Overview

• Hamlin’s Las Vegas victory locks him into the Phoenix title race and ties him for 10th on the all-time Cup wins list with 60.
• Post-Vegas points show Kyle Larson (+35), Christopher Bell (+20) and Chase Briscoe (+15) above the cut, with William Byron (-15), Chase Elliott (-23), Joey Logano (-24) and Ryan Blaney (-31) below.
• Joe Gibbs Racing swept qualifying 1-2-3 with Hamlin on pole, and seven of the eight playoff drivers started inside the top 10.
• NASCAR reiterated it is monitoring radio traffic and potential team orders after the Charlotte Roval controversy, with officials saying they would act on explicit manipulation.
• NASCAR announced a 2026 plan to raise Cup horsepower to 750 at road courses and ovals under 1.5 miles, aiming to increase throttle management demands and passing opportunities.