NASCAR Xfinity - Las Vegas II

The Las Vegas II nascar-xs race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway brings competitive stock car racing to Nevada in the fall racing season. This event, officially titled the Focused Health 302, represents the second NASCAR Xfinity Series visit to Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the 2026 season. The race covers 201 laps on the 1.5-mile tri-oval, totaling 301.5 miles of racing action.

Race Information

The Focused Health 302 features 201 laps around the Las Vegas Motor Speedway tri-oval. The race distance equals 301.5 miles of competition. Stage racing formats typically divide the event into three segments, allowing drivers multiple opportunities to score points and adjust their race strategy. The CW network broadcasts the Las Vegas II race, while the CW App streams practice and qualifying sessions. Radio coverage comes from the Performance Racing Network (PRN) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Circuit Details

Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a 1.5-mile asphalt tri-oval located in Las Vegas, Nevada. The track opened in 1996 and underwent a major reconfiguration in 2006. The facility features progressive banking that ranges from 12 to 20 degrees in the turns and 9 to 12 degrees on the straightaways. This variable banking creates multiple racing lines and promotes side-by-side competition throughout the field.

The main oval includes four turns and can accommodate approximately 80,000 spectators in premium seating configurations. Permanent lighting installed in 2011 allows for night racing at the venue. The motorsports complex includes additional facilities beyond the main tri-oval, such as road courses, a paved short track, dirt courses, and a drag strip.

Participants

The NASCAR Xfinity Series field at Las Vegas II includes a mix of full-time series regulars, rising talents, and occasional Cup Series drivers competing on a limited schedule. Teams like JR Motorsports regularly field competitive entries in the series. The entry list features drivers piloting Toyota GR Supras, Chevrolet Camaros, and Ford Mustangs in the manufacturer battle for supremacy.

Technical Aspects

NASCAR Xfinity Series cars use a 358 cubic inch (5.8-liter) pushrod V8 engine that produces between 650 and 700 horsepower. The cars employ a four-speed manual transmission and a NASCAR-mandated nine-inch rear end with a locking differential. Composite body panels shaped to resemble production vehicles cover the race chassis.

The cars generate over 2,400 pounds of downforce at 200 mph through aerodynamic components including wings, splitters, and diffusers. Goodyear supplies all tires for the series, and tire management plays a significant role in race strategy at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The track surface and progressive banking create tire wear patterns that challenge crew chiefs and drivers.

For 2026, the NASCAR Xfinity Series operates under O'Reilly Auto Parts title sponsorship. Technical updates include mandatory A-post flaps at all tracks to reduce the risk of airborne incidents. The playoff format expanded for 2026, with the Chase now featuring 9 races instead of 7. The series removed the "win-and-you're-in" criteria and eliminated playoff points for stage wins. Drivers who enter the garage during a race no longer qualify for the "Xfinity Fastest Lap Award."

History and Background

Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosted its first NASCAR Xfinity Series race in 1997, one year after the track opened. The venue initially hosted a single Xfinity Series race each season, typically early in the year. In 2018, Las Vegas Motor Speedway added a second Xfinity Series date to its schedule. The fall race moved from Kentucky Speedway to create the Las Vegas II event.

Various sponsors have supported the Las Vegas Xfinity races over the years, with title names including the Focused Health 302, Alsco 300, and Boyd Gaming 300. The 2006 track reconfiguration introduced progressive banking that significantly improved racing quality. The changes created more racing lines and passing opportunities compared to the original track layout.

What Makes Las Vegas II Special

The progressive banking at Las Vegas Motor Speedway creates varied racing conditions across different lanes. Drivers can run low, middle, or high lines through the corners, each offering distinct advantages depending on track position and tire condition. This variety produces competitive racing where strategy and car setup play crucial roles in determining the winner.

Tire wear stands out as a key factor during the Las Vegas II race. The track surface and banking combinations stress tires differently than many other 1.5-mile ovals on the schedule. Teams must balance speed with tire conservation, creating strategic decisions about pit stop timing and tire management.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway has produced extremely close finishes across NASCAR series, with margins of victory sometimes measured in thousandths of a second. The track layout and multiple racing grooves allow for late-race passes and photo finishes. Kurt Busch holds the current NASCAR Xfinity Series speed record at the track.

The facility serves multiple purposes beyond NASCAR racing. Local police use the track for driver training. The venue has hosted IndyCar, NHRA drag racing, and large-scale music festivals like the Electric Daisy Carnival. This versatility demonstrates the complex nature of modern motorsports facilities.

The Las Vegas II nascar-xs race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway offers compelling competition on a track that rewards both driver skill and engineering excellence. The combination of progressive banking, tire management challenges, and strategic variety creates a race where multiple factors determine success.