By David Morgan, Associate Editor
After a thrilling race in Southern California last weekend, the NASCAR Cup Series will make the trip up Interstate 15 to Las Vegas Motor Speedway this week, with Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 marking the second leg of the West Coast swing.
Las Vegas began its life on the NASCAR circuit as a 1.5-mile oval with 12 degrees of banking in 1998, but following the 2006 running of the race, the track underwent a massive reconfiguration that saw progressive banking put in place with the new banking ranging from 18 to 20 degrees.
After baking in the Nevada sun for the past 15 years, the track surface has come into its own recently and will provide the drivers with yet another challenge when the green flag drops on Sunday.
The 1.5-mile tracks were the bread and butter of the Cup Series last year with the Next Gen car and this year should be more of the same, with Las Vegas suited well for the racing the new car provides.
Sunday’s race, however, will not feature a familiar face in the field, as it was announced on Friday evening that 2020 Cup Series champion Chase Elliott suffered a leg injury while snowboarding and will have to sit out the weekend after undergoing surgery. Xfinity Series regular Josh Berry will take over driving duties in Elliott’s No. 9 Chevrolet this weekend.
“Chase’s health is our primary concern,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “He’s spoken with several members of our team and is understandably disappointed to miss time in the car. Of course, he has our full support, and we’ll provide any resources he needs. We hope to share another update later this weekend.”
By the Numbers
What: Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube, NASCAR Cup Series Race No. 3 of 36
Where: Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Las Vegas, Nevada (Opened: 1998; Reconfigured: 2007)
When: Sunday, March 5, 2023
TV/Radio: FOX, 3:30 pm ET / PRN and Sirius XM NASCAR Channel 90
Track Size: 1.5-mile D-shaped oval
Banking: 20 degrees in turns; 9 degrees on straightaways
Race Length: 267 laps, 400.5 miles
Stage Lengths: First stage – 80 laps, Second stage – 85 laps, Final stage – 102 laps
Pit Road Speed: 45 mph
Pace Car Speed: 55 mph
2022 Spring Winner: Alex Bowman – No. 48 Chevrolet (Started 13th, 16 laps led)
2022 Fall Winner: Joey Logano – No. 22 Ford (Started fifth, 32 laps led)
Track Qualifying Record: Kurt Busch (196.328 mph, 27.505 seconds…
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