Denny Hamlin‘s racing strategy took center stage during the closing moments of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway, where a chaotic final lap allowed Chase Elliott to overtake both Hamlin and Bubba Wallace to snatch victory. The race, filled with intense on-track action and tense decisions, unfolded on September 28, 2025, leaving spectators and drivers alike reflecting on how it all transpired and what it means for the championship playoffs.
Chase Elliott managed to make a remarkable move by passing Hamlin and Wallace on the inside groove as the field approached the finish, squeezing ahead despite contact with Hamlin to claim his second win of the 2025 season. This triumph at Kansas not only locks Elliott and his No. 9 team into the Round of 8 but marks his second career win at this venue. Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe secured third and fourth, while Wallace, after leading down the backstretch, dropped back to fifth.
Toyota Teams Falter Amidst Internal Scrambles
The inner dynamics among Toyota drivers played a pivotal role in shaping the race’s conclusion. Tension built as teammates from Joe Gibbs Racing and 23XI Racing, including Hamlin and Wallace, battled each other as much as their competitors. A sequence of aggressive maneuvers saw Hamlin brush the wall after contact, a situation reminiscent of the teammate tangle that sparked debate just a week earlier when Hamlin spun a fellow Joe Gibbs Racing driver.
This event continued a pattern of friction among the Toyota-aligned drivers. On preceding restarts, Christopher Bell and Bubba Wallace exchanged forceful moves, pinching each other towards the wall and hindering their ability to pull away cleanly from the competition. With only two laps remaining, Wallace drove tightly on Bell, who responded in kind. As the race progressed into its final corners, Hamlin attempted a bold, inside-line move on his own, resulting in a chain of contact that set up Elliott’s opportunity to capitalize.
“WHAT A FINISH. CHASE ELLIOTT GETS BY BUBBA WALLACE AND DENNY HAMLIN TO WIN AT KANSAS! pic.twitter.com/QkSw4rSWt2″— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) September 28, 2025
This dizzying sequence underscored a broader trend within the Toyota camp, with Hamlin at the heart of the drama. Operating in a unique dual role as both team owner and driver, Hamlin’s decision-making is under more scrutiny than ever—especially as his team faces ongoing legal issues with NASCAR. Instead of adopting a conservative approach and defending his team’s playoff standing, Hamlin chose a driver’s instinct by diving low and accelerating towards what could have been his 60th win. The repercussions rippled through the field and added a new chapter to Hamlin’s storied and sometimes controversial racing strategy.
Pressure and Allegiances Tested in Final Restarts
The emotional intensity rose during the closing laps, with drivers facing decisions about loyalty, performance, and personal ambition. Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace, sharing the 23XI Racing stable, exchanged discussions about whether to help each other during restarts—a familiar dilemma in modern playoff racing. Though Reddick acknowledged Wallace’s expectation for assistance, he ultimately pursued his own winning chances, reflecting a broader trend where teamwork often yields to individual goals when the finish line nears.
“Bubba Wallace is torn on which lane to choose after what happened on the last restart in hoping to get a push from Tyler Reddick.”— Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) September 28, 2025
“I can’t have that happen again.”
The ongoing debate over whether drivers should prioritize team strategy or personal advancement intensified after this race. Hamlin’s refusal to simply support his allied Toyotas in the hunt for Playoff advancement echoed past scenarios, including the Martinsville Speedway finale and incidents at Dover Motor Speedway where self-interest trumped manufacturer loyalty. While some see these actions as selfish, others argue they define the very spirit of aggressive competition that has made Hamlin an icon during NASCAR’s playoff era.
Shane van Gisbergen Impresses with Breakout Result
Beyond the front-running action, Shane van Gisbergen quietly delivered one of the most notable underdog performances at Kansas. Driving the No. 88 @redbullmotors entry, van Gisbergen began his race from an unenviable position due to a stop-and-go penalty on lap one and the absence of his regular crew chief. Despite these setbacks, he showcased speed and composure, navigating through chaos and maintaining strong track position throughout the closing stages.
“P10 at Kansas Speedway in our @redbullmotors #88! 😀 Was difficult starting a lap down, without our crew chief and having that penalty, but Chais our interim crew chief did a great job! We had really good speed in the race, so I’m stoked to get a top 10, thanks @TeamTrackhouse! pic.twitter.com/wFvqZhE5jp”— Shane van Gisbergen (@shanevg97) September 29, 2025
Van Gisbergen’s rise into the top 10 was demonstrated most starkly when he avoided a stage-three multi-car crash and steadily maneuvered into the mid-teens before the final restarts. Prior disappointments at tracks like New Hampshire Motor Speedway, where circumstances derailed promising runs, did not deter him at Kansas. His persistence paid off, earning not only his first Career Cup oval top-10, but also the respect of many fans and competitors for his resilience and adaptability.
Team Penske’s Troubles Overshadowed by Race Incidents
Following a successful effort the previous weekend, Team Penske experienced extensive misfortune at Kansas. Even before the green flag, the team dealt with flat tires and other practice-related setbacks, forcing Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, and Austin Cindric to begin at the rear of the field. Each of the trio encountered additional adversity during the race, including involvement in the stage-three restart crash that damaged multiple cars.
Blaney, operating from a backup car, drove into the top 10 but was hampered by a late speeding penalty; Logano used tactical calls to run near the edge of the top 10, while Cindric lagged behind and suffered the most damage. The trio ultimately finished outside the top 20—a stark contrast to their strong collective performance just a week earlier. With the points situation now precarious, Logano finds himself only 13 points ahead of Ross Chastain for the final Playoff transfer spot, while Cindric faces a must-win situation at the upcoming Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL.
Paint Schemes Add Flair to Kansas Weekend
Amidst the tension of Playoff pressure, a few new car liveries brought visual excitement to Kansas, none more so than Daniel Suarez’s Freeway Insurance Chevrolet. Suarez and the Trackhouse Racing team embraced Hispanic Heritage Month with a striking addition of orange and pink floral elements to their usual white, blue, and green paint scheme. This celebratory theme illuminated their car on track, standing out during the festivities marking the ongoing heritage observance from mid-September through October 15.
“Nuestro Mes de la Herencia Hispana Chevy @Freeway_Ins tiene un potencial decente, pero todavía tenemos mucho trabajo por hacer con el balance. Con ganas de pasar unos carros mañana 👊🏽Our Hispanic Heritage Month Freeway Insurance Chevy has decent potential but we have a lot of… pic.twitter.com/gI7PbrbxOc”— Daniel Suárez (@Daniel_SuarezG) September 27, 2025
The creative use of color did not clash with the car’s base design, instead providing a visually appealing update in support of the season’s cultural celebrations. As always, unique liveries and their significance contribute to the stories that surround each race weekend.
Looking Ahead: ROVAL Awaits as Playoff Race Tightens
With the aftermath of Kansas setting the stage for dramatic shifts in both morale and Playoff prospects, all eyes now turn to Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Bank of America ROVAL 400, featuring the infield road course, will bring a new set of challenges for contenders hoping to secure advancement. The race is set for Sunday, October 5, and is expected to further intensify the battle among drivers and teams as they chase a spot in the next round of the championship.
For Denny Hamlin, his racing strategy at Kansas generated intense scrutiny and discussion, shaping the narrative that will follow him and his competitors into Charlotte and beyond. As allegiances are tested and rivalries heightened, every decision could play a decisive role as the Playoff field continues to narrow and the pursuit of NASCAR’s top honor remains as fierce as ever.
WHAT A FINISH. CHASE ELLIOTT GETS BY BUBBA WALLACE AND DENNY HAMLIN TO WIN AT KANSAS! pic.twitter.com/QkSw4rSWt2
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) September 28, 2025
Bubba Wallace is torn on which lane to choose after what happened on the last restart in hoping to get a push from Tyler Reddick.
"I can't have that happen again."
— Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) September 28, 2025
P10 at Kansas Speedway in our @redbullmotors #88! 😀 Was difficult starting a lap down, without our crew chief and having that penalty, but Chais our interim crew chief did a great job! We had really good speed in the race, so I’m stoked to get a top 10, thanks @TeamTrackhouse! pic.twitter.com/wFvqZhE5jp
— Shane van Gisbergen (@shanevg97) September 29, 2025
CHAOS ON THE RESTART‼️ pic.twitter.com/sFuxOejKaB
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 28, 2025
Nuestro Mes de la Herencia Hispana Chevy @Freeway_Ins tiene un potencial decente, pero todavía tenemos mucho trabajo por hacer con el balance. Con ganas de pasar unos carros mañana 👊🏽
Our Hispanic Heritage Month Freeway Insurance Chevy has decent potential but we have a lot of… pic.twitter.com/gI7PbrbxOc
— Daniel Suárez (@Daniel_SuarezG) September 27, 2025
