Joey Logano clinched a spot in the Championship 4 with a strategic victory at the South Point 400 in Las Vegas. Despite leading only the final six laps, Logano’s savvy fuel management secured his win, edging out Christopher Bell by just 0.662 seconds. Bell dominated much of the race, leading 155 laps and winning Stage 2, but couldn’t overcome Logano’s advantage after pitting later.
Daniel Suárez finished third, also utilizing a similar strategy, followed by William Byron and Alex Bowman. This victory marked a dramatic turnaround for Logano, who thought he was out of the playoffs after the Charlotte race, only to be reinstated when Bowman was disqualified for a technical infraction.
Logano’s win ties him with Jimmie Johnson for the most victories at Las Vegas, showcasing the strength of his Team Penske crew. He credited the entire team for their execution, from engineers to the spotter, which allowed them to maximize their performance despite not having the fastest car.
Christopher Bell, although disappointed, maintained his lead in the championship standings with a 42-point cushion. Denny Hamlin, finishing eighth, also impressed with a similar fuel-saving strategy. Meanwhile, Tyler Reddick faced elimination after a crash, and Ryan Blaney struggled with early setbacks, finishing 32nd.
Kyle Larson fell to 11th after pit road issues but held second in the standings, while Byron remained fourth, crucial for the championship race. With the series moving to Homestead-Miami Speedway, the competition intensifies as drivers aim for the final Championship 4 spots.
Post-race inspections confirmed Logano as the winner with no further technical issues, setting the stage for the next thrilling chapter in this NASCAR season.
Race Photos
All photos Kevin C. Cox, Maximum Exposure for CORE360 Sports