Viva Logano!

South Point 400:

Joey Logano gambled on fuel, hit the jackpot, and took the checkered flag for his third win of the 2024 season on Sunday afternoon at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The win locks Logano into the Championship 4 race at Phoenix in a few weeks, keeps his appearance in the title race on even years streak going, and becomes the driver with the most appearances (six) in the Championship 4 race.

The race appeared to be Christopher Bell's for the taking as he dominated the day and flexed his muscle as a serious title threat. Bell had won Stage 2 and led 155 laps throughout the day until Logano's fuel saving paid off on the last run. Bell was rightfully upset when taking the checking flag after being so close to locking into Phoenix to battle for the title - a race that he won by over 5 seconds in the Spring. CBell still had a huge points day is comfortable above the cutline going into Homestead - a race he won last year - and Martinsville - a race he won two years ago. So while Bell is upset he didn't win he still set himself up nicely for the rest of the Round of 8 and into the title race. Larson and Byron had good enough days points wise to be comfortable heading into next week. Although Byron, who sits on the cutline, may want to go for broke next week as four hungry drivers who did not have stellar days Sunday sit below the cutline: Hamlin, Blaney, Reddick, and Elliott. Blaney and Elliott are in essentially must win scenarios to vie for a title in Phoenix while Reddick and Hamlin could easily point their way into the top 4 if Byron has a bad a day and they have good days. Although, all the chatter at this point from the four below the line, is to be perfect and win. Nothing else likely matters at this point except for wins.

The race had plenty of drama even though Bell dominated and Logano rolled the dice on fuel at the end. We had Hemric, for some unknown reason, ship the 3 car into the wall for a brutal hit - debris from this wreck started the unravelling of Larson's day; although he was able to rebound to a respectable finish. Reddick went for a brief tumble after trying to get all he could get on the outside of Elliott and Truex off of turn four. It did not go well and ruined several drivers' days. As mentioned with Logano's winning strategy we had constant pit strategy and a few tire strategy plays throughout the day. Cars able to run, race, and take advantage of wide, aging track. A few drivers were able to charge to the front, a few slipped back throughout the day. We even had a variety of contenders (mainly for second) from the drop of the green flag. While it wasn't a barn burner, I definitely was not disappointed in the race. The caution nearing 70 to go in the race allowed for a few drivers to bet the house and try to improve their finishing position with fuel strategy. While a few drivers played it cautious and split the final spring to the finish in half. While not necessarily thrilling, it did add a nice level of excitement to the end of the race. And picking Joey Logano to win and putting a few dollars on it Sunday morning paid off after the checkered flag.

We now shift our focus to the Homestead-Miami Speedway with all three national touring series back in action this weekend. The Craftsman Truck Series gets the racing started this weekend on Sunday afternoon at 12 p.m. EST on FS1 with the Baptist Health 200. The Xfinity Series follows up the Truck fellas at 3:30 p.m. EST on The CW with the Credit One NASCAR Amex Credit 300. And the Cup Series caps off the weekend on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. EST on NBC with the Straight Talk Wireless 400.

Homestead Picks:

Trucks = Heim

Xfinity = Custer

Cup = Larson

Header Photo: Steve Marcus - Las Vegas Sun