The Underdog's Tale: Noah Gragson's Hometown Triumph in Sin City
A Tale of Underdogs and Hometown Pride
In the world of NASCAR, where drivers traverse the length and breadth of the United States, the concept of 'home' takes on a whole new meaning. And for our story today, we head to the bright lights of Las Vegas, a city that has birthed some of the sport's most talented drivers.
Las Vegas, a mecca for NASCAR fans, boasts an impressive trio of homegrown talents: Kyle Busch, Noah Gragson, and Riley Herbst. However, this city of sin has not always been kind to its own, with only one victory for Kyle Busch at his home track, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, out of his impressive 63 Cup wins.
The Underdog's Rise: Gragson's Home Field Advantage
While Busch is an established star, Gragson and Herbst are the underdogs, striving to make their mark. And in the South Point 400, Gragson proved that he was a force to be reckoned with. Despite a wild and chaotic race, Gragson finished a remarkable 13th, a testament to his skill and determination.
Gragson's performance was a masterclass in consistency. He started strong, moving up to 19th by the end of stage one, and continued to improve, reaching the top 15 in stage two. But it was his composure during the final stage, especially amidst the largest accident in Las Vegas's history, that truly showcased his talent. He weaved through the chaos, securing his first top 15 finish since the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
And if that wasn't impressive enough, Gragson's No. 4 team set a new record with an 8.19-second pit stop, the fastest four-tire stop in team history.
Gragson's speed and skill have been evident throughout the season, and with six top 15 finishes under his belt, he's looking to finish the 2025 campaign on a high note. And with his strong performances at home, Gragson could gain the confidence boost he needs heading into 2026.
Underdog Runs: A Battle for Pride and Dollars
While no underdogs cracked the top 10, the top 20 was filled with dark horses, each telling their own story of determination and skill.
One such story is the friendly rivalry between Gragson and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. - a rivalry with a unique twist. Each week, the better finisher wins a dollar from the other. And this week, despite finishing 14th, Stenhouse is a dollar poorer. But the story doesn't end there. Stenhouse, initially struggling outside the top 20, made a remarkable comeback with some strategic adjustments, finishing strongly and securing back-to-back top-20 finishes.
Erik Jones also had a solid run, finishing 15th, his first top 15 since Darlington. Jones, battling balance issues throughout the race, managed to stay on the lead lap and dodge the late chaos, showcasing his skill and resilience.
Michael McDowell, a consistent performer, continued his hot streak, finishing 16th. Despite a commitment line violation and a pass-through penalty, McDowell fought back, navigating the late-race chaos to secure his sixth consecutive top 20 and his ninth in the past 10 races.
Riley Herbst, the 26-year-old rookie, had a solid run in his hometown, finishing 17th, a much-needed boost after a disqualification at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL the previous week. Herbst's performance was a testament to his growing skill and confidence.
Strange But True: Riley Herbst's Consistent 17th Place Finishes
Riley Herbst's 17th place finish at Las Vegas is a statistic that raises eyebrows. It marks the fifth time he's finished 17th in 2025, including three consecutive finishes to open the year and another at Chicago in July. This consistency, while perhaps not always desirable, showcases Herbst's growing talent and ability to consistently perform at a high level.
Shane van Gisbergen: The Oval Specialist
Shane van Gisbergen, a driver who has consistently improved on ovals, was shaping up for a strong performance in Las Vegas. And he didn't disappoint, running inside the top 15 for most of the race and cracking the top 10 in stage two. But it was a restart with just over 20 laps remaining that unraveled his strong showing.
Van Gisbergen, restarting inside the top five, found himself on the outside of Ty Gibbs when Christopher Bell tried a daring move, resulting in contact and a crash that relegated van Gisbergen to 33rd. The accident also took out Carson Hocevar, who had led some laps on strategy and finished stage two in 10th. Hocevar's speed was evident, but once again, misfortune struck, leaving him in 32nd.
NASCAR Playoffs Standings and Underdog Power Rankings
Shane van Gisbergen: Despite not winning in Vegas, van Gisbergen's speed was undeniable. He's a threat to watch out for in 2026, especially at superspeedways like Talladega, where he'll be seeking his first top 10 in his fourth start.
Michael McDowell: McDowell's consistent top 20 finishes keep him in contention for the top spot, especially with Talladega on the horizon. He has three top fives at Talladega since 2019 and has come close to winning several times.
Carson Hocevar: Hocevar had a strong showing in Las Vegas, and his wait for his first win could end at Talladega, where he finished sixth in the spring.
Erik Jones: Jones's performance has been a rollercoaster this season, but a top 15 finish sees him back in the top five. Like McDowell, Jones has experienced painful losses at Talladega, where he has finished sixth or better an impressive six times in the past 11 races.
AJ Allmendinger: Allmendinger, a determined performer, notched another top 20 finish despite being caught in the restart accident. He'll be looking to earn his second top five at Talladega, a track he's not particularly fond of.
Honorable Mentions: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Noah Gragson, Todd Gilliland
Small Team Scheme of the Week: A Homey Feel
As the weather cools and October deepens, it's officially flannel season. And Riley Herbst's No. 35 Toyota was dressed to impress, featuring Hungry Jacks pancakes on the car, a perfect representation of a cozy, pancake-filled fall morning.
About the Author: Luken Glover
Luken Glover, a 2023 graduate of the University of the Cumberlands, is the author of 'The Underdog House', a series that sheds light on the motivation and performance of NASCAR's dark horse teams. He's also a middle school math and PE teacher, a basketball coach, and a passionate researcher of motorsports history. Glover's work provides an insightful look into the world of NASCAR's underdogs, their struggles, and their triumphs.
