The Cup Series caps off another triple header weekend at Kansas Speedway with the Hollywood Casino 400.
Kansas Speedway is the sight of the closest race finish in NASCAR history when Kyle Larson beat Chris Buescher by just one thousandth of a second!
Last week at Bristol the 16 playoff drivers were cut down to 12 and it is time for round two of the playoffs.
Last week at Bristol Motor Speedway, Kyle Larson led all but 38 laps in the race – the most ever by any Hendrick Motorsports driver.
Thirty-eight teams brought cars to Kansas for the race and with 40 spots slated for drivers, all of the drivers at the track will make the race including seven time champion, Hall of Famer, and team owner Jimmie Johnson.
In the Truck and Xfinity Series, all of the playoff drivers are grouped together for practice and qualifying but in the Cup Series the playoff drivers have been divided between the two groups for practice and qualifying.
Chase Elliott is on pit road and is reporting that he thinks he is down a cylinder.
Ty Dillon is making a return to the Cup Series next season driving for Kaulig Racing.
After Group A completed practice, Ross Chastain topped the leaderboard for the fastest lap with Trackhouse teammate Daniel Suarez coming in second.
Christopher Bell is the only playoff driver to score two top five spots in the first round of the playoffs.
Still on baby watch, Chase Briscoe has told his crew chief NOT to tell him until after the race is he gets any word about his wife going to the hospital or the birth of the twins. Future boss Joe Gibbs has offered the use of his plane if Chase needs to get back to North Carolina quickly.
Kyle Larson leads the leaderboard at the end of Group B practice.
When the green flag drops for the race, Jimmie Johnson will be making race start number 696.
The first driver on the track to make a qualifying run is JJ Yeley with a time of 31.656 seconds around the mile and a half track.
Only the third driver out on the track, Ty Dillon broke the 31 second mark with a time of 30.952 seconds.
Despite possible engine issues, Chase Elliott is making a qualifying attempt. The crew will be working on the car after qualifying. If the crew has to change the engine, Elliott will start the race from the back of the field.
Jimmie Johnson is the first driver from Group B to make a qualifying run and posted a time of 30.892 seconds.
One non-playoff driver from each group moves on to the next round of qualifying – Ty Gibbs and Kyle Busch.
The Group A drivers moving on to round two are:
William Byron
Ty Gibbs
Denny Hamlin
Daniel Suarez
Tyler Reddick
The top five drivers moving on from Group B are:
Christopher Bell
Joey Logano
Kyle Busch
Ryan Blaney
Chase Briscoe
The first driver on the track for round two of qualifying is Tyler Reddick who posted a time of 30.207 seconds.
With a time of 30.111 seconds, Christopher Bell wins the pole for the third time in a row at Kansas.
The starting lineup for the Hollywood Casino 400:
Christopher Bell
Ty Gibbs
Kyle Busch
Tyler Reddick
Joey Logano
William Byron
Ryan Blaney
Denny Hamlin
Chase Briscoe
Daniel Suarez
Kyle Larson
Alex Bowman
Bubba Wallace
Carson Hocevar
Zane Smith
Erik Jones
Austin Cindric
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Martin Truex Jr
Ross Chastain
Michael McDowell
Austin Dillon
Justin Haley
Noah Gragson
Chris Buescher
Brad Keselowski
Corey LaJoie
Harrison Burton
Josh Berry
Daniel Hemric
John Hunter Nemechek
Ty Dillon
Todd Gilliland
Kaz Grala
Jimmie Johnson
JJ Yeley
Ryan Preece
Chase Elliott
In round one of the playoffs, Alex Bowman scored more points than any other driver.
Carl Edwards will be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame early next year; but today he is driving the pace car and leading the field around the track.
Stage one is 80 laps, stage two is 85 laps, and stage three is 102 laps for a total of 267 laps around the mile and a half track. The drivers can run around 70 laps on a single load of fuel; they will need to make a pit stop in all three stages of the race.
Christophr Bell brings the field down for the green flag start of the race with Ty Gibbs alongside under a clear blue sky. Bell jumps out for the lead as the drivers spread out three wide.
The caution flag comes out for a crash involving Josh Berry, Harrison Burton, Jimmie Johnson, and Ty Dillon. Chase Elliott scrapes the wall. Harrison Burton and Ty Dillon made contact with Dillon collecting Johnson and Berry.
Christopher Bell brings the field down from the inside lane for the green flag restart and battles with Ty Gibbs for the lead. Bell gets out in front for the lead.
Lap nine, the top five are Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs, Tyler Reddick, Kyle Busch, and William Byron.
Josh Berry is out of the race.
Lap eleven, Ty Gibbs and Kyle Busch are the only non-playoff drivers in the top 10.
Lap 13, Chase Elliott is up to 28th place. Christopher Bell has a half second lead on Ty Gibbs; Tyler Reddick, William Byron, and Kyle Busch round out the top five.
Lap 16, Chase Elliott passes Chase Briscoe for 24th.
Lap 18, after starting the race in third, Kyle Busch has dropped to eighth place.
Christopher Bell leads the race with Ty Gibbs a half second back.
The caution flag comes out on lap 19 when Kyle Larson gets into the wall with a flat tire. Reports are that Larson ran over some debris.
Drivers come down pit road for fuel…and adjustments…with Christopher Bell winning the race off of pit road.
Michael McDowell was caught speeding on pit road and will have to restart the race from the back of the field.
Christopher Bell brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 25 with Ty Gibbs alongside. Joey Logano makes it a three way battle for the lead from the inside lane. Christopher Bell holds on to the lead. Drivers are spread out thre and four wide across the track.
The top five are Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs, Joey Logano, William Byron, and Tyler Reddick.
Lap 29, Christopher Bell has pulled out to a half second lead on Ty Gibbs; William Byron, Joey Logano, and Tyler Reddick round out the top five.
Lap 30, William Byron battles with Ty Gibbs for second and takes the spot.
Lap 33, after restarting the race near the back of the field, Kyle Larson is mired back in 32nd place.
Lap 35, Christopher Bell has increased his lead to a second and a half on William Byron; Ty Gibbs, Joey Logano, and Tyler Reddick round out the top five.
Lap 38, Chase Elliott is just outside the top 20 in 21st.
Erik Jones scrapes the wall and has to make an unscheduled trip down pit road but the track stays green.
Lap 45, Christopher Bell now has a lead of just over a second on William Byron; Ty Gibbs, Joey Logano, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.
Lap 47, Ty Gibbs challenges William Byron for second.
Lap 50, Christopher Bell has led every lap so far; his lead on William Byron is down to under a second; Ty Gibbs, Joey Logano, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.
Lap 53, Chase Elliott has entered the top 20.
Ty Gibbs is the only driver in the top 10 not in the playoffs.
Daniel Suarez is reporting some handling issues with his car; saying that it starts out tight and gets worse from there.
Lap 57, leader Christopher Bell laps Kyle Larson to put him a lap down.
Leading 61 laps so far, Christopher Bell has a lead of over half a second on William Byron; Ty Gibbs, Joey Logano, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.
Lap 67, Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney battle for fifth.
Lap 69, William Byron is less than half a second behind leader Christopher Bell.
Lap 71, Joey Logano passes ty Gibbs for third.
Ryan Blaney passes Ty Gibbs for fourth.
With eight laps remaining in stage one, Christopher Bell gets into the wall but the track stays green. William Byron takes the lead with Joey Logano in second. Bell drops to fourth place.
Five laps to go in stage one; the top five are William Byron, Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell, and Denny Hamlin.
William Byron passes Daniel Suarez to put Suarez a lap down.
With three laps to go in stage one, Joey Logano has less than half a second lead on William Byron.
William Byron wins stage one.
The top 10 at the end of stage one:
William Byron
Joey Logano
Ruan Blaney
Denny Hamlin
Christopher Bell
Ty Gibbs
Austin Cindric
Martin Truex Jr
Alex Bowman
Carson Hocevar
Drivers come down pit road for service. Kyle Larson’s crew is working on his rear diffuser.Joey Logano wins the race off of pit road.
Austin Cindric had to make a second trip down pit road for a loose wheel. He had to restart the race from the back of the field.
Joey Logano brings the field down for the green flag start of stage two with William Byron taking the lead.
Lap 88, the top five are William Byron, Joey Logano, Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs, and Ryan Blaney.
Lap 91, William Byron has a lead of onearly a second on Joey Logano; Ty Gibbs, Christopher Bell, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.
Lap 93, William Byron now has a lead of over a second on Joey Logano. Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell battle for fourth.
Lap 96, William Byron continues to increase his lead and is now nearly two seconds out in front of Joey Logano; Denny Hamlin, Ty Gibbs, and Christopher Bell round out the top five.
The fourth caution flag of the race comes out for Erik Jones who is stuck in the grass after getting into the wall on lap 99.
In their pit window to make it to the end of stage two, drivers come down pit road for service. Taking only two tires, Kyle Busch wins the race off of pit road, beating out Christopher Bell.
Denny Hamlin had a slow stop when the jack fell.
Kyle Busch brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 105 with Christopher Bell alongside. Getting a push form Joey Logano, Kyle Busch gets out in front.
Lap 106, Christopher Bell passes Kyle Busch for the lead.
Lap 107, Joey Logano passes Kyle Busch for second.
The top five are Christopher Bell, Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, Ty Gibbs, and Alex Bowman.
Lap 110, Christopher Bell has a half second lead on Joey Logano; Kyle Busch, Ty Gibbs, and Alex Bowman round out the top five. There are 32 cars on the lead lap.
Kyle Busch gets into the wall but the track stays green. Alex Bowman couldn’t slow down and bumped Busch’s bumper. Kyle Busch drops to seventh.
Lap 113, Christopher Bell has a lead of over a second on Joey Logano.
Lap 116, Chase Elliott has entered the top 15 in 14th place.
Lap 123, Christopher Bell has a near second and a half lead on Joey Logano; William Byron, Ryan Blaney, and Alex Bowman round out the top five.
Kyle Busch reports a loose condition.
Lap 129, Joey Logano has closed the gap on leader Christopher Bell to just over a second; Ryan Blaney, William Byron, and Alex Bowman round out the top five.
Lap 135, Joey Logano is now just over a half second behind leader Christopher Bell; Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, and William Byron round out the top five.
Lap 137, Ryan Blaney passes teammate Joey Logano for second. Leader Christopher Bell is over half a second out in front.
Lap 140, Ryan Blaney passes Christopher Bell for the lead.
The caution flag comes out on lap 144 for Daniel Hemric who gets into the wall and spins out down the track.
Kyle Larson is the “lucky dog”.
Drivers come down pit road for service with Zane Smith winning the race off of pit road after taking only two tires. Christopher Bell is the first driver off pit road after taking four tires.
Denny Hamlin made a second trip down pit road for a loose wheel.
Zane Smith brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 149 with Christopher Bell alongside. Bell gets out in front but the caution flag comes out for a crash involving John Hunter Nemechek and Justin Haley.
Christopher Bell brings the field down for the green flag restart on la p54 and battles with Zane Smith for the lead.
Lap 155, the top five are Christopher Bell, Zane Smith, Alex Bowman, Ty Gibbs, and Ryan Blaney.
Lap 157, Austin Cindric brings out the seventh caution flag of the day when he gets loose and spins out. He comes to a stop against the inside wall.
Drivers at the back half of the field come down pit road for service with only six laps remaining in stage two.
Joey Logano had to make a second trip down pit road for a loose wheel.
Christopher Bell brings the field down for the green flag restart with four laps remaining in stage two. Alex Bowman gets out in front for the lead.
Christopher Bell gets into the wall and falls through the field.
Alex Bowman wins stage two.
The top 10 at the end of stage two:
Alex Bowman
Ty Gibbs
Ryan Blaney
William Byron
Brad Keselowski
Carson Hocevar
Kyle Busch
Martin Truex Jr
Chase Elliott
Chase Briscoe
Drivers come down pit road for service with Alex Bowman winning the race off of pit road.
Christoher Bell reports that he was aero blocked into the wall.
Kyle Larson is back on pit road for continuing repairs. Larson reports that he has no speed.
After staying out on the track, Ty Gibbs brings the field down for the green flag start of stage three on lap 172 with Carson Hocevar alongside. Hocevar gets out in front but Gibbs comes up to battle for the lead.
After a mixed strategy of pit stops the top five are Carson Hocevar, Ty Gibbs, Kyle Busch, Ross Chastain, and Martin Truex Jr.
JJ Yeley is out of the race. There are 33 cars on the lead lap.
Lap 176, Carson Hocevar has a Half second lead on Ross Chastain; Ty Gibbs, Kyle Busch, and Martin Truex Jr round out the top five.
Lap 178, Melon Man Ross Chastain passes Carson Hocevar for the lead. Hocevar leads the Rookie of the Year points by a lart margin.
Kyle Busch passes Ty Gibbs for third.
Lap 181, Ross chasten has a half second lead on Carson Hocevar; Kyle Busch, Ty Gibbs, and Martin Trues Jr round out the top five.
Lap 182, Kyle Busch passes Carson Hocevar for second.
Lap 185, Ross Chastain has a lead of over half a second on Kyle Busch; Martin Truex Jr, Carson Hocevar, and William Byron round out the top five.
Eighty laps remain in the race; Ross Chastain has a lead of under half a second on Kyle Busch; Martin Truex Jr, William Byron, and Carson Hocevar round out the top five.
Ryan Blaney reports an issue with a possible loose wheel.
Lap 192, Ryan Blaney makes an unscheduled trip down pit road with a tire issue.
With 75 laps to go, Kyle Larson battles with Ross Chastain for the lead.
So far nine of the 12 playoff drivers have had some kind of issue from loose wheels to wrecks.
Ross Chastain has pulled out to a near half second lead on Kyle Busch with Tyler Reddick on his bumper.
Lap 200, Kyle Busch has closed the gap on leader Ross Chastain to just a tenth of a second.
Lap 201 Kyle Busch passed Ross Chastain, but Chastain came right back and retook the lead.
Lap 204, the battle continues between Ross Chastain and Kyle Busch.
Lap 205, Kyle Busch completes the pass to take the lead.
Lap 206, Joey Logano is the first driver to make a green flag pit stop.
Sixty to go, Kyle Busch leads the race with Ross Chastain in second; Martin Truex Jr, William Byron, and Alex Bowman round out the top five.
With 59 laps to go, Ty Gibbs finally makes his pit stop as more drivers begin the green flag pit stop cycle.
Lap 211, leader Kyle Busch comes down pit road and gives the lead over to Tyler Reddick.
Joey Logano and Daniel Suarez make slight contact going into turn two but the track stays green.
Lap 219, leader Tyler Reddick makes his green flag pit stop. Brad Keselowski is the new lead. Once Keselowski makes his pit stop, Kyle Busch will retake the lead.
Lap 221, Kyle Busch is the leader and has a one second lead on ross Chastain.
Lap 225, Ross Chastain has caught Kyle Busch and passes for the lead. Busch retakes the lead.
There have been 14 different leaders in today’s race.
It has been over 50 races since Kyle Busch took a checkered flag. He has won at least one race every year for the past 19 years and needs a wins to make it 20 years in a row.
With 38 laps to go, Kyle Busch has a near half second lead on Ross Chastain; Martin Truex Jr, William Byron, and Alex Bowman round out the top five.
Just 35 laps to go, Kyle Busch has a lead of over half a second on Ross Chastain.
The ninth caution flag comes out for Kyle Busch who was racing with Chase Briscoe. Between the wall and Chase Briscoe’s car, Kyle Busch hits the wall and spins out.
Drivers come down pit road with 29 laps remaining in the race. Martin Truex Jr wins the race off of pit road with Ross Chastain coming out in second.
After staying out on the track, Brad Keselowski is the new leader.
Brad Keselowski brings the field down for the green flag restart with Martin Truex Jr alongside with just 26 laps remaining in the race. Alex Bowman moves up on the inside to make it a three wide battle. Martin Truex Jr takes the lead with a three wide battle for second.
Twenty-five to go, the 10th caution flag of the day comes out for a wreck for Carson Hocevar who was hit by Todd Gilliland before spinning out.
Martin Truex Jr brings the field down for the green flag restart with Ross Chastain alongside with 20 laps remaining in the race. Drivers spread out four and five across the track going into turn one with Ross Chastain getting out in front for the lead.
The top five are Ross Chastain, William Byron, Martin Truex Jr, Ty Gibbs, and Alex Bowman.
Ryan Blaney passes Alex Bowman for fifth.
With 18 to go, Ryan Blaney passes Ty Gibbs for fourth.
With 16 to go, Ross Chastain has a near half second lead on William Byron; Martin Truex Jr, Ryan Blaney, and ty Gibbs round out the top five.
Twelve laps to go, Ross Chastain has a half second lead on William Byron. After starting dead last due to an engine change, Chase Elliott is in the top 10.
Ten to go! Ross Chastain holds on to the lead with William Byron a half second.
Seven laps to go, William Byron is slowly closing the gap on leader Ross Chastain.
Five to go, Ross Chastain holds on to the lead with William Byron a half second back.
Ross Chastain takes the white flag with William Byron on his bumper.
Time to smash the melon! The Melon Man wins the race!
An eighth generation watermelon farmer, Ross Chastain celebrates his wins by smashing a watermelon on the track. But first a massive burnout that covered all the sponsors on the track.
The unofficial results of the Hollywood Casino 400:
Ross Chastain
William Byron
Martin Truex Jr
Ryan Blaney
Ty Gibbs
Alex Bowman
Christopher Bell
Denny Hamlin
Chase Elliott
Zane Smith
Chris Buescher
Austin Dillon
Daniel Suarez
Joey Logano
Corey LaJoie
Ryan Preece
Bubba Wallace
Noah Gragson
Kyle Busch
Damiel Hemric
Ty Dillon
Brad Keselowski
Harrison Burton
Chase Briscoe
Tyler Reddick
Kyle Larson
Todd Gilliland
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Michael McDowell
John Hunter Nemechek
Kaz Grala
Carson Hocevar
Justin Haley
Austin Cindric
Erik Jones
Jimmie Johnson
JJ Yeley
Josh Berry