NASCAR Monday Mash-Up: Joey Logano vaults himself to Phoenix
One wild weekend in Las Vegas and for a number of NASCAR Playoff drivers, it is a weekend they wish stayed in Vegas. Joey Logano and his team had one more chip on the table, they were all-in with not much to gamble, but they hit it big.
Joey Logano completely changed the landscape of the NASCAR Playoffs. He snuck into this round after Alex Bowman was DQ’d from the Roval. Now, he’s punched his ticket to Phoenix after one race in the round.
There was also Xfinity Series action this weekend. A lot of playoff surprises in both series. So, let’s get into it. The party goes from Vegas to Miami this week. Quite a turnaround.
Alex Bowman threw his phone in a pool
Upon hearing that he had been disqualified from the Roval race and was eliminated from the NASCAR Playoffs, Alex Bowman did the only thing he could do. He threw his phone in the pool.
Bowman had made it home and was going to enjoy his advancement to the Round of 8. Then the news hit his phone and he couldn’t bare to see the messages and texts from friends and family. His phone then tried to call 9-1-1 thinking Bowman had been in a car wreck.
Kevin Harvick becomes Truck Series consultant
In news off the track, Kevin Harvick and KHI have a new partnership with Rackley WAR. Harvick will be a consultant for the Truck Series team, which ill have Dawson Sutton at the wheel in 2025.
Both Keelan and Kevin Harvick will race Super and Pro Late Model races for Rackley as well. This is a big development for Rackley WAR and the Harvick family.
Ryan Blaney wrecks in practice, head hurts
For Ryan Blaney, the weekend at Las Vegas got started off on the wrong foot. A blown tire in practice led to Blaney wrecking into the wall.
Blaney was shaken up a bit, he radioed that his head hurt. But he was able to get through the weekend without much issue. This wasn’t the only hit he took in Vegas.
Christopher Bell wins pole award
For the third time this year, Christopher Bell won the pole. He went back-to-back for this Las Vegas playoff race, also winning the NASCAR Cup Series pole in 2023.
Bell would go on to lead the most laps and be dominant on Sunday. But things did not line up in the end with Bell’s pit strategy.
Kaulig gas man spills all over himself
On to the NASCAR Xfinity Series race, it was a fun one. The Xfinity Series puts on fantastic races at almost every track on the schedule.
Josh Williams went for a pit stop and his gasman had an incident. The breather plug broke on the gas can and pour fuel on top of the crew member, down his firesuit – it was a mess. Thankfully, no fires were triggered with all of that fuel on the ground and on the crew.
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AJ Allmendinger makes statement with win at Vegas
Speaking of Kaulig Racing, AJ Allmendinger made a huge statement on Saturday. Allmendinger had not won a race all season long, so of course, he wins on an oval at Las Vegas.
Allmendinger was fantastic the entire race. He held off a late charge from Ryan Sieg and Justin Allgaier. He’s going to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship 4.
Tyler Reddick does a barrel roll, drives to pit road
During the start of Stage 2 of the NASCAR Cup Series race, Tyler Reddick went for a ride. He won Stage 1 but got himself in trouble early in the next stage.
Reddick tried to shoot a gap above Chase Elliott, but Martin Truex Jr. pushed Elliott up the track at the same time, all three cars collided. The 45 flipped over completely and still drove to pit road, but was a DNF.
Reddick, Elliott, Blaney in a hole early
That wreck with Reddick and Elliott also collected Ryan Blaney in the process. Those are three playoff drivers who took a major hit due to one wreck in one race.
Things could not be much worse for these three. However, the playoffs always gives drivers a chance to save their season or have someone else ruin their own.
Denny Hamlin blows opportunity
One driver who blew the opportunity they had at Las Vegas was Denny Hamlin. The car had no speed, Chris Gabehardt made a bad pit call. Then, Hamlin had a botched stop on pit road to put himself further behind.
So, Hamlin salvaged a P8 finish. That’s nothing to be excited about when you’re -27 to the cutline.
Joey Logano shocks Cup Series with win to make Phoenix
One driver who made the most of their Sunday, Joey Logano. This team with Paul Wolfe on the box does not need the fastest car to win a race.
Logano gets the most out of his cars. So, it’s not a huge shock, but given his path to the Championship 4 in the last week, it’s pretty wild. Who will join him in Phoenix?