NASCAR Cup Series: What to watch for in the 2018 South Point 400
By Dustin Smith
The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series goes to Las Vegas for the first race of the 2018 playoffs. Here is what to watch for in the South Point 400!
Here we go, race fans! In nine weeks, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will crown its 2018 champion. A total of 16 drivers will start Sunday’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with one goal in mind. That goal, of course, to be crowned champion at Homestead-Miami Speedway in mid-November.
Without question, the hottest driver in the series is Team Penske’s Brad Keselowski. Keselowski enters Las Vegas as the winner of the last two Cup Series races. First, he took the checkered flag at Darlington Raceway in the Bojangles’ Southern 500. Last weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, he was able to win his second race in a row.
The bar has been raised as playoffs begin this weekend in Las Vegas. A strong start is crucial for any playoff eligible driver, especially considering the road ahead. A bad start to the playoffs this weekend could hinder a driver’s chances of winning the crown. Here is what to watch for in this weekend’s South Point 400.
What to watch for
Kevin Harvick
Nothing really to add to this one. Kevin Harvick ran away with the show at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March by leading 214 of the race’s 267 laps. What will be interesting to watch is whether or not we will see the same domination in this weekend’s race. It’s important to note the rear window issue he had in the March race, which led some to believe that he otherwise would not have been victorious. Survey says that he will not be able to get away with that this weekend.
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Which playoff driver will put himself way behind?
Hard pushing and costly mistakes don’t win championships. Watch for a playoff driver to either crash or have a poor pit stop, putting him multiple laps down or even ending his day early on Sunday.
A mistake such as one of these could quickly put a driver behind, a place nobody wants to be after the first race of the playoffs. Last year, it was Kyle Busch who had pit road errors that cost him a win to open up the playoffs. Fortunately for him, he was able to rebound and win the next week at New Hampshire. However, I am sure that he doesn’t want to repeat this mistake this year.
What a great place for a gamble!
What better track for a team to take a shot at late with pit strategy than Las Vegas Motor Speedway? If there is a late caution, watch for crew chiefs to roll the dice with fuel only, two tires or simply by staying out.
If any crew chiefs are feeling lucky, we may see one or more of these strategies at work. As we know, in Las Vegas, you either win big or go home empty-handed. It’s possible we may see this happen when a crew chief either wins his driver the race by not showing his poker hand until all of the other cards are on the table, or he goes broke with a poorly made decision.
Top 10 NASCAR drivers of all-time. dark. Next
What will you be watching for this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the South Point 400? Tune into NBC Sports Network at 3:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 16 for race one of the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs!