Drivers to watch, drivers with questions to answer in South Point 400 at Las Vegas

This weekend is the South Point 400, the first race of the NASCAR Playoffs Round of 8. Will someone punch their ticket to Phoenix? I think there are a number of contenders in our top-eight drivers this weekend.

We’ve got comers and goers in these NASCAR Playoffs. A new round means a new reset in the points. However, with just eight drivers, the cutline bubble has never been closer in these playoffs this year.

Las Vegas clearly has favored certain teams and drivers in recent years. Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports have done very well on this track in recent years. However, we can’t forget that it was Joey Logano who won the South Point 400 a season ago.

Team Penske and Ryan Blaney are still in this battle. Also, what about Chase Elliott? He could end up winning the owner championship if he keeps up the pace.

Drivers to watch at South Point 400

William Byron
With an average finish of 5.5 in these playoffs, Byron has shown that he isn’t going to enter the same slump he has in years past. This 24-team is the real deal. They have a great pit crew, a great driver in a breakout year – is he on his way to his first championship in the NASCAR Cup Series? I’m not sure, but he might win Las Vegas like he did to start the season.

Kyle Larson
When the other NASCAR Playoffs drivers saw Larson make it to the Round of 8, I’m sure they were not thrilled. This is where Larson can shine. He could honestly win either of these three races. I expect him to go for the win in this South Point 400 and then turn his attention to Phoenix. 9-2 odds put him as the favorite ahead of qualifying.

Denny Hamlin
Watch for the 11 team this round. Toyota and these intermediate tracks in the Next Gen era – they have it figured out. Especially Hamlin and his 23XI Racing drivers. Hamlin is hoping to get another top-5 finish if not a win here. I think his strongest track is Martinsville in this round, however, he could win the South Point 400.

Drivers with questions to answer at Las Vegas

Ryan Blaney
Let’s see if Team Penske has what it takes to do it again. Ryan Blaney is talented. He just won at Talladega in the last round. So, why not go all-in at Las Vegas and try to get the 12 team to Phoenix by all costs? I’m not sure he has another chance to win his way into the championship. Maybe he can get lucky and point his way to Phoenix if he doesn’t get a win in Vegas.

Tyler Reddick
I think that Reddick has proved a lot of people wrong. He could do it in a big way by winning at Las Vegas and advancing to the Championship 4 for the first time in his career. Denny Hamlin hired him to be a championship-caliber driver, now he has to prove it, right?

Martin Truex Jr.
Come on, it’s time. Now or never for Martin Truex Jr. No top-15 finishes in these playoffs. At the South Point 400, we gotta see some life and speed out of this team. They don’t need to win, but a top-5 finish would go a long way. Start there and then we’ll see about winning Martinsville later this round.