NASCAR Cup Series Headed to Las Vegas for Pennzoil 400

Posted on February 20, 2020
NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube logo
(Photo courtesy of NASCARmedia.com)

After a wild end to the Daytona 500 last Monday, many in the NASCAR garage may be hoping for a somewhat uneventful Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas this week.

Denny Hamlin won his second season starting race in a row at Daytona International Speedway. However, that career milestone was eclipsed by concerns for Ryan Newman who had to be removed from his car and transported to a local hospital immediately. His car flipped over on the final lap and slid across the finish line on its roof while catching fire.

Amazingly, Ryan walked out of the hospital yesterday (2/19) with his two daughters after being treated and released just days after his terrifying crash. Although his recovery is going obviously very well, no timetable has been set for Ryan’s return to the track. It was announced yesterday (2/19) that Ross Chastain will substitute as the driver in the #6 Roush Fenway Ford for this weekend’s race in Las Vegas.

With some of the bad luck many drivers fell victim to in Daytona, Las Vegas will be a chance to get back on track for the season. It is also a chance to get deeper in the hole if they gamble too big and lose.

Here is what all drivers will face equally.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway Data
Track Size: 1.5-miles
Banking/Turns 1 & 2: 20 degrees
Banking/Turns 3 & 4: 20 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 9 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 9 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 2,275 feet
Backstretch Length: 1,572 feet

Pennzoil 400 Data
Season Race #: 3 of 36 (02-23-20)
Race Length: 267 laps
Stage 1 & 2 Length: 80 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 107 laps

Here are the top active drivers at performing well overall in Las Vegas in NASCAR’s top division.

Top 10 Active Driver Ratings at Las Vegas

  • Kevin Harvick ………………………… 104.0
  • Joey Logano …………………………. 103.3
  • Jimmie Johnson …………………….. 102.9
  • Kyle Busch ……………………………. 101.8
  • Martin Truex Jr. ……………………….. 97.6
  • Brad Keselowski ……………………… 95.5
  • Chase Elliott. …………………………… 95.5
  • Kyle Larson …………………………….. 93.7
  • Ryan Blaney …………………………… 92.0
  • Denny Hamlin …………………………. 83.0
    Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2019 races (17 total) among active drivers at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

This is a look at which active drivers have scored a win at Las Vegas in their cup series careers.

Active Drivers with Win(s) at Las Vegas

  • Jimmie Johnson – 4 Wins (All-Time Win Leader)
  • Brad Keselowski – 3 Wins
  • Kevin Harvick – 2 Wins
  • Martin Truex Jr – 2 Wins
  • Joey Logano – 1 Win (this race last year)
  • Kyle Busch – 1 Win

What kind of race will it be this weekend? Will we see more crashes like we did in Daytona? Hopefully we will NOT see anything as scary as what Ryan Newman experienced.

The story will be told when the NASCAR Cup Series green flag waives to start the action from Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada in the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube Sunday, February 23rd starting at 2:30 PM central time (3:30 PM eastern time).

By: Buck Stevens

Headlines