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Hamlin on Pole as Round of 8 Opens in Las Vegas, JGR Sweeps Front Three

NASCAR vows to police team radios for manipulation after the Charlotte controversy.

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Action from the Bathurst 1000. Image: InSyde Media

Overview

  • Denny Hamlin took the Busch Light pole at 184.849 mph with Joe Gibbs Racing locking out the top three spots ahead of Sunday’s South Point 400.
  • Seven of the eight playoff drivers qualified inside the top 10, with Ryan Blaney the lone outlier in 14th.
  • A victory by any playoff-eligible driver at Las Vegas, Talladega, or Martinsville will clinch an automatic berth in the Championship 4 at Phoenix.
  • NASCAR officials said they would act on evidence of coordinated race manipulation, citing team radio instructions as a key enforcement focus after the Roval.
  • NASCAR confirmed a 2026 Cup rules change to 750 horsepower at road courses and ovals under 1.5 miles, while Aric Almirola won the Xfinity Round of 8 opener to lock the JGR No. 19 into the owners’ Championship 4.