Joey Logano controversially advances into the Championship 4

Sunday’s South Point Casino 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was once again one for the books. Team Penske’s Joey Logano proved once again that he has what it takes to make a championship run in even years, after initially being eliminated the prior week at the Charlotte ROVAL™ after a penalty. This event also saw a championship contender flip after winning the first stage, a lot of pit strategy and close battle for the win at the end.

Polesitter, Joe Gibbs Racing driver, Christopher Bell, started alongside his Toyota Teammate, Tyler Reddick, driving for Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing. Bell got a good launch on the initial start, leaving Reddick behind. However, throughout Stage 1, a lot of things changed, which was a direct result of Green Flag pit stops.. Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon was sent into the wall by Kaulig Racing’s Daniel Henric on Lap 64, ending Dillon’s day and destroying his #3 Boot Barn Chevrolet. Dillon expressed his frustration by angrily pointing at Hemric as he passed by under caution. The former teammates were battling to be the first car one lap down, as NASCAR grants the first car behind a lap back when the caution comes out.

The race resumed on Lap 72 as Joe Gibbs Racing’s Martin Truex Jr. restarted in first. Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron challenged Truex for the lead before falling back to fourth. In the midst of all of this, Tyler Reddick made his way to the lead, allowing him to collect those crucial 10 points and the single stage point.

Stage 2 began on Lap 88, two laps prior to a huge accident on the Frontstretch. Martin Truex Jr. jumped out of the gas, coming out of Turn 4, in an attempt to avoid a collision, but wound up collecting Playoff drivers, Tyler Reddick and Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott. This accident sent Reddick’s #45 Jumpman Toyota upside down going into the infield grass and Elliott’s #9 Napa Auto Parts Chevrolet spinning out of control in the grass. While Reddick was able to drive the car to pit road, his car had too much damage to continue, ending his race prematurely. Chase Elliot was able to continue, for several laps, before bringing the car to the garage on Lap 107, due to a suspension issue. Behind this accident, Playoff Contender, Ryan Blaney, who started last after a practice crash also lost control of his Team Penske #12 Ford and had to make repairs on pit road as well. Blaney was also able to continue for the time being.

Once the race continued on Lap 97, the JGR Toyota’s of Christopher Bell and Ty Gibbs battled for the lead. Despite Gibbs’ Round of 16 elimination, he showed strength up front, competing with his teammate. Pit stops took place around Lap 125, with just under 40-laps-to-go in Stage 2. Playoff driver, Kyle Larson, had issues on pit road, with his right rear tire. This cost him around seven extra seconds during his pit stop.

With 17-laps-to-go, Trackhouse Racing’s Daniel Suarez held the lead, while a hard-charging Christopher Bell after Bell took fuel and tires on his pit stop. Bell wound up winning Stage 2, collecting 10 points and the playoff point. Bell’s teammate, Denny Hamlin had issues on pit road as well, forcing Hamlin to have to make up spots on track at the start of the final stage.

The final stage began on Lap 173, with Bell maintaining the lead. Joe Gibbs Racing showed a lot of speed, as did Tyler Reddick, prior to crashing out of the race early on, which is a clear indication of Toyota finding speed at Las Vegas. However, with just over 70-laps-to-go, Gibbs spun on the Backstretch, coming out of Turn 2.

The green flag dropped for the final time on Lap 199. One more pit stop was needed, as every team had an extra set of fresh Goodyear tires. With 22-laps-to-go, Daniel Suarez grabbed the lead, once again and Joey Logano began charging hard after the #99 Chevrolet. Logano caught him with five-to-go, but Bell had a lot more momentum, as the announcers anticipated Bell catching and passing Logano. This did not happen, as Logano made the right move at the right time, claiming his third victory of the season. This locked Logano into the Championship 4, which takes place at Phoenix Raceway on November 10.

While the outcome of the South Point 400 left a lot of fans disappointed, with Logano being 15th under the pre-playoffs championship era and eligible for the title, the race itself was a classic. This weekend’s Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway will be even better, with Homestead being the most unique 1.5-mile Speedway on the schedule. This track has multiple groves and most drivers enjoy running the wall. Kyle Larson and Tyler Reddick have thrived at Homestead over the course of their careers and it’s a given that these two will be the toughest competition for the other 36 drivers on the entry list. You won’t want to miss this race, as three more spots are on the line to compete for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Championship!