The Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway saw dramatic twists and an electrifying finish on September 28, 2025, when Chase Elliott seized a stunning last-lap victory, adding to the ongoing Denny Hamlin Kansas Speedway drama. Elliott’s triumph came after Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace tangled while battling for the lead, setting up a finish that will be talked about among NASCAR fans for years.
Final Laps Overshadowed by Strategic Gambles and Bold Moves
The race at Kansas Speedway built to a crescendo in the closing stages as Hendrick Motorsports made a daring call for Chase Elliott to take four fresh tires during the final pit stop. This strategy saw Elliott rejoin the field outside the top five but positioned him perfectly for the final restart. As the green flag dropped, Hamlin and Wallace, both major contenders, fought fiercely for the front spot.
During the last circuit, Hamlin made an aggressive maneuver, pushing Bubba Wallace into the wall at Turn 4, which allowed Elliott to maintain his momentum and make the decisive pass. The No. 9 Chevrolet surged ahead, clinching the win in dramatic fashion. As Elliott reflected on his victory, he said,
“Everything worked out perfectly for me,”
Chase Elliott, Driver. He continued,
“The seas kind of parted and I kept my momentum up… We had pretty good tires compared to those guys.”
Chase Elliott, Driver. His post-race comments, filled with relief and a touch of humor, recognized the unpredictable chaos that delivered him the trophy that day.
Denny Hamlin, who led for an impressive 159 laps—his longest stretch at a 1.5-mile track—was left heartbroken after several difficulties late in the race. Mechanical issues, including a broken steering rack and a slow pit stop under caution, put him on the back foot just when he needed an edge. Despite his earlier dominance in the No. 11 Toyota, these setbacks proved costly as the race wound down.
Emotions Run High as Hamlin-Wallace Clash Decides Outcome
Intense drama unfolded as Hamlin’s desperation to regain the lead turned personal, especially given his dual role as driver and co-owner of Wallace’s 23XI Racing team. In the pivotal moment, Hamlin’s bold push sent Wallace spinning, removing both contenders from the top spot and handing Elliott the chance to capitalize. Afterward, Hamlin voiced his disappointment:
“I wanted it bad… Got really tight and let the 9 win… We had no power steering on that last run… I don’t think I’ve ever had a car that good to the competition.”
Denny Hamlin, Driver.
Bubba Wallace, likewise, expressed disbelief at his near-win, noting,
“To even have a shot at the win… You could have fooled me.”
Bubba Wallace, Driver. The aftermath showed Wallace venting his frustration with a visible gesture toward Hamlin during the cooldown lap—highlighting how the competitive fire on the track became tangled with interpersonal dynamics and team relationships.
Overtime Chaos Reshapes Playoff Standings
The race was stretched into overtime following two late cautions, a sequence that added further unpredictability to the playoff picture. A particularly tense moment came when Zane Smith flipped after riding the wall, causing a scramble in the field and shuffling the front runners ahead of the final restart. During those chaotic closing laps, Wallace and Christopher Bell each made their own bids for the lead, but trouble found many top drivers.
In the end, Chase Elliott crossed the line first, followed by Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, and Bubba Wallace. This result ensured that 10 of the top 13 finishers were active playoff competitors, emphasizing the high stakes and the relentless pressure within the postseason chase. Not everyone finished unscathed: Austin Cindric fell victim to a late-race crash, finishing 33rd, while Joey Logano managed to recover for a 13th-place result despite being caught in the same incident.
Why This Finish Stands Out in NASCAR History
The 2025 Hollywood Casino 400 will be remembered for more than just Chase Elliott’s win. The dynamic between Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace grabbed headlines, blending fierce competition with the complicated relationships that can exist in modern NASCAR, where drivers sometimes race against their own teammates or co-own teams with their rivals. As fans on social media and in Kansas Speedway’s packed stands reacted to the finish, NASCAR’s playoff picture grew more intense, with every position and decision counting toward potential championship glory.
Elliott’s last-lap heroics in the midst of the Denny Hamlin Kansas Speedway drama underscore how quickly fortunes can change in stock car racing. For the playoff field—already filled with established names like Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, and Joey Logano—the drama at Kansas redefined momentum, left fans and drivers alike with mixed emotions, and set the stage for more high-stakes clashes as the postseason continues.
