The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series has been pulling off surprises on a weekly basis, with drivers unexpected to win taking the checkered flags in each of the first three races of the season. Will one of the big hitters finally get a win this weekend when the action continues at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the 2021 Pennzoil 400.
Truex was among the favorites to win each of the first three races of the season but has only come close to winning one of those races when he went third at the Dixie Vodka 400. That being said, he should remain among the top drivers to watch out for this weekend at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where he’s won twice in 18 career starts there. After winning the South Point 400 there in 2019, Truex went 20th at the 2020 Pennzoil 400 and fourth at the 2020 South Point 400.
Kevin Harvick (+650)
Harvick is having a fantastic start to the season. While he has yet to win this year, Harvick has finished inside the top six in each of the past three races. Last week, he placed fifth at the 2021 Dixie Vodka 400. That consistency reflects his performance at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in his past few appearances there. Harvick has two wins, seven top 5s, and 12 top 10s in 23 career starts at that track, dating back to 2001. His last win there was in 2018 when he topped that year’s Pennzoil 400.
Brad Keselowski (+650)
Keselowski had a nice run at the O’Reilly Auto Parts 253 At Daytona but took a step back last week when he finished 16th at the 2021 Dixie Vodka 400. Forget about that performance, though. Keselowski had three wins and seven top 5s to go with 10 top 10s in 15 career starts at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
SLEEPERS
Matt DiBenedetto (+3000)
DiBenedetto is zeroing in on a win at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway based on his most recent appearances there. DiBenedetto had not finished inside the top 20 in his first six appearances at that track, but has been the runner-up in both of his last two races there.
Austin Dillon (+3000)
Dillon owns a pedestrian career average finish of 16.27 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, but he can put up a strong performance there from time to time. Take for example his fourth-place finish in last year’s Pennzoil 400 and his fifth-place campaign in 2016’s Kobalt 400.
LONG SHOT
Michael McDowell (+12,500)
McDowell is having quite a season. After pulling off a huge long-shot victory at the 2021 Daytona 500, McDowell went eighth at the O’Reilly Auto Parts 253 and then sixth at the Dixie Vodka 400.
