The Latest: Keselowski wins 2nd stage in Vegas playoff race

Posted September 16, 2018 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Martin Truex Jr. (78) drives during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken) The Associated Press

LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Latest on the NASCAR playoff opener at Las Vegas (all times local):

2:43 p.m.

Brad Keselowski has won the second stage of the first NASCAR playoff race, setting the stage for a big finish in Las Vegas.

Keselowski arrived at Las Vegas Motor Speedway riding back-to-back victories from the final two regular-season races. He pulled away from Stage 1 winner Martin Truex Jr. during a late restart and then held off Kurt Busch in second place to grab the second stage victory.

Keselowski hopes to keep pace in the playoffs with the Big Three of Truex, Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick. Harvick won't finish in Vegas after blowing a tire.

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2:22 p.m.

Kevin Harvick is out of the NASCAR playoff race in Las Vegas after blowing his right front tire during the second stage.

Harvick's blowout also took out pole-sitter Erik Jones, who couldn't react quickly enough and rear-ended Harvick with 120 laps to go at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Harvick and Kyle Busch were tied atop the overall standings heading into the 10-race playoff.

Harvick likely doesn't need a fantastic result from the first set of playoff races to advance, but the veteran driver was still furious about his tire failure.

"We had a great car, and then you put a set of tires on it and you can't hardly make it through the field," he said. "I'm not happy about anything right now."

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2:15 p.m.

The NASCAR Cup series playoffs have begun at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Erik Jones started on the pole and was passed on the opening lap by Joey Logano as the 16 playoff competitors began their 10-race chase to the big finale at Homestead. Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. also held a lead during the first stage, with Truex winning it.

Las Vegas has a second race this season for the first time. The temperature reached only 58 degrees Fahrenheit (14.44 Celsius) during the March race, but the drivers were sweating in 99-degree (37.22) heat from the start on Sunday.

The desert sun made the 1ˆ½-mile track even slicker than usual, forcing drivers to exercise caution while looking for new grooves.

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More AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/tag/apf-AutoRacing and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Fans stand for the beginning of a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken) The Associated Press

Joey Logano pits during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken) The Associated Press

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