The NASCAR circuit trades the desert heat of Phoenix for the neon glow of the Strip as the series heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for a high-stakes weekend of intermediate-track racing. With the 2026 season finding its rhythm, all eyes are on whether Ford can maintain its newfound momentum or if the heavy hitters at Hendrick and Gibbs will reclaim the jackpot.
The Main Event: Pennzoil 400
Date: Sunday, March 15 | Time: 4:00 PM ET
TV: FS1 | Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
After Ryan Blaney snapped Tyler Reddick’s three-race winning streak last week in Phoenix, the Cup Series returns to a 1.5-mile “cookie cutter” oval. These tracks are the bread and butter of the schedule, and Vegas often serves as the first true litmus test for who has the best high-speed aero package.
Drivers to Watch
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The Favorite: Kyle Larson (+500). Despite being winless so far in 2026, Larson dominated the fall 2025 Vegas race (leading 129 laps) before finishing second. He is the perennial master of the high line here.
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The Defending Champ: Josh Berry. Driving the No. 21 for Wood Brothers Racing, Berry returns to the site of his emotional first career Cup win last spring.
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The Momentum Riders: Tyler Reddick (current points leader) and Ryan Blaney are tied at +900. Reddick has been the class of the field early this year, while Blaney finally put Ford in the win column last week.
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The Hometown Hero: Noah Gragson always brings a little extra “Vegas flare” to his home track and will be looking to break into the top five.
Saturday Showdown: The LiUNA!
Date: Saturday, March 14 | Time: 5:30 PM ET
TV: The CW | Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (formerly Xfinity) features a stacked field this weekend. Keep an eye on the “Double Duty” drivers: Kyle Larson, Cole Custer, Chase Briscoe, and Connor Zilisch are all slated to run Saturday’s race to get extra laps before Sunday. Justin Allgaier enters as the defending race winner and is fresh off a victory in Phoenix.
Las Vegas Weekend Schedule
Saturday March 14
12:00 pm O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Practice, Streaming: CW App
1:05 pm O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Qualifying, Streaming: CW App
2:30 pm Cup Series Practice, Streaming: Prime; Radio: PRN, SiriusXM
3:40 pm Cup Series Qualifying, Streaming: Prime; Radio: PRN, SiriusXM
5:30 pm O’Reilly Auto Parts Series The LiUNA!, TV/Streaming: CW; Radio: PRN, SiriusXM
Sunday March 15
4:00 pm Cup Series Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube; TV/Streaming: FS1, Fox One; HBO Max; Radio: PRN, SiriusXM
