NASCAR Cup - Las Vegas II

The Las Vegas II NASCAR Cup Series race, officially known as the South Point 400, takes place at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Nevada. This nascar-cup event features the premier drivers and teams in stock car racing competing on one of the sport's most popular intermediate tracks. The race covers approximately 400 miles across 267 laps on the 1.5-mile tri-oval circuit.

About the South Point 400

The South Point 400 brings NASCAR Cup Series competition to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for this fall race. The event runs 267 laps around the 1.5-mile track, totaling 400.5 miles of racing. The race follows a three-stage format common to intermediate track events. Stage 1 and Stage 2 typically run 80 laps each, while the final stage extends to 107 laps, creating multiple strategic opportunities throughout the competition.

The Las Vegas II race showcases the full field of NASCAR Cup Series competitors, with approximately 36-40 entries from the sport's top teams. Major organizations like Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Team Penske, and Stewart-Haas Racing field cars representing Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota manufacturers.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Las Vegas Motor Speedway sits in Clark County, Nevada, roughly 15 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. The facility spans over 1,200 acres and serves as a comprehensive motorsports complex. The main oval is a 1.5-mile asphalt tri-oval with distinctive progressive banking in the turns.

Track Configuration

The turns feature progressive banking that ranges from 12 degrees near the apron to 20 degrees at the top of the track. The frontstretch and backstretch have banking between 9 and 12 degrees. This progressive banking creates multiple racing grooves, allowing drivers to race side-by-side and find different lines around the track. The track's current seating capacity stands at 80,000.

The facility includes permanent lighting installed in 2011, enabling night racing capabilities. Beyond the main tri-oval, the complex houses multiple racing venues including a 0.375-mile asphalt oval called "The Bullring," a 0.500-mile clay oval, a drag strip, and various road course configurations.

The Competition

The Las Vegas II nascar-cup race brings together the sport's elite talent. Drivers and teams arrive at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with championship aspirations and the goal of securing victory on this 1.5-mile track. The progressive banking and multiple grooves create close racing and frequent position changes throughout the field.

The track surface and configuration typically produce competitive racing with opportunities for passing in multiple zones. Drivers must balance speed through the progressively banked turns while managing tire wear across the 267-lap distance.

NASCAR Next Gen Car Technology

The 2026 South Point 400 features the Next Gen car, which the NASCAR Cup Series introduced in 2022. This generation of race car represents a significant evolution in stock car technology and design.

Engine and Power

The Next Gen car uses a 358 cubic inch (5.86 liter) naturally-aspirated V8 pushrod engine supplied by each manufacturer. For intermediate ovals like Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the engine produces approximately 670 horsepower. The power delivery combines with a 4-inch rear spoiler to achieve the desired downforce and speed characteristics.

Chassis and Drivetrain

A five-speed sequential manual transaxle replaces the previous generation's four-speed transmission. The transaxle combines the transmission and rear gears into one unit. The car also features independent rear suspension, replacing the solid rear axle design. The chassis uses a modular construction with front and rear clips that bolt to a center section, making repairs more efficient.

The Next Gen car incorporates rack and pinion steering and larger brakes, with 15-inch rotors in front and 14-inch rotors in the rear. The car rolls on 18-inch forged aluminum wheels with a single center-locking lug nut, paired with wider, lower-profile Goodyear Eagle race tires.

Aerodynamics and Body

The body is constructed from composite material and features full symmetry, reducing aerodynamic forces and placing greater emphasis on setup and driver skill. The aerodynamic package includes a stepped front splitter, hood vents, redesigned side skirts, and a rear diffuser.

Track History and Background

Las Vegas Motor Speedway began as the Las Vegas Speedrome in 1972 with a road course and drag strip. The current 1.5-mile superspeedway opened in 1996, initially hosting IndyCar and NASCAR Truck Series events. The NASCAR Cup Series arrived on March 1, 1998, with Mark Martin winning the inaugural race.

For many years, Las Vegas hosted one Cup Series race per season. In 2018, the track added a second Cup Series date, creating the Las Vegas II fall race known as the South Point 400. This addition gave the facility two annual nascar-cup events.

A major track reconfiguration occurred in 2006 when the banking in the turns was increased and made progressive, ranging from 12 to 20 degrees. This modification improved racing quality and created the multiple grooves that characterize competition at the track today.

Several drivers have found success at Las Vegas Motor Speedway throughout its history. Jimmie Johnson holds the record for most Cup Series wins at the track with four victories. Kyle Larson has also been a dominant competitor with three wins at the facility.

What Makes This Race Special

Las Vegas Motor Speedway earned the nickname "the Diamond in the Desert" due to its status as a premier motorsports facility. The progressive banking system creates racing that allows multiple lanes and competitive battles throughout the field. Drivers can run different lines through the turns, finding speed both low near the apron and high near the wall.

The track has produced notably close finishes throughout its history. The facility's configuration and tire wear characteristics often lead to tight battles in the closing laps, with race outcomes frequently decided by small margins.

For the spring Las Vegas race, the winner receives a championship belt instead of a traditional trophy, a unique touch that reflects the city's entertainment culture. This distinctive prize has become a notable tradition at the facility.

Beyond NASCAR, Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosts diverse motorsports events including NHRA drag racing, World of Outlaws dirt track racing, and numerous local series. The facility also serves the local Las Vegas police department as a driver training venue.

The Las Vegas II nascar-cup race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway promises competitive action across all 267 laps, with strategy, speed, and skill determining which driver reaches victory lane at this fall event.