O’Reilly Auto Parts Series At Las Vegas Motor Speedway: Full LiUNA! Entry List

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend with a 41‑car field preparing for one of the most demanding 1.5‑mile ovals on the schedule. Saturday’s LiUNA! Race under the Nevada sun marks a dramatic shift from last week’s short‑track battle at Phoenix Raceway.

Las Vegas is the first true intermediate test of the 2026 season, and teams know that what happens here often sets the tone for the next two months. Las Vegas requires a completely different approach: one built on aerodynamic balance, long‑run discipline, and the ability to survive restarts that can flip the running order in seconds.

Intermediate tracks expose weaknesses quickly, especially for organizations that haven’t perfected their mile‑and‑a‑half programs. Historically, Las Vegas has been a separator: teams with strong simulation packages and wind‑tunnel data rise to the top, while others spend the next several weeks playing catch‑up.

The sweeping corners, high speeds, and abrasive surface reward drivers who stay patient and punish those who overstep the limit. The track’s progressive banking allows for multiple grooves, but the fastest line often migrates toward the wall as rubber builds up.

Long green‑flag runs can stretch the field, but late cautions often bring everyone back together, creating a race where nothing is settled until the final laps. Las Vegas blends the intensity of a superspeedway with the strategy of a technical oval, and it has produced seven different winners in the last nine O’Reilly Series races.

Grip levels change dramatically as the sun sets, and teams must anticipate how the track will evolve as temperatures drop. The transition from day to night can swing the balance by as much as a full adjustment on the wedge or track bar. It’s a place where early‑season momentum can either skyrocket or evaporate, and the drivers who adapt the quickest usually end up in contention.

A Field Loaded With Intermediate‑Track Firepower

This weekend’s entry list brings together a wide mix of experience levels and team strengths. JR Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Richard Childress Racing arrive with deep lineups capable of running up front. These organizations have historically dominated Las Vegas, combining for 11 wins since 2015.

Hendrick Motorsports and Haas Factory Team‑aligned programs add intrigue with their driver choices, each bringing something unique to the table. Las Vegas rewards drivers who can adjust on the fly. Some teams will chase long‑run speed, hoping to capitalize on tire falloff.

This is a factor that has defined nearly every Vegas race since the repave aged. Others will build their setups around short‑run bursts, expecting cautions to keep the field tight. The balance between raw speed and tire conservation often determines who survives the final 30 laps.

With Cup Series drivers dropping into the field and several young talents looking to make a statement, the margin for error shrinks considerably. Cup drivers have won four of the last six O’Reilly Series races at Las Vegas, raising the bar for everyone else. Three drivers in particular stand out heading into the weekend, each for different reasons.

Drivers To Watch

Justin Allgaier: No. 7, JR Motorsports

Justin Allgaier arrives in Las Vegas carrying a massive wave of momentum after conquering Phoenix Raceway. He’s also the defending race winner at Las Vegas, and few drivers understand this track’s rhythm better. Allgaier has led more than 300 laps at this track in his O’Reilly Series career, making him one of the most consistent performers in the field.

He excels at managing tire wear, reading long green‑flag cycles, and positioning himself for late‑race restarts. His communication with crew chief Andrew Overstreet is among the best in the garage, and their intermediate program is dialed in tight. If the race becomes a test of consistency and execution, Allgaier will be one of the toughest drivers to beat.

Kyle Larson: No. 88, JR Motorsports

Anytime Kyle Larson straps into an O’Reilly Series car, the entire field takes notice. Larson’s ability to run the high line inches from the wall is unmatched, and Las Vegas is one of the tracks where that skill becomes a weapon. He has two O’Reilly Series wins at 1.5‑mile tracks and has finished top‑five in four of his last five Vegas starts across NASCAR’s top divisions.

He can generate speed where others can’t, and his throttle control on worn tires is elite. If the top groove comes in, Larson instantly becomes the favorite. His presence alone raises the intensity level across the garage, and his aggressive style often forces others into mistakes.

Chase Briscoe: No. 19, Joe Gibbs Racing

Chase Briscoe steps into the No. 19 Toyota due to age restrictions keeping Brent Crews out of the event. Briscoe is hungry, experienced, and fully capable of putting JGR in Victory Lane. He has three career O’Reilly Series wins on intermediate tracks and has finished top‑ten in every Vegas start he’s made since 2020.

He thrives on tracks where car control and adaptability matter, and Las Vegas fits that mold perfectly. With elite equipment underneath him, Briscoe is a legitimate threat to steal the show. His ability to maintain speed on long runs could be the difference if the race stays green late.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway: The Challenge That Matters

Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a beast that demands respect. Its sweeping corners and high speeds punish even the slightest mistake. The track surface has aged significantly since its last repave, resulting in tire wear that mirrors Atlanta’s pre‑rebuild configuration.

Tire management becomes a brutal chess match, and crew chiefs will be sweating on the pit box, calculating fuel mileage, tire wear, and pit cycles. The average green‑flag run here is nearly 30 laps, meaning teams must balance short‑run grip with long‑run stability. Drivers run inches from the wall at nearly 180 mph, feeling every bump and groove through the steering wheel.

The margin for error is essentially zero. Long runs can separate the contenders from the pretenders, but late cautions often reset everything. Pit strategy is crucial as a perfectly timed stop can flip the running order, while a mistake on pit road can bury a fast car. Restarts are unpredictable, especially when drivers fan out across multiple lanes in search of clean air.

With the championship picture still forming, the spring race carries extra weight. A bad night here can take weeks to recover from. Teams that unload quickly at Las Vegas often find themselves competitive at Kansas, Charlotte, and Texas, all of which are crucial races later in the season.

Why This Entry List Matters

This entry list brings together a mix of proven veterans, Cup Series talent, and young drivers looking to establish themselves. Las Vegas removes the unpredictability of superspeedways and the technical quirks of road courses. It’s a straightforward test of speed, discipline, and execution, which is arguably the purest form of intermediate racing.

Larson’s presence in the No. 88 shows JR Motorsports’ commitment to pairing top‑tier equipment with top‑tier talent. Briscoe’s appearance gives Joe Gibbs Racing a chance to flex its depth. And Allgaier enters as the benchmark as the driver everyone else must measure themselves against.

With 41 cars entered and only 38 starting spots available, attrition begins before the race even starts. Three teams will go home early. Qualifying becomes a pressure cooker, and drivers on the bubble will push their equipment to the absolute limit. Missing the race here can derail a small team’s entire season.

O’Reilly Auto Parts Series At Las Vegas Motor Speedway

The LiUNA! : Full Entry List

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

1. Cole Custer (i) — No. 0 — SS GreenLight Racing
2. Sheldon Creed — No. 00 — Haas Factory Team
3. Connor Zilisch (i) — No. 1 — JR Motorsports
4. Jesse Love — No. 2 — Richard Childress Racing
5. Ryan Ellis — No. 02 — Young’s Motorsports
6. Chandler Smith (i) — No. 5 — Hettinger Racing
7. Josh Bilicki — No. 07 — SS GreenLight Racing
8. Justin Allgaier — No. 7 — JR Motorsports
9. Sammy Smith — No. 8 — JR Motorsports
10. Carson Kvapil — No. 9 — JR Motorsports
11. Corey Day — No. 17 — Hendrick Motorsports
12. William Sawalich — No. 18 — Joe Gibbs Racing
13. Chase Briscoe (i) — No. 19 — Joe Gibbs Racing
14. Brandon Jones — No. 20 — Joe Gibbs Racing
15. Austin Hill — No. 21 — Richard Childress Racing
16. Harrison Burton — No. 24 — Sam Hunt Racing
17. Nick Sanchez — No. 25 — AM Racing
18. Dean Thompson — No. 26 — Sam Hunt Racing
19. Jeb Burton — No. 27 — Jordan Anderson Racing
20. Kyle Sieg — No. 28 — RSS Racing
21. Myatt Snider — No. 30 — Barrett‑Cope Racing
22. Blaine Perkins — No. 31 — Jordan Anderson Racing
23. Rajah Caruth — No. 32 — Jordan Anderson Racing
24. Chad Finchum — No. 35 — Joey Gase Motorsports
25. Ryan Sieg — No. 39 — RSS Racing
26. Sam Mayer — No. 41 — Haas Factory Team
27. Nathan Byrd — No. 42 — Young’s Motorsports
28. Brennan Poole — No. 44 — Alpha Prime Racing
29. Lavar Scott — No. 45 — Alpha Prime Racing
30. Patrick Staropoli — No. 48 — Big Machine Racing
31. Jeremy Clements — No. 51 — Jeremy Clements Racing
32. Daniel Dye (i) — No. 52 — AM Racing
33. Taylor Gray — No. 54 — Joe Gibbs Racing
34. Joey Gase — No.55 — Joey Gase Motorsports
35. Dawson Cram — No.74 — Mike Harmon Racing
36. Austin Green — No.87 — Peterson Racing Group
37. Kyle Larson (i) — No. 88 — JR Motorsports
38. Mason Maggio — No. 91 — DGM Racing X JIM
39. Josh Williams — No. 92 — DGM Racing X JIM
40. Anthony Alfredo — No. 96 — Viking Motorsports
41. Parker Retzlaff — No. 99 — Viking Motorsports

What This Means

Las Vegas is more than just another early‑season stop. It’s a checkpoint. For Allgaier, it’s a chance to go back‑to‑back and solidify his championship push. For Larson and Briscoe, it’s an opportunity to dominate as Cup Series invaders. For rising stars like Sheldon Creed, Chandler Smith, and Jesse Love, it’s a chance to prove they can run with the best.

The 1.5‑mile oval rewards drivers who stay calm, adjust quickly, and avoid trouble. With 41 cars battling for 38 spots, the weekend will demand precision from start to finish. Las Vegas doesn’t care about expectations. It reveals who’s ready and who still has work to do.

Why Las Vegas Could Reshape The Early Landscape Of The 2026 Season

Saturday evening at Las Vegas Motor Speedway has the potential to reshape the early direction of the 2026 season. The entry list blends Cup Series strength, hungry young talent, and veterans who know how to win here. The last five spring races at Las Vegas have produced four different winners, and late‑race drama is almost guaranteed.

Justin Allgaier brings momentum. Kyle Larson brings raw speed. Chase Briscoe brings determination. And the rest of the field brings everything they have to survive one of the toughest intermediate tracks on the schedule.

All Eyes On Vegas

When the green flag waves, the field will face one of the most revealing tests of the season. By the time the checkered flag falls, the sport will have a clearer sense of which drivers and teams are ready to contend and which ones will be scrambling to catch up.