Playoff Pulse: Larson's Strong Showing in Vegas, Other Contenders Crumble
The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 8 kicked off at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, with some drivers hitting it big in Sin City, while others faced significant challenges to secure a spot in the Championship 4.
A trip to Talladega Superspeedway awaits on Sunday (2 p.m. ET, NBC, Peacock, HBO Max, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), but before heading to Alabama, let's take a closer look at the current standings in the race for the Bill France Cup after an exhilarating race in Las Vegas.
WINNER
Denny Hamlin, driving the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, emerged victorious in Las Vegas, securing his first Championship 4 berth since 2021. With a strategic call by crew chief Chris Gayle, Hamlin chose to take four tires during his final pit stop, allowing him to pass teammate Chase Briscoe with four laps to go and claim his 60th victory in the Cup Series. The emotional Hamlin dedicated the win to his father, Dennis, who was cheering him on at home.
Now, Hamlin and Gayle will have a two-week preparation period as they head to Phoenix, where Hamlin aims to secure his elusive first title.
HOT ON THE TRAIL
Kyle Larson, driving the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, delivered one of his most complete performances since his latest victory in May at Kansas Speedway. Despite not winning, Larson led four times for 129 laps, won Stage 2, and finished second, tying Hamlin for the most points on Sunday. His top-10 finish in the last four races, including back-to-back runner-up efforts, showcases his consistent performance. With a 35-point cushion above the elimination line, Larson is well-positioned heading into Talladega, where he finished second in the spring.
Christopher Bell, driving the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, maintained his form with a third-place finish for the third consecutive week. Bell's performance has propelled him from four points below the cutline to 20 points above, thanks to the mistakes of other playoff competitors. This is the third time in a row that Bell has finished on the podium in the Las Vegas playoff race, providing him with a breathing space as he prepares for Talladega.
STRUGGLING DRIVERS
Ryan Blaney, driving the No. 12 Team Penske Ford, encountered a setback in Stage 1, suffering a left-front tire issue at Lap 72 from the 12th position. He collided with the Turn 4 outside wall, forcing him to return to pit road. Blaney's team determined that he could no longer continue, resulting in a last-place finish. This crash marks the third consecutive Las Vegas race where Blaney has crashed, and the implications are costly. With a minus-31 deficit to the cutline, Blaney faces a must-win situation at Talladega or Martinsville.
William Byron, driving the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, also faced a setback with 30 laps to go. He ran into the pitting car of Ty Dillon while running second, causing significant damage to the right front of his car. Byron finished 36th and couldn't continue, leading three times for 55 laps before the incident. Despite earning 18 stage points, including a Stage 1 win, Byron now sits 15 points below the elimination line, heading into Talladega. However, his back-to-back Daytona 500 wins make him a potential contender next weekend in Alabama.
BUBBLE WATCH
| Rank | Driver | +/- |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Denny Hamlin | ADV |
| 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 |
INSIGHTS FROM NASCAR
Chase Elliott's 18th-place finish in Las Vegas was partly due to issues on pit road. According to NASCAR Insights, the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports team had the 28th-best pit crew in Sin City, with an uncontrolled tire penalty at Lap 121. Elliott had to serve a pass-through penalty under green, but he managed to get back on the lead lap. Conversely, Joey Logano's No. 22 team, with the 26th-best pit crew, benefited from a late two-tire call, finishing in sixth place after 267 laps.
QUOTABLE
"It definitely means a lot. This is the point where I kind of give the fans some [expletive], but not today. I appreciate all of you so much. Yeah, obviously want to say hi to my dad, family back at home. All the friends that came out here for Vegas, hoping we get 60. I didn’t think we were. Put the pedal down the last 10 laps, made it happen ... if you would have asked me yesterday, I would have said no. Just super proud of this team for making the adjustments they did." - Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, on winning his 60th career race to clinch a Championship 4 spot.
NEXT RACE
The introduction of Talladega Superspeedway's fall date into the Round of 8 adds even more unpredictability to the 2025 season, with just three races remaining. Talladega provides an opportunity for any playoff driver to turn their fortunes around. Keep an eye on Team Penske drivers Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney, as Logano led 24 laps in the spring race before a disqualification, and Blaney won the race in 2023. Teammate Austin Cindric's victory in April further highlights Team Penske's potential as a top contender.
