In the high-stakes world of NASCAR racing, where underdogs battle giants on the track, nothing stirs the soul quite like a hometown hero rising to the challenge—but what if I told you that Las Vegas, the glittering epicenter of the sport for some drivers, has often been a cruel mistress to its own? Dive into this eye-opening look at how Noah Gragson and fellow underdogs turned the tables in Sin City, and you might just rethink what 'home field advantage' really means in motorsports. And here's where it gets controversial: Is Las Vegas truly a curse for its native sons, or does it hold untapped potential waiting to be unleashed? Stick around, because you won't want to miss the twists that could redefine their careers.
The Underdog House: Noah Gragson Shines as Las Vegas's Local Champion
Top Driver: Noah Gragson
Borrowing from the timeless words of The Wizard of Oz, there's truly no place like home. For NASCAR Cup Series drivers crisscrossing the vast American landscape, chasing victories from coast to coast, this feeling hits especially hard when they return to the track where they grew up.
Las Vegas stands out as a prime example, serving as the birthplace for talented drivers like Kyle Busch, Noah Gragson, and Riley Herbst. Yet, in a curious twist, the city that birthed these stars has rarely rewarded them on its own soil. Take Kyle Busch, for instance—he's racked up 63 career Cup wins, but only one of those came at his home track, Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It's a stark reminder that even legends can struggle where they feel most at home.
While Busch is far from an underdog, Gragson and Herbst are still carving out their legacies. Fortunately, Vegas decided to extend a bit of home-field magic to these rising talents during the South Point 400 on October 12.
Denny Hamlin Claims His 60th Career Victory in Las Vegas
Leading the charge among the underdogs was Gragson, who powered to a 13th-place finish despite some chaotic moments in the race's closing laps. At 27 years old, the Las Vegas native quickly overcame a disappointing 28th-place qualifying spot, climbing to 19th by the end of the first stage. He kept the momentum in the second stage, breaking into the top 15 before the stage concluded.
His consistent performance held steady into the final stage, even through what turned out to be the biggest crash in Las Vegas's racing history—a massive pile-up on a restart with just 23 laps left. As a driver for Front Row Motorsports, Gragson skillfully navigated the debris, propelling himself to his first top-15 result since the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. To put that in perspective for newcomers to NASCAR, a top-15 finish means he's among the elite performers on the day, dodging wrecks and outracing competitors in a grueling 400-mile event.
Gragson's team also etched their name into the record books with the fastest four-tire pit stop in Front Row Motorsports history, clocking in at a blistering 8.19 seconds. This isn't just about speed; it's a testament to the team's precision under pressure, where every second counts during a tire change that can make or break a race strategy.
The third-year driver has shown increasing pace throughout the season, often outpacing expectations even when results don't fully reflect it. With six top-15 finishes already under his belt this year, Gragson is poised to end the 2025 campaign on a high note. As a Las Vegas local, he's thrived at his hometown track, posting finishes of 18th or better in four of his six appearances there. If he can channel this confidence to other circuits—think diverse tracks like the bumpy Bristol Motor Speedway or the high-speed Daytona International Speedway—it could boost his outlook for the 2026 season significantly, potentially turning him into a more consistent threat in the series.
Standout Performances from the Underdogs
Even though no underdog broke into the top 10, partially due to a massive crash on lap 245, several dark horses filled the top 20, proving that perseverance pays off. For instance, a fun subplot this season has been the lighthearted wager between Gragson and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., where the higher-finishing driver collects a dollar from the other. Despite ending up 14th, Stenhouse handed over his buck this week after a comeback that kept the rivalry alive.
Stenhouse started off sluggish, lingering outside the top 20 early on. But adjustments during the second stage breathed new life into his car, allowing him to crack the top 20 before the stage ended. From there, the driver from Olive Branch, Mississippi, maintained a spot just shy of the top 15 until the final two cautions in the last 40 laps. Restarting 11th on the ultimate green flag, he slipped to 14th but held on for consecutive top-20 finishes—his first such streak since races at Kansas Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway back in the spring.
Erik Jones secured the top 15, marking his first since Darlington. He spent most of the race hovering in the top 20, battling handling issues that alternated between too tight (making the car feel sluggish in turns) and too loose (causing it to slide unpredictably). Despite these challenges, the Michigan native stayed on the lead lap—meaning he wasn't lapped by the leaders—and avoided the late-race mayhem for a respectable result. His car lacked strong speed off the line, evident on the final restart when he dropped from 10th to 15th. Still, Jones is progressing this season, with 12 top-15 finishes compared to just seven in 2024, showing steady growth for a veteran driver.
Michael McDowell's streak of reliability continued at Las Vegas, where the Spire Motorsports pro finished 16th. Early in the race, he reached the top 15, but a commitment line violation—a penalty for crossing an imaginary line too soon during pit stops—forced him to serve a pass-through penalty, dropping him back. He later fell a lap behind the leaders but reclaimed it with a free pass in the final stage, reviving his chances. After dodging the late chaos, McDowell surged to 16th, narrowly missing the top 15. This solid showing extends his hot streak: six straight top-20 finishes and nine in his last 10 races, highlighting why consistency is key in NASCAR, where one bad call can derail a day but smart recovery keeps you in the hunt.
Riley Herbst, the 26-year-old rookie, has faced his share of criticism this season, but he found solace in his hometown with a 17th-place result, the best among the 23XI Racing trio. Bouncing back from a disqualification at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL the previous week, Herbst climbed steadily, starting from 33rd to finish 30th in the first stage before advancing to 23rd in the second.
His ascent persisted into the final stage until nearly derailed by the restart crash with 23 laps to go. Dodging spins and minor contact, the No. 35 car limped home for a strong top-20 finish. Despite racing for a top-tier team and facing competition from up-and-comer Corey Heim, Herbst's rookie year has had its bright moments, including eight top-20s. This marks his fifth 17th-place finish of the season—a quirky coincidence that's sparked plenty of chatter among fans.
STRANGE BUT TRUE: Riley Herbst's 17th-Place Finish at Las Vegas Is His Fifth of 2025
He notched three in a row to kick off the year and another at Chicago in July. It's also his eighth top-20 of his rookie campaign. (Shared via Steven Taranto on Twitter: [link])
Don't be fooled by the results—Shane van Gisbergen has been steadily improving on oval tracks, and Las Vegas seemed poised to confirm that trend. Fresh off his Charlotte ROVAL victory the week prior, the New Zealander ran inside the top 15 for most of the race and even cracked the top 10 in the second stage, with stage finishes of 12th and 11th showcasing his growing prowess.
But it all fell apart on a restart with over 20 laps remaining. Starting in the top five, van Gisbergen was squeezed between Ty Gibbs and Christopher Bell, who collided, sending both van Gisbergen and Gibbs crashing. Despite his earlier strength, the incident dropped the Kiwi to 33rd. This accident also ensnared Carson Hocevar, who had led laps strategically and finished stage two in 10th before misfortune struck again, relegating him to 32nd. Hocevar's speed was undeniable, yet it underscores the bad luck that has shadowed his season—like a skilled chess player losing due to unexpected moves on the board.
NASCAR Playoffs Standings Following Las Vegas
Underdog Power Rankings
van Gisbergen (unchanged): Even though fortune didn't favor him in Vegas, his undeniable speed makes him a wild card for next year. His oval evolution might peak at superspeedways like Talladega, where he's aiming for his first top 10 in four tries—imagine mastering the unpredictable drafts and pack racing that define that track.
McDowell (unchanged): His unbroken string of top-20s has him knocking on the door of the top spot, possibly claiming it at Talladega. With three top fives there since 2019 and near-misses at victory, could this be the season where he breaks through?
Hocevar (unchanged): No changes in the top three after Hocevar's top-10-caliber day ended in the same wreck as van Gisbergen. Talladega might finally deliver his elusive first win, building on his sixth-place spring finish—a testament to his talent in chaotic environments.
Jones (new entry): Jones's season has been like a scatter plot in math, unpredictable and scattered, but this top 15 vaults him back into the top five after another solid intermediate track performance. Much like McDowell, he's suffered heartbreaks at Talladega, where he's hit sixth or better six times in 11 races, raising questions about whether superspeedways suit him or if strategy is the missing piece.
AJ Allmendinger (down 1): A gutsy comeback from the restart mishap earned him another top 20, after threatening a top 10 before the crash. Despite his aversion to superspeedways, Allmendinger seeks his second top five at Talladega in 22 attempts—do you think he'll conquer his fears, or is it time to admit some tracks just aren't his style?
Honorable Mentions: Stenhouse, Gragson, Todd Gilliland
Small Team Scheme of the Week
As autumn chills set in across the nation, with colorful leaves dotting the landscape and October deepening, it's officially 'flannel season' in motorsports. Herbst's No. 35 Toyota embraced the vibe with Hungry Jacks pancakes emblazoned on the car, evoking cozy, syrup-soaked fall mornings—a clever nod to homey comfort that might inspire your next breakfast idea.
And this is the part most people miss: Could the 'Las Vegas curse' for hometown heroes actually be a myth fueled by high expectations, or is there something deeper in the track's layout that trips up locals? Do you agree that underdogs like Gragson are finally breaking free, or is this just a fluke in an otherwise unforgiving sport? Share your thoughts in the comments—does home-field advantage truly exist in NASCAR, or is it all about raw talent and luck? Let's debate: Is Riley Herbst's repeated 17th-place finishes a sign of consistency or a quirky limitation? Your opinions could spark the next big discussion!
Luken Glover
Now in his fifth year with Frontstretch, Luken Glover pens The Underdog House, spotlighting the drive and achievements of NASCAR's lesser-known teams as they climb toward the summit. He also covers events for the site and handles video editing. A 2023 grad of the University of the Cumberlands, Glover teaches middle school math and PE while coaching basketball. He's dedicated to his church, playing and coaching various sports, and delving into motorsports history.
