The NASCAR Cup Series championship race moves to the desert this weekend.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway will host the first race in the Round of 8 Sunday (2:30 p.m. ET on NBC). If any of the eight drivers remaining in the playoffs wins Sunday, he will automatically advance to the championship finale Nov. 6 at Phoenix Raceway.
Five-time winner Chase Elliott leads the points entering Sunday’s 400-mile race. Following, in order, are Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, William Byron, Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe.
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Bell and Briscoe raced into the round with late-race heroics last Sunday at Charlotte. Bell won the race in a must-win situation, while Briscoe rallied to claim the final playoff spot. Briscoe’s teammate, Cole Custer, was fined $100,000 and docked 50 points for slowing near the end of the race as Briscoe was racing to gain positions. Crew chief Mike Shiplett was indefinitely suspended and also fined $100,000. Stewart-Haas Racing has appealed the penalties.
The Xfinity Series playoffs also continue at Las Vegas with a 3 p.m. ET (NBC) race Saturday.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Cup and Xfinity)
Weekend weather
Friday: Sunny. High of 93.
Saturday: Sunny. High of 90.
Sunday: Sunny with occasional clouds. High of 84.
Friday, Oct. 7
(All times Eastern)
Garage open
- 3:30 - 10:30 p.m. -- Xfinity Series
- 5:30 - 10:30 p.m. -- Cup Series
Track activity
- 8:35 - 9:05 p.m. -- Xfinity practice (USA Network)
- 9:05 - 10 p.m. -- Xfinity qualifying (USA Network)
Saturday, Oct. 15
Garage open
- 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. -- Cup Series
- Noon -- Xfinity Series
Track activity
- 12:05 - 12:50 p.m. -- Cup practice (NBC Sports App, USA Network coverage begins at 12:30 p.m.)
- 12:50 - 2 p.m. -- Cup qualifying (USA Network)
- 3 p.m. -- Xfinity race (201 laps, 301 miles; NBC, Peacock, Performance Racing Network, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday, Oct. 16
Garage open
- 11:30 a.m. -- Cup Series
Track activity
- 2:30 p.m. -- Cup race (267 laps, 400 miles; NBC, Performance Racing Network, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
