The NASCAR Cup Series will begin the round of 12 of the 2020 Playoffs on Sunday at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the South Point 400. Las Vegas is a 1.5 mile cookie-cutter oval, and has steep banking in the corners. Las Vegas is a medium tire wear track, and we should see a competitive race on Sunday. The restarts at Las Vegas are usually crazy, especially in the final stage, and pressure is on for those in the cut zone to perform well.
Here are a few matchups to consider for the South Point 400.
Aric Almirola -140 vs. Alex Bowman +110
Bowman has won 3 out of 5 match ups at Las Vegas Motor Speedway against Almirola in the Cup Series. Bowman and Aric are still in the hunt of the 2020 playoffs, and both are gunning for a great run on Sunday night. Almirola and Bowman have very similar average driver ratings over the last 6 races. Aric has edged out Bowman in average finish at 11.83 compared to 13th for Bowman. I feel the match up should be evenly priced, so take a shot on the plus money we have with Alex Bowman.
Jeff’s Pick Alex Bowman +110
Austin Dillon -124 vs. Clint Bowyer -106
Austin has finished ahead of Bowyer in 4 of the last 6 races at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Austin sits 8th in the 2020 standings and Bowyer is currently 11th in the standings facing elimination. Talladega looms around the corner next weekend, so a solid finish at Las Vegas is must for both Bowyer and Dillon. Since the return to racing in May of 2020, Austin has been the faster car on the 1.5 mile speedways compared to Bowyer. Take Dillon on Sunday evening over Bowyer.
Jeff’s Pick: Austin Dillon -124
Kyle Busch -114 vs. Chase Elliott -114
Kyle has won the match up against Chase at Las Vegas 4 of the last 6 races completed here. Kyle’s chance to put some distance between others in the playoffs came last week at Bristol. Meanwhile, Chase had some issues in a couple races at Las Vegas in the last 6 that I am overlooking. Kyle wasn’t enthusiastic about head home to Las Vegas Motor Speedway in a press conference earlier in the week. Chase has been a little faster on the 1.5 mile tracks than Kyle on the season in general. Take Chase to win the match up against Kyle on Sunday.
Jeff’s Pick: Chase Elliott -114