Denny Hamlin dominated early, winning Stage 1 despite car issues. His control signaled a fierce Joe Gibbs vs. Hendrick battle.
Kyle Larson chased Hamlin during long runs, pushing hard but unable to overcome Hamlin’s restarts and steady stage pace.
Wallace dropped to 16th early, called his car “plowing,” but stormed back into contention after bold crew adjustments.
Late-race pit stops changed everything. Hamlin’s two-tire gamble backfired, while Elliott and Wallace surged with aggressive right-side stops.
Big crashes tightened the field. Zane Smith flipped, Ty Gibbs collected, and restarts reshuffled contenders every single lap.
Bell held the inside, Wallace surged forward, and Hamlin fought steering issues. Each overtime restart raised playoff stakes.
On the last lap, Elliott slipped inside, passing Wallace and Bell, stealing victory by 0.069 seconds in Kansas.
Elliott advances to the Round of 8, Hamlin settles for second, while Wallace’s podium keeps playoff tension alive.
Relive Kansas drama—dominant stages, pit gambles, wild crashes, and Elliott’s miracle finish. Visit our site for full highlights.