During the Hollywood Casino 400, tensions ran high for many NASCAR Cup Series playoff contenders, but Ross Chastain raced confidently at Kansas Speedway.

Chastain, who just missed qualifying for the 2024 playoffs, was eager to return to victory lane after securing two wins in each of the past two seasons, even if a championship was no longer in reach.

With this victory, Chastain celebrated his first win of the season and the fifth of his Cup Series career, edging out playoff competitor William Byron by 0.388 seconds in the final moments of the race.

Chastain took the lead during a restart on Lap 248 of 267, overtaking Martin Truex Jr. with Byron hot on his tail. Chastain’s No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet maintained just enough speed to fend off Byron’s numerous attempts to catch up.

“This is amazing! To drive into victory lane in the Cup Series is incredibly challenging. It’s tough to keep pushing when things aren’t going well,” Chastain expressed during an interview with NBC Sports post-race. “Despite our struggles, we never quit. Today, we proved to be the fastest car out there.”

Finishing in third place was Truex, followed by playoff drivers Ryan Blaney and Ty Gibbs. Byron’s teammate, Alex Bowman, took sixth, with Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin of Joe Gibbs Racing placing seventh and eighth, respectively. Chase Elliott made a strong recovery, coming in ninth after starting last due to an engine change, and Zane Smith rounded out the top ten.

Bowman, Bell, Hamlin, and Elliott remain in playoff contention. Other playoff contenders included Chastain’s teammate Daniel Suarez, who finished 13^th, while Joey Logano came in 14^th, Chase Briscoe 24^th, Tyler Reddick 25^th, Kyle Larson 26^th, and Austin Cindric 34^th.

Byron may have finished second, but he gained significant points, moving him to the top of the playoff standings.

With two races left in the second round, the next stop is the unpredictable Talladega Superspeedway, followed by an elimination race at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s road course in two weeks. After the Charlotte race, the top eight drivers will continue to the third round.

For complete race results from the Hollywood Casino 400 and a recap of the key moments from Kansas Speedway, click here.

Ross Chastain claims victory at the NASCAR playoff race in Kansas

Ross Chastain defended against a strong challenge from William Byron to win the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway. This marked Chastain’s first win this season and fifth overall in his career. Although Chastain didn’t qualify for the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, Byron did and had the best performance among the 12 playoff drivers. Ryan Blaney was the only other playoff contender to finish inside the top five, placing fourth.

Kyle Busch collides while leading Stage 3 of the NASCAR playoff race

Kyle Busch, aiming for his first season win, collided with playoff driver Chase Briscoe on Lap 237, causing Busch’s No. 8 Chevrolet to spin out. Briscoe was trying to stay on the lead lap and while Busch was pushing to keep his lead against Chastain, he was forced into the wall due to Briscoe’s maneuver, leading to a caution flag.

Many lead-lap drivers went to the pits under the caution, and Martin Truex Jr. emerged in first after pit stops. However, Brad Keselowski opted to stay on track and would start alongside Truex when the race resumed with 26 laps remaining.

Alex Bowman wins Stage 2 in NASCAR playoff race at Kansas

Alex Bowman took the lead after a late restart and secured the victory in Stage 2 of the Hollywood Casino 400. He earned 10 stage points with his win.

Ty Gibbs came in second, Ryan Blaney third, with Stage 1 winner William Byron finishing fourth and Brad Keselowski in fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Carson Hocevar, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., Chase Elliott, and Chase Briscoe.

Five playoff drivers finished in the top ten at the end of Stage 2.

After Stage 2 concluded, most drivers headed to pit road for fuel and new tires. Ty Gibbs and Carson Hocevar led the restart for Stage 2, with Hocevar quickly taking the front spot.

Austin Cindric causes caution with spin in final laps of Stage 2

Playoff driver Austin Cindric spun out with seven laps remaining in Stage 2, causing a caution flag. He made contact with Kyle Busch before crashing into the outside wall. Cindric managed to bring his No. 2 Team Penske Ford to pit road for repairs afterward.

During the caution period, several drivers, including Penske teammate Joey Logano, who had been running in the top five, chose to pit before the end of the stage.

Erik Jones Spins Out, Causes Caution Flag in NASCAR Playoff Race at Kansas

Erik Jones triggered a caution flag on Lap 99 after losing control of his car and spinning into the grass. This yellow flag allowed all vehicles to come into the pits for fuel and fresh tires as they prepared to continue Stage 2.

William Byron, who had won Stage 1, led every lap of Stage 2 until the caution occurred. Kyle Busch took advantage during the pit stop by changing only two tires, allowing him to claim the lead. Christopher Bell, who also opted for two tires, will restart next to Busch. Meanwhile, Joey Logano and Byron, who changed all four tires, will line up on the second row with 60 laps left in the stage.

William Byron Takes Stage 1 Victory in NASCAR Playoff Race at Kansas

William Byron took the lead on Lap 72 and maintained it for the final eight laps to secure Stage 1 of the Hollywood Casino 400. Pole sitter Christopher Bell, who had led for 71 laps, lost control and hit the outside wall, enabling Byron to pass him in his No. 24 Chevrolet. Bell managed to recover his No. 20 Toyota but fell back several positions by the end of the stage.

Drivers from Team Penske, Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney, finished in second and third place, respectively, while Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Denny Hamlin, Bell, and Ty Gibbs took fourth, fifth, and sixth. Austin Cindric from Team Penske rounded out the top seven, followed by Martin Truex Jr., Alex Bowman, and Carson Hocevar. All top ten drivers were awarded stage points, with Byron earning the full 10 points and Hocevar receiving 1 point.

At the end of the stage, all drivers came to the pits for fuel and tires, with Logano gaining the advantage off pit road ahead of Byron.

Playoff contender Daniel Suarez had gone a lap down in the final laps of Stage 1 but received the free pass and will restart on the lead lap for the 85-lap second stage. Kyle Larson, who faced issues early in Stage 1, remains one lap down.

Points Leader Kyle Larson Hits the Wall Early in Stage 1 of NASCAR Race at Kansas

Kyle Larson, who previously won the NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway in May, faced problems early during the Hollywood Casino 400. Entering the second round of the playoffs as the top seed, Larson hit the outside wall in Turn 1 on Lap 20 after suffering a flat right rear tire. He managed to drive his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet to pit road for his team to evaluate the damage while the caution flag was displayed.

During the yellow flag, drivers came in for fuel and tire changes. Christopher Bell, who started on the pole, maintained his lead when the race restarted. Although Larson stayed on the lead lap, he found himself at the back of the lead lap cars for the restart.

Multi-Car Crash on the Opening Lap of NASCAR Playoff Race at Kansas

Just moments after the green flag dropped for the Hollywood Casino 400, a multi-car crash occurred in the back of the field at Kansas Speedway. Harrison Burton, who began in 28th, and Ty Dillon, who started in 32nd, collided and spun out. The incident also involved Jimmy Johnson and Josh Berry. Chase Elliott was forced to ride along the outside wall during the chaos, but his No. 9 Chevrolet avoided significant damage.

Hollywood Casino 400 NASCAR Playoff Race Kicks Off with Green Flag

The green flag has officially waved to announce the start of the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway. This marks the fourth of ten races in the playoff series and the beginning of the second round. Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Christopher Bell and Ty Gibbs lead the field during the opening 80-lap stage.

Chase Elliott Will Start from the Back in NASCAR Playoff Race at Kansas

Chase Elliott, entering the second round of the playoffs in seventh place, will start at the back of the field in the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway on Sunday. Hendrick Motorsports replaced the engine in his No. 9 Chevrolet following Saturday’s qualifying round.

Who Is on the Pole for the NASCAR Playoff Race at Kansas?

Christopher Bell from Joe Gibbs Racing clocked the fastest time during Saturday’s qualifying session and will start on the pole for Sunday’s race. His teammate Ty Gibbs qualified right behind him in second place, making for a front-row start.

What Is the Lineup for NASCAR’s Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas?

Car number in parentheses; (P)=playoff driver

1. (20) Christopher Bell (P), Toyota
2. (54) Ty Gibbs, Toyota
3. (8) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet
4. (45) Tyler Reddick (P), Toyota
5. (22) Joey Logano (P), Ford
6. (24) William Byron (P), Chevrolet
7. (12) Ryan Blaney (P), Ford
8. (11) Denny Hamlin (P), Toyota
9. (14) Chase Briscoe (P), Ford
10. (99) Daniel Suarez (P), Chevrolet
11. (5) Kyle Larson (P), Chevrolet
12. (48) Alex Bowman (P), Chevrolet
13. (23) Bubba Wallace, Toyota
14. (77) Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet
15. (71) Zane Smith, Chevrolet
16. (43) Erik Jones, Toyota
17. (2) Austin Cindric (P), Ford
18. (47) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet
19. (19) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota
20. (1) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet
21. (34) Michael McDowell, Ford
22. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet
23. (7) Justin Haley, Chevrolet
24. (10) Noah Gragson, Ford
25. (17) Chris Buescher, Ford
26. (6) Brad Keselowski, Ford
27. (51) Corey LaJoie, Ford
28. (21) Harrison Burton, Ford
29. (4) Josh Berry, Ford
30. (31) Daniel Hemric, Chevrolet
31. (42) John Hunter Nemechek, Toyota
32. (16) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet
33. (38) Todd Gilliland, Ford
34. (15) Kaz Grala, Ford
35. (84) Jimmie Johnson, Toyota
36. (44) JJ Yeley, Chevrolet
37. (41) Ryan Preece, Ford
38. (9) Chase Elliott (P), Chevrolet

What Time Does the NASCAR Playoff Race at Kansas Start?

The Hollywood Casino 400 is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. ET (2 p.m. local) on Sunday at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas.

What TV Channel Will Broadcast the NASCAR Playoff Race at Kansas?

USA Network will air the Hollywood Casino 400 and will have a pre-race show starting at 2:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. local).

Will There Be a Live Stream of the NASCAR Playoff Race at Kansas?

The Hollywood Casino 400 can be streamed live on the NBC Sports website and through the NBC Sports app. The race is also accessible via Fubo.

How Many Laps Is the NASCAR Playoff Race at Kansas?

The Hollywood Casino 400 consists of 267 laps on the 1.5-mile oval, totaling 400.5 miles.

The race will consist of three segments: Stage 1 will have 80 laps, Stage 2 will encompass 85 laps, and Stage 3 will involve 102 laps.

What is the weather prediction for the NASCAR race at Kansas?

Today’s weather at Kansas Speedway is expected to be favorable. According to AccuWeather, Kansas City, Kansas will experience clear skies and warm conditions, with winds blowing at 7 mph from the northeast.

The temperature is anticipated to reach the mid-80s, with no chance of rain expected.

Who emerged victorious in the latest NASCAR Cup races at Kansas?

On May 5, 2024, Kyle Larson led for 63 laps and narrowly defeated Chris Buescher by just 0.001 seconds, marking the closest finish in NASCAR’s history.

Last year, on September 10, 2023, Tyler Reddick, who only led for two laps, claimed the lead on an overtime restart and won against Denny Hamlin by 0.327 seconds.

What are the current playoff standings before the NASCAR race at Kansas?

Below are the rankings, driver details, team affiliations, total points, and their deficits to the leader after three races. Note that points are reset following the first round.

1. Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports … 3,047
2. Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing … 3,032 (-15 points)
3. Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing … 3,028 (-19)
4. William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports … 3,022 (-25)
5. Ryan Blaney, Team Penske … 3,019 (-28)
6. Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing … 3,015 (-32)
7. Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports … 3,014 (-33)
8. Joey Logano, Team Penske … 3,012 (-35)
9. Austin Cindric, Team Penske … 3,008 (-39)
10. Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Racing … 3,006 (-41)
11. Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports … 3,005 (-42)
12. Chase Briscoe, Stewart-Haas Racing … 3,005 (-42)

How do the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs function?

A total of sixteen drivers secured spots in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs: fourteen based on their regular season victories and two who qualified by points without winning a race.

The playoffs consist of ten races, culminating in the championship event at Phoenix Raceway on November 10. They are made up of three rounds, each featuring three races before reaching the finale. The bottom four drivers are eliminated after the first round, leaving twelve to proceed to the second round. After the sixth race, four more drivers will be cut, followed by another four after the ninth race, ultimately resulting in four finalists racing for the championship.

Whenever a playoff driver wins a race in any of the three rounds, they automatically qualify for the next stage. If a non-playoff driver wins, the advancement for playoff drivers is determined based on the points they gather during the rounds.

What is the complete schedule for the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs?

Below is the comprehensive schedule, including dates, venues, times, and television coverage for each of the ten playoff races (All times in Eastern).

• Sunday, Sept. 8: Atlanta Motor Speedway. Winner: Joey Logano

• Sunday, Sept. 15: Watkins Glen International. Winner: Chris Buescher

• Saturday, Sept. 21: Bristol Motor Speedway. Winner: Kyle Larson

• Sunday, Sept. 29: Kansas Speedway, USA, 3 p.m.

• Sunday, Oct. 6: Talladega Superspeedway, NBC, 2 p.m.

• Sunday, Oct. 13: Charlotte Roval, NBC, 2 p.m.

• Sunday, Oct. 20: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NBC, 2:30 p.m.

• Sunday, Oct. 27: Homestead-Miami Speedway, NBC, 2:30 p.m.

• Sunday, Nov. 3: Martinsville Speedway, NBC, 2 p.m.

• Sunday, Nov. 10: Phoenix Raceway, NBC, 3 p.m.