Pennzoil 400 Presented By Jiffy Lube At Las Vegas: Full NASCAR Cup Series Entry List 2026

The NASCAR Cup Series continues its western march with a stop in the Nevada desert, where Las Vegas Motor Speedway stands ready to deliver the first true intermediate‑track test of the 2026 season. This 1.5‑mile oval may look smooth from afar, but it has a reputation for exposing weaknesses in both equipment and execution.

After the rhythm‑heavy challenge of Phoenix Raceway, the field now transitions to a track where aero balance, throttle control, and long‑run discipline matter more than anything else. Las Vegas resets the competitive landscape.

It strips away the short‑track tendencies at Phoenix and forces teams to rely on raw speed, clean-air management, and the ability to adapt as the track evolves. With 36 drivers preparing for Sunday’s Pennzoil 400, the intensity inside the garage is unmistakable because everyone knows this race often reveals which organizations built real speed over the offseason.

A Track Built For High‑Speed Reality Checks

Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s layout demands a different kind of precision than the tracks the series has visited so far. The progressive banking encourages multiple grooves, but choosing the wrong line can destroy tires in a matter of laps.

The bumps in Turns 1 and 2 force drivers to stay disciplined on corner entry, and the desert winds can shift a car’s balance without warning. Teams understand that Las Vegas is one of the most important intermediate tracks on the schedule because it mirrors the characteristics of several playoff venues.

A strong performance here often signals a team capable of contending deep into the fall. The entry list blends championship contenders, rising talents, and veterans who know how quickly Las Vegas can turn a small mistake into a long afternoon.

Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Team Penske, and 23XI Racing arrive with cars capable of controlling the race, while Trackhouse, RFK Racing, Spire Motorsports, and Front Row Motorsports bring depth that can disrupt the running order if strategy becomes a factor. This is a track where organizational strength matters, but execution matters even more.

Drivers Shaping This Weekend’s Field

This group of 36 drivers enters Las Vegas with a wide range of expectations and pressure levels. Some have years of data to lean on, while others are still learning how to manage the unique demands of a 1.5‑mile track that changes dramatically as rubber builds and temperatures rise.

A few arrive with the momentum to deliver a breakout performance. However, others desperately need a rebound after a rough start to the season. Las Vegas rewards drivers who understand how to maintain balance through long green‑flag stretches, protect their right‑rear tire, and stay patient when the field spreads out.

The ability to manage dirty air becomes crucial, especially during the middle stages of the race when track position becomes harder to gain. The mix of youth, experience, and organizational strength gives this event a competitive edge that will help define the early championship picture. For many drivers, this is the first real chance to prove they belong in the conversation for the Chase

Drivers To Watch

Josh Berry: No. 21, Wood Brothers Racing

Josh Berry returns to Las Vegas with one of the most emotional storylines in the garage. His victory here last spring wasn’t just a personal breakthrough. It was the 101st win for Wood Brothers Racing, a moment that resonated across the sport. With Samuel Stanley atop the pit box, Berry enters at +4000 odds, but numbers don’t capture his comfort level at this track.

Berry thrives on rhythm‑based racing, and Las Vegas rewards drivers who can stay patient as the groove widens. If the No. 21 unloads with speed, Berry has the poise and racecraft to make noise again. A repeat win would be monumental for both him and the Wood Brothers.

Kyle Larson: No. 5, Hendrick Motorsports

Kyle Larson arrives as the clear favorite at +450, and Las Vegas fits his style perfectly. His ability to run inches from the wall and generate massive exit speed makes him a threat the moment the green flag waves. When he and crew chief Cliff Daniels find the balance early, the rest of the field spends the afternoon trying to keep up.

Larson’s comfort in dirty air and his ability to adapt to changing track conditions make him one of the most dangerous drivers on intermediate tracks. If Hendrick unloads with speed, Larson could dominate long stretches of this race.

Denny Hamlin: No. 11, Joe Gibbs Racing

Denny Hamlin enters at +600 with the kind of confidence that comes from years of mastering intermediate tracks. His long‑run discipline and tire management make him a natural contender here.

With Chris Gayle calling the strategy, the No. 11 team knows exactly how to control a race when the groove widens, and the pace settles in. Hamlin’s ability to adjust his line as the track evolves gives him an edge few can match. If the race comes down to execution on pit road, Hamlin’s crew is among the best in the business.

Ryan Blaney: No. 12, Team Penske

Ryan Blaney’s +900 odds reflect a driver who understands how to manage Las Vegas better than most. His Team Penske Ford thrives on raw speed, and his ability to maintain pace over long runs makes him a constant threat. If the balance is right, Blaney will be in the mix late. Blaney’s calm demeanor helps him avoid the mid‑race chaos that often unfolds here. If he qualifies well, he could control the early stages of the race.

William Byron: No. 24, Hendrick Motorsports

William Byron enters at +850 and continues to prove he’s one of the most calculated drivers in the field. His smooth inputs and ability to adapt to changing track conditions make him dangerous on any intermediate track. If Hendrick unloads with speed, Byron will be a factor. Byron’s strength lies in his ability to maintain consistent lap times deep into a run. If the race becomes a battle of tire conservation, he will be one of the favorites.

Noah Gragson: No. 4, Front Row Motorsports

Noah Gragson returns to his hometown with +15000 odds and a chip on his shoulder. Las Vegas brings out his best aggressive, fearless, and energized by the crowd. If chaos strikes late, Gragson is exactly the type of driver who can capitalize. His comfort level at this track gives him an edge over other mid‑pack drivers. If Front Row hits the setup, Gragson could easily outperform expectations.

Daniel Suárez: No. 7, Spire Motorsports

Daniel Suárez enters at +7500 with a team that has quietly built momentum. His determination in traffic and refusal to surrender track position make him a dangerous wildcard. If the race becomes strategy‑heavy, Suárez could find himself inside the top ten. Spire’s intermediate‑track program has improved significantly, and Suárez has the aggression needed to take advantage of late‑race restarts.

What This Entry List Means For 2026

Las Vegas is the first race that truly tests a team’s intermediate‑track program. Superspeedways and short tracks reward specialized skill sets. Las Vegas rewards completeness, aerodynamic balance, long‑run speed, pit‑road execution, and adaptability as the track evolves.

Teams that run well here often carry that momentum into the heart of the season. All 36 charter entries are filled, creating a deep, competitive field where nearly every driver has the potential to matter if their setup is right.

Las Vegas’ abrasive surface, shifting winds, and multi‑groove racing will quickly reveal which organizations built strong packages over the offseason. The mix of experience, momentum, and rising talent makes this one of the most telling early‑season lineups.

Pennzoil 400 Presented By Jiffy Lube At Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Full Entry List: Cup Series

(i) indicates any driver ineligible for earning season and or playoff points.

• 1. Ross Chastain — No. 1 — Trackhouse Racing
• 2. Austin Cindric — No. 2 — Team Penske
• 3. Austin Dillon — No. 3 — Richard Childress Racing
• 4. Noah Gragson — No. 4 — Front Row Motorsports
• 5. Kyle Larson — No. 5 — Hendrick Motorsports
• 6. Brad Keselowski — No. 6 — RFK Racing
• 7. Daniel Suárez — No. 7 — Spire Motorsports
• 8. Kyle Busch — No. 8 — Richard Childress Racing
• 9. Chase Elliott — No. 9 — Hendrick Motorsports
• 10. Ty Dillon — No. 10 — Kaulig Racing
• 11. Denny Hamlin — No. 11 — Joe Gibbs Racing
• 12. Ryan Blaney — No. 12 — Team Penske
• 13. A.J. Allmendinger — No. 16 — Kaulig Racing
• 14. Chris Buescher — No. 17 — RFK Racing
• 15. Chase Briscoe — No. 19 — Joe Gibbs Racing
• 16. Christopher Bell — No. 20 — Joe Gibbs Racing
• 17. Josh Berry — No. 21 — Wood Brothers Racing
• 18. Joey Logano — No. 22 — Team Penske
• 19. Bubba Wallace — No. 23 — 23XI Racing
• 20. William Byron — No. 24 — Hendrick Motorsports
• 21. Todd Gilliland — No. 34 — Front Row Motorsports
• 22. Riley Herbst — No. 35 — 23XI Racing
• 23. Zane Smith — No. 38 — Front Row Motorsports
• 24. Cole Custer — No. 41 — Haas Factory Team
• 25. John Hunter Nemechek — No. 42 — Legacy Motor Club
• 26. Erik Jones — No. 43 — Legacy Motor Club
• 27. Tyler Reddick — No. 45 — 23 XI Racing
• 28. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. — No. 47 — HYAK Motorsports
• 29. Justin Allgaier (i) — No. 48 — Hendrick Motorsports
• 30. Cody Ware — No. 51 — Rick Ware Racing
• 31. Ty Gibbs — No. 54 — Joe Gibbs Racing
• 32. Ryan Preece — No. 60 — RFK Racing
• 33. Michael McDowell — No. 71 — Spire Motorsports
• 34. Carson Hocevar — No. 77 — Spire Motorsports
• 35. Connor Zilisch — No. 88 — Trackhouse Racing
• 36. Shane van Gisbergen — No. 97 — Trackhouse Racing

Las Vegas On The Horizon

The 2026 Pennzoil 400 brings one of the strongest early‑season fields in recent memory. Thirty‑six cars. A 1.5‑mile oval that demands perfection. And a race that will reveal more about the championship picture than anything we’ve seen so far.

Las Vegas doesn’t care about hype, only about who can deliver when the track gets slick, the tires fall off, and the race becomes a test of discipline. The desert will show no mercy, and the teams who leave with momentum will have earned every bit of it.