The NASCAR Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway featured overtime restarts, a dramatic comeback, and Denny Hamlin navigating his car with nearly no power steering. Chase Elliott’s final-lap surge secured his spot in the Round of 8 by a razor-thin margin of 0.069 seconds, intensifying the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs competition.
Despite Toyotas showing strong performance throughout the race, the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet crossed the finish line first. The Kansas event was the second race in the Round of 12, following Ryan Blaney’s prior qualification for the next round with his New Hampshire victory. Elliott’s win locked in two of the eight semifinal positions, creating pressure on the remaining contenders as the playoffs head into the final race before eliminations at Charlotte’s Roval.
While several drivers celebrated, others left Kansas facing major setbacks. Denny Hamlin’s impressive run ended in disappointment at the final corner, although his points advantage keeps him safe for now. However, some drivers and teams suffered significant losses in their championship pursuits. Here are the three biggest losers from the NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Kansas Speedway.
Top Three Drivers and Teams Who Lost Ground at Kansas
Tyler Reddick’s Struggles Continue for 23XI Racing
Tyler Reddick entered Kansas needing a strong result to reverse his fortunes after a 21st-place finish in New Hampshire. Starting the weekend 23 points below the playoff cutline, his seventh-place finish at Kansas looked promising on the surface but underscored ongoing problems. Without earning any stage points or leading laps, Reddick trailed well behind his Toyota teammates.
This outcome dropped Reddick to 29 points below the cutoff as the playoffs move to Charlotte. Given his recent form—finishing outside the top 10 in seven of the last 10 races—his path forward is extremely difficult. Although Reddick has posted decent numbers at Charlotte’s Roval with an average finish of 7.8, he will need a win to survive the elimination round.
Bubba Wallace Misses Critical Opportunity with 23XI Racing
Kansas could have marked a breakthrough for Bubba Wallace, who consistently ran among the leaders and led the field into the first overtime restart. On the final lap, he battled wheel-to-wheel with his team owner, Denny Hamlin. However, contact occurred when Hamlin slid into Wallace’s lane, causing Wallace to brush the wall and lose momentum. He finished fifth, while Chase Elliott slipped by to claim victory.
The consequences for Wallace are significant. A win would have secured him a spot in the Round of 8 for the first time this season. Instead, he sits 10th in the standings, 26 points shy of qualifying. Wallace’s record at the Charlotte Roval lacks standout performances, with a best finish of seventh in 2022 and no clear indication of road course dominance. Advancing will require an exceptional performance in Charlotte or mistakes from his rivals.
Team Penske’s Abysmal Showing Leaves Playoff Fate Uncertain
Following a strong 1-2-4 finish at New Hampshire, Team Penske’s performance at Kansas was a harsh reversal. The Ford drivers struggled throughout the race after all three started at the back due to unapproved pre-race adjustments. Joey Logano led the group, finishing 21st, while Austin Cindric’s night ended prematurely in 30th after a multi-car wreck. Ryan Blaney, who had already qualified for the Round of 8, finished 24th driving a backup car.
The playoff implications for Team Penske are troubling. Logano holds the last playoff spot but only sits 13 points above the cutoff, with limited margin for error despite his solid record on road courses, including six top-10 finishes in seven starts at the Roval. Meanwhile, Cindric trails 48 points below the cutline, making a win mandatory to continue. Given Penske’s historically uneven results on road courses, the team faces the possibility of losing two of its three entries in the upcoming elimination race on September 28 at Charlotte.
How the Kansas Results Shape the Playoff Picture Moving Forward
Kansas has intensified the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs as drivers and teams prepare for the final showdown at Charlotte’s Roval. With only two semifinal spots locked in by Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott, the competition among the remaining contenders has never been tighter. The struggles of Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace, and Team Penske emphasize the high stakes and unpredictability that define this playoff phase.
As the playoffs approach the elimination race, teams must manage pressure and capitalize on every opportunity. A win or strong finish at Charlotte will be crucial, especially for those sitting below or near the cutline. Kansas served as a harsh reminder that dominance on the track does not guarantee playoff security, setting the stage for a tense battle in the coming weeks.
