Chase Elliott captured his 21st NASCAR Cup Series victory on Sunday at Kansas Speedway, powering from 10th to 1st place during a dramatic double overtime finish, and with this Chase Elliott Kansas win, he secured a place in the Round of 8 in the NASCAR playoffs. Elliott’s victory marks his second this season, breaking a 12-race winless spell stretching back to late June at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Elliott’s Late Surge Breaks Drought
Driving the No. 9 Chevrolet, Elliott pulled off an impressive comeback in the final laps, overtaking strong contenders to take the checkered flag. The Kansas triumph is notable as it is Elliott’s eighth career playoff victory, his first playoff win since triumphing at Talladega Superspeedway almost three years ago. This win also makes Elliott the eighth driver this season with multiple victories and his second overall at Kansas, with his previous triumph at the track dating back to October 2018.
Hamlin Dominates Laps but Falls Short
Denny Hamlin led a race-high 159 out of 273 laps at Kansas Speedway’s 1.5-mile oval but ultimately finished second. Hamlin’s performance kept him at the forefront for most of the event before Elliott’s determined push in overtime. Following them across the line, Christopher Bell claimed third position, with Chase Briscoe and Bubba Wallace completing the top five.
Recent Performance and Playoff Context
Elliott’s recent form has improved after a challenging stretch, winning twice in the last 13 races after only managing one win in the previous 87 starts. As the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs intensify, this Kansas win means Elliott, as well as Ryan Blaney (winner at New Hampshire), have both locked places in the next round—the Round of 8.
Playoff Standings Heading to Charlotte
With the next race set for Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Roval, the playoff points standings are taking center stage for the remaining 10 drivers vying for advancement. Kyle Larson leads with 3,124 points (+54 over the cutline), followed by Denny Hamlin at 3,118 (+48), Christopher Bell at 3,114 (+44), William Byron sitting at 3,110 (+40), Chase Briscoe at 3,091 (+21), and Joey Logano at 3,083 (+13).
Below the playoff advancement cutline are Ross Chastain with 3,070 points (-13), Bubba Wallace holding 3,057 points (-26), Tyler Reddick at 3,054 points (-29), and Austin Cindric at 3,035 (-48 from the cutline).
What Elliott’s Kansas Victory Means for the Playoffs
Chase Elliott’s win at Kansas Speedway reinforces his status as a top contender as the playoffs progress. His advancement, alongside Ryan Blaney, tightens the competition among drivers like Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, Joey Logano, William Byron, and Bubba Wallace. The focus now shifts to Charlotte, where playoff hopes will hinge on the approaching cutoff race and drivers will vie for the few remaining spots in the next round of the NASCAR Cup Series.
