Kyle Larson became the first driver locked into NASCAR’s title-deciding finale in the opening playoff race of the round of eight, winning at Las Vegas and keeping him in contention for a second Cup title in three years.

Larson will look to defend his win at Homestead-Miami Sunday and continue to make his impact on the final four in Phoenix.

Larson, the 2021 champ, moved to the top of the playoff standings, followed by William Byron, 2017 champ Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin. 

The four on the outside looking in with two races left to jumble things are Christopher Bell, Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney and Chris Buescher. 

Blaney was disqualified after the race for an illegal front shock, but the penalty was later overturned. He finished sixth. Truex won the regular-season title but has had a terrible playoffs and is barely hanging on to a shot to win a second Cup title. His ninth-place finish Sunday was his best through seven playoff races.

Practice and qualifying is 8 am Saturday morning. Race time is 1:30 pm Sunday afternoon.

Riley Herbst raced his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory, a dominating 14.9-second win at Las Vegas. The Xfinity Series takes to Homestead-Miami in its next leg of the playoffs.

Herbst led 103 of the 201 laps. It was the most significant margin of victory in the series this season and nearly seven seconds better than the previous best margin of victory for an Xfinity Series race at the track in his hometown. 

Championship points leader John Hunter Nemechek was second, followed by Herbst’s Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Cole Custer, Chandler Smith and Sam Mayer. Justin Allgaier was sixth, followed by Austin Hill. Allgaier and Hill stand second and third in the playoffs with Hill four points ahead of Custer.

Practice and qualifying is 5 pm this evening. Race time is 2 pm Saturday afternoon.

2018 series champion Brett Moffitt turned his first race of the season in the series into his first superspeedway victory, prevailing in a three-wide overtime battle to win at Talladega as the Craftsman Truck Series returns from a three-week break to take on Homestead-Miami.

Corey Heim is the only driver to have secured a spot in the championship finale with one race remaining for the seven other contenders. Carson Hocevar, Christian Eckes and Nicholas Sanchez hold the next three spots heading into the final race before the championship finale, with Grant Enfinger three points back, 2021 champion Ben Rhodes five back, Majeski 19 back and defending champion Zane Smith 36 behind.

Race time is 3 pm this afternoon. Race time is 11 am Saturday morning.