Las Vegas preview: Who has the best, worst outlooks for Round of 12 opener

Four drivers have already been eliminated from the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs as the series heads to Sin City for the Round of 12 kickoff at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Before this weekend, NASCAR.com analyzes which remaining contenders have the best outlook and which drivers have the worst. Three drivers from each category are ranked based on current trends and career performances at the track.

BEST: Kevin Harvick

Average finish at Las Vegas: 13.9 (ranks fifth among remaining playoff drivers)

Most recent finish at Las Vegas: 8th (won in 2018 and 2015)

Comment: "Happy" finds himself back on the front row this Sunday night after a pair of wins in the Round of 16. Las Vegas hasn't been the championship front-runner's best track throughout his career, but the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford has been unquestionably the car to beat every week this season. After crashing out of the fall race at Vegas in 2018, Harvick has reeled off a string of three finishes inside the top eight -- so, it's a good bet his excellent form keeps him near the front.

BEST: Joey Logano

Average finish at Las Vegas: 8.0 (ranks first among remaining playoff drivers)

Most recent finish at Las Vegas: Winner (also won in 2019)

Comment: Logano has been one of the most dominant drivers at Las Vegas recently, collecting a pair of wins -- including this year's spring race -- and nine straight top 10s in that span. To find a race where he finished outside the top 10, you have to go all the way back to 2013 -- where he only finished 12th. The Team Penske wheelman has shown fantastic speed throughout the playoffs so far, and as an outside title favorite, a trip to Sin City is the perfect time for Logano and company to turn up the heat on the points leaders.

BEST: Brad Keselowski

Average finish at Las Vegas: 11.3 (ranks second among remaining playoff drivers)

Most recent finish at Las Vegas: 7th (won in 2018, 2016 and 2014)

Comment: Keselowski has shared in the Team Penske success at Las Vegas, with his 10 career top 10s at the track all coming in the last 10 outings. In that same span, a trio of wins pulled him even with Matt Kenseth for second most in the series -- only trailing Jimmie Johnson's four. After already showcasing a winning mentality in the Round of 16, look for the No. 2 crew to be in prime position to head to Victory Lane and secure a Round of 8 berth, after failing to advance that far in 2019.

WORST: Kurt Busch

Average finish at Las Vegas: 22.5 (ranks last -- 12th -- among remaining playoff drivers)

Most recent finish at Las Vegas: 25th

Comment: The elder Busch brother heads to Las Vegas 12th in the standings -- meaning he is already below the cutline and may dig an even deeper hole at a track that hasn't been very rewarding throughout his career -- posting just two top fives in 21 starts. Despite averaging a roll-off inside the top 10, Busch's backward movement places him at the bottom of the charts among remaining playoff drivers. A rare bright spot came via a fifth-place result in the 2019 spring race, splitting a long run of performances to forget that includes a 39th-place finish last fall.

WORST: Aric Almirola

Average finish at Las Vegas: 22.1 (11th among remaining playoff drivers)

Most recent finish at Las Vegas: 21st

Comment: Almirola hasn't been terrible at Las Vegas, but he certainly hasn't been one of the best. He has failed to record a top five at the track in 14 starts and holds the second-worst average finish among remaining playoff drivers. With the absence of qualifying, the No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford crew will get a head start on the second row -- an improvement from his 21.3 career average starting position there. Maybe that will be the boost Almirola needs to change his Vegas fortune.

WORST: Clint Bowyer

Average finish at Las Vegas: 17.9 (ranks eighth among remaining playoff drivers)

Most recent finish at Las Vegas: 12th

Comment: Bowyer transferred to the Round of 12 on points, after an unpredictable trio of top-10 performances in the previous round. But a potential concern is Bowyer has just four top 10s at Vegas in 17 starts -- the last coming all the way back in 2017. Even though a number of drivers ahead of the No. 14 have shown more front-running speed, Bowyer can still gain the upper hand with his consistency and set a tone to shake up the standings.