See the order that the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series cars will roll off for single-car qualifying on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. ET (NBCSN/NBC Sports App). You can see the complete qualifying order here or by clicking the print icon in the right corner underneath the photo.
LAS VEGAS — Friday the 13th. That old saw? Trot out the full-moon omens, too.
The unkind cut in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Playoffs hit the star-crossed ThorSport Racing organization the hardest Friday night at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Three of its teams suffered terminal engine issues before the halfway point of the World of Westgate 200 as the postseason field shrank from eight drivers to six.
Left on the sidelines were regular-season champion Grant Enfinger, who completed just six laps before his No. 98 Ford came to quiet rest in the 1.5-mile track’s garage, and former series champ Johnny Sauter, whose No. 13 entry went up in smoke on the same lap as teammate Matt Crafton, who survived the elimination only thanks to his slight points cushion entering the 201-mile race.
Crafton joined race winner Austin Hill, runner-up Ross Chastain, Stewart Friesen and Tyler Ankrum among those clinching berths in the Round of 6. Brett Moffitt had already clinched his spot in the season’s next phase with wins in the first two playoff events.
“It’s just tough,” said Enfinger, who placed 31st in the 32-truck field. “Really hate it for the guys behind me that have worked their tail off all year. We haven’t had the best month and a half, or last two months really, but we’ve had a heck of a season. We had a heck of a ThorSport Racing F-150 tonight. It’s a shame our dreams come down to a part failure.”
RELATED: Race results | Hill wins at Las Vegas
Crafton and Sauter experienced their issues nearly simultaneously on Lap 40. Crafton’s No. 88 Ford stopped in a shroud of smoke, and Sauter coasted back to pit road in a similar haze. Stopgap repairs allowed Sauter to complete six more laps, but he was unable to make up any ground on the leaderboard before his truck expired. Sauter placed 29th; Crafton 30th.
“What’re you going to do. I mean, that’s the way it goes,” said Sauter, who claimed the series title in 2016. “We had a rocket tonight. I promise you we were doing what we needed to do and it just wasn’t meant to be.”
Crafton entered the race with just a three-point gap above the cutline. The misfortune from his teammates kept him afloat.
“What are the odds that two trucks blowing up at the exact same time, but it wouldn’t surprise me,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of issues under the hood this year.”
The unsavory result for ThorSport allowed Friesen to keep his playoff hopes intact despite a sour-running No. 52 Chevrolet, which dropped a cylinder in the early going. He finished 19th. It also provided a playoff reprieve to rookie Ankrum, who overcame a 14-point deficit to advance by just two points.
Ankrum had his own reason for apprehension, an intermittent engine hiccup that developed as the final green-flag run began.
“Oh, it’s awesome,” Ankrum said. “We knew that we didn’t have to win coming in. We just needed help. I felt really, really happy after those ThorSport trucks blew up, and we knew we were going to be all right from there. We just had to finish.”
LAS VEGAS – Austin Hill earned his third NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series win of the 2019 season Friday night at Las Vegas Motor Speedway – perhaps his most important victory as it advances him to the second round of the playoffs with big momentum and raised expectations.
Hill’s No. 16 Hattori Racing Enterprises Toyota finished an impressive 2.116 seconds ahead of fellow Playoff competitor Ross Chastain, whose No. 45 Chevrolet led a race-best 88-of-134 laps. Polesitter Christian Eckes finished third in the No. 51 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota.
“This means the world to me,’’ said Hill, 25, who passed Chastain for the lead with 12 laps remaining and pulled away to the substantial victory margin.
“When I saw the 45 (Chastain) in my sights, we were running close lap times. I changed my line a little bit. And that was a big statement win.’’
RELATED: Las Vegas race results | Series standings
Much of the drama and heartbreak in the race happened to the drivers vying for the six positions that advanced to the next round of the Playoffs. Joining Hill in the Round of 6 are Chastain, defending series champion Brett Moffitt, Stewart Friesen, Tyler Ankrum and Matt Crafton.
Moffitt faced the least pressure all day because he already transferred to the Round of 6 by winning the playoff opener at Bristol. Chastain wrapped up his transfer spot via points after winning Stage 2.
Friesen carefully nursed his No. 52 Chevrolet to the race finish, posting a 19th-place showing after driving a truck that was down a cylinder and spending substantial stretches of the race on pit road.
Ankrum, an 18-year-old who wasn’t old enough by NASCAR rules to compete in the March Las Vegas race, held on to finish 11th and earn the final playoff position – by a mere two-point margin over 2016 series champion Johnny Sauter.
Sauter’s teammate Matt Crafton suffered a 30th-place finish, but he had enough of a points cushion coming to Las Vegas that he will advance in the playoffs as well.
Heading into the Round of 8 finale, Sauter, Crafton and their ThorSport Racing teammate Grant Enfinger were seemingly “sure-bets” to advance in the playoffs. But before the halfway point of the race, they had their fates decided in unfortunate and unpredictable manners.
RELATED: Misfortune for ThorSport proves to be good fortune for Ankrum
It was an especially gut-wrenching early end to Enfinger’s championship hopes. Crowned the series’ regular season champion three races ago, the past Las Vegas winner retired after only seven laps when his No. 98 Ford suffered an engine failure. He took the green flag with two points to the good on making the Round of 6 and only minutes later had his championship hopes deflated with the turn of events.
“It’s just frustrating,’’ Enfinger said. “These guys work their tails off all year. We had a good truck, just wasn’t meant to be.”
Only 33 laps later, Sauter and Crafton suffered their simultaneous race-ending problems. Crafton’s No. 88 Ford had to pull off track and he climbed out as the safety crew arrived.
Sauter was able to drive his truck back to pit road where crew members had to extinguish flames under the hood. The team took it to the garage and although he tried to return to the race for the final stage, his truck’s engine gave out on the first lap of the restart.
Crafton, meanwhile, had to pull his No. 88 ThorSport truck off the track immediately for the safety crew to work on.
“The 13 (Sauter), I saw him hit something and whatever it was it hit our truck too,’’ Crafton said. “I said the 13’s on fire and they told me I was on fire.’’
“I really thought we had something tonight, but we’ll rebound.’’
The next race is set for Oct. 12 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.
LAS VEGAS – Not only is Noah Gragson improving on the race track, but the 21-year-old NASCAR Xfinity Series driver is dedicating time to improve personally, as well.
Gragson has been working with a personal trainer and former Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Josh Wise to ensure he’s healthy physically while exercising his mind, as well. During the Indianapolis race weekend, Gragson picked up a book entitled “25 Ways To Win With People” in search of enhancing his overall attitude.
It’s a monster task that takes hard work, but Gragson is ready to fight for it since a motivational attitude doesn’t come naturally.
RELATED: Las Vegas schedule | Xfinity Series clinching scenarios
“I have to make an effort,” Gragson said. “Ultimately, just be a better leader and that’s what I need to be for this race team. It’s really easy to be happy and smile when things are going good, but I feel like your true character comes out when maybe things aren’t going as well as you’d want.
“So, trying to lean on people who I call my mentors,” he added. “I’ve been doing a lot of that, reading that book and trying to be better and more positive. I feel like you can never be too positive and that’s what I’m focusing on right now.”
One of those mentors happens to be JR Motorsports owner Dale Earnhardt Jr., as the two have developed more than just a driver-owner relationship during Gragson’s first full-time Xfinity Series tour.
According to Gragson, Earnhardt isn’t one to micromanage his employees, instead taking a step back and allowing those he hired to thrive in a championship-capable environment. But Earnhardt is always there for Gragson when he needs a broader perspective while making an effort to boost his maturation process.
“He (Earnhardt) helps me see the overall picture of everything,” Gragson said. “I might get caught up in the moment and wondering why this is happening or why is that happening. I’ve been able to grow a friendship with him that’s been very valuable. We’ve become good friends throughout this year. I’m really lucky to be able to lean on him.”
And what if he told you he and Earnhardt even have something in common?
“Being able to lean on him has been really key for myself,” Gragson said. “I think we’re really similar. I know it might not look like that, but our personalities are maybe not to the outside world similar, but we communicate very similarly.”
Gragson already is locked into the Xfinity Series Playoffs heading into the regular-season finale in Saturday’s Rhino Pro Truck Outfitters 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN/NBC Sports App, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), and he has finished 10th or better in eight of the last nine races.
That’s motivational and something to smile about for Gragson heading into his first Xfinity postseason.
LAS VEGAS – The smile hasn’t faded from Matt DiBenedetto’s face, and there is an unmistakable extra zip in his step. The 28-year-old has hardly been able to walk more than 2 feet at a time in his Las Vegas hotel lobby this week without a fan stopping him to ask for an autograph or pose for a photograph.
The warm reception is fresh off some career-changing news. On Tuesday, Wood Brothers Racing announced the popular Californian will drive the team’s famous No. 21 Ford in 2020. DiBenedetto will replace veteran Paul Menard, who is retiring from full-time competition at the end of this season.
RELATED: Menard retiring | DiBenedetto moving
The reaction from both fans and his competitive peers has been equally effusive – both for DiBenedetto’s recent work driving the No. 95 Leavine Family Racing Toyota and for the big news about his future.
“The support has been crazy,’’ DiBenedetto said. “I can’t believe how much my phone and social media has blown up just after (a runner-up finish at) Bristol (Motor Speedway) and then with this announcement this week and the success our team has had. We’ve been running well. All these things compounded and it’s been interesting walking around the track or at South Point (Casino) getting stopped, to an extreme I’m not accustomed to that at all – even walking through the garage.
“It’s definitely been interesting and crazy how in a couple weeks how much support you can gain, and it’s amazing how much people have gravitated to the this story and how much positive feedback there is in such a world where it can easily be negative. It’s amazing and heartwarming to see on how social media of all places, be super positive.”
RELATED: Las Vegas schedule | Las Vegas practices
Certainly DiBenedetto is in the midst of a career year performance-wise. He has accomplished four top-10 finishes in just the last seven weeks, highlighted by that career-best runner-up finish to Denny Hamlin at Bristol three weeks ago. He also led a race-high 49 laps in the season-opening Daytona 500 only to be collected in a late-race accident.
The three top fives – fourth place at Sonoma Raceway, fifth at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway and second at Bristol – are the first top-five finishes in his five-year career. His six top 10s – with 10 races remaining – are triple his previous best single season effort (two).
LAS VEGAS— Longtime fan favorite Elliott Sadler, 44, will be making his final NASCAR national series start in Saturday’s Rhino Pro Truck Outfitters 300 Xfinity Series race.
Even following the 2018 season finale, where Sadler contended for the series title, the Virginian said Friday he “kinda knew” that he had the possibility of running a couple races this season. But this weekend, for sure, he maintains, will be his last NASCAR green flag.
JAYSKI: Special paint scheme for Sadler’s last start
“This one definitely has a different feel to it,’’ Sadler said Friday. “This one, 100 percent, unless you’re visiting [his hometown] Emporia, Virginia, you won’t see me around anymore. So it has a different feel about it.
“I have different emotions just maybe the competitive side when I take the helmet off for the last time. I definitely feel it’s the right time to close the book and move onto the next chapter of my life. A few mixed emotions, but honestly, I feel really good going into this weekend, really relaxed.
“I know deep down inside, this is it.’’
Sadler certainly leaves on not only his own terms – which was important to him – but also on very good terms competitively speaking. In 22 years of national series NASCAR competition, he won three Monster Energy NASCAR Cup races, 1 Gander Outdoors Truck Series race, 13 Xfinity Series races and finished championship runner-up in the Xfinity Series an unprecedented four times (2011, 2012, 2016, 2017).
Respected by his fellow competitors and well-liked by the massive NASCAR fandom, Sadler said he takes great solace in his exit. He looks forward to more time at home with his young kids – a busy daughter and son.
And he is especially grateful to the Kaulig Racing team, who surprised him with a specially designed No. 10 Chevrolet, which he had 14th on the speed chart in opening practice Friday. His car will have the same yellow and red paint scheme he ran as a kid in go-karts and a young man in Late Models. It’s even the same colors his father’s business used on its service trucks.
“For 50 years, it’s the color of everything we’ve done in the Sadler family,’’ Sadler said.
“When they surprised me with it this week, that probably got me more than anything because it means so much.’’
It’s especially important to him this final weekend.
“I feel so good about this weekend and the decision that has been made and leaving on my own terms,’’ Sadler said. “No one’s pushing me out the door. I’m going out on my own accord and I can sleep with that, no regrets at all.’’
LAS VEGAS — Erik Jones has been on a hot streak heading into the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, but it’s turning down the heat that has been the key to his success.
Jones spent his third full year in the Cup Series intensely focusing on what he and the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing team needs to compete against the sport’s elite, including the improvement of decisions he makes on the track – his top priority.
“I would say my natural tendency is to do too much,” Jones said during Thursday’s NASCAR Playoffs Media Day. “Try to drive too hard. I still do it, right? Look at Bristol (Motor Speedway) – we were still racing for the win, racing for the lead and there were still 80 laps to go and I made a mistake, got into the wall. You have to refocus.”
RELATED: Jones signs JGR contract extension
Apart from finishes of 18th or worse at Bristol, Michigan International Speedway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Jones has finished fourth or better in five of the last eight races, including his second career victory in the Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
It’s that triumph during NASCAR’s throwback weekend that showcased how Jones has been able to fast-forward his ever-evolving learning process.
“There’s situations in the race where it’s not time to push and where it’s not time to be aggressive,” Jones said. “That’s the biggest thing I had to focus on was when to be aggressive and when not to be aggressive. Darlington was a perfect race for us. Just be aggressive when it mattered, giving stuff up when it didn’t matter.”
While Jones doesn’t possess the experience of JGR teammates Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. – all major threats for the 2019 Monster Energy Series Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway – he has performed with more veteran-like prowess on a consistent basis recently.
RELATED: Printable playoff grid | Las Vegas schedule
Jones needed time to figure out the new aerodynamic rules earlier in the year, but he has simultaneously achieved better finishes while learning when to push the envelope and when to not give the car more than it can handle.
It’s that advancement that could make Jones a significant sleeper for a deep title run as the NASCAR Playoffs kick off with Sunday’s South Point 400 (7 p.m. ET, NBCSN/NBC Sports App, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
“This was a new learning experience with what to focus on and what you need to be fast,” Jones said. “All those things kind of combined is what I’ve been trying to work on this year. As a driver you’re always growing and learning. That was the biggest thing for me this year to try to work on and be better at.”
LAS VEGAS — The road to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series can be a hard one, but then again, it’s all in how you approach it. For defending NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Tyler Reddick, the attitude is simple; do your job, do it well and the rest will take care of itself.
This season, Reddick has all but locked up the Xfinity regular-season title with the top three national series hitting the track this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. With the playoffs looming and eight races left in the Xfinity Series season, silly season rumors are flying. Reddick happens to be at the center of quite of few of those, a distraction that won’t turn the points leader’s attention from the task at hand: Winning a second consecutive Xfinity Series title.
RELATED: Full Xfinity standings
“For me, the only focus is the Xfinity championship,” Reddick said. “That other stuff will sort itself out and whenever it comes time for it to be announced, then we will start thinking about it going forward. I’m here to run the Xfinity car and I want to be a Cup driver someday. I can’t let the thought of all the opportunities that could come along cloud what’s right in front of us. That’s to win the Xfinity Series championship.”
Reddick currently has four wins on the year, two less than Christopher Bell and Cole Custer. The trio make up the series’ “Big Three.” Despite having fewer wins, Reddick’s stats are phenomenal for 2019. Out of the 25 races run this year, Reddick has 21 top-10 finishes, 19 of those being top fives; numbers he chalks up to the team mentality and one common theme: fun.
“I spend a lot of time with my guys in the shop. We just have a lot of fun, that’s all there is to it. Even on the rough days we still find a way to enjoy it and we get along great as a group.” Reddick says. “We realize it’s a group effort, a team sport and it takes a lot of things to go the right way to get to Victory Lane. Even when someone has a bad day or something goes wrong, it’s not about picking them apart, it’s about picking them back up. We win and lose together. That’s been our mentality.”
Reddick will try and lock up the regular-season championship for the NASCAR Xfinity Series this Saturday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). He can clinch by earning at least 11 points in the 300-mile event.
Hey, haven’t you heard? NASCAR Heat 4 is here! The latest title in the series from 704Games features a multitude of updates and improvements for an even more fun NASCAR console gaming experience.
Here are a few reasons we think it’s the best game of the series yet.
RELATED: Buy special Gold Edition
Upgraded Handling and Tire Wear
You like multi-groove racing, you say? NASCAR Heat 4’s new gameplay features better handling, improved tire wear, and the true ability to run different grooves around the track.
@NASCARHeat Huge shoutout for how much better NASCAR Heat 4 is than Heat 3 and the others. This is a MUCH better game. Physics are (adjustable) much better, it looks great, sounds even better, and just brings a lot to the table. Well done to every person who worked on this one!
— Daniel Curtis Bashota (@dsc24aarp) September 10, 2019
Very early thoughts on NASCAR Heat 4:
I’ve only run 2 cups races but in regards to tire falloff and handling model the game feels AMAZING already. I did two races: one at Daytona and one at Atlanta.— ⚓Watanabe Kotori🐦 (@WatanabeKotori) September 12, 2019
Custom Numbers and Improved Painting
One of the community’s most-requested updates—more painting tools—takes the spotlight in NASCAR Heat 4. Gamers can use any car number; plus, there’s a brand new custom number font in play.
Secret’s out!
Wasn’t an easy one, but finally made it happen; fans will finally be able to use custom numbers (00-99) in @NASCARHeat 4. Shoutout to @HarrisLue & crew for dialing in the custom fonts. 👏 https://t.co/A1d7dm1gNs
— Branden Williams (@BWilliams_38) September 5, 2019
Alright my friends, it's go time. Gonna drive the #57 South Point Chevrolet for Henderson Motorsports with Parker Kligerman as my teammate. Let's try not to get last! pic.twitter.com/tgtZhgkafU
— Avery Hage (@AveryHage) September 12, 2019
As noted in the review I sort of accidentally made this @RonHornaday scheme in custom cars. You can’t paint at will but there’s a lot more templates and colors to work with. #NASCARHeat4 pic.twitter.com/uljWrLl46U
— Daniel McFadin (@danielmcfadin) September 12, 2019
Oh, and not to mention all the new NASCAR paint schemes available.
https://twitter.com/ACav704/status/1171541473591906304
SNEAK PEEK! 🤫
Check out these special @StewartHaasRcng car designs that you will be able to race in #NASCARHeat4.
Which ride is your favorite of the bunch? pic.twitter.com/4wOHAEmXIT
— Stewart-Haas Esports (@SHR_eSports) September 10, 2019
Opponent AI Car Upgrades
Non-player AI cars get a serious upgrade in NASCAR Heat 4 compared to previous titles.
Okay this is dope: So I’m running cup cars at Atlanta, I’ve got the tire wear set up to effect myself and the AI more. I pit as soon as my window opens. I’m blowing through the field. P1 after pit cycles. But then Logano, on fresh rubber, blows by me to retake the lead. Love it.
— Avery Hage (@AveryHage) September 10, 2019
Not only are the AI cars improved, but the game includes robust new settings to tweak and customize opponent cars.
so I got the gold edition of #NASCARHeat4 for PS4 today and although I only had enough time to do a couple of quick races, I gotta say..I'm really excited about it 👍🏻 the graphics look so much better and the handling/AI seem SO improved over previous versions 🙌🏻 @NASCARHeat
— Bob Dare (@bobdare8) September 10, 2019
Day-to-Night Transitions
Another cool, immersive feature of NASCAR Heat 4 is day-to-night transitions, mimicking watching real-world races that start in the afternoon and end under the stars. The result is beautiful as the time shifts to twilight and the lights glow on the speedway.
Day-to-night transition at Charlotte #NASCAR #eNASCARHeat #NASCARHeat4 #PS4sharehttps://t.co/kS8yT3pnSi pic.twitter.com/YZ5VGpvPOZ
— NASCAR Guy (@MegaDriver86) September 10, 2019
Oh, yeah, and you can race Martinsville at night.
Heat Pro League Makes the Upgrade
The eNASCAR Heat Pro League upgraded to NASCAR Heat 4 to kick off the inaugural playoffs of the season Wednesday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Something unique about this competition: The entire regular season, drivers used @NASCARHeat 3. Now the playoffs are here, they’re competing in NASCAR Heat 4, which is a completely overhauled game. Drivers have been able to practice with it since it went gold. Retail release Fri.
— Matt L. Stephens (@MattStephens) September 12, 2019
Ross Chastain even stopped by the broadcast studio to celebrate.
Getting to call the the Oscar Mayer Weiner car make a pass on a world wide platform is a bucket list box checked that I didn’t know I had. https://t.co/OIMA66JXdo
— Ross Chastain (@RossChastain) September 12, 2019
On Xbox, mrTRACKBAR33 took the win for the JTG Daugherty Throttlers, while ThAbEaR95 bested the PlayStation 4 field.
Got the win tonight at @BMSupdates in the #eNASCARHeat Pro League! Had some bad luck in the beginning, stayed positive and drove to the front and ran away from the field! The #37 @scottproducts car finally gets the finish it deserves! @JTGRacing pic.twitter.com/0Wq88u6t6G
— Justin Brooks (@j_brooks92) June 13, 2019
Race Any Car at Any Track
Gander Trucks at Watkins Glen? Xfinity Series at Watkins Glen? Cup cars at Iowa? Yep. All doable, new for NASCAR Heat 4.
Whelp it looks like @CGRgaming (Ganassi Gaming) let the track out of the bag this weekend with this video of @KyleLarsonRacin racing around @Mid_Ohio!
This year in #NASCARHeat4 you'll be able to race any series at any track offline & online! With the exception of Eldora Dirt. pic.twitter.com/80D26OGjOA
— NASCAR Heat (@NASCARHeat) August 12, 2019
(The only exception, of course, is asphalt cars can only race asphalt tracks, and dirt cars can only race on dirt tracks, which seems pretty reasonable.)
The Little Things
Sometimes it’s the smaller features you come to appreciate the most in a new game. For instance, based on feedback, NASCAR Heat 4 now features:
- The ability to start your career in any racing series (instead of the Xtreme Dirt Tour)
- Your own name on the car’s windshield banner (instead of the original driver’s name)
- Motion blur visual effects
- A visual on-screen track map
- All-new sounds sourced from real race cars
Grab NASCAR Heat 4 Gold Edition or Standard Edition today from NASCARHeat.com, available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, or PC via Steam. Game purchases include a $50 race ticket coupon valid for admission to a NASCAR event at select tracks.
Kurt Busch’s No. 1 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet pulled through in the last minute of Friday’s final practice at Las Vegas Motor Speeding to clock the fastest lap at 177.276 mph.
Up until those final moments, Joey Logano was leading the pack, but he ultimately wound up with the second-best speed at 176.783 mph. The driver of the No. 22 Team Penske Ford won the spring race at this 1.5-mile track in March. Sunday’s South Point 400 (7 p.m. ET, NBCSN/NBC Sports App, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) is the series’ second visit to Las Vegas this season.
RELATED: Lap averages from final practice | Final practice results
Last year’s winner of this race, Brad Keselowski, was right behind Logano at 176.321 mph. Chase Elliott (176.223 mph) and Ryan Blaney (176.114 mph) made up the rest of the top five, who are all a part of the 16-driver NASCAR Playoffs field.
Clint Bowyer, who topped the first practice’s leaderboard and is also playoff eligible, was 17th in the final session at 175.450 mph.
The Monster Energy Series will return to the track for Busch Pole Qualifying on Friday at 4:05 p.m. ET (NBCSN/NBC Sports App, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
FIRST PRACTICE
Clint Bowyer and his No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford had a late surge in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series’ first practice at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Friday. With less than two minutes left in the 50-minute session, Bowyer took the No. 1 spot with a top lap of 178.059 mph. That was good enough to be 0.836 mph faster than the next best, William Byron.
The No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet was at the top of the leaderboard for the majority of the practice. Byron circled the 1.5-mile track at 177.223 mph, which was ultimately good for second fastest.
RELATED: Lap averages from first practice | First practice results
Both Bowyer and Byron are among the 16-driver NASCAR Playoffs field.
Jimmie Johnson churned out the third-best performance at 177.148 mph. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (176.748 mph) and Austin Dillon (176.684 mph) rounded out the top five, as the Monster Energy Series begins its postseason Sunday with the South Point 400 (7 p.m. ET, NBCSN/NBC Sports App, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). None of the final three in the top five is among the playoff field.
Last year’s winner of this race, Brad Keselowski, came in sixth at 176.678 mph.