Joe Gibbs Racing dominated the Las Vegas qualifying session for Sunday’s South Point 400 Playoff race, claiming the top three positions and showcasing their strength as the NASCAR Playoffs intensify at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Joe Gibbs Racing Las Vegas qualifying effort sets the stage for a crucial Playoff event, highlighting the competitiveness of the team as Denny Hamlin secured pole position, with Chase Briscoe and Christopher Bell following closely.
Hamlin Leads a Strong Lineup for Joe Gibbs Racing
Denny Hamlin secured the Busch Light pole in his No. 11 JGR Toyota, clocking a fast lap of 184.849 mph on the 1.5-mile high banks of Las Vegas. Hamlin’s performance edged out teammates Chase Briscoe, driving the No. 19 Toyota, and Christopher Bell in the No. 20 Toyota Camry, with all three drivers currently competing in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. This marks Hamlin’s inaugural pole position at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, adding another milestone to a distinguished season as the current championship leader and the 2021 Las Vegas Playoff winner.
Reflecting on his qualifying run, Hamlin expressed confidence, stating,
I felt good about it truthfully,
– Denny Hamlin, Championship Leader. He praised his team for optimizing the car, mentioning its strong short-run speed in practice and outlining their focus on long-run improvements for the race. Hamlin also addressed the significance of turning their typical Saturday struggles at the Las Vegas track into a positive result, adding,
But Saturday (qualifying) has always been our Achilles heel at this race track and that’s a great way to turn that around.
– Denny Hamlin, Championship Leader.
Toyota’s Milestone and Competitive Edge
This event marks only the second instance in the current season where Toyota entries have swept the first three qualifying spots. The previous occurrence was in Indianapolis, illustrating Toyota’s ongoing competitive edge in the series. This achievement is also the 25th time in Toyota’s NASCAR history that the manufacturer has locked out the top three grid spots, a testament to the ongoing development and teamwork within Joe Gibbs Racing and its Toyota partners.
Challenging Conditions and Notable Performances
Qualifying and practice sessions were impacted by strong winds, creating challenging conditions, particularly with headwinds on the backstretch. Despite the weather, all eight Playoff drivers who entered this crucial round delivered strong qualifying performances. Close behind the Joe Gibbs Racing trio, Chase Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports secured fourth place, followed by Hendrick Chevrolet teammates William Byron and Kyle Larson, a three-time Las Vegas winner, who continued to demonstrate speed and consistency.
Defending series champion Joey Logano piloted his Team Penske Ford to a ninth-place qualifying effort, while fellow Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney, the reigning 2023 series champion, is set to start from 14th position.
Practice Session Incidents and Lineup Updates
Ross Chastain delivered the fastest lap in the opening practice session; however, his run came to an abrupt pause when his No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet brushed the wall, requiring hasty repairs and leading to a 15th-place starting spot in qualifying. Meanwhile, Ty Gibbs of Joe Gibbs Racing set the fastest overall practice pace and will launch from 10th in the starting lineup, reflecting the breadth of talent among the Playoff contenders.
What the Results Mean for the Playoff Race
Joe Gibbs Racing’s sweep in Las Vegas qualifying has significant implications as Playoff racing intensifies and the penultimate round begins. With championship contenders like Hamlin, Briscoe, and Bell leading the field, and strong performances from rivals such as Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, and Kyle Larson, the competition for a championship berth tightens. The qualifying results demonstrate the depth of competition and the importance of each session, as teams look to maximize every advantage in pursuit of NASCAR Cup Series glory.
