Vegas is a weird place for a race. Honestly, the idea of shutting down the iconic Strip to let cars scream past Caesars Palace at 200 mph still feels like a fever dream, but here we are. Whether you’re looking for the high-stakes drama of Formula 1 or the fender-rubbing chaos of NASCAR at the Motor Speedway, the 2025 season delivered some results that left fans either screaming at their TVs or staring in disbelief at the timing screens.
If you just want the quick numbers: Max Verstappen took the F1 crown under the neon lights, while Josh Berry and Denny Hamlin split the big NASCAR trophies earlier in the year. But the raw stats don't even begin to cover the "technical infringements" and late-race wall-slams that actually defined these weekends.
The F1 Las Vegas Race Results: A Night of Neon and Disqualifications
The 2025 Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix was, in a word, messy.
Lando Norris started on pole and looked like he might finally tighten the screws on the championship. Then, Turn 1 happened. Norris ran wide, Max Verstappen smelled blood, and the lead changed hands before the first lap was even halfway done. Verstappen didn't just win; he dominated, finishing with a massive 23-second gap.
But the real story happened in the steward's room after the champagne was sprayed.
👉 See also: Tottenham vs FC Barcelona: Why This Matchup Still Matters in 2026
Both McLaren cars—Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri—were disqualified. Yeah, you read that right. Post-race inspections found excessive wear on their skid blocks. It was a brutal blow for McLaren's title hopes. This shifted the entire podium, moving George Russell into second and giving the young Italian Kimi Antonelli a third-place finish for Mercedes.
2025 F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix Final Standings
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 1:21:08.429
- George Russell (Mercedes) - +23.546s
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - +30.488s (Includes a 5s penalty for a false start)
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - +30.678s
- Carlos Sainz (Williams) - +34.924s
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) - +45.257s
- Nico Hulkenberg (Kick Sauber) - +51.134s
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - +59.369s
Lewis Hamilton's day was a rollercoaster. He started dead last in P20 after a qualifying disaster but clawed his way back to P8. It’s the kind of drive that reminds you why the guy has seven titles, even if his car wasn't the fastest thing on the track that night.
NASCAR at Las Vegas: Berry’s First and Hamlin’s 60th
Switching gears to the oval, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosted two major Cup Series events in 2025.
The spring race, the Pennzoil 400, was one for the history books. Josh Berry, driving the legendary No. 21 for Wood Brothers Racing, captured his first-ever career win. It was a massive moment for the team’s 75th anniversary. He hunted down Daniel Suarez with only 15 laps to go and didn't look back.
✨ Don't miss: Buddy Hield Sacramento Kings: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
Then came the playoffs in October. The South Point 400 was a much grittier affair.
Denny Hamlin grabbed his 60th career victory, which is a massive milestone that ties him with Kevin Harvick for 10th on the all-time win list. He took the lead from his teammate Chase Briscoe with just four laps left. It wasn't pretty, and it definitely wasn't easy, especially after playoff contenders like William Byron and Ryan Blaney saw their days end in clouds of smoke and crumpled sheet metal.
Key NASCAR Vegas Stats (2025)
- Pennzoil 400 Winner: Josh Berry (Wood Brothers Racing)
- South Point 400 Winner: Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing)
- Most Laps Led (October): Kyle Larson (129 laps)
- DNFs (October): Ryan Blaney, William Byron, Ty Gibbs
Why the Vegas Results Are Always Controversial
Vegas is basically a giant heat sink, even at night. For F1, the track temperature is notoriously difficult to manage. You’ve got long straights where the tires cool down way too much, followed by heavy braking zones. That’s likely why we saw so many lock-ups and that "skid block" drama for McLaren.
On the NASCAR side, the 1.5-mile tri-oval is fast. Like, really fast. The "clean air" advantage is huge here, which is why 11 of the last 12 winners started in the top 10. If you lose track position in Vegas, you’re basically fighting a losing battle against aerodynamics.
🔗 Read more: Why the March Madness 2022 Bracket Still Haunts Your Sports Betting Group Chat
What to Do With This Info
If you're a bettor or just a hardcore fan looking ahead to the 2026 season, there are a few things to keep in mind based on these results.
First, watch the technical updates. The McLaren disqualification in F1 shows that teams are pushing the ride-height limits to the absolute edge to get speed on the Strip. Expect the FIA to be even stricter next time around.
Second, in NASCAR, keep an eye on the Joe Gibbs Racing stable. Between Hamlin’s win and Christopher Bell’s consistent top-5 finishes at this track, they’ve clearly cracked the code for the Vegas asphalt.
For those planning to attend the next race, remember that the F1 schedule is a "night owl" special. The 2025 race didn't even start until 10:00 PM local time. If you’re going, hydrate more than you think you need to—the desert air is no joke, even when the sun is down.
Check the official F1 and NASCAR apps for the most current 2026 ticket deposits and schedule shifts, as the Las Vegas race results from 2025 have already triggered some talk about track surface tweaks for the coming year.