Chase Briscoe captured the top spot in NASCAR Cup Series qualifying on Saturday, posting the fastest lap at Kansas Speedway for the Hollywood Casino 400. This marks Briscoe’s seventh pole of the 2025 season, giving him a prime opportunity as the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs continue.
Briscoe Leads the Field at Kansas Speedway
Delivering an impressive lap time of 29.987 seconds, Briscoe was the only driver to dip below the 30-second mark in the session. With the pressure on to secure a berth in the Round of 8, Briscoe’s effort puts him in a strong position for Sunday’s race.
Denny Hamlin, representing Joe Gibbs Racing, secured a place alongside Briscoe on the front row, demonstrating the team’s speed and consistency. Hendrick Motorsports drivers Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott followed closely, taking third and fourth spots. Christopher Bell, another Joe Gibbs Racing competitor, completed the top five qualifiers with a solid performance.
Setbacks for Key Drivers in Qualifying
Ryan Blaney, last week’s winner at New Hampshire, experienced misfortune during practice. A tire issue caused him to crash, preventing him from making a qualifying run. Joey Logano faced a similar circumstance with a cut tire, but managed to avoid a major incident and escape with minor damage to his No. 22 car. Despite participating in the qualifying session, Logano placed 35th out of the 36 drivers who recorded times in the 37-car field.
Penalties and Technical Problems Affect the Starting Grid
Michael McDowell initially qualified in 21st position but will be forced to start at the rear due to multiple failed technical inspections prior to practice. The situation worsened as Travis Peterson, crew chief for the No. 71 Gainbridge Chevrolet, was ejected from the event for the rest of the weekend. McDowell’s team will also lose their pit selection and must serve a stop-and-go penalty at the race’s start, adding further obstacles for their Kansas campaign.
Race Details and Broadcasting Information
The Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway is set for Sunday, September 28, beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Fans can catch the action on USA Network, as well as follow the commentary on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
The qualifying results set an intriguing stage for this critical NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs event. With top names like Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, and Chase Elliott starting near the front, and the added drama of penalties and setbacks for others such as Michael McDowell and Ryan Blaney, anticipation is high for what promises to be a pivotal race at Kansas Speedway. The implications for playoff standings and team strategies will unfold as the race gets underway.
