USA Today via Reuters
Mar 7, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) and driver Kyle Larson (5) lead the field for a restart during the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 7, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) and driver Kyle Larson (5) lead the field for a restart during the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The NASCAR Cup Series race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway has officially concluded. Kyle Larson emerged victorious at the end, becoming the second consecutive Hendrick Motorsports winner. In the process, he vaulted up the order in the Cup Series championship.
Although Denny Hamlin is still clinging onto the lead, Brad Keselowski is right on his tail. Behind them is Larson, fresh from his first win for Hendrick Motorsports.
Meanwhile, defending champion, Chase Elliott and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell complete the top five. Hamlin has a comfortable lead over Keselowski, with 187 points compared to the latter’s 149.
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Cup driver grid: Hamlin +99, Larson-1w, Bell-1w, McDowell-1w, Byron-1w, Keselowski +61, Elliott +51, Logano, +50, Harvick +48, Truex +43, KuBusch +34, ADillon +27, Preece +24, KyBusch +10, Blaney +3, Buescher +2, Stenhouse -2, Bowman -4, Custer -10, Wallace -14, Newman -15 pic.twitter.com/KVZWxUEkrQ
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 8, 2021
Meanwhile, Kyle Larson is just two points shy of the Penske driver. Elliott is a further eight points adrift, with Bell and Joey Logano tied for fifth, one behind Elliott. Kevin Harvick in the Stewart-Haas car is a further five points behind, and five points ahead of Martin Truex Jr.
How does the rest of the NASCAR Cup Series pack stack up behind Hamlin?
Martin Truex Jr, Michael McDowell, and Kurt Busch round out the top 10. Considering that many drivers are within a handful of points off each other, the championship battle is heating up quite well. It just goes to show how unpredictable the 2021 Cup Series championship is.
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USA Today via Reuters
Mar 7, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson (5) and driver Denny Hamlin (11) lead te field during the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Admittedly, only four races are complete and the season has only just started. However, just about anything can happen in the next few races until the playoffs begin.
It is also worth mentioning that out of all four of the 2021 race winners, William Byron is the only one who is outside the top 10. However, he has plenty of time to make up for it and stay away from playoff relegation.
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However, for other drivers like Bubba Wallace, Aric Almirola, Alex Bowman, and many more, it is crunch time. They will all be looking forward to next weekend’s race at the Phoenix Raceway, hoping to climb up the points latter.
READ MORE: Can Kyle Larson Convert His Brilliant Consistency at Las Vegas Into a NASCAR Cup Win?
