2018 NASCAR Week 3: Las Vegas

Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

By Richard Tix

What to Watch For?

Aero Advantage

• Last week was the first preview we got of the 2018 manufacturers not on a superspeedway, but it wasn't enough insight to really help us determine who has the early season upper hand. Most of that is due to the fact that AMS has more to do with tire ware and mechanical grip over the typical aero grip we see play a role at most tracks on the schedule. LVMS is one of those tracks that is more aero dependent then not. However, I still don't think this will be the end all be all for manufacturer tests. Last year Truex Jr won here followed by Kyle Larson (Chevy), Chase Elliott (Chevy), Joey Logano (Ford), and Brad Keselowski (Ford). Obviously, all of these guys had a good 2017 (other then JoLo), but Toyota who dominated most of the season didn't show up again until 6th place (Denny Hamlin). So, it isn't the only test, but it still could give us a bit of info for who will be fast in 2018 going forward.

Martin Truex Jr. vs Kyle Busch vs Jimmie Johnson

• I have a good feeling one, if not all, of these guys will bounce back this weekend at LVMS. JJ obviously needs it the most as his struggles far out weight the other two, but Martin and Kyle could use an early season spark as well. Martin started to get on a roll around this time last year (winning this race and leading 150 laps) and JJ used the early season to secure his spot in the playoffs (winning Texas and Bristol). So, will Toyota bounce back now that we're at an aero dependent track? Will the Chevy Camaro advantage people raved about all offseason finally show itself?

Will HMS show up?

• 2017 seems to be stuck on replay for Hendrick Motorsports. Chase Elliott is grinding through good finishes while most of the rest of the HMS stable struggle. It's very early, so this can be turned around, but that is also what makes this worth watching. Not a single HMS driver has a playoff point and they only have one top ten combined (Elliott), so it will be important that they start to turn it around this weekend.

**This section is just a quick look at some of Cup drivers latest finishes. This is not a tool for fantasy purposes and NBTW only is looking at end results. No deep statistic's are involved, but rather it is just a quick way to get ready for the race and get caught up on who has finished well at each track**

The Good

• Martin Truex Jr - Last year Martin threw down 150 laps lead on his way to an early season win at LVMS. He also was a runner up in 2015 and has yet to finish outside the top 15 with the No. 78.
• Brad Keselowski - BK has two wins in his nine LVMS starts which includes five straight top tens (four of those are top fives).
• Jimmie Johnson - JJ has four wins at LVMS, but his last was 2010. However, since 2010 he has four top tens, two of them are top fives, and all of them are 6th or better, in seven starts.

The Middle

• Joey Logano - JoLo is on the cusp of being in the "good" group, the only thing that eludes him is a win. In nine starts he has three top fives and five top tens (including four straight).

The Bad

• Kurt Busch - In Kurts last five races he has four finishes of 20th or worse. His lone bright spot was 2016 where he took the pole and finished 9th. 
• Clint Bowyer - Bowyer did have a top ten last year in his first season with SHR, but before that he had three top tens in 11 tries.
• Ricky Stenhouse Jr - Stenhouse Jr. has one top 15 and two top 20's in five races at LVMS. Not great. Lately he has been hampered by poor qualifying attempts 29th, 16th, and 31st in his last three.