Chase Elliott wins Kansas NASCAR event, clinching a position in the Round of 8 after a daring late-race move at Kansas Speedway on Sunday night. Elliott, a driver for Hendrick Motorsports, used a bold four-tire call and a decisive final lap maneuver to edge past Denny Hamlin and seize victory in a high-stakes playoff battle.
Early Calm Gives Way to Late-Race Drama
The race at Kansas Speedway began with relatively smooth action through the initial two stages. The calm atmosphere gave way to intense competition in the closing 60 laps, as many playoff contenders still had a chance to secure their place in the next round of the NASCAR playoffs by winning. The pressure mounted with every lap as drivers vied for precious postseason advancement.
Key Incidents Set Up a Wild Finish
A pivotal point arrived when Carson Hoecevar spun on a restart with only nine laps remaining, which triggered a caution and led to the first Green-White-Checker (GWC) finish of the evening. As the field prepared for the restart, Bubba Wallace (23XI Racing) and Christopher Bell (Joe Gibbs Racing) lined up on the front row, with teammates Tyler Reddick and Briscoe just behind. The intensity among the teams and drivers was palpable as they aimed for a lock into the next playoff round.
Briscoe and Bell surged forward, aided by a stronger push, while Reddick lagged behind Wallace. Before completing a lap under green, John Hunter Nemechek collided with Zane Smith, sending Smith’s car into the wall and flipping twice before settling upright—a major incident that prompted a red flag. The drama reshaped the race, creating a second and final GWC attempt with the same leading contenders.
Final Restart Favors Elliott’s Late Charge
On the subsequent restart, Bubba Wallace got a stronger run, but Christopher Bell hit the wall, opening a door for Denny Hamlin, who had already led the most laps that day. As Hamlin tried to pass Wallace, he unintentionally put Wallace into the wall, setting the stage for a showdown in the last half-straightaway. While Hamlin dropped back into the racing groove, Chase Elliott—who had restarted tenth on fresh tires—took advantage. Elliott powered his way forward, then made decisive contact with Hamlin’s door panel as the checkered flag neared, allowing him to sweep past and claim his second win of the NASCAR season.
Elliott’s victory also marked a milestone, making him the first driver from Hendrick Motorsports to secure a win in the 2025 playoffs. In doing so, Elliott locked himself into the Round of 8, while delivering an electric finish for spectators at the Kansas track.
Driver Reactions Reflect Intensity of the Battle
Following the race, Elliott expressed his mindset as the race approached its crisis point. He told NBC:
“Oh, I wasn’t going to lift,”
– Chase Elliott, Driver
“I didn’t know what was going to happen. At the end of the day, it was what it was; we were all committed.”
– Chase Elliott, Driver
Meanwhile, Denny Hamlin secured a hard-fought second place after a physically and emotionally grueling race. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver revealed that he ran the final segment with faulty power steering and acknowledged his overwhelming desire to win, which carried extra significance as he chased a personal milestone and a tribute victory for his father, whose health is declining.
Notable Moments and Historical Achievements
The night was filled with striking moments beyond the dramatic finish. As Zane Smith’s accident unfolded, his car flipped twice after riding the wall, becoming one of the race’s most spectacular and concerning incidents. Although attention centered on the battle between Elliott and Hamlin, achievements elsewhere did not go unnoticed. Hamlin’s finish also marked Toyota’s 200th NASCAR win, adding another milestone to the evening’s fast-paced events. Meanwhile, the chaos and crashes at Kansas, as well as during the preceding Richmond event, have shaped the championship narrative for this NASCAR season.
The Bigger Picture Moving Forward
Chase Elliott’s late-race heroics in Kansas intensified the already charged NASCAR playoff atmosphere. By making bold strategic decisions and executing under pressure, Elliott has not only advanced in the postseason but has reinvigorated Hendrick Motorsports’ championship hopes. As the playoff field narrows and tensions remain high, fans and teams alike are bracing for more unpredictable action as the race to the NASCAR title continues.
