NASCAR at Las Vegas 2020 Results: Kurt Busch Wins to Secure Spot in Round of 8

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

Kurt Busch could not have planned a better start to the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

Busch outlasted the rest of the field in an overtime sprint to clinch the victory in Sunday's South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the first of three races before the playoff field is trimmed from 12 to eight. Next up are races at Talladega Superspeedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway, but Busch already clinched his spot in the next round with the win.

#NASCARPlayoffs on NBC @NASCARonNBC

.@KurtBusch celebrates his win with @KyleBusch! #NASCARPlayoffs https://t.co/cGdmFB3Kul

Bob Pockrass @bobpockrass

Unofficial points: KuBusch-in, Harvick 61, Hamlin 58, Keselowski 16, Truex 15, Logano 11, Elliott 10, Bowman 9, KyBusch -9, Bowyer -20, Almirola -27, Dillon -32

There was some drama when William Byron spun out with seven laps left to help create overtime, but Busch was up for the challenge.

Entering Sunday's race, Kevin Harvick led the playoff field in points followed, in order, by Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Chase Elliott, Martin Truex Jr., Alex Bowman, Austin Dillon, Aric Almirola, Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer and Kurt Busch.

Jordan Bianchi @Jordan_Bianchi

Engines are fired for Round 2 playoff race at Vegas (NBCSN). In a round that includes ‘Dega and the Roval, a win tonight carries added importance.

Harvick 62
Hamlin 43
Brad K 30
Logano 17
Elliott 16
Truex 11
Bowman 4
Dillon 0
Almirola -0
KyBusch -1
Bowyer -1
KuBusch -4

Logano and Keselowski figured to be two of the most competitive racers in Las Vegas seeing as how the former finished in the top 10 in his last nine races in Sin City. The latter finished in the top 10 in his previous 10 races at the track with three wins in that span. Only Jimmie Johnson (four) has more victories in Las Vegas.

However, Keselowski struggled right out of the gates, falling behind the rest of the playoff field in the first stage.

It appeared as if Elliott were going to cruise to a stage win in the opening portion of the race, but Busch won a race off pit road before Hamlin passed him on a restart. Hamlin rode that all the way to a win in a first stage that saw Logano block Elliott in a head-turning move:

NASCAR @NASCAR

Do you think @joeylogano's block on @chaseelliott was fair or foul? https://t.co/peAiEMiniy

Aaron Bearden @aaronbearden93

Here are the updated playoff standings after Stage 1.

Shift Kyle Busch into the current Round of 8 field. Those eight stage points were a big early gain.
#NASCAR https://t.co/SYzevAWUoX

#NASCARPlayoffs on NBC @NASCARonNBC

When @dennyhamlin takes Stage 1 at @LVMotorSpeedway. #NASCARPlayoffs https://t.co/6XJx1ybEO9

There was plenty of drama in the second stage.

Logano took the lead on a restart, but he and Kyle Busch contacted each other. Logano went to pit road and fell multiple laps back, while Busch fell because of an issue on pit road. It wasn't the first time there was an issue between Logano and Busch, and Hamlin took advantage and took the lead.

Elliott then passed Hamlin, clinching his eighth stage win of the season.

NASCAR @NASCAR

STAGE WINNER: @chaseelliott is flexing his muscles once again at @LVMotorSpeedway, taking Stage Two of the #SouthPoint400!

📺: NBCSN | 📲: https://t.co/BHXvTwrLoC https://t.co/EgDVk6UhgK

Aaron Bearden @aaronbearden93

Chase Elliott claimed Stage 2 after holding off a late charge from Denny Hamlin.

It was his second oval race in a row with a stage win after going without a stage win on an oval since spring Bristol beforehand.

Here are today's stage results and updated totals leaving Vegas. https://t.co/WiXA6cqhZn

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Kyle Busch vs. Joey Logano at Vegas.

It's almost a theme for this track. https://t.co/xU5EERByYz

There was trouble in the third stage for Dillon, who fell well off the lead lap with steering issues.

However, it was a key caution late in the race that appeared to set the stage for Kurt Busch. He was the only playoff driver on the lead lap when the caution came out, and he took the lead on the restart with Matt DiBenedetto chasing.

That momentum faded when Byron spun out with seven laps to go, setting up another caution and critical restart.

NASCAR @NASCAR

The No. 24 of @WilliamByron goes for a slide to bring out the yellow once again in the #SouthPoint400.

annnnnnnd everyone relax for a quick second https://t.co/l2n2QWI89S

That led to overtime, but Busch could not be topped.