Toyota drivers dominated much of the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway on September 28, 2025, leading 235 of 273 laps. Despite this strong presence, it was Chase Elliott who grabbed a dramatic win in double overtime, securing his Kansas victory in a fiercely contested finish that showcased the intensity of NASCAR’s playoff battles.
Denny Hamlin’s Command and Late-Race Setback
Denny Hamlin appeared poised for another Kansas triumph, having won both stages and earned 20 points early in the race. The No. 11 team, which included two interim crew members borrowed from Noah Gragson’s No. 4 car, had kept a near-flawless pace. Hamlin, holding the Kansas track record with four victories, looked set to extend that dominance until a caution flag halted the action with 15 laps remaining in regulation. This disrupted Hamlin’s momentum, as his team faltered on a crucial restart, causing him to fall five positions in the running order.
Overtime Chaos and Key Incidents
The overtime saw Toyota teammates Christopher Bell and Bubba Wallace restarting on the front row. However, Bell’s No. 23 car struggled by washing up the track in Turns 3 and 4, while mid-pack chaos unfolded with Zane Smith colliding into the wall and flipping over before coming to a stop. The race was forced into a second overtime, heightening the tension.
During the final restart, Wallace, aided by a push from teammate Tyler Reddick, briefly took the lead. Hamlin surged to second place by the white flag lap, showing strong momentum. Yet, battling power-steering issues, Hamlin pressed low through the backstretch and found himself tight in Turns 3 and 4, forcing Wallace into the outside wall. Meanwhile, Elliott, starting 10th with fresh Goodyear tires, seized an opening on the inside line and passed both Wallace and Hamlin, making contact with Hamlin as he crossed the finish line first. This marked Elliott’s second win of the 2025 season and his first multi-win campaign since 2022.
Final Lap Reaction and Tensions Among Toyota Drivers
“Just super disappointing, I wanted it bad. It would have been [win number] 60 for me. The team just did an amazing job with the car, just really, really fast. Gave me everything I needed. Got the restart I needed. Just couldn’t finish it there on the last corner.”
— Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Hamlin expressed frustration following the race, emphasizing the sharpness of his late-race battle with Wallace.
“Obviously got really, really tight with [Wallace], and it just got real tight and we let [Elliott] win.”
— Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Tensions were evident after the finish, with Wallace initially showing displeasure toward Hamlin on the cool-down lap. However, Wallace soon composed himself and shared a brief embrace with Hamlin on pit road.
“Two years ago, I’d probably say something dumb,”
— Bubba Wallace, NASCAR Driver
“[Hamlin is] a dumbass for that move. I don’t care if he’s my boss or not. But we’re going for the win. I hate that we gave it to Chevrolet there.”
— Bubba Wallace, NASCAR Driver
“Toyotas were super-fast, and proud to be driving one. I thought it was meant to be, and then it wasn’t. All in all, the positives, though, we were minus 27 coming in. We’re minus 26 leaving. We gained a point.”
— Bubba Wallace, NASCAR Driver
The Impact on Bubba Wallace’s Playoff Chances
Wallace, a former winner at Kansas in 2022, entered this race needing a victory to secure his first Round of 8 berth. Had he won, the playoff bubble situation would tighten before the cutoff race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL. While Wallace has steadily improved on road courses, they remain a relative weakness in his skillset.
Having finished 21st and gained eight stage points despite an early setback caused by a practice incident, Wallace now sits 10th in the playoff standings, 26 points behind leader Joey Logano. The No. 22 team faces a challenging path forward without the automatic advancement a win at Kansas would have provided.
“It’s unfortunate. I was excited to race Denny for the win and we gave [Elliott] the win,”
— Bubba Wallace, NASCAR Driver
“That’s what is frustrating the most. We couldn’t get Toyota to Victory Lane.”
— Bubba Wallace, NASCAR Driver
Wallace acknowledged his respect for other Toyota drivers, explaining his personal code for racing competitors.
“Toyota drivers race hard each week, but we respect each other,”
— Bubba Wallace, NASCAR Driver
“There is a fine line that gets crossed and you have to understand that.”
— Bubba Wallace, NASCAR Driver
Toyota Drivers’ Internal Discussions and Race Statistics
This conflict took place shortly after a midweek meeting involving Toyota drivers at Joe Gibbs Racing. The session aimed to establish clearer guidelines on racing conduct after aggressive battles involving Ty Gibbs, a non-playoff driver, competing hard against Hamlin and Bell at New Hampshire Motor Speedway the previous weekend.
Through five playoff events, Toyota drivers have demonstrated dominance, leading nearly 67% of laps run. Hamlin topped the charts at Kansas by leading 159 laps, marking the highest number of laps he has led on a 1.5-mile track and entering the exclusive club of drivers to exceed 16,000 laps led in series history.
Chase Elliott Clinches Round of 8 Spot with Stylish Victory
With this victory, Chase Elliott has locked in his spot in the Round of 8 for the second year running, solidifying his status as a top contender in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.
“Everything worked out perfect for me,”
— Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver
“Had a great push through [Turns] 1 and 2. That kind of all started with [Brad Keselowski] big run off of 2. Seas kind of parted and just was able to keep my momentum up. That was really it.”
— Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver
Elliott’s ability to capitalize on the final restart, combining strategic driving and fresh tires, proved decisive in a race dominated by close quarters and high stakes. His win not only supports his championship aspirations but also highlights the ruthlessness and unpredictability that define playoff racing at tracks like Kansas Speedway.
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