Joey Logano’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series title defense is off to a great start in the first race of the 2019 Playoffs. Logano muscled his way to the front and won the opening Stage of Sunday’s South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Logano, who won the spring race at Las Vegas earlier this season, is looking to sweep the season at the 1.5-mile speedway.
Kevin Harvick ended the opening Stage in the runner-up spot. Aric Almirola, Daniel Suarez and Austin Dillon rounded out the top-five in Stage 1.
Kurt Busch, a Las Vegas native, ended the opening Stage in sixth.
William Byron, Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Larson and Erik Jones also ended the opening frame of the race inside the top-10.
Kyle Busch, who entered the day as the point leader, slapped the wall on lap six and then had to pit for repairs on lap 12. As a result, Busch slipped two laps off the pace and ended the Stage in 29th.
