Chase Elliott delivered an electrifying performance with a dramatic victory in an overtime finish at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, seizing the spotlight with a powerful late surge that clinched his spot in the NASCAR Cup Series Round of 8. With the Chase Elliott Kansas win, Hendrick Motorsports celebrated a pivotal moment in a high-intensity playoff battle.
Elliott Rises from Fifth Row in Double-Overtime Thriller
At Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, the odds were not in favor of Chase Elliott as he started the double-overtime restart on the fifth row, facing a field dominated by Toyotas at the front. However, a strategic decision to take four fresh Goodyear tires paid off handsomely for the No. 9 Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet team. As the race resumed for its green-white-checkered finish, Elliott immediately surged forward, weaving through competitors who struggled on older rubber.
Describing the exhilarating finish after the race, Elliott shared,
“Just, everything worked out perfect for me,”
said Elliott, driver, No. 9 team. He continued,
“I had a great push through (turns) one and two, that kind of all started with (Brad Keselowski) and had a big run off of (turn two). The seas kind of parted and just was able to keep my momentum up. That was really it. And obviously, we still had pretty good tires compared to those guys.”
– Chase Elliott, driver.
Key Moments: Late-Race Drama and Strategic Pit Decisions
The race took several dramatic turns in the closing laps. Elliott progressed through the field lap by lap, ultimately making a daring three-wide pass with minor contact against Denny Hamlin coming out of the final corner. This bold move secured his second victory of the 2025 season and advanced him to the Round of 8 in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.
Earlier in the race, both Chase Elliott and teammate Kyle Larson had started from strong positions, having qualified fourth and third, respectively. The competitive pace of the Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolets allowed both drivers to collect vital stage points throughout the afternoon, with Larson finishing second and third in the opening two stages and Elliott returning third and fourth, boosting their championship hopes with valuable playoff markers.
As the final segment began, Elliott led the pack for 23 laps after seizing the lead on a stage three restart. However, Denny Hamlin overtook him during the ensuing long run. A timely debris caution with just 15 laps to go forced teams into a crucial decision on pit strategy. While the majority of the top contenders opted for two fresh tires, Elliott and Larson gambled with four, setting the stage for the late charge.
Overtime Chaos: Crashes and Overtakes Shape the Finish
A crash involving Carson Hocevar with seven laps left triggered the first overtime attempt. Just as the field neared the white flag, Zane Smith got turned, hit the wall vertically, and tumbled down the track, necessitating a red flag and additional delay. When racing finally resumed, Elliott found himself lined up behind William Byron in the outside lane, starting fifth.
With a helpful push from Brad Keselowski, Elliott rapidly moved up, clearing Byron and Larson on the backstretch. Entering turn three, Elliott challenged Tyler Reddick for position, breaking into the top five as the penultimate lap unfolded. At the front, a collision between Bubba Wallace and Christopher Bell hampered Bell’s momentum, allowing Elliott to claim another spot. Navigating further chaos, Elliott maneuvered inside Chase Briscoe and capitalized on Hamlin getting loose under Wallace, darting beneath the frontrunners to seize the victory at the finish line.
Impact on Championship Standings and Hendrick Motorsports Performances
Elliott’s Kansas triumph marks his second consecutive advancement to the NASCAR Cup Series Round of 8 and the fifth time in the past six seasons, including his 2020 championship campaign. The day also boded well for fellow playoff drivers at Hendrick Motorsports. Kyle Larson scored a sixth-place finish, further strengthening his playoff standing with a robust points cushion heading into the upcoming Round of 12 finale. William Byron added to Hendrick’s success by rallying to ninth despite early setbacks, ensuring all three drivers remain strong contenders as the postseason continues.
The high-stakes environment saw fierce competition among drivers like Denny Hamlin, Bubba Wallace, Christopher Bell, Tyler Reddick, and Chase Briscoe. Notably, Larson now enjoys a comfortable 54-point buffer above the playoff cutline, while Byron holds a solid 40-point advantage in sixth place.
What Awaits at the Charlotte ROVAL
The playoff field’s next test arrives at the Charlotte ROVAL, where the Round of 12 will conclude next Sunday. Scheduled for a 3 p.m. green flag on USA Network, the event promises more drama as top contenders like Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, and William Byron look to solidify their championship aspirations for Hendrick Motorsports and advance to the next round of the NASCAR Cup Series postseason.
