | Timmy Hill |
| 37 | Corey LaJoie (DNF) |
| 38 | Aric Almirola (DNF) |
NASCAR Cup Series travels South to Phoenix Raceway
Sunday March 14th
3:30 p.m. E.T.
Instacart 500
FOX / MRN / Sirius XM NASCAR 90