Zach Thomas Johnson Conquers Las Vegas as Tyler Krawczyk Runs Dry Late

Zach Thomas Johnson captures the victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway as Tommy Krawczyk and Caleb Sheets take stage wins in a race featuring seven leaders, 16 lead changes and a costly late-race fuel issue for Tyler Krawczyk.

North Star Racing headed to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for Race 32 of the season, and it was Zach Thomas Johnson who emerged victorious after 201 laps of competition.

Starting fifth, Johnson put together a consistent performance in the No. 45, finishing third in Stage 1 and seventh in Stage 2 before delivering when it mattered most. He crossed the finish line first, earning 55 race points and 12 stage points for a total of 67 points on the night.

Alex M Rogers finished second, while Tommy Krawczyk completed the podium in third.

The race featured seven different leaders, 16 lead changes and five cautions for 15 caution laps, keeping the field on its toes throughout the evening. However, the closing laps brought heartbreak for Tyler Krawczyk, whose bid for a strong finish came to an end when he ran out of fuel.

Johnson Gets It Done in Sin City

Johnson’s victory was built on consistency and execution. While he didn’t win either stage, he remained in contention throughout the race and positioned himself to capitalize when the opportunity came.

The No. 45 started inside the top five and stayed competitive across the 201-lap distance. With several drivers battling near the front, Johnson’s ability to put together a complete race proved to be the difference.

M Rogers delivered an impressive run of his own, climbing from eighth on the starting grid to finish second. Tommy Krawczyk also remained near the front throughout the night, earning a third-place finish after winning the opening stage.

For Johnson, the victory represents a valuable result in an increasingly competitive championship battle.

Stage 1: Krawczyk Sets the Pace

Tommy Krawczyk opened the night by taking control of Stage 1, earning the stage victory after 45 laps.

Caleb Sheets finished second, followed by Johnson in third. M Rogers and Vince Mitchell completed the top five.

Championship leader Nic Vasquez finished sixth in the opening stage, collecting valuable points while keeping himself in contention.

Krawczyk’s early speed would prove to be a preview of a strong overall performance. The No. 48 remained competitive throughout the race and ultimately secured a third-place finish.

Stage 1 Results:

1. Tommy Krawczyk
2. Caleb Sheets
3. Zach Thomas Johnson
4. Alex M Rogers
5. Vince Mitchell

Stage 2: Sheets Strikes Back

Stage 2 belonged to Caleb Sheets.

After finishing second in the opening stage, Sheets moved up one position to claim the second-stage victory. M Rogers finished second, followed by Tommy Krawczyk in third and Michael Deitch in fourth.

Johnson finished seventh, collecting additional points while keeping his race on track.

Vasquez finished tenth in the stage, making his path to the overall victory more challenging. Despite the result, he remained in contention and ultimately finished fifth.

The two stages highlighted the depth of the field. Krawczyk won Stage 1, Sheets won Stage 2, and Johnson saved his strongest result for the finish.

Stage 2 Results:

1. Caleb Sheets
2. Alex M Rogers
3. Tommy Krawczyk
4. Michael Deitch
5. Haden Higginbotham

Late-Race Heartbreak: Tyler Krawczyk Runs Out of Fuel

Tyler Krawczyk’s night took a frustrating turn in the closing laps when he ran out of fuel.

After putting together a competitive run, Krawczyk was left watching his chances of a strong finish disappear as the race wound down. Fuel mileage became a decisive factor, turning what could have been a promising result into a disappointing end to the night.

At a track where every pit strategy decision can make a difference, the late-race fuel shortage served as a reminder that speed alone isn’t enough. Teams and drivers must balance pace with fuel conservation, especially when trying to make it to the checkered flag without another stop.

For Krawczyk, it was a tough way to end the Las Vegas race. The focus now shifts to bouncing back at the next round.

Las Vegas Race Results

1. Zach Thomas Johnson
2. Alex M Rogers
3. Tommy Krawczyk
4. Haden Higginbotham
5. Nic Vasquez
6. Michael Deitch
7. Joe Gibbons
8. Joe T Wright
9. Caleb Sheets
10. Vince Mitchell

Biggest Movers of the Night

Alex M Rogers — Second Place

Rogers turned an eighth-place starting position into a runner-up finish. He also finished second in Stage 2, delivering a productive night across both the stage competition and the full race.

Haden Higginbotham — Fourth Place

Starting tenth, Higginbotham steadily worked his way forward to finish fourth. His result put him ahead of several established front-runners and delivered an important points haul.

Tommy Krawczyk — Third Place

Krawczyk won Stage 1, finished third in Stage 2 and ultimately secured third overall. It was one of the most consistent performances of the evening.

Zach Thomas Johnson — The Winner

Johnson’s fifth-place starting position put him in contention from the beginning. He finished third in Stage 1, seventh in Stage 2 and then delivered when the checkered flag was on the line.

Tough Night for the Pole Sitter

Vince Mitchell started from the pole but finished tenth after completing 138 laps before disconnecting.

Mitchell earned six points in Stage 1 and eight in Stage 2, helping limit the damage from a difficult finish. Still, losing the opportunity to run the full 201 laps cost him a chance to challenge for a much stronger result.

Caleb Sheets also endured a frustrating ending. After finishing second in Stage 1 and winning Stage 2, Sheets was running competitively before disconnecting after 193 laps. He ultimately finished ninth.

Both drivers demonstrated the speed to contend, but Las Vegas once again showed how quickly a promising night can unravel.

Championship Watch: Vasquez Still Leads

Despite finishing fifth at Las Vegas, Nic Vasquez remains atop the overall driver standings.

The standings entering the race showed Vasquez leading with 2,328 points, followed by Johnson with 2,298 and Tommy Krawczyk with 2,297. Caleb Sheets sat fourth with 2,276, while Steven Carlile rounded out the top five with 2,253.

Johnson’s victory is especially significant because it comes while he is chasing Vasquez for the championship lead. Krawczyk also remains firmly in the picture, sitting just one point behind Johnson in the standings shown.

With Johnson and Tommy Krawczyk finishing ahead of Vasquez, the battle at the top has plenty of potential to tighten further.

Note: The championship totals above reflect the standings shown before the Las Vegas race. Updated post-race standings were not provided.

The Takeaway

Las Vegas delivered a race where the stage winners and overall winner were three different stories. Tommy Krawczyk controlled Stage 1, Sheets took Stage 2, and Johnson put together the complete performance needed to win.

The result gives Johnson a major moment in his championship campaign, while Rogers and Tommy Krawczyk leave Las Vegas with strong finishes of their own.

For Vasquez, fifth place keeps him in the fight, but the drivers behind him have shown they are capable of taking advantage when opportunities arise. Meanwhile, Tyler Krawczyk will be left wondering what might have been after running out of fuel in the closing laps.

North Star Racing leaves Las Vegas with a new race winner, a competitive championship battle and plenty of momentum heading into the next round.