Chase Elliott secured a thrilling NASCAR Cup Series win on Sunday at Kansas Speedway, rallying from 10th place at the start of a double overtime restart to clinch his spot in the Round of 8. The dramatic finish unfolded after Denny Hamlin collided with race leader Bubba Wallace in the final laps, altering the playoff landscape and underscoring the intensifying competition of the NASCAR postseason.
Elliott’s chase for victory began as he leveraged momentum from a late surge through Turns 1 and 2, aided by a push from Brad Keselowski. This momentum carried him into contention during the closing laps. Having qualified fourth and led 24 laps during the event, Elliott ended a 12-race winless stretch by delivering Chevrolet its first postseason triumph this season.
Chaos in Closing Laps Changes Playoff Outlook
The white flag appeared as Wallace led, but the tense lead battle abruptly shifted when he tangled with his own team owner, Hamlin, who simultaneously races for Joe Gibbs Racing and co-owns 23XI Racing. The crash sent Wallace into the wall and down to fifth place, leaving him 26 points behind the playoff cutoff. Meanwhile, Elliott expertly capitalized on the opportunity, finishing first and ensuring continued playoff contention.
“Everything worked out perfect for me,”
Elliott told NBC Sports.
“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.”
The post-race atmosphere was charged with excitement as Elliott reflected on the finish, describing it as “a crazy finish.” He added,
“Hope you all enjoyed that. I certainly did. Really proud of our team.”
Race Highlights and Pit Road Struggles Affect Key Drivers
Throughout the race, Denny Hamlin demonstrated strong pace, overtaking Chase Briscoe on Lap 20 to win Stage 1 and maintaining a front-running position until late in the action. However, the collision with Wallace dampened his chances for the win and reshaped the playoff field.
Tyler Reddick faced significant challenges on pit road during both Stage 1 and Stage 2, losing critical track positions that thwarted his race progress. NASCAR analyst Steve Letarte scrutinized the pit-stop woes that plagued Reddick’s No. 45 car, which ultimately left him starting Stage 2 from 28th place. These setbacks reduced Reddick’s ability to compete effectively in a crucial playoff event.
Late-Race Incident Causes Final Caution
With just two laps remaining, Zane Smith was involved in a frightening accident that triggered a late caution, setting the stage for the dramatic overtime restart. Smith managed to exit his car, but the airborne tumble across the track added to the increasing tension of the race’s final moments. Reflecting on the event, Smith told NBC Sports,
“It was a wild ride, no doubt.”
The sudden caution replenished the competition for the final laps, with multiple drivers jockeying intensely for position. The resulting finish was described as “insane” in live coverage, capturing the unpredictability and intensity of the NASCAR Playoffs.
Playoff Standings and What Lies Ahead
Following Elliott’s victory, the updated NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings reveal shaken positions as drivers jockey for advancement into the next phase. The win guarantees Elliott’s progression and secures Chevrolet’s presence in the Round of 8. Meanwhile, contenders like Wallace now face uphill battles to maintain their playoff hopes.
The tension is expected to escalate heading into next Sunday’s Round of 12 finale at Charlotte’s road course, where drivers will seek to cement their postseason prospects. Elliott’s breakthrough performance highlights the unpredictable nature of the playoffs and raises questions about how other key competitors will respond under mounting pressure.
Saturday’s race not only shifted momentum but also demonstrated how split-second incidents can reshape the championship chase, making the remaining postseason events must-see for NASCAR fans.
Get up, it's race day!#HollywoodCasino400 pic.twitter.com/9gunpc4vgd
— Kansas Speedway (@kansasspeedway) September 28, 2025
#NASCAR … Cup drivers meeting class photo at Kansas pic.twitter.com/UJey19jhT7
— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) September 28, 2025
https://twitter.com/REradioz/status/1972339959702167678
A Round of 8 ticket is on the line this afternoon at @kansasspeedway!
The #HollywoodCasino400 is GREEN on USA! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/wKKG8OVPJs
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 28, 2025
Trouble on pit road costs @TylerReddick all sorts of track position in Stage 1. @SteveLetarte takes a closer look at what happened to the No. 45. pic.twitter.com/7vrcVPvVCf
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 28, 2025
No slowing down this No. 11 right now. @dennyhamlin takes the lead away from @chasebriscoe in Stage 1. pic.twitter.com/Yw6e0kaDK6
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 28, 2025
Yet another issue for @TylerReddick on pit road!
He will start Stage 2 back in 28th place! https://t.co/Uzauwfsit8 pic.twitter.com/ESLrXhXPam
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 28, 2025
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