USA Today via Reuters
Sep 27, 2020; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) leads driver Alex Bowman (88) and the field during the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 27, 2020; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) leads driver Alex Bowman (88) and the field during the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Ahead of the 2020 YellaWood 500, NASCAR outlined the starting grid for this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series playoff race. As per the formula, Denny Hamlin is set to lead the pack from Las Vegas winner, Kurt Busch.
With Kevin Harvick starting in 5th place, this gives Hamlin the perfect opportunity to close the gap in the standings. Between them are Kurt Busch, Martin Truex Jr., and Alex Bowman.
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In addition to that, Harvick has a fired-up Kyle Busch, keen to bag at least one win. As the defending champion, taking a win is now a matter of personal pride. Last weekend at the Las Vegas Speedway, Busch found himself in 2nd place alongside Harvick but ended the race 6th fastest.
Hamlin on the pole, KuBusch on the front row for Cup race Sunday at Talladega. #nascar pic.twitter.com/doi3CDZO1y
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 30, 2020
How does the NASCAR Cup Series playoff grid line up behind Hamlin?
The rest of the Top-10 lines up with Brad Keselowski ahead of Joey Logano, Clint Bowyer, and Chase Elliott. Finally, Aric Almirola and Austin Dillon round out the playoff drivers.
For Kyle Busch, Almirola, Bowyer, and Dillon, this race and the Charlotte race will be crucial. Charlotte heralds the final race of the second playoff round. Kurt Busch already secured his berth with his maiden Vegas win.
As a result, the pressure is on for the quartet to stay alive in the competition. At the same time, any driver outside the Top-3, excluding Kurt Busch, is also under a lot of pressure.
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 27, 2020; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) leads driver Kyle Busch (18) and the field during the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Truthfully, Joey Logano has a shot at a good finish, since he won the last edition earlier this year. Aside from him, Austin Dillon ended up in the Top-5, finishing 4th fastest on the track.
However, racing at the same track on different dates may not yield the same results. This is because the conditions will be vastly different from the last race at the track. So in conclusion, this race could be anybody’s game.
However, Denny Hamlin will try anything and everything in his power to close the gap to Kevin Harvick. As long as he outscores Harvick, and scores valuable points in the stages, he should be in with a shout of closing the gap.
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