NASCAR

NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400: Qualifying, Christopher Bell’s Pole Position, Round of 8-Opening Lineup At Las Vegas Motor Speedway

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Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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Published8 hours ago on October 19, 2024

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NASCAR: Playoff Media Day

NASCAR Cup Series playoff driver Christopher Bell drove in comfort during Saturday’s qualifying session for Sunday’s South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. 

Bell turned a hot lap of 185.344 mph, sealing his third start from the inside of the front row this season. 

“I feel really good, I feel really comfortable,” Bell said, as reported by NASCAR.com.  

Entering Sunday’s Round of 8 opener second in the playoff standings to Kyle Larson, who has captured three wins in his past seven appearances at the 1.5-mile track. Larson will start fifth Sunday.  

En route to earning his 13th career pole Saturday, Bell edged runner-up Tyler Reddick by 0.013 seconds. Reddick’s practice lap of 183.187 mph topped the field. 

Of the eight pilots competing in the three-event Round of 8, six made the final qualifying round.

Dale Earnhardt Speaks On NASCAR Lawsuit 

Dale Earnhardt Jr. made his opinion clear on his Dale Jr. Download podcast. 

Regarding the federal antitrust lawsuit 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports filed against NASCAR and the France family, Earnhardt predicted both sides will come away with something during the costly court battle. 

The lawsuit alleges NASCAR has exercised monopolistic practices, which blackens the future business of the stock-car racing industry.  

“Everyone’s said this, it will be interesting how it plays out,” Earnhardt said. “I think everyone, it’s gonna cost everybody just a little bit to get through it, but I think NASCAR absolutely survives it. And I feel like, to be quite honest with you, 23XI will come out of it satisfied as well.” 

Starting Lineup for NASCAR Cup Series’ South Point 400 

Here is a look at the lineup for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series’ South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:   

Starting Position, Driver, Car No., Team

  • 1, Christopher Bell, 20, Joe Gibbs Racing 
  • 2, Tyler Reddick, 45, 23XI Racing 
  • 3, Alex Bowman, 48, Hendrick Motorsports 
  • 4, Denny Hamlin, 11, Joe Gibbs Racing 
  • 5, Kyle Larson, 5, Hendrick Motorsports 
  • 6, Carson Hocevar, 77, Spire Motorsports 
  • 7, Ross Chastain, 1, Trackhouse Racing 
  • 8, Ty Gibbs, 54, Joe Gibbs Racing 
  • 9, William Byron, 24, Hendrick Motorsports 
  • 10, Joey Logano, 22, Tem Penske 
  • 11, Austin Cindric, 2, Team Penske 
  • 12, Martin Truex Jr., 19, Joe Gibbs Racing 
  • 13, Austin Dillon, 3, Richard Childress Racing 
  • 14, Zane Smith, 71, Spire Motorsports 
  • 15, Michael McDowell, 34, Front Row Motorsports 
  • 16, Justin Haley, 7, Spire Motorsports 
  • 17, Brad Keselowski, 6, RFK Racing 
  • 18, Chase Elliott, 9, Hendrick Motorsports 
  • 19, Bubba Wallace, 23, 23XI Racing 
  • 20, Kyle Busch, 8, Richard Childress Racing 
  • 21, Noah Gragson, 10, Stewart-Haas Racing 
  • 22, Chris Buescher, 17, RFK Racing 
  • 23, Daniel Suarez, 99, Trackhouse Racing 
  • 24, Chase Briscoe, 14, Stewart-Haas Racing 
  • 25, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 47, JTG Daugherty Racing 
  • 26, John Hunter Nemechek, 42, Legacy Motor Club 
  • 27, Erik Jones, 43, Legacy Motor Club 
  • 28, Josh Berry, 4, Stewart-Haas Racing 
  • 29, Jimmie Johnson, 84, Legacy Motor Club 
  • 30, Todd Gilliland, 38, Front Row Motorsports 
  • 31, Harrison Burton, 21, Wood Brothers Racing 
  • 32, Ryan Preece, 41, Stewart-Haas Racing 
  • 33, Daniel Hemric, 31, Kaulig Racing 
  • 34, Shane van Gisbergen, 16, Kaulig Racing 
  • 35, Corey LaJoie, 51, Rick Ware Racing 
  • 36, Cody Ware, 15, Rick Ware Racing 
  • 37, Ryan Blaney, 12, Team Penske 

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Author photo
Jeff Hawkins
Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

Get to know Jeff Hawkins better
Author photo
Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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