The NASCAR playoffs are heating up as the final eight drivers compete for four spots in the championship race. The first race of this round is set to take place at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the South Point 400. With only four races left, current points leader William Byron is the betting favorite for the championship. However, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, and Martin Truex Jr. are not far behind in the odds.
In terms of the upcoming race in Las Vegas, Larson is actually the favorite according to BetMGM. Interestingly, all of the top five spots in the odds are held by playoff drivers. This indicates that the competition will be fierce among these drivers as they battle for a spot in the championship race.
To gain some insight into what to expect at the South Point 400, The Athletic’s Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi answered questions about the race and each made their predictions for the winner.
When it comes to William Byron, who has made it to this stage in the playoffs before but has never made the championship race, Gluck believes he is a logical favorite to win it all. Byron has had a breakout season with six wins and has shown composure and maturity on the track. He has consistently finished in the top 15 and performed well in Round 2 of the playoffs. Additionally, Byron has won at all four of the remaining tracks, making him a strong contender for the Cup Series championship.
Bianchi agrees that Byron is a strong contender but also sees Denny Hamlin as a co-favorite. While Byron’s team has executed well and avoided mistakes, Hamlin’s experience in navigating the pressure of this round gives him a slight edge. Hamlin has successfully advanced past this stage before, which could work in his favor.
Moving on to Kyle Larson, who is the favorite to win in Las Vegas after finishing second earlier this year, Gluck finds it interesting that Larson is favored over Byron and Hamlin. Gluck believes that Toyota cars, such as those driven by Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr., and Tyler Reddick, have been strong on 1.5-mile tracks recently. However, Larson should still be a top-three contender in the race. Bianchi also acknowledges Larson’s speed on intermediate tracks and expects him to be a major factor in the outcome of the race.
Looking back at the previous race at the Roval, where four of the top five finishers were not in the playoff field, Gluck explains that the stage breaks on road courses played a role in this outcome. Playoff drivers had to prioritize securing stage points, which affected their ability to go for the win. However, Gluck expects a different dynamic in Vegas, where the top five drivers are likely to be playoff contenders. The upcoming races at Vegas and Homestead should showcase the best drivers battling it out without many underdogs in the mix.
As for the four drivers expected to advance from this round, Gluck predicts Hamlin, Byron, Larson, and Reddick. He believes Truex’s lack of momentum and failure to finish in the top 15 throughout the playoffs so far is concerning. On the other hand, Reddick has shown great speed and has the potential to secure a spot in the championship race. Bianchi agrees with Gluck’s predictions and highlights Byron, Hamlin, and Larson as clear frontrunners. He also emphasizes Reddick’s upside and speed as factors that cannot be ignored.
When it comes to picking a winner for the race, Gluck leans towards Hamlin. He believes that Hamlin has the most speed at crucial moments and his team will put him in a good position to secure a championship spot early on. Bianchi sees the race as a battle between Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing. Considering the long green flag runs that often lead to errors on pit road, Bianchi predicts Byron to come out on top and secure his seventh win of the season, solidifying his spot in the championship finale.
In conclusion, the South Point 400 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is shaping up to be an intense battle among the top playoff drivers. William Byron, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, and Tyler Reddick are among the favorites to advance to the championship race. With their speed and consistency, these drivers have proven themselves as strong contenders. The upcoming race in Las Vegas will be a crucial test for these drivers as they fight for a spot in the final four.