Overview

• Denny Hamlin qualified first at 184.849 mph, leading a Joe Gibbs Racing 1-2-3 with Chase Briscoe second and Christopher Bell third.
• Playoff drivers filled the top six starting spots, with Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott, William Byron and Kyle Larson set to start fourth through sixth.
• Team Penske’s Joey Logano will start ninth and Ryan Blaney 14th as the South Point 400 opens the three-race Round of 8 at 5:30 p.m. ET on USA Network.
• NASCAR said it is closely monitoring team radio for potential race manipulation after last week’s Hamlin-Chastain finish altered the final Round of 8 berth for Logano.
• Officials plan to raise Cup horsepower to 750 at road courses and ovals under 1.5 miles in 2026, and sportsbooks list Kyle Larson as the pre-race favorite.