NASCAR Will Decide South Point 400 Grid This Saturday
The Cup Series field competes at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with qualifying set for Saturday at 5:35 p.m. ET.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Motorsports
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NASCAR heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend for the South Point 400, where drivers will tackle the 1.5-mile D-shaped oval on Sunday. Playoff contenders Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin enter the race occupying the final two qualifying slots.
Why it matters
The race serves as a pivotal stage in the Chase standings, with Larson currently holding a 26-point lead over Hamlin. NASCAR has mandated that the final qualifying positions be reserved for playoff drivers to maintain the integrity of the championship battle.
The weekend features a $11,233,037 purse across the field of 36 cars. The final grid for the 267-lap, 400.5-mile race remains unresolved until Saturday's qualifying.
The players
Kyle Larson
A playoff driver who leads the Chase standings.
Denny Hamlin
A playoff driver currently trailing Larson by 26 points.
NASCAR
The sanctioning body managing the qualifying procedures and race event.
The details
Drivers will run individual timed laps to set the starting order, with non-playoff participants hitting the track before the 16 playoff drivers. If a washout occurs, NASCAR will pivot to a performance formula based 70 percent on the previous race finish and 30 percent on owner points rank to set the grid. The race officially begins Sunday at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Timeline
Saturday: Qualifying session starts at 5:35 p.m. ET.
Sunday: The South Point 400 race starts at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Beyond the Strip
This race follows a season-long trend defined by the cancellation of eight Cup qualifying sessions on oval tracks. The weekend format highlights the regulatory priority NASCAR places on securing track time for playoff contenders.
Traffic around the Las Vegas Motor Speedway will increase significantly during the Saturday qualifying and Sunday race windows. Residents should plan for congestion on I-15 as crowds head to the 1.5-mile track for the event.
The takeaway
Qualifying sessions prioritize playoff drivers to ensure championship parity at this 1.5-mile oval. Check the latest track weather updates before heading to the venue on Saturday.
What happens next
Fans should monitor weather reports, as a washout would trigger a pre-determined formula to set the grid instead of an in-person qualifying session.
Further reading
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