Kobalt Tools 400
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
By Richard Tix
When NASCAR introduced the new low downforce package in 2015, everyone was excited. When it was confirmed that it would be the base 2016 package everywhere except Daytona and Talladega fans were ecstatic.
Last week the new package got it's first test of 2016 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. A fresh start and a step that most think it the right direction.
Well, it didn't fail to impress again. This time it was in a completely different way as the race had a very long green flag run to start (around 210 laps in fact). These types of runs are completely out of the control of the aero package and sometimes they happen in NASCAR. In my opinion they're a part of the strategy and therefor part of race. As I saw on twitter, some were not pleased with the long flag runs, but also hate the caution clock idea (lose lose here folks).
Because of the long run it gave fans, teams, and drivers the chance to show what the package could do. With 4 less cars and a lot less restarts, NASCAR had more green flag passes then in 2015. It didn't just show on paper, but on the TV as well (when TV caught the battles).
So, the new package is a hit with the drivers and many fans, what will it bring in its second appearance in 2016? We get to find out at LVMS where we have had seven straight races with a different winner.
**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
- Jimmie Johnson- JJ did most of his damage at LVMS from 2005-2010 where he won four of six Vegas races, but he still has been a tough finisher since. He has three top 10's in his last four races here.
- Matt Kenseth- Kenseth has three straight top 10's that included winning in 2013 at LVMS. He has also lead at least one lap in 12 of his 16 career starts that included three trips to Victory Lane.
- Carl Edwards- Carl is one of three drivers to have multiple LVMS wins (The other two are above, JJ and Kenseth). Last year he finished 42nd, but before that he had four straight starts where he finished in the top 5 including one win.
The Middle
- Kevin Harvick- Other than winning here last season, Vegas hasn't been one of Harvick's better tracks. That being said, he also isn't a poor runner here most times out (6 top 10's and 10 top 15's in 15 starts). The issue is that most of those were top 15's and not top 10's.
The Bad
- Aric Almirola- Double A has seven career Cup starts at Vegas and not one has resulted in a top 10. Even more concerning is that none of those resulted in a top 15 and only one resulted in a top 20.
- Kurt Busch- Home track advantage? Doesn't seem like a thing in NASCAR. At least not for Kurt Busch. He has one top 10 from 2006-2015 and only three top 20's in that same time (9 races).
- Clint Bowyer- Bowyer's last three finishes at LVMS have been ugly (21st, 23rd, and 27th). Not a single one of those is in the top 20 and loop data doesn't make it look that much better. In two of those races he ran in the top 15 less then 4% of the race.
About the Track
Track Stats
- In the last seven races we have had 7 different winners.
- In the last eight races Ford has won three, Chevy three, and Toyota two.
- Ford has 8 total wins at Vegas. Leading Chevy (7), Toyota (2), and Dodge (1)
- Jimmie Johnson has the most track wins here with 4 (3 straight from 2005-07)
- Only one driver has won from the Pole in 18 races. Kyle Busch in 2009
- 18 total Cup races have been run at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
- Dale Jarrett won the inaugural Pole. Mark Martin Won the inaugural race.
- Jimmie Johnson (4), Matt Kenseth (3), Jeff Burton (2), and Carl Edwards (2) are the only drivers to have multiple wins at LVMS. That's 11 wins of 18 races from only four drivers.
Track Info
- Surface
- Asphalt
- Length
- 1.5 miles
- Banking
- Turns- 12-20 degrees
Las
Vegas Motor Speedway
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Race
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Cars
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Winner(s)
|
St
|
Make / Model
|
1998-03
|
43
|
Mark Martin
|
7
|
Ford
|
1999-03
|
43
|
Jeff Burton
|
19
|
Ford
|
2000-03
|
43
|
Jeff Burton
|
11
|
Ford
|
2001-03
|
43
|
Jeff Gordon
|
24
|
Chevrolet
|
2002-03
|
43
|
Sterling Marlin
|
24
|
Dodge
|
2003-03
|
43
|
Matt Kenseth
|
17
|
Ford
|
2004-03
|
43
|
Matt Kenseth
|
25
|
Ford
|
2005-03
|
43
|
Jimmie Johnson
|
9
|
Chevrolet
|
2006-03
|
43
|
Jimmie Johnson
|
3
|
Chevrolet
|
2007-03
|
43
|
Jimmie Johnson
|
23
|
Chevrolet
|
2008-03
|
43
|
Carl Edwards
|
2
|
Ford
|
2009-03
|
43
|
Kyle Busch
|
1
|
Toyota
|
2010-03
|
43
|
Jimmie Johnson
|
20
|
Chevrolet
|
2011-03
|
43
|
Carl Edwards
|
3
|
Ford
|
2012-03
|
43
|
Tony Stewart
|
7
|
Chevrolet
|
2013-03
|
43
|
Matt Kenseth
|
18
|
Toyota
|
2014-03
|
43
|
Brad Keselowski
|
2
|
Ford
|
2015-03
|
43
|
Kevin Harvick
|
18
|
Chevrolet
|
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