The 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season continued with a key race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The event helped shape the early championship picture as teams push deeper into the schedule. O’Reilly Auto Parts became the new title sponsor this season, marking a new chapter for NASCAR’s secondary national series.
The race at the 1.5-mile track offered an early test for drivers hoping to stay in the title fight. While Cup Series driver Kyle Larson won the race, the focus in the standings remains on the full-time competitors chasing the championship.
Justin Allgaier and Jesse Love left Las Vegas separated by only a few points, setting up a tight battle as the series prepares for its next race at Darlington Raceway later this month.
Kyle Larson Wins at Las Vegas
Kyle Larson delivered a strong performance at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the No. 88 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet for JR Motorsports. The Cup Series regular took control of the race with 47 laps remaining and held the lead to the finish.
Larson secured his 18th career victory in the series. The win also kept him undefeated this season while driving the No. 88 entry.
Chase Briscoe finished second after closing the gap late in the race. Larson crossed the finish line 2.557 seconds ahead of Briscoe to seal the victory. The result added another strong run for JR Motorsports at intermediate tracks.
Justin Allgaier Holds the Points Lead
Justin Allgaier left Las Vegas with the lead in the championship standings. The JR Motorsports driver controlled much of the race early and collected valuable stage points.
Allgaier won both Stage 1 and Stage 2 before his car lost some handling during the final portion of the race. Even with the change in performance, he managed to finish fourth.
That result allowed him to extend his points lead. Allgaier now sits at 184 points in the standings following the Las Vegas race.
Jesse Love remains close behind in second. Austin Hill sits third, with the top three drivers separated by only five points.
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Standings after The LiUNA! at Las Vegas!#NASCAR #NOAPS #TheLiUNA pic.twitter.com/d7RIv5LXSH
— Around The Track NASCAR (@arndtrackNASCAR) March 15, 2026
Championship Fight Continues Toward Darlington
Jesse Love stayed within reach of the points lead despite a setback during the race. Love showed strong speed throughout the event but received a pit-road safety violation penalty with fewer than 80 laps remaining.
The penalty dropped him back in the field, but he recovered to finish sixth. That effort kept him within three points of Allgaier in the standings.
Patrick Staropoli finished as the highest-placing rookie in the race with a 21st-place result. Sammy Smith and Corey Day also continued their steady starts to the season.
The series now moves to Darlington Raceway for the Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200 on March 21. The historic track will present another challenge as drivers continue to fight for position in the championship standings.
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Standings After Las Vegas: Justin Allgaier Barely Leads