Other playoff drivers who left Vegas on unlucky streaks were Chip Ganassi Racing’s Kurt Busch, who slammed the wall in the final stage; Team Penske’s Joey Logano, who, after leading 105 laps, ran into the rear of a back marker and suffered significant front-end damage and failed to challenge again; SHR’s Clint Bowyer, who started the race from the pole but from there, moved steadily backward and finished 25th and a lap off the pace.

Clashing with an SEC team right off the bat - even a perennial back marker such as Vanderbilt - adds a greater sense of urgency.

Clashing with an SEC team right off the bat — even a perennial back marker such as Vanderbilt — adds a greater sense of urgency.

“Esteban was lucky to get away with a push to be honest. Max has a lost a victory through no fault of his own. It is hugely frustrating to lose a victory through a back marker.”

An engine failure on Saturday means Romain Grosjean will start as the back marker.