For the first time in 16 years Hendrick Motorsports driver Jimmie Johnson won’t be a part of Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series’ championship Playoff run, however, his three young teammates will. Chase Elliott, 23, paced the championship organization with two wins – at Talladega and Watkins Glen – this season and heads into Sunday’s Playoff opener ranked seventh.
With seven-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson not a part of this season’s Playoff picture, there is a good chance that NASCAR could crown its first multi-time champion since Johnson earned his seventh title in 2016. He is the only active driver with more than one championship.
LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 12: A general view of the start/finish line of Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the upcoming South Point 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Playoff race on September 12, 2019, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, NV. Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Sportsbooks in Las Vegas have decided one of the city’s native – Kyle Busch – is the odds on favorite to win both this weekend’s South Point 400 as well as the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup championship.
Busch, the driver of the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, is the regular-season champ and a four-race winner in 2019. The casino’s sportsbook puts him as a 9-2 favorite to win Sunday’s Playoff opener and a 7-2 favorite to win the Cup championship. Defending race winner Brad Keselowski has the next most favorable odds to win again at Vegas.
Reigning series champion, Team Penske’s Joey Logano has the second-best odds 5-1 to repeat as champion, followed by Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski, Denny Hamlin, and Martin Truex Jr.
The Manager at Buck Baker’s Seat Time Racing School in Charlotte, NC chats about this famous school and opportunities for race drivers and fans to drive a NASCAR race car.
Join host Sharon Burton and co-host Jay Husmann 8:30 to 10:30 pm ET this Thursday night for Fan4Racing NASCAR Weekend Preview as we rev up race fans for the upcoming weekend of racing!
We’re previewing the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, and Gander Outdoors Truck Series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway along with the ARCA Menards Series at Salem Speedway. We’ll also provide updates from the K&N Pro Series, and more.
Then, stay tuned for Fan4Racing NASCAR Hot Topics Sound Off as we discuss all the hottest topics leading into the weekend of racing with co-host Andy Laskey and our Fan4Racing crew.
Call 929-477-1790 or tweet @Fan4RacingSite with any questions or comments during our LIVE broadcast.
Our LIVE broadcast begins at 8:30 pm ET, Thursday, September 12, 2019.