Flag drop is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. PT local start)
Broadcast: The CW (TV), PRN / MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Venue Location and Track Details
The event takes place at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS), located at 7000 Las Vegas Blvd North in Las Vegas, Nevada. This iconic 1.5-mile asphalt tri-oval (D-shaped oval) has been a fixture on the NASCAR calendar since 1997 and serves as the centerpiece of a massive racing complex that also includes road courses, a drag strip, and the Bullring short track.
Key Track Specifications:
- Length: 1.5 miles per lap (200 laps = 300 miles total distance).
- Surface: Asphalt.
- Configuration: Tri-oval frontstretch with a slight dogleg, followed by Turn 1-2, a long backstretch, and Turn 3-4.
- Banking: 20° in the turns (providing excellent grip and high-speed cornering); 9°–12° on both the frontstretch and backstretch (allowing for side-by-side racing and momentum builds).
- Backstretch: A long, relatively straight section that rewards strong straight-line speed and aero efficiency; it sets up critical passing zones entering Turn 3.
- Pit Road: Approximately 2,500 feet long with a slight curve; modern setup favors quick stops under stage-break cautions.
- Typical Speeds: Qualifying laps often exceed 180 mph; race averages hover around 140–150 mph depending on setup and traffic.
The track is known for its high banking and wide racing groove, which promotes multi-lane action but can also lead to “aero push” in traffic. It’s a true intermediate-speedway test that rewards balanced setups, tire management, and driver experience—especially on the long backstretch where momentum carries into the turns.
Weekend Schedule Highlights (all times local PT unless noted):
- Practice: Saturday morning (~9:00–9:50 a.m.).
- Qualifying: Single-car, 1-lap format (~1:05 p.m. local).
- Race: 2:30 p.m. local / 5:30 p.m. ET (Stages: 45/90/200 laps).
Weather Conditions
Perfect desert racing weather is forecast for race day. Expect clear skies, temperatures in the mid-to-upper 80s°F (high of ~86–89°F during the 2:00–6:00 p.m. window), light winds of 6–7 mph, and a 0% chance of precipitation. These conditions should deliver consistent track temperatures and minimal wind impact, favoring teams with strong baseline setups. No weather-related adjustments or cautions are anticipated.
Race History
The LiUNA! (formerly known under various titles like Sam’s Town 300, Alsco Uniforms 300, etc.) has run annually in the spring since 1997. Mark Martin holds the all-time wins record with four victories at LVMS in the series. Recent spring winners include:
- 2025: Justin Allgaier (defending champion, JR Motorsports).
- 2024: John Hunter Nemechek (Joe Gibbs Racing).
- Earlier notables: Austin Hill (2023), Josh Berry, Ty Gibbs, and multiple Cup standouts.
Cup Series part-timers and veterans have dominated lately, with the high-banked 1.5-miler often rewarding experience and superior equipment. The 2025 fall race was won by Aric Almirola (part-time), underscoring the track’s tendency to produce surprise or veteran triumphs. Stage racing (introduced in recent years) has added strategy layers, with pit timing on the long backstretch often deciding stage points.
Recent Driver Forms and Standings (After 4 Races – Post-Phoenix)
The 2026 season has been remarkably competitive so far—four different winners in the first four events. Current driver standings (top 5):
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- Justin Allgaier – 184 points (1 win, strong consistency).
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- Jesse Love – 181 points (multiple stage wins, Richard Childress Racing).
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- Austin Hill – 179 points (Richard Childress Racing veteran).
- 4–5. Carson Kvapil and others close behind.
Hot Drivers to Watch:
- Justin Allgaier (#7 JR Motorsports): Defending LiUNA! winner and most recent victor at Phoenix. Excellent track history here; leads the points.
- Jesse Love (#2 RCR) and Austin Hill (#21 RCR): Consistent top-5 machines; RCR’s intermediate program is stout.
- Connor Zilisch (#1 JR Motorsports): 2025 standout with 10 wins last year; rotates in for this weekend.
- Full-time regulars like Sam Mayer, Sheldon Creed (#00 Haas), Cole Custer (#0), and Ryan Sieg remain in the mix but need strong qualifying.
Driver Matchups and Key Storylines
This weekend features a loaded field of 41 entries (38 spots) with several high-profile Cup Series invaders:
- Kyle Larson (#88 JR Motorsports, HendrickCars.com Chevrolet): The outright favorite. Undefeated in limited JRM starts (2-for-2 wins previously). Larson’s road-course and oval mastery should translate perfectly to LVMS.
- Chase Briscoe (#19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota): Part-time JGR entry; the same car carried Aric Almirola to victory in the 2025 fall race here.
- Connor Zilisch (#1 JR Motorsports): Paired with Larson and Allgaier, giving JRM a potential 1-2-3 threat.
JR Motorsports enters with massive momentum (Allgaier, Zilisch, Larson, Kvapil rotating in #9). Expect intense battles between the JRM Chevrolets and RCR Fords/Toyotas. Rookies and mid-pack teams (Young’s Motorsports, AM Racing, Jordan Anderson) will fight for stage points and survival, while veterans like Ryan Ellis and Jeremy Clements provide stability.
Betting Trends show strong money on Larson to win or finish top-2, with props favoring “most laps led” and stage wins going to JRM cars. Underdog plays include Allgaier (defending champ) or Zilisch (fresh equipment). Expect heavy betting on the “Cup invader” narrative—history supports it at LVMS.
Driver Odds
Kyle Larson + 105
Connor Zilisch + 500
Justin Allgaier + 600
Chase Briscoe + 600
Jesse Love + 1400
Sam Mayer + 1800
Brandon Jones + 1800
Sammy Smith + 2000
Taylor Gray + 2500
Austin Hill + 2500
Cole Custer + 2800
Sheldon Creed + 3000
Carson Kvapil + 3000
Ryan Sieg + 5000
Corey Day + 5500
Rajah Caruth + 8000
William Sawalich + 8000
Harrison Burton + 10000
Nicholas Sanchez + 15000
Jeremy Clements + 15000
Jeb Burton + 15000
Kyle Sieg + 25000
Chandler Smith + 25000
Parker Retzlaff + 30000
Anthony Alfredo + 30000
Patrick Staropoli` + 35000
Dean Thompson + 35000
Daniel Dye + 40000
Austin Green + 50000
Ryan Ellis + 90000
Lavar Scott + 90000
Brennan Poole + 90000
Blaine Perkins + 90000
Nathan Byrd + 100000
Myatt Snider + 100000
Mason Maggio + 100000
Josh Williams + 100000
Josh Bilicki + 100000
Joey Gase + 100000
Dawson Cram + 100000
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, March 13, 2026
