Overview
All three of NASCAR’s premier series’ travel to Vegas to take on the season’s first “traditional” intermediate track. After Daytona and Atlanta, two tracks that race with superspeedway characteristics (pack racing/drafting, restrictor plates, etc.) this is will be a true test to see what these teams’ vehicles can really do on a touch track. Las Vegas is a 1.5 mile oval like I said and tires wear down quick here. Track position and good pit stops will be paramount here.
Strategy
Track position and taking care of your tires is paramount at this track and we saw that here last year. Two of the top three finishers started on the front row with pole sitter Chandler Smith leading 118 laps and finishing third. While we’ll be looking for the driver or two drivers that will lead with bulk of the laps here we’ll also need the mid-range and value guys for place differential points. It’s also worth noting that seven of the top 10 finishers here last season started in the top-10. In fact, in each of the last three XFINITY races here at least six of the top 10 finishers started in the top-10.
Cole Custer ($10,500), Starting on the Pole
After a strong qualifying and strong practice, Custer is the favorite to dominate this race early. Custer led 63 laps here in the fall en route to a third-place finish and has three top-fives in his last five races here in XFINITY. He’ll be my main dominator in my lineups.
Justin Allgaier ($10,700), Starting 36th
If it wasn’t for blowing a tire in qualifying, Allgaier would’ve qualified much better, probably in the top-seven somewhere. Because of the mishap, we get plenty of opportunity for place differential points here. Keep in mind Allgaier will be popular but he’s a hard fade in cash and single entry contests.
Riley Herbst ($9,500), Starting 11th
Herbst rolls off 11th and is the driver who won this race in the fall of last year. He led 103 laps in the race and has some PD upside in this spot. Herbst showed good speed in practice at a track he’s comfortable at and could be in line for a good finish.
Anthony Alfredo ($7,000), Starting 37th
After wrecking in practice A.A. will start 37th and shapes up as a more than solid mid-range P.D. play.
Also Consider:
John Hunter Nemechek ($11,000), Starting 12th
Austin Hill ($10,000), Starting 5th
Brandon Jones ($8,100), Starting 13th
Jesse Love ($8,700), Starting 15th
Kyle Sieg ($5,700), Starting 27th
Corey Heim ($7,800), Starting 16th
GOOD LUCK!!