Team Penske showcased overwhelming strength Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, with Ryan Blaney capturing his third win of the NASCAR Cup Series season in the Mobil 1 301. Meanwhile, Chase Elliott delivered a standout performance despite a poor qualifying run, clawing his way to a top-five finish that has boosted his Chase Elliott playoff outlook as the season shifts to Kansas Speedway.
With the playoffs intensifying, experts are watching closely to see if Elliott can maintain this momentum through the Round of 12, especially as the upcoming tracks favor his driving style.
Blaney’s Performance Sets the Standard for the Midwest Contest
Ryan Blaney carried the fastest car throughout the New Hampshire weekend, securing a dominant victory and an early advance to the Round of 8. His consistent speed and strategic driving suggest he is a serious threat heading into the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway. Blaney’s strong showing signals that he could be the driver to beat as the playoffs head into their critical middle stages.
Byron and Larson Showing Promise on Tracks Favorable to Their Strengths
William Byron captured his first top-10 finish at New Hampshire in his eighth attempt, finishing third and proving his capacity to challenge Team Penske. Having finished runner-up at Kansas last fall, Byron is well positioned to contend for his first victory on the Kansas oval this weekend.
Kyle Larson’s improved speed with Hendrick Motorsports continued at Loudon, continuing his steady path toward securing a Championship 4 spot. Holding three wins at Kansas since 2021, Larson appears to be a strong contender to succeed once again at this venue.
Mixed Results for Bell, Logano, and Hamlin Amid Playoff Pressure
Bubba Wallace Bell endured a disappointing weekend at Loudon, where despite being a favorite based on July testing and a streak of victories, he failed to lead a single lap. Still, his sixth-place finish keeps him competitive as he heads to Kansas, where he has an impressive record of eight top-10 finishes in 11 starts.
Joey Logano remains a steady playoff presence, recording three consecutive top-five finishes for the first time since 2019. Although he did not win at Loudon, he gained ample points to remain well above the cut line. Though his performance at Kansas has been inconsistent since his last win there in 2020, he could find renewed success on the 1.5-mile track this weekend.
Denny Hamlin, a four-time winner at Kansas Speedway, hoped for better results at Loudon but departed with important points intact. Having led multiple consecutive races at Kansas, he seems poised to rebound and regain dominance this weekend.
Elliott’s Resilience Shines Through Despite Inconsistent Recent Results
Chase Elliott’s recent performance saw some lows, including two near-miss points finishes in the past six races. Nevertheless, his commanding drive at New Hampshire demonstrated his championship potential, rallying from a poor qualifying day to finish within the top five. With two favorable tracks remaining in the Round of 12, Elliott’s team appears ready to keep their playoff bid alive and competitive.
Briscoe and Chastain Face Pressure to Convert Mid-Season Momentum into Wins
Harrison Burton Briscoe delivered a solid but unspectacular performance at New Hampshire, driving competitive JGR equipment to a 10th-place finish and leading 19 laps. Having secured a runner-up finish last year, Briscoe aims to translate this consistency into a breakthrough victory at Kansas, where he registered a top-10 finish earlier this season. The Kansas race will be critical for his playoff hopes.
Ross Chastain ended a streak of subpar finishes by avoiding a top-10 drought at Loudon, but with just 72 laps led all season, his path to the Round of 8 is uncertain. As the defending Kansas race winner, Chastain hopes to leverage his success on this track to gain crucial points and momentum in the upcoming race.
Challenges Mount for Cindric, Reddick, and Wallace in Playoff Battles
Austin Cindric struggled to find speed at New Hampshire, falling below the playoff bubble while his competitors excelled. Having never led a lap or finished in the top 10 at Kansas Speedway, Cindric is under intense pressure to produce a strong result soon, possibly requiring a win at the Charlotte Roval to advance further.
Tyler Reddick’s recent performances reflect a downturn since his impressive runner-up finish at Darlington. His sole top-10 in six races contrasts with several finishes outside the top 15, casting doubt on his team’s ability to capitalize on Kansas, a track that might have otherwise favored him. The loosening grip of his organization on the Kansas City venue further complicates his prospects.
Wallace began the playoffs as a hopeful for his first appearance in the Championship 4. However, inconsistent performances have left his progression to the Round of 8 in doubt. Despite the possibility of a Kansas victory—he led laps in five consecutive races before Loudon—time is running out for Wallace to solidify his playoff positioning.
Upcoming Races Will Define Playoff Trajectories and Driver Futures
As the NASCAR playoffs continue at Kansas Speedway, drivers like Chase Elliott face pivotal moments that will determine their postseason fate. Team Penske’s dominance and contenders like Byron and Larson add layers of complexity to the battle for the championship.
With pressure mounting on drivers with mixed recent results, the next rounds of racing are set to be intensely competitive. Performance at Kansas and subsequent tracks will likely decide who claims victories, advances deeper into the playoffs, and who risks falling behind in this high-stakes contest.
Loudon is now all yours, @Blaney. pic.twitter.com/IlUt2dBh5t
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 22, 2025
