Who’s Hitting the Hot Seat? Las Vegas Playoff Qualifying Line‑up Revealed
It’s that time of year again: the NASCAR Cup Series rolls into the neon‑lit desert for the Round of 8 showdown at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. After a grueling season, eight drivers are still in the hunt for the championship, and the weekend’s schedule is packed with practice, a single‑lap qualifying sprint, and the big race on Sunday.
Fans can tune in to truTV on Saturday evening when the cars line up for a one‑lap dash at 5:40 p.m. ET. But before the engines roar, teams will be out on the track at 4:30 p.m. ET for a brief practice session to fine‑tune their setups. The Sunday race is slated for a 5:30 p.m. ET start, broadcast across USA Network, HBO Max, PRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, and the NBC Sports app.
What makes this qualifying session a little different is the way the order is set. NASCAR uses a metric that blends each team’s finish in the previous race (weighing in at 70 %) with its current position in the owner points standings (the remaining 30 %). The result is a shuffled grid that rewards recent performance while still giving a nod to season‑long consistency.
How the Metric Works
Think of the metric as a weighted average. If a driver finished near the front in the last event, that result carries a lot of heft. Meanwhile, a strong points position can boost a driver who perhaps had a hiccup in the most recent race. The final score determines the driver’s spot in the qualifying order, with the highest scores taking the early slots.
All drivers are divided into two groups for the purpose of the run‑off. Group 1 gets the first 30 spots, while Group 2 fills out the remainder. This split helps keep the session moving and adds a dash of strategy – teams in Group 2 know exactly where they’ll line up once Group 1 is done.
Qualifying Order – Who’s First, Who’s Last?
Below is the full lineup, complete with car numbers, drivers, metric scores, and group assignments. Note that a “#” indicates a series rookie, “(i)” marks an ineligible driver for points, and “(P)” flags a playoff contender.
| Pos. | Car No. | Driver | Metric Score | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 44 | JJ Yeley (i) | 41.3 | 1 |
| 2 | 78 | Katherine Legge | 39.8 | 1 |
| 3 | 35 | Riley Herbst # | 36.4 | 1 |
| 4 | 51 | Cody Ware | 33.9 | 1 |
| 5 | 6 | Brad Keselowski | 30.5 | 1 |
| 6 | 8 | Kyle Busch | 30.4 | 1 |
| 7 | 4 | Noah Gragson | 29.8 | 1 |
| 8 | 2 | Austin Cindric | 29.4 | 1 |
| 9 | 10 | Ty Dillon | 28.5 | 1 |
| 10 | 43 | Erik Jones | 28.5 | 1 |
| 11 | 77 | Carson Hocevar | 27.2 | 1 |
| 12 | 7 | Justin Haley | 26.8 | 1 |
| 13 | 3 | Austin Dillon | 26.2 | 1 |
| 14 | 42 | John Hunter Nemechek | 26.0 | 1 |
| 15 | 41 | Cole Custer | 25.3 | 1 |
| 16 | 38 | Zane Smith | 24.9 | 1 |
| 17 | 47 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 22.3 | 1 |
| 18 | 34 | Todd Gilliland | 20.6 | 1 |
| 19 | 1 | Ross Chastain | 18.0 | 1 |
| 20 | 48 | Alex Bowman | 16.5 | 2 |
| 21 | 21 | Josh Berry | 16.0 | 2 |
| 22 | 54 | Ty Gibbs | 14.1 | 2 |
| 23 | 16 | AJ Allmendinger | 13.5 | 2 |
| 24 | 23 | Bubba Wallace | 13.5 | 2 |
| 25 | 99 | Daniel Suárez | 13.3 | 2 |
| 26 | 71 | Michael McDowell | 9.8 | 2 |
| 27 | 45 | Tyler Reddick | 9.7 | 2 |
| 28 | 60 | Ryan Preece | 9.6 | 2 |
| 29 | 17 | Chris Buescher | 7.9 | 2 |
| 30 | 88 | Shane van Gisbergen # | 4.3 | 2 |
| 31 | 22 | Joey Logano (P) | 16.4 | 2 |
| 32 | 11 | Denny Hamlin (P) | 16.4 | 2 |
| 33 | 19 | Chase Briscoe (P) | 11.9 | 2 |
| 34 | 12 | Ryan Blaney (P) | 9.7 | 2 |
| 35 | 24 | William Byron (P) | 8.9 | 2 |
| 36 | 9 | Chase Elliott (P) | 7.4 | 2 |
| 37 | 20 | Christopher Bell (P) | 3.6 | 2 |
| 38 | 5 | Kyle Larson (P) | 2.3 | 2 |
Notice the mix of veterans and rising stars. The top of the list is dominated by drivers who either finished strong in the previous race or sit high in the owner points table. Meanwhile, the playoff drivers – marked with a “(P)” – are spread throughout the grid, meaning they’ll need to fight for track position on race day.
What to Expect on Saturday
The practice window is short, just 30 minutes, but it’s enough time for crews to lock in a baseline setup. With the desert heat already kicking in, tire temperatures will be a factor, and teams will be watching how the asphalt behaves under a heavy load of cars.
When qualifying rolls around, each driver gets a single flying lap. No extra runs, no “second chances” – just one shot to nail a perfect lap. The format puts a premium on clean air and a flawless launch. Any mistake – a missed shift, a wobble in the corner – could shuffle a driver far back in the starting order.
Why This Matters for the Playoffs
In the Round of 8, every point counts. A strong finish can lock a driver into the Championship 4, while a poor result could send them home. Starting near the front at Las Vegas gives a clear advantage because the track’s long straightaways reward clean air and clean passes are harder to come by in traffic.
For the playoff hopefuls like Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, and Chase Elliott, the pressure is palpable. Even though they’re not at the very front of the qualifying order, they have the experience to make up ground quickly. On the other hand, drivers like Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell, who find themselves toward the back, will need to rely on aggressive strategies and perhaps a bit of luck with cautions.
Spotlight on a Few Notables
Katherine Legge – The British driver lands the second spot on the grid, a testament to her consistency and the strength of her team’s owner points. If she can translate that position into a solid run, she could be a dark horse in the playoff mix.
Riley Herbst # – As a series rookie, Herbst’s third‑place start is a huge confidence boost. Rookie status doesn’t mean inexperience; it just means he’s new to the Cup Series, and a front‑row start could set the tone for his debut season.
Brad Keselowski – The former champion is sitting fifth. While not a playoff driver this year, his presence adds a layer of competition for the non‑playoff spots, and he’ll be looking to prove he still has the speed.
Shane van Gisbergen # – The New Zealander caps the list at 30 with a modest metric score. He’ll be looking to make a splash, perhaps by catching a draft and moving up the pack during the race.
What the Fans Can Do
If you’re planning to watch from home, set your DVR for the 5:40 p.m. ET qualifying slot on truTV, then stay tuned for the Sunday race at 5:30 p.m. ET. The broadcast will also be streaming on USA Network’s online platform and HBO Max, so you can catch every high‑speed moment whether you’re on the couch or on the go.
For those lucky enough to be in Las Vegas, the city’s nightlife pairs perfectly with the roar of engines. Grab a seat in the grandstands, sip on a cold drink, and watch as the drivers line up under the bright lights. The desert backdrop, with its towering palm trees and the occasional neon billboard, makes for a unique racing atmosphere.
Final Thoughts
With the qualifying order locked, the stage is set for a weekend of high drama. The metric‑driven lineup promises a blend of speed, strategy, and a little bit of luck. Whether you’re rooting for a seasoned champion or a fresh rookie, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway will deliver the kind of nail‑biting action that defines NASCAR’s playoff season.
So, keep your eyes on the clock, your hands on the remote, and get ready for some serious horsepower. The road to the championship is winding, and every turn at Las Vegas could be the one that decides who’s still in the hunt.
