NASCAR Will Set South Point 400 Qualifying Field
The Cup Series qualifying session at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is scheduled for Saturday at 5:35 p.m. ET.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Motorsports
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NASCAR will determine the starting grid for Sunday's South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway through an individual timed qualifying session. Thirty-six cars are entered for the race, with playoff drivers occupying the final positions in the qualifying order.
Why it matters
NASCAR structures the qualifying order to prioritize playoff contenders while ensuring non-playoff entries run first. This grid placement is critical for track position on the 1.5-mile asphalt D-shaped oval.
The race will cover 267 laps for a total distance of 400.5 miles at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The total purse for the Cup Series weekend is set at $11,233,037.
The players
Kyle Larson
He enters the weekend leading Denny Hamlin by 26 points in the current Chase standings.
Denny Hamlin
He is currently trailing championship leader Kyle Larson by 26 points heading into the Las Vegas race.
NASCAR
The sanctioning body oversees the rules, qualifying procedures, and competitive structure for the Cup Series.
The details
Drivers will run individual laps to establish their positions, though the qualifying session is subject to cancellation due to weather. If a washout occurs, NASCAR will use a performance-based formula to set the starting lineup.
Timeline
Saturday: Qualifying session starts at 5:35 p.m. ET.
Sunday: The South Point 400 race starts at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Season Trajectory
This qualifying session is pivotal for the playoff picture as Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin continue their battle for the championship. With 36 cars entered, every position earned at Las Vegas Motor Speedway impacts the standings before the next round of the playoffs begins.
The qualifying outcome will set the grid for the 267-lap race, directly influencing which drivers start with the advantage of track position on the 1.5-mile oval. Playoff drivers must navigate the qualifying order carefully to ensure they remain in the title hunt during this pivotal race weekend.
The takeaway
Fans should monitor Saturday's weather forecast closely as any washout would immediately trigger a mathematical formula to set the grid. Understanding this procedure provides insight into how playoff positioning is preserved when track conditions prevent traditional qualifying.
Further reading
For more on the current playoff standings and race updates, visit the Motorsports section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.
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