{"id":7573,"date":"2017-03-11T13:06:46","date_gmt":"2017-03-11T19:06:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=7573"},"modified":"2017-03-11T13:06:46","modified_gmt":"2017-03-11T19:06:46","slug":"nascar-las-vegas-preview-news-notes-photos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/11\/nascar-las-vegas-preview-news-notes-photos\/","title":{"rendered":"NASCAR Las Vegas preview &#8211; news, notes, photos"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_7578\" style=\"width: 635px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7578\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/11\/nascar-las-vegas-preview-news-notes-photos\/monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-kobalt-400-practice-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_HaulerMonster_03102017-e1489257396622.jpg?fit=625%2C417&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"625,417\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS-1D X Mark II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10:  A logo for the NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series is seen during practice for Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1489154280&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2017 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;11&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;50&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.004&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 - Practice&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 &amp;#8211; Practice\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;A logo for the NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series is seen during practice for Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_HaulerMonster_03102017-e1489257396622.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_HaulerMonster_03102017-e1489257396622.jpg?fit=640%2C427&amp;ssl=1\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7578\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7578\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_HaulerMonster_03102017-e1489257396622.jpg?resize=625%2C417\" alt=\"\" width=\"625\" height=\"417\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-7578\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A logo for the NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series is seen during practice for Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Next Race: Kobalt 400<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Place: Las Vegas Motor Speedway<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Date: Sunday, March 12<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Time: 3:30 p.m. ET<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>TV: FOX, 3:30 p.m. ET<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Distance: 400.5 miles (267 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on lap 80),<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Stage 2 (Ends on lap 160), Final Stage (Ends on lap 267)<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><strong><em>Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Grand Theft Auto: Keselowski Steals Win At Atlanta, Goes For Second Straight Victory At Las Vegas<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Brad Keselowski took advantage of Kevin Harvick\u2019s late speeding penalty by passing Kyle Larson with six laps left to win last Sunday\u2019s Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_7583\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7583\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/11\/nascar-las-vegas-preview-news-notes-photos\/monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-kobalt-400-practice-7\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_No2car_03102017.jpg?fit=5256%2C3504&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"5256,3504\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS-1D X Mark II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10:  Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford, practices for the NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1489155960&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2017 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;500&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0004&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 - Practice&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 &amp;#8211; Practice\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford, practices for the NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_No2car_03102017.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_No2car_03102017.jpg?fit=640%2C427&amp;ssl=1\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7583\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-7583\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_No2car_03102017.jpg?resize=300%2C200\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_No2car_03102017.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_No2car_03102017.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_No2car_03102017.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_No2car_03102017.jpg?resize=284%2C190&amp;ssl=1 284w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_No2car_03102017.jpg?resize=99%2C66&amp;ssl=1 99w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_No2car_03102017.jpg?w=2000 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_No2car_03102017.jpg?w=3000 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-7583\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford, practices for the NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The victory extends Keselowski\u2019s streak of seasons with at least one win to seven. The No. 2 Ford driver ranks third in the points standings (six markers behind Harvick) as the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Kobalt 400 (3:30 p.m. ET on FOX).<\/p>\n<p>Keselowski is the defending race winner in Sin City. He took the checkered flag there last year in a highly competitive contest in which five different drivers led 24 or more laps \u2013 Keselowski, first-place, 24 laps led; Joey Logano, second, 74; Jimmie Johnson, third, 76; Kyle Busch, fourth, 38; Kurt Busch ninth, 31.<\/p>\n<p>Keselowski has won two of the last three races at Las Vegas. In eight starts there, he claims two victories, three top fives and 10 top 10s.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Kids Are Alright: NASCAR Youth Movement In Full Force Through First Two Race<\/strong>s<\/p>\n<p>The \u201cyoung guns\u201d in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series have proved they can battle with the veterans for wins through the first two races, even though they haven\u2019t been able to close the deal yet.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_7575\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7575\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/11\/nascar-las-vegas-preview-news-notes-photos\/nascar-monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-kobalt-400-practice\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_ADillon_03102017-e1489259102748.jpg?fit=625%2C417&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"625,417\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS-1D X Mark II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10:  Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Lucas Oil Chevrolet, sits in his car during practice for the NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1489154280&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2017 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;11&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1000&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 - Practice&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 &amp;#8211; Practice\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Lucas Oil Chevrolet, sits in his car during practice for the NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_ADillon_03102017-e1489259102748.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_ADillon_03102017-e1489259102748.jpg?fit=640%2C427&amp;ssl=1\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7575\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-7575\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_ADillon_03102017.jpg?resize=300%2C200\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-7575\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Lucas Oil Chevrolet, sits in his car during practice for the NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Chase Elliott, 21, led the DAYTONA 500 with three laps remaining, while Kyle Larson, 24, ran the point in The Great American Race with one lap left before he was passed by race-winner Kurt Busch.<\/p>\n<p>Last week at Atlanta was similar, with Larson leading with six laps to go before he was passed by race-winner Brad Keselowski.<\/p>\n<p>Through the first two races, five drivers in the top-10 in the points standings are 26 or younger: 4. Chase Elliott (21 years old, 8 points behind Kevin Harvick, 14th at Daytona with 39 laps led, fifth at Atlanta), 5. Joey Logano (26 years old, -10, sixth at Daytona with 16 laps led, sixth at Atlanta) 6. Kyle Larson (24 years old, -11, 12th at Daytona with 16 laps led, second at Atlanta with seven laps led), 8. Ryan Blaney (23 years old, -27, second at Daytona with two laps led, 18th at Atlanta), 10. Trevor Bayne (26 years old, -32, 10th at Daytona, 12th at Atlanta).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ford Strong Out Of The Gate<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Ford has come out in full force to start the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season. The first two winners of the season drive Fords \u2013 Kurt Busch and Brad Keselowski. Also, four of the top five drivers in the points standings through the first two races wheel Fords \u2013 1. Kevin Harvick; 2. Kurt Busch; 3. Brad Keselowski; 5. Joey Logano.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_7586\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7586\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/11\/nascar-las-vegas-preview-news-notes-photos\/monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-kobalt-400-qualifying\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_PoleWinnerBKeselowski_03102017.jpg?fit=4080%2C2720&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4080,2720\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS-1D X&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10:  Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford, poses with the Coors Light Pole Award after qualifying in the pole position for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1489176180&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2017 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;63&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;2500&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.004&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 - Qualifying&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 &amp;#8211; Qualifying\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford, poses with the Coors Light Pole Award after qualifying in the pole position for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_PoleWinnerBKeselowski_03102017.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_PoleWinnerBKeselowski_03102017.jpg?fit=640%2C427&amp;ssl=1\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7586\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-7586\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_PoleWinnerBKeselowski_03102017.jpg?resize=300%2C200\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_PoleWinnerBKeselowski_03102017.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_PoleWinnerBKeselowski_03102017.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_PoleWinnerBKeselowski_03102017.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_PoleWinnerBKeselowski_03102017.jpg?resize=284%2C190&amp;ssl=1 284w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_PoleWinnerBKeselowski_03102017.jpg?resize=99%2C66&amp;ssl=1 99w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_PoleWinnerBKeselowski_03102017.jpg?w=2000 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_PoleWinnerBKeselowski_03102017.jpg?w=3000 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-7586\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford, poses with the Coors Light Pole Award after qualifying in the pole position for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Kyle Busch (Toyota) is the only non-Ford driver who has won a stage so far. He took Stage 1 in the DAYTONA 500.<\/p>\n<p>Kevin Harvick, whose Stewart-Haas Racing team switched to Ford in the offseason, has won the other three stages.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut it was good from a Ford perspective, when you see two or three or four cars in the top five or six, you know how strong the Toyotas have been and the Chevys have been,\u201d Roger Penske said following the Atlanta race. \u201cThis gives us at least a chance to say we&#8217;re on par with these guys. Now with a couple of wins I&#8217;d have to say we might be an inch or two ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Harvick Heads Point Standings After Leading Most Laps In Each Of The First Two Races<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Kevin Harvick must be a fan of NASCAR\u2019s race enhancements \u2013 particularly the stages. Despite finishing 22nd at Daytona and ninth at Atlanta, he leads the point standings (four points ahead of second-place Kurt Busch) due to his dominance in the two races. Harvick has won three stages and led the most laps in each of the first two races, with 50 circuits led at Daytona and 292 at Atlanta.<\/p>\n<p>As a result of his three stage wins, the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing driver boasts three playoff points.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t be surprised to see Harvick enjoy the stages even more as the year goes on. Since 2014, he has led 6,157 laps \u2013 2,861 go-arounds more than the next closest driver (Brad Keselowski, 3,296). Joey Logano has led the third-most laps (3,143) over that time span. He\u2019s followed by Jimmie Johnson (2,613) and Kyle Busch (2,586).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Larson Looking For First Victory Of 2017<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Once Kyle Larson figures out how to close races, the wins look like they\u2019ll start to pile up for the 24-year-old Californian.<\/p>\n<p>Larson has come up just short of winning in each of his last three races. In last year\u2019s season-finale at Homestead, the No. 42 Chevrolet driver led until Jimmie Johnson blew past him on the final restart to win the race. In the first two races this season, he was passed for the lead by Kurt Busch on the final lap at Daytona and Brad Keselowski with six laps remaining at Atlanta.<\/p>\n<p>In his last five races, Larson has finished third (Phoenix), second (Homestead), 12th (Daytona) and second (Atlanta) for an average showing of 4.75 \u2013 second to Joey Logano (4.25).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, Etc.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Fogerty of Creedance Clearwater Revival To Serve As Grand Marshal<\/em>&nbsp;\u2013 Rock&nbsp;and Roll Hall of Famer John Fogerty \u2013 the leader of Creedance Clearwater Revival \u2013 will serve as grand marshal for Sunday\u2019s Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Headed out after my shows at the Wynn to NASCAR. Rock and Roll and fast cars&#8230; ain&#8217;t nothin&#8217; better,&#8221; Fogerty said.<\/p>\n<p><em>Home Sweet Home<\/em>&nbsp;\u2013 It\u2019s homecoming weekend for Kyle (No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) and Kurt (No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford) Busch when they race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The brothers got their start in racing at the Bullring, located right next door to the big track. Kyle has one Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win at LVMS (2009), while Kurt is still looking to land in Victory Lane at Las Vegas.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>NASCAR XFINITY Series<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Back On Top: JR Motorsport\u2019s Elliott Sadler Is New Points Leader<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Just two races into the 2017 season, Elliott Sadler has launched himself into the standings lead by three points over Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate and JR Motorsports teammate William Byron as the NASCAR XFINITY Series heads to Las Vegas for the Boyd Gaming 300 on Saturday, March 11 at 4 p.m. ET (FS1, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_7587\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7587\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/11\/nascar-las-vegas-preview-news-notes-photos\/nascar-xfinity-series-boyd-gaming-300-practice\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_ElliottSadler_03102017.jpg?fit=5184%2C3456&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"5184,3456\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.2&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS-1D X&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10:  Elliott Sadler, driver of the #1 OneMain Financial Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Boyd Gaming 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1489158540&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2017 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1000&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0002&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;NASCAR XFINITY Series Boyd Gaming 300 - Practice&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"NASCAR XFINITY Series Boyd Gaming 300 &amp;#8211; Practice\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Elliott Sadler, driver of the #1 OneMain Financial Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Boyd Gaming 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_ElliottSadler_03102017.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_ElliottSadler_03102017.jpg?fit=640%2C427&amp;ssl=1\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7587\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-7587\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_ElliottSadler_03102017.jpg?resize=300%2C200\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_ElliottSadler_03102017.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_ElliottSadler_03102017.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_ElliottSadler_03102017.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_ElliottSadler_03102017.jpg?resize=284%2C190&amp;ssl=1 284w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_ElliottSadler_03102017.jpg?resize=99%2C66&amp;ssl=1 99w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_ElliottSadler_03102017.jpg?w=2000 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_ElliottSadler_03102017.jpg?w=3000 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-7587\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Elliott Sadler, driver of the #1 OneMain Financial Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Boyd Gaming 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Sadler led the XFINITY points standings following 14 races last season; which should make it no surprise the veteran from Virginia is back on top. Sadler dominated the season-opener at Daytona two weeks ago, leading 40 laps and winning the first two stages, but was caught in a late-race incident that relegated him to a 24th-place finish. Under the new enhanced format, Sadler was able to gather valuable points during the first two stages; plus, he accumulated two playoff points.&nbsp; This past weekend at Atlanta, Sadler drove from a 22nd starting position to finish fifth, garnering enough points to take the series lead.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Sadler\u2019s points lead isn\u2019t astronomical, so he will have his work cut out for him this weekend at Las Vegas if he wants hold off second-place William Byron (-3), third-place Ryan Reed (-4) and fourth-place Brendan Gaughan (-8) from the standings lead.&nbsp; Sadler has made 10 series starts at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, posting two top fives, four top 10s and an average finish of 11.9. He finished eighth at LVMS last season.<\/p>\n<p>Sadler\u2019s early 2017 success is a direct result of his performance on track. Currently, Sadler leads or is near the top of several season-to-date loop data categories following the first two races of the season \u2013 Average Running Position (6.401, second-best); Driver Rating (102.5, third-best); Laps In The Top 15 (260, third-best) and Laps Led (40, third-best) \u2013 in each of the listed loop categories Sadler is the highest ranked NXS championship contender.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Veterans Vs. Young Guns: Average Age Keeps Trending Towards The Youngsters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you were to look at the ages of the drivers in the top 10 in points following Atlanta, you would see it is a mixed bag of veterans and young guns. The current average age of the drivers in the top 10 in the NASCAR XFINITY Series standings following Atlanta is&nbsp;27.3&nbsp;&#8211; with six of the 10 drivers at or under the age of 25.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_7588\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7588\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/11\/nascar-las-vegas-preview-news-notes-photos\/nascar-xfinity-series-boyd-gaming-300-practice-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_JustinAllgaier_03102017.jpg?fit=5184%2C3456&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"5184,3456\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.2&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS-1D X&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10:  Justin Allgaier, driver of the #7 Brandt Professional Agriculture Chevrolet, prepares to practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Boyd Gaming 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1489158540&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2017 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;150&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;2000&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0005&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;NASCAR XFINITY Series Boyd Gaming 300 - Practice&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"NASCAR XFINITY Series Boyd Gaming 300 &amp;#8211; Practice\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Justin Allgaier, driver of the #7 Brandt Professional Agriculture Chevrolet, prepares to practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Boyd Gaming 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_JustinAllgaier_03102017.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_JustinAllgaier_03102017.jpg?fit=640%2C427&amp;ssl=1\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7588\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-7588\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_JustinAllgaier_03102017.jpg?resize=300%2C200\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_JustinAllgaier_03102017.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_JustinAllgaier_03102017.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_JustinAllgaier_03102017.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_JustinAllgaier_03102017.jpg?resize=284%2C190&amp;ssl=1 284w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_JustinAllgaier_03102017.jpg?resize=99%2C66&amp;ssl=1 99w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_JustinAllgaier_03102017.jpg?w=2000 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_JustinAllgaier_03102017.jpg?w=3000 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-7588\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Justin Allgaier, driver of the #7 Brandt Professional Agriculture Chevrolet, prepares to practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Boyd Gaming 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>27 years ago, seven of the top 10 in NXS points following Atlanta weren\u2019t even born yet. It was 1990, and boy have times changed since then. The biggest movie that year was Home Alone, most popular TV show was CHEERS, and Portland, Oregon, native Chuck Bown at the age of 36 years old was the NASCAR XFINITY Series champion.<\/p>\n<p>The average age inside the top 10 in points has gradually moved more to the younger age drivers over the years. Especially in comparison to 1990, when the average age of the drivers inside the top 10 in final standings was 37.0, with the youngest driver Bobby Labonte at 26 years old.<\/p>\n<p>Fast forward to the present, and the NASCAR XFINITY Series has definitely set itself up as the series \u201cwhere names are made\u201d with the youth movement making a mark. Of the current top 10 in the driver standings Elliott Sadler and Brendan Gaughan are the elder statesmen at 41 years of age. The other eight drivers are not older than 30; with William Byron, the youngest competitor, at the age of 19.<\/p>\n<p>Over the last 15 seasons the average age of the drivers inside the top 10 in points at the end of the season has trended towards the younger end of the spectrum by on average seven years (2002, 33.0 and 2016, 26.6). the average age hasn\u2019t been above 30 since 2009.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Playoff Outlook: Following Race No. 2 &#8211; Atlanta<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Just because we have only had two NASCAR XFINITY Series races this season doesn\u2019t mean we can\u2019t already start looking at the post-season and who, as of right now, would be included in the playoffs. Of the 12 drivers currently eligible for the 2017 playoffs, only four of them competed in last season\u2019s playoffs \u2013 Ryan Reed, Elliott Sadler, Brendan Gaughan and Brennan Poole. Eight different organizations are currently represented by the drivers that are eligible for 2017 NASCAR XFINITY Series playoffs following the race at Atlanta.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_7589\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7589\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/11\/nascar-las-vegas-preview-news-notes-photos\/nascar-xfinity-series-boyd-gaming-300-practice-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_RyanReed_03102017.jpg?fit=4565%2C3043&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4565,3043\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS-1D X&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10:  Ryan Reed, driver of the #16 Lilly Diabetes Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Boyd Gaming 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1489158480&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2017 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;80&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1000&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;NASCAR XFINITY Series Boyd Gaming 300 - Practice&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"NASCAR XFINITY Series Boyd Gaming 300 &amp;#8211; Practice\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Ryan Reed, driver of the #16 Lilly Diabetes Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Boyd Gaming 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_RyanReed_03102017.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_RyanReed_03102017.jpg?fit=640%2C427&amp;ssl=1\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7589\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-7589\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_RyanReed_03102017.jpg?resize=300%2C200\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_RyanReed_03102017.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_RyanReed_03102017.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_RyanReed_03102017.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_RyanReed_03102017.jpg?resize=284%2C190&amp;ssl=1 284w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_RyanReed_03102017.jpg?resize=99%2C66&amp;ssl=1 99w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_RyanReed_03102017.jpg?w=2000 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/NXS_LVMS_RyanReed_03102017.jpg?w=3000 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-7589\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ryan Reed, driver of the #16 Lilly Diabetes Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Boyd Gaming 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Below is a quick look at the top five seeded drivers if the playoffs were to start this weekend:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Ryan Reed \u2013 No. 16 Roush Fenway Racing Ford Mustang&nbsp;\u2013 Currently holds #1 seed due his win at Daytona. The Bakersfield, California native has five playoff points (series-most) and has an average finish of 9.5 in his first two 2017 starts. Reed, at the age of 23, will be making his fourth series start at Las Vegas this weekend. In his previous three starts at LVMS, he posted an average finish of 14.3 (sixth-best among championship contenders).&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>Elliott Sadler \u2013 No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro&nbsp;\u2013 Sadler currently holds the points lead, but would be seeded second in the playoffs due to his lack of wins. The Emporia, Virginia, native has been strong this season, winning the first two stages at Daytona (collecting two playoff points) and posting a top-five finish last weekend at Atlanta.&nbsp; Sadler has made 10 series starts at Las Vegas, posting four top 10s and an average finish of 11.9.<\/li>\n<li>William Byron \u2013 No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro&nbsp;\u2013 Currently the hottest rookie in the 2017 Sunoco Rookie class, Byron has posted back-to-back top-10 finishes to start the season. While this weekend will be the Charlotte, North Carolina, native\u2019s NASCAR XFINITY Series track debut at Las Vegas, Byron did make a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start at LVMS last season where he finished fifth.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>Brendan Gaughan \u2013 No. 62 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Camaro&nbsp;\u2013 Veteran RCR driver Brandan Gaughan has kicked 2017 off with two strong starts, posting a top five and an average finish of 9.0. Returning to Las Vegas this weekend, his hometown, Gaughan will be making his seventh career start at LVMS.&nbsp; The 41-year old, in his six previous starts at Las Vegas, has amassed one top five and four top 10s. His average finish at the 1.5-mile speedway is a 9.5 (third-best among championship contenders).<\/li>\n<li>Matt Tifft \u2013 No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry&nbsp;\u2013 Tifft is one of three Sunoco Rookies this season currently eligible for the NASCAR XFINITY Series playoffs. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver from Hinckley, Ohio, has posted an average finish of 11.5 in his first two 2017 starts. The 20-year old will be making his NASCAR XFINITY Series career track debut this weekend at Las Vegas.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>One For One: Busch Making Most Of His Starts In 2017<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The lion\u2019s share of Joe Gibbs Racing\u2019s NASCAR XFINITY Series success can be attributed to the winning ways of Kyle Busch. With a series-leading 87 wins, including last weekend\u2019s race at Atlanta, his career winning percentage is now an astounding 26.4% (series-best). Busch is scheduled to run just 10 races in the NASCAR XFINITY Series in 2017 and he plans to win them all.<\/p>\n<p>Busch will be back in the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry this weekend at his hometown track &#8211; Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Busch has made 12 starts at Las Vegas, posting one win (2016), four top fives and an average finish of 16.8. He has finished runner-up or better in his last three starts at LVMS.<\/p>\n<p><strong>NASCAR XFINITY Series Etc.:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Nevada Natives<\/em>&nbsp;\u2013 Three drivers entered this weekend have their home state recorded as Nevada \u2013 Kyle Busch (Las Vegas), Brendan Gaughan (Las Vegas) and Spencer Gallagher (Las Vegas). \u2026<\/p>\n<p><em>Possibility Of New Vegas Winner Is High<\/em>&nbsp;\u2013 Only four former NXS Las Vegas winners are entered this weekend &#8211; Kyle Busch (2016), Austin Dillon (2015), Brad Keselowski (2014) and Jeff Green (1997) \u2013 just 10% of the field; giving the other 90% a chance to become a new winner at LVMS. \u2026<\/p>\n<p><em>Wins From The Pole<\/em>&nbsp;\u2013 The last two NASCAR XFINITY Series races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway have been won from the pole. A total of 198 races in NASCAR XFINITY Series history have been won from the pole. Since the inception of the NASCAR XFINITY Series in 1982, seven tracks have hosted three or more consecutive races won from the pole, led by New Hampshire; where the last fives races have been won from the first starting position. If a driver wins this weekend at LVMS from the pole, the track will become the eighth different track with three consecutive races won from the pole. The other seven tracks are Auto Club (2008-2010); Hickory (all three in 1983); Kentucky (2008-2010); Martinsville (1982-1983); New Hampshire (2012-2016); Phoenix (2012-2013) and Rougemont (1986-1987). \u2026<\/p>\n<p><em>NXS Milestones<\/em>&nbsp;\u2013 Elliott Sadler will be making his 332nd start this weekend at Las Vegas which will tie him with Todd Bodine for the 15th on the series all-time starts list. \u2026 David Starr will attempt to make his 100th NASCAR XFINITY Series start this weekend at Las Vegas. If qualifies for the event, he will be the 130th different driver in series history to make 100 or more starts. \u2026 Darrell Wallace Jr. will attempt to make his 75th career NASCAR XFINITY Series start this weekend at Las Vegas.<\/p>\n<p><em>Double Duty<\/em>&nbsp;\u2013 Austin Dillon, Ty Dillon, Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, Daniel Suarez, Kyle Larson and Aric Almirola are all scheduled to compete in both the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR XFINITY Series events this weekend at Las Vegas.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>News, notes and photos courtesy of NASCAR<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_7582\" style=\"width: 635px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7582\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/11\/nascar-las-vegas-preview-news-notes-photos\/mobil-1-with-kevin-harvick-and-dikembe-mutumbo\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_MutumboHelton_03102017-e1489258729336.jpg?fit=625%2C428&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"625,428\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;7.1&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS-1D X&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10:  NBA Legend Dikembe Mutumbo meets with NASCAR Vice Chairman Mike Helton in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Mutumbo was visiting Las Vegas Motor Speedway as a guest of Mobil 1 Annual Protection motor oil.  (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1489158300&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2017 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;23&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1250&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.001&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Mobil 1 with Kevin Harvick and Dikembe Mutumbo&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mobil 1 with Kevin Harvick and Dikembe Mutumbo\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;NBA Legend Dikembe Mutumbo meets with NASCAR Vice Chairman Mike Helton in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Mutumbo was visiting Las Vegas Motor Speedway as a guest of Mobil 1 Annual Protection motor oil.  (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_MutumboHelton_03102017-e1489258729336.jpg?fit=300%2C206&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_MutumboHelton_03102017-e1489258729336.jpg?fit=640%2C439&amp;ssl=1\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7582\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7582\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_MutumboHelton_03102017-e1489258729336.jpg?resize=625%2C428\" alt=\"\" width=\"625\" height=\"428\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-7582\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">NBA Legend Dikembe Mutumbo meets with NASCAR Vice Chairman Mike Helton in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mutumbo was visiting Las Vegas Motor Speedway as a guest of Mobil 1 Annual Protection motor oil. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_7585\" style=\"width: 635px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7585\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/11\/nascar-las-vegas-preview-news-notes-photos\/nascar-monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-kobalt-400-practice-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_No88carGarage_03102017-e1489258824673.jpg?fit=625%2C417&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"625,417\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;16&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS-1D X&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10:  Dale Earnhardt Jr. drives the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet through the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1489155660&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2017 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;28&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 - Practice&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 &amp;#8211; Practice\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Dale Earnhardt Jr. drives the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet through the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_No88carGarage_03102017-e1489258824673.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_No88carGarage_03102017-e1489258824673.jpg?fit=640%2C427&amp;ssl=1\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7585\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7585\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_No88carGarage_03102017-e1489258824673.jpg?resize=625%2C417\" alt=\"\" width=\"625\" height=\"417\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-7585\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dale Earnhardt Jr. drives the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet through the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_7584\" style=\"width: 635px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7584\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/11\/nascar-las-vegas-preview-news-notes-photos\/monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-kobalt-400-practice-8\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_No41MonsterFord_03102017-e1489258876656.jpg?fit=625%2C938&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"625,938\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.2&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS-1D X Mark II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10:  Kurt Busch drives the #41 Monster Energy\/Haas Automation Ford through the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1489156620&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2017 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;70&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00015625&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 - Practice&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 &amp;#8211; Practice\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Kurt Busch drives the #41 Monster Energy\/Haas Automation Ford through the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_No41MonsterFord_03102017-e1489258876656.jpg?fit=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_No41MonsterFord_03102017-e1489258876656.jpg?fit=427%2C640&amp;ssl=1\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7584\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7584\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_No41MonsterFord_03102017-e1489258876656.jpg?resize=625%2C938\" alt=\"\" width=\"625\" height=\"938\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-7584\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kurt Busch drives the #41 Monster Energy\/Haas Automation Ford through the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_7581\" style=\"width: 635px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7581\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/11\/nascar-las-vegas-preview-news-notes-photos\/monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-kobalt-400-practice-6\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_KyBuschCar_03102017-e1489258912200.jpg?fit=625%2C425&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"625,425\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS-1D X Mark II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10:  The #18 M\\u0026amp;M&#039;s Toyota sits in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1489154280&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2017 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;11&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.002&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 - Practice&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 &amp;#8211; Practice\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;The #18 M&amp;amp;M&amp;#8217;s Toyota sits in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_KyBuschCar_03102017-e1489258912200.jpg?fit=300%2C204&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_KyBuschCar_03102017-e1489258912200.jpg?fit=640%2C436&amp;ssl=1\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7581\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7581\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_KyBuschCar_03102017-e1489258912200.jpg?resize=625%2C425\" alt=\"\" width=\"625\" height=\"425\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-7581\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The #18 M&amp;M&#8217;s Toyota sits in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_7580\" style=\"width: 635px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7580\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/11\/nascar-las-vegas-preview-news-notes-photos\/monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-kobalt-400-practice-5\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_JohnsonKnaus_03102017-e1489258946214.jpg?fit=625%2C417&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"625,417\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS-1D X Mark II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10:  Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Kobalt Chevrolet, talks with crew chief Chad Knaus during practice for the NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1489156620&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2017 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;142&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.004&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 - Practice&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 &amp;#8211; Practice\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Kobalt Chevrolet, talks with crew chief Chad Knaus during practice for the NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_JohnsonKnaus_03102017-e1489258946214.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_JohnsonKnaus_03102017-e1489258946214.jpg?fit=640%2C427&amp;ssl=1\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7580\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7580\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_JohnsonKnaus_03102017-e1489258946214.jpg?resize=625%2C417\" alt=\"\" width=\"625\" height=\"417\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-7580\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Kobalt Chevrolet, talks with crew chief Chad Knaus during practice for the NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_7579\" style=\"width: 635px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7579\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/11\/nascar-las-vegas-preview-news-notes-photos\/monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-kobalt-400-practice-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_JLogano_03102017-e1489258990118.jpg?fit=625%2C417&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"625,417\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS-1D X Mark II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10:  Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Pennzoil Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1489154460&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2017 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;320&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 - Practice&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 &amp;#8211; Practice\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Pennzoil Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_JLogano_03102017-e1489258990118.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_JLogano_03102017-e1489258990118.jpg?fit=640%2C427&amp;ssl=1\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7579\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7579\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_JLogano_03102017-e1489258990118.jpg?resize=625%2C417\" alt=\"\" width=\"625\" height=\"417\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-7579\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Pennzoil Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_7577\" style=\"width: 635px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7577\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/11\/nascar-las-vegas-preview-news-notes-photos\/monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-kobalt-400-practice-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_DSuarez_03102017-e1489259031445.jpg?fit=625%2C417&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"625,417\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS-1D X Mark II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10:  Daniel Suarez, driver of the #19 ARRIS Toyota, sits in his car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1489154280&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2017 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;11&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.003125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 - Practice&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 &amp;#8211; Practice\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Daniel Suarez, driver of the #19 ARRIS Toyota, sits in his car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_DSuarez_03102017-e1489259031445.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_DSuarez_03102017-e1489259031445.jpg?fit=640%2C427&amp;ssl=1\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7577\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7577\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_DSuarez_03102017-e1489259031445.jpg?resize=625%2C417\" alt=\"\" width=\"625\" height=\"417\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-7577\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Daniel Suarez, driver of the #19 ARRIS Toyota, sits in his car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_7576\" style=\"width: 635px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"7576\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/11\/nascar-las-vegas-preview-news-notes-photos\/monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-kobalt-400-practice\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/mencs_lvms_dpatrick_03102017-e1489259067949.jpg?fit=625%2C417&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"625,417\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Getty Images&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS-1D X&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10:  Danica Patrick, driver of the #10 Aspen Dental Ford, sits in her car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1489155600&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;2017 Getty Images&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;123&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1000&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.002&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 - Practice&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 &amp;#8211; Practice\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Danica Patrick, driver of the #10 Aspen Dental Ford, sits in her car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/mencs_lvms_dpatrick_03102017-e1489259067949.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/mencs_lvms_dpatrick_03102017-e1489259067949.jpg?fit=640%2C427&amp;ssl=1\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7576\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7576\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/mencs_lvms_dpatrick_03102017-e1489259067949.jpg?resize=625%2C417\" alt=\"\" width=\"625\" height=\"417\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-7576\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Danica Patrick, driver of the #10 Aspen Dental Ford, sits in her car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Next Race: Kobalt 400 The Place: Las Vegas Motor Speedway The Date: Sunday, March 12 The Time: 3:30 p.m. ET TV: FOX, 3:30 p.m. ET Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Distance: 400.5 miles (267 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on lap 80), Stage 2 (Ends on lap 160), Final Stage [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7578,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[67,16],"class_list":["post-7573","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-las-vegas-motor-speedway","tag-nascar"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/MENCS_LVMS_HaulerMonster_03102017-e1489257396622.jpg?fit=625%2C417&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-1Y9","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7573","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7573"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7573\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7590,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7573\/revisions\/7590"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7578"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7573"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7573"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7573"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}