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NASCAR: Who’s hot and who’s not heading to Las Vegas

By Mike Knapp

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 12: Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER BOATS Toyota, and Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, lead the field during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 12, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 12: Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER BOATS Toyota, and Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, lead the field during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 12, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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This week, the NASCAR Cup Series moves to Las Vegas. Who looks ready to let it ride? Who should stick to the penny slots this weekend?

We are two weeks into the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season, and as we move to Las Vegas, what have we learned so far? We could be in for a crazy season.

There were a lot of changes in the results at Atlanta compared to Daytona. Some drivers who did well at Daytona fell off a bit at Atlanta, while others rose up the ranks. What’s in store as the series moves across the country to Las Vegas?

Who’s hot going into Las Vegas

Ford: There is no doubt teams driving Fords are the teams to beat in the NASCAR Cup Series right now. In 532 laps of competition through two weeks, a Ford driver has been out front for 422 laps. Ryan Blaney led 118 laps in Daytona, and Kevin Harvick led 181 laps and dominated in Atlanta. When guys driving for other manufacturers start saying things, you know you are doing something right.

Denny Hamlin: Hamlin has been a walking, talking distraction through the first two weeks of the season. But when the visor goes down, he is putting up results. He’s only one of two drivers with top 10 finishes through the first two weeks, and he is the only one to finish in the top 5 in both races with two top 4 finishes.

Kurt Busch: Underrated is the best way to describe Busch’s season so far. He was a factor at Daytona until being caught up in the big wreck on lap 199, and he led 52 laps at Atlanta before finishing eighth. He’s third this season behind Kevin Harvick (181) and Ryan Blaney (118) with 68 laps led. He’s getting to the front. The next step is staying there.

Who’s not going into Las Vegas

Jimmie Johnson: Quick, name the driver who currently sits 35th in points? Yep, it’s the seven-time champion. The first two weeks of the season have been full of wrecked cars and bad luck for Johnson. But a trip to Sin City may be what he needs. Johnson has won at Las Vegas four times and has nine top 10 finishes.

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Kyle Larson: Larson hasn’t started the season all that badly, but it’s just been a bit underwhelming for a potential championship contender. Larson has finishes of 19th and 9th at Daytona and Atlanta, respectively, and has yet to lead a lap. Larson has two top 10 finishes in his four career races at Las Vegas, and was the runner-up to Martin Truex, Jr. in the race last season.

Daniel Suarez: After a solid rookie season last year, many expected Suarez to move up to the next level in 2018. That hasn’t happened yet. Suarez wrecked out in Daytona and finished in 15th place last weekend in Atlanta. Still, he hasn’t finished better than 15th in his last eight races dating back to the October Talladega race last year.

Next: Stage racing is great, but can it be better?

Las Vegas is known for swings in fortune, both good and bad. Lots of drivers have a chance to send their seasons in a different direction this weekend. But don’t push it too hard, because in the end, the house always wins.

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