Jeff Gordon‘s reaction to Chase Elliott’s victory at Kansas Speedway captured the intensity of the moment, as he expressed genuine pride and enthusiasm following Elliott’s stunning win in the Hollywood Casino 400. The Jeff Gordon Kansas reaction came after Elliott surged from eighth place in the final overtime restart, clinching a dramatic triumph for Hendrick Motorsports and propelling the team’s playoff hopes forward.
Chase Elliott’s Thrilling Finish at Kansas Speedway
Chase Elliott secured his 22nd career NASCAR Cup Series win during the 273-lap race at Kansas Speedway, overcoming a field packed with seasoned competitors. The Hendrick Motorsports driver started the final restart in eighth position but seized an opening on the inside lane, moving quickly past several frontrunners, including Denny Hamlin. Despite Hamlin’s attempt to block him, Elliott maintained momentum and crossed the checkered flag with a margin of just 0.069 seconds.
Jeff Gordon, now an executive at Hendrick Motorsports and a four-time Cup champion himself, could be seen celebrating in the aftermath. His pride in both Elliott and crew chief Alan Gustafson was evident as he addressed the team’s accomplishment and the energy surrounding the win.
“It’s a huge spark for the #9 team, I love the way it all turned out. That put a big smile on my face. I’m a little hoarse because I celebrated with (crew chief) Alan Gustafson. I love the guy and love watching him do his thing.”
– Jeff Gordon, Executive, Hendrick Motorsports
This victory secures Elliott’s place in the playoff’s final eight, joining Ryan Blaney of Team Penske. With the competition tight, Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin remain in the top four in standings, while William Byron dropped to sixth following his ninth-place result in this event.
Setting the Stage for the NASCAR Playoffs
The attention quickly shifts to the next stage of the playoffs, as teams prepare for the crucial final round of 12 at the Charlotte Roval, scheduled for Sunday, October 5 at 3 PM ET. With a 109-lap race ahead, only the most consistent drivers and teams will secure spots in the championship battle. Already, the intensity among teams such as Hendrick Motorsports and Team Penske has heightened, with each organization analyzing strategies and recent performances to gain any possible edge.
Jeff Gordon Discusses Challenges Ahead at Phoenix Raceway
Looking beyond Kansas, Jeff Gordon offered insight into Hendrick Motorsports’ priorities as they aim for future success, particularly at the Phoenix Raceway. Phoenix serves as the venue for the championship finale, and it has traditionally favored Team Penske in the Next Gen Era. Penske’s strengths at this and other similar flat tracks, like New Hampshire, remain a challenge for the HMS squad.
Gordon addressed the work required by his team to close the gap, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement on all types of tracks.
“If we are going to go win a championship at a track like Phoenix, we’ve got to get to work on that. You can’t lay down on the other tracks though, either.”
– Jeff Gordon, Executive, Hendrick Motorsports
“In order to extract speed, our guys need to have comfort, stability and something to lean on. It seemed like that’s what we were lacking when we were listening to the drivers and their comments. This year, it’s definitely been a step up with how the cars are reacting at those types of tracks,” Jeff Gordon added.
– Jeff Gordon, Executive, Hendrick Motorsports
Gordon openly acknowledged that while progress has been made, Hendrick Motorsports still faces stiff competition from Team Penske at flat tracks. Since 2022, Penske drivers Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano have taken turns capturing the championship, with William Byron and Kyle Larson placing in the top four, but falling short of securing the title.
The Road Ahead: Playoff Implications and Championship Ambitions
With Chase Elliott’s dramatic win at Kansas injecting new energy into the Hendrick Motorsports team and Jeff Gordon’s candid discussions about the challenges at Phoenix, the stage is set for a thrilling close to the NASCAR Cup playoffs. As teams like Team Penske, led by Ryan Blaney, and HMS pursue every avenue for improvement, all eyes turn to the upcoming races that will ultimately crown this season’s champion. The next rounds are likely to intensify rivalries and reveal which strategies and improvements can make the decisive difference on the racetrack.
Jeff Gordon on Chase Elliott's win: "It's a huge spark for the #9 team, I love the way it all turned out. That put a big smile on my face. I'm a little hoarse because I celebrated with (crew chief) Alan Gustafson. I love the guy and love watching him do his thing." #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/sJIsc2DcrG
— Jeff Gordon Online (@JGinfo) September 28, 2025
