There’s no place like home, and for NASCAR drivers constantly crisscrossing the country, that sentiment hits hard. But what happens when home becomes a battleground? Las Vegas, a hotspot for NASCAR talent, has birthed stars like Kyle Busch, Noah Gragson, and Riley Herbst. Yet, Sin City hasn’t exactly rolled out the red carpet for its hometown heroes. Take Busch, for instance—only one of his 63 Cup wins has come at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Talk about a hometown curse!
But here’s where it gets interesting: while Busch isn’t exactly an underdog, Gragson and Herbst are still carving their paths. And this time, Vegas finally played nice, offering a taste of that elusive “home field advantage.”
Noah Gragson: The Hometown Hero Rising
Gragson stole the show at the South Point 400 on October 12th, finishing 13th after navigating a race filled with wild twists and turns. The 27-year-old Las Vegas native started 28th but quickly climbed the ranks, reaching 19th by the end of stage one and cracking the top 15 in stage two. His steady performance continued in the final stage, even amidst the largest accident in Las Vegas history with 23 laps to go. Gragson’s ability to weave through chaos earned him his first top 15 finish since Darlington’s Southern 500.
And this is the part most people miss: Gragson’s No. 4 team made history with the fastest four-tire pit stop in Front Row Motorsports history—a lightning-fast 8.19 seconds. Is this the start of something bigger for Gragson? With six top 15 finishes this season, he’s closing out 2025 on a high note. His hometown track has been kind, with four out of six starts finishing 18th or better. If he can replicate this success elsewhere, 2026 could be his breakout year.
Underdog Spotlight: Beyond Gragson
While no underdogs cracked the top 10, thanks in part to the lap 245 crash, several dark horses made their mark in the top 20. Take Ricky Stenhouse Jr., for example. Despite finishing 14th, he’s a dollar lighter this week thanks to his friendly rivalry with Gragson—whoever finishes higher takes a dollar from the other. Stenhouse struggled early but adjustments in stage two brought his car to life, securing back-to-back top 20 finishes for the first time since spring.
Erik Jones rounded out the top 15, battling balance issues all day but staying on the lead lap to dodge late-race chaos. Michael McDowell, Mr. Consistency himself, finished 16th after overcoming a commitment line violation and a lap down. His hot streak continues with a sixth consecutive top 20 finish.
Riley Herbst, another Las Vegas native, found relief in his hometown with a 17th-place finish—his fifth 17th-place result this season. Strange but true: Herbst seems to have a thing for 17th place! Despite the ups and downs of his rookie campaign, he’s logged eight top 20 finishes. But here’s the controversial part: with Corey Heim breathing down his neck, is Herbst’s spot on a top-tier team truly secure?
The Unlucky Ones: When Speed Isn’t Enough
Shane van Gisbergen, fresh off his Charlotte ROVAL win, dominated most of the race, running inside the top 15 and cracking the top 10 in stage two. But a restart with 20 laps to go turned his day upside down. Christopher Bell’s aggressive move caused a crash involving van Gisbergen and Ty Gibbs, relegating the New Zealander to 33rd. Is van Gisbergen’s oval progression just bad luck, or is there more to the story?
Carson Hocevar, another standout, led laps on strategy and finished 10th in stage two before getting caught in the same crash, ending up 32nd. His speed is undeniable, but misfortune seems to follow him. Will Talladega finally be his breakthrough, or will chaos strike again?
Underdog Power Rankings: Who’s Next?
- van Gisbergen (–): Speed is his superpower, but superspeedways like Talladega remain his Achilles’ heel. Can he survive the chaos for his first top 10 there?
- McDowell (–): His top 20 streak keeps him knocking on the door. Talladega, with its history of near-wins, could be his crowning moment.
- Hocevar (–): A top 10 finish was within reach until the crash. Talladega might just be where he claims his first win.
- Jones (NR): His performance is a scattered plot, but a top 15 finish at Las Vegas puts him back in contention. Talladega, where he’s finished sixth or better six times, could be his redemption.
- AJ Allmendinger (-1): A determined recovery from a crash earned him another top 20. But superspeedways? He’s not a fan. Can he break his Talladega curse?
Honorable Mentions: Stenhouse, Gragson, Todd Gilliland.
Small Team Scheme of the Week
As fall sets in, Herbst’s No. 35 Toyota embraced the season with a Hungry Jacks pancakes-themed car, evoking cozy autumn mornings. Who doesn’t love pancakes on a crisp October day?
Final Thoughts: The Underdog’s Journey
NASCAR’s underdogs are more than just drivers—they’re fighters, battling against the odds to make their mark. But here’s the question: Can consistent hometown success translate to bigger wins, or is it just a fluke? What do you think? Is Gragson poised for a breakout year, or will the curse of Sin City persist? Let’s debate in the comments!
