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2019 Las Vegas Motor Speedway, South Point 400

The playoff field has been set and Jimmie Johnson did not qualify for the first time since NASCAR went to a playoff system. Ryan Newman claimed the final spot by beating Daniel Suarez in this race and Kevin Harvick picked up the win and six more playoff points which is huge. All in all this race saw a lot of the big name drivers have problems and they are thanking their lucky stars it happened this week and not next weekend.

SOUTH POINT 400

So, the drivers will head out west for the first race in the playoffs next Sunday at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the running of the South Point 400. This race is scheduled to start a bit later than most races that are run on a Sunday. The starting time is 7:00 Eastern time which I am guessing moves it away from most NFL game times. Let’s all wish all of the playoff drivers the best of luck and then sit back and watch the action.

Brad Keselowski: I am going to pick Brad to win the first race of this year’s playoffs and get the free pass into the second round. He has won three of his last eight starts at this track, finished in the top ten in all of those starts, and finished in the top five in six of them. One of those top five finishes came this spring when he finished second to his teammate, Joey Logano.

Joey Logano: So, if Joey won in the spring why shouldn’t he win again now? He has been just about as good as Brad here lately with his win in the spring and seven straight top ten finishes with five of those being top fives. I think the Penske teams have a small advantage over the other competitors here because of how good they have all been lately. They have something to their setup that seems to work all the time.

Kevin Harvick: Last week’s winner at Indy also won the spring race here last season. At the beginning of this season they were fast at the beginning of races, but couldn’t keep up with the track and were always disappointed with their finishes. It looks like they have found something lately and this team will be good off the truck once again this weekend.

Martin Truex Jr.: Martin has four top five and five top ten finishes in his last six starts here including a win in March of 2017. This is the type of track where Martin dominated when he won the championship a couple of years ago and this team will have a lot of confidence entering this weekend. I look for him to be a contender all through this race once again.

Kyle Larson: Kyle has been one of the hottest drivers on the circuit for the past two months and was having another great run at Indy until a late race accident. He finished in the top three in three of his past four starts and should have a fast car once again this week. Patience will be the name of the game for him throughout the playoffs if he wants to advance.

Kyle Busch: Kyle is the points leader heading into the playoffs and this is his home town track. He has finished in the top five in four of his last seven starts here and is in a bit of a slump for him. He is going to break out soon and this might be the week he does it. He very well could win multiple races during these playoffs.

Ryan Blaney: Another of the Penske drivers, Ryan has four top seven finishes in his last five Vegas starts. This team might not have won a race yet this year and that makes it even more important to not make mistakes in the playoffs. They are at a bit of a disadvantage as they only won two stages during the regular season.

Denny Hamlin: Denny is second to teammate, Kyle Busch, as the drivers enter the playoffs and he has been running very well for the last half of the regular season. He runs pretty consistent here, but never really contends for the win. In fact he has only lead fifteen laps in fifteen starts at this track. I think there are going to be better tracks to use him at as the playoffs progress.

Aric Almirola: Aric has run three races for Stewart-Haas Racing at Las Vegas and has finished in the top ten in each of those races. This is the type of track where Aric will have to make hay during the playoffs if he wants to keep advancing. This team was really good at the beginning of the year, but kind of stepped back during the middle portion of the season. They seem to be making a bit of a comeback at the right time.

Erik Jones: Erik has been running real well lately and this should be a good track for him to show he can be a contender throughout the playoffs. He sat on the pole here in this race last season and I think he has learned a lot in the past couple of season and the win at Darlington should give him even more confidence heading into the playoffs.

DRIVER GROUP GAME FANTASY NASCAR PICKS FOR LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Driver Group Game Group A

  • Brad Keselowski
  • Joey Logano

Driver Group Game Group B

  • Ryan Blaney
  • Aric Almirola
  • Erik Jones
  • Alex Bowman

Driver Group Game Group C

  • Chris Buescher
  • Daniel Hemric

MY TOP-5 OVERALL AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

  1. Brad Keselowski
  2. Joey Logano
  3. Kevin Harvick
  4. Martin Truex Jr.
  5. Kyle Larson

Dark Horse: Alex Bowman

Stay Away From: Kurt Busch

Big 18: Alex Bowman

44 replies on “2019 Las Vegas Motor Speedway, South Point 400”

I have the first pick in my league this week and I need the winner!! No pressure, thanks in advance!

Jeff last year my leagues asked to pick the Champion for bonus points before the final 10 starts… if you had to pick now, who do you see winning the championship? My gut is telling me 1 particular driver & I beleive I’m going to go with my gut, just wondering who’s your pick?

So, it is getting to the end of the season and you have to start taking some chances. I’m going with Bowman because he can come away with a top ten and when you have a car good enough for that you have a chance to win.

By Post Author

I’m thinking Harvick this week he’s hot! Brad and Jones destroyed my game at Indy. Out of Buescher my friend DiBenedetto? Thank you

I really like the Penske drivers here, but Harvick has shown more speed lately and has been good late in the race. His pit crew holds him back sometimes. DiBenedetto and Hemric are probably your 2 best choices in the C group.

By Post Author

Thank you sir! Was listening to Chocolate Meyers on Sirius xm he says Logano goes great at this point and Newman is really good in the stretch any thoughts?

I have Logano finishing second this week to Brad and he does run well on the tracks in the playoffs. Newman has been getting better as the year has progressed, but I still don’t see him running consistently well on the mile and a half tracks. He could do something on the shorter tracks though like Richmond and Phoenix.

By Post Author

Hey Jeff, thanks for all the help. Going down to the wire. Help me out. Pick 2 from rankings 1-7. Pick 2 from rankings 8-14. Pick 1 from rankings 15-21. Going to try and stick with who you pick throughout the playoffs. Would like to get off to a great start beginning with Vegas. Tanks again Jeff

Who do you like out of the drivers ranked above 28. In a pool only can use 1 driver all year. I have used top 25 drivers already. Looking for a long shot to get in top 20.

I’m not quite sure if you are asking who to use from 26th on down or what. If that is the case I think Ryan Preece practiced pretty well this weekend. If your asking anyone above 28th then I go with Keselowski.

By Post Author

Thoughts on Logano vs Kyle Busch in A?

Who would you run between Almirola, Blaney, Bowman, Erik Jones?

Thanks for your guidance!

I like Logano and all of the Penske drivers the best this weekend. So for B I would go with Blaney and then Jones.

By Post Author

Logano bowyer Almirola hemric
Starting
Kezlowski Newman Blaney DiBenedetto
Bench
Do you think this is good?
Thanks Jeff !🏁

Yes, Bowyer on the pole should lead at least one lap. I do like Blaney as a Penske driver here, but Almirola should do alright too.

By Post Author

That one is a tossup. I had them 1 – 2 in my article and I still think they will be the top 2 drivers.

By Post Author

That very well could be. One fast lap in qualifying does not make 20 fast laps in a race.

By Post Author

My lineup ….

A1 Brad Keselowski
A2 Joey Logano
B1 Jimmie Johnson
B2 Ryan Newman
B3 Ryan Blaney
B4 Alex Bowman
C1 Chris Buescher
C2 Matt DiBenedetto

I took Blaney and Bowman out.

Wish me luck.

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