Denny Hamlin’s Hot Streak Continues, Wins at Las Vegas

The NASCAR Cup Series begins the Round of 12 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the South Point 400. The race was a Sunday Day-to-Night race and everyone is looking to get a jumpstart to the Round of Eight. Martin Truex Jr and William Byron had to go to the back due to failing inspection

Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson led the field to the green flag to begin the Round of 12. The competition caution came out on lap 25. After pit stops, Kyle Busch led the field to the restart with Denny Hamlin after the competition caution. They remained side by side for a bit, then Denny Hamlin took the lead as Kyle Larson looked for second. Matt DiBenedetto was quietly working his way into the top 10, as he is still without a ride for next season. Kyle Larson was able to get around Denny Hamlin thanks to a lapped car and was leading with 30 laps left in Stage One. Ryan Blaney was also having issues that might involve the cooling in his suit. Kyle Larson went on to win stage one after coming off of his win at Bristol.

Stage One Results:

1. Kyle Larson
2. Kyle Busch
3. Denny Hamlin
4. Ryan Blaney
5. William Byron
6. Chase Elliott
7. Tyler Reddick
8. Kevin Harvick
9. Matt DiBenedetto
10. Martin Truex Jr.

Stage Two began with Larson and Hamlin on the front row for the restart. Hamlin got the quick advantage for the lead. On lap 92, Joey Gase suffered a massive impact in turns one and two, giving his car air and almost even tagging the catch fence. Gase was taken to a hospital but was later released and will be further evaluated in Charlotte. The rest of the stage went clean as Denny Hamlin would go on to win Stage Two.

Stage Two Results:

1. Denny Hamlin
2. Kyle Busch
3. Tyler Reddick
4. Martin Truex Jr
5. Joey Logano
6. Brad Keselowski
7. Kurt Busch
8. Kevin Harvick
9. Austin Dillon
10. Bubba Wallace

Martin Truex Jr and Denny Hamlin led the field at the restart with 101 laps to go in the final stage. MTJ was able to pull away as there were three to four-wide racing behind him. William Byron had a flat tire with 43 laps left in the race, creating playoff implications for the #24 team. His teammate had issues earlier, Alex Bowman, and was two laps down. Chase Elliott made it all the way to second but was unable to catch Denny Hamlin as Hamlin would go on to get his second win of 2021, punching his ticket to the Round of Eight.

2021 South Point 400 Top 10:

1. Denny Hamlin
2. Chase Elliott
3. Kyle Busch
4. Martin Truex Jr
5. Ryan Blaney
6. Tyler Reddick
7. Brad Keselowski
8. Kurt Busch
9. Kevin Harvick
10. Kyle Larson