Now, there are just 12 contenders left. Following last week’s elimination race in Bristol, the NASCAR Cup Series moves to Kansas Speedway for the initial race of the Round of 12. This round includes events at Kansas, Talladega, and the Charlotte Roval. With the competition becoming more intense, many of the expected frontrunners are still vying for the championship title.
Eliminated: Ty Gibbs, Martin Truex Jr., Brad Keselowski, and Harrison Burton.
Still alive: Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Tyler Reddick, William Byron, Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, Joey Logano, Austin Cindric, Daniel Suárez, Alex Bowman, and Chase Briscoe.
In preparation for the upcoming playoff race, our NASCAR experts, Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi, are addressing our inquiries about insights from the first round, how this year’s playoffs compare to previous seasons, their favorites and dark horses for this weekend’s race, and more.
This Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway will take place, and it will be broadcasted on the USA Network.
Let’s dive in!
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NOOB Question of the Week (starting off strong!): You summarized the first round of the playoffs by stating, “Round 1 contained no true major surprises, which is actually the biggest shock of all.” As a new NASCAR fan, I’m intrigued by how this year compares to past seasons. Expectations suggested this would be the most daunting first round, but that was not the case. How do these playoffs stack up historically so far?
Jeff: When it comes to legitimate championship contenders, no one was eliminated in Round 1. And despite a few close calls, that remains true after everything has settled. The playoffs are structured to provide a slight advantage to the drivers with the most consistent performances throughout the season, as the first 26 races accumulate playoff points for advancing through the rounds. In this case, Tyler Reddick relied on his solid regular-season results to move forward, even though he had an average round overall. Denny Hamlin was closest to being eliminated, partly due to an unprecedented engine penalty that cost him critical points. it’s been a fairly typical playoff season thus far.
Jordan: So far, the playoff scenario is unfolding as expected regarding the drivers we anticipated would rise as title contenders. Notably, Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Chase Elliott, and Ryan Blaney have all shown formidable performances. Additionally, even among those who were eliminated, there were no significant surprises — although one could argue that Ty Gibbs’ elimination was somewhat unexpected. This positioning sets the stage for what should be a particularly intense second round, where some big names may start dropping off the playoff roster.
What are your thoughts on the results so far? It appears that the reduced number of surprises in the first round might add not necessarily “legitimacy,” but perhaps recognition to the playoff framework as a whole. Did you find yourself missing the drama?
Jeff: I often find it somewhat relieving when
The majority of competitors advance because there exists a scenario where top drivers could falter due to circumstances beyond their control. Take Kyle Larson, for example; while he is arguably the driver of the season, what if he were to crash at Bristol and find himself out of contention? As someone who closely follows the sport, my concern isn’t who wins, but rather ensuring the championship maintains its credibility. Having four strong contenders for the title diminishes the likelihood of the champion being perceived as a fluke winner, which could harm the sport, in my view. I’m all for excitement, but I’d prefer to see it emerge from drivers pushing hard for a victory rather than from random incidents.
Jordan: Round 1 may have been straightforward, but it certainly wasn’t without its moments of tension. The way Bristol played out for Martin Truex Jr. and Ty Gibbs was captivating, as both drivers went from being poised to advance to being eliminated due to speeding penalties on pit road. Watkins Glen delivered a thrilling race filled with unexpected developments that concluded with a non-playoff driver taking victory, setting up a dramatic Bristol event.
You mentioned on your podcast, The Teardown, that the quality of racing at Bristol “cannot be what is acceptable” for a short-track event. What steps can be taken from here? Are any changes forthcoming?
Jeff: I can confidently assert that no one seems to have a clear solution. The Next Gen car simply does not perform well on short tracks, although it excels on intermediate tracks — a dilemma that remains unchanged. NASCAR has attempted to implement aerodynamic adjustments to the car, but none of those efforts have succeeded. Meanwhile, officials refuse to increase horsepower, which many drivers believe would enhance performance. Although the tires have occasionally shown potential, Goodyear struggles to replicate the conditions necessary for a great race. Unless a car redesign occurs — which realistically won’t happen for several years — optimism for improvement seems limited.
Jordan: Fair or not, the burden of enhancing short-track races largely falls on Goodyear. Despite NASCAR’s various modifications to the car, these changes have done little to rectify the issue, and feasible alternatives, such as increasing horsepower or redesigning the vehicle, are currently off the table. Consequently, the most viable option remains the use of softer compound tires, which would require drivers to monitor their tire management and could lead to increased passing. This is precisely what we witnessed at Bristol earlier this spring and during several other races this season. The primary issue, however, is that Goodyear has yet to develop a tire that consistently wears appropriately. Until that changes, the quality of short-track racing will remain uncertain.
Who’s performing well as we head into Round 2 of the playoffs? Is it reflective of the current standings? What insights should we have about the upcoming races and tracks?
Jeff: Since the seeding resets to reflect the order of playoff points, there isn’t always a direct correspondence with who’s hot or not based on the standings. In Round 1, Alex Bowman accumulated more points than anyone, yet he enters Round 2 below the cutline due to a lack of playoff points. Similarly, Austin Cindric finished with the second-most points in the previous round but also found himself below the cutoff as we move to Kansas. Essentially, these rounds function like three-race mini-seasons, where maintaining momentum can be challenging — a result of the format. For this upcoming round, the dynamics resemble the “wild card” nature of Round 1, featuring a superspeedway, a road course, and a traditional track (Kansas this week) that makes this race critically important.
Jordan: If you’re someone who believes in the power of momentum, the progress that Bowman and Cindric made in Round 1 would be encouraging. Both were initially anticipated to be early exit candidates, yet they displayed consistent speed and made a significant impact.
They achieved solid results during the playoffs, which were largely absent in the regular season, allowing them to move forward without difficulty. While this doesn’t have any bearing on the standings since everything resets, the confidence boost is certainly beneficial as they approach a bracket filled with demanding tracks.
Who do you think will win at Kansas? Is this a favorable track for Kyle Larson, who secured a victory there in May and expressed his enthusiasm for the track (“mile-and-a-halfs are awesome”)?
Jeff: Despite three of the next five races being traditional 1.5-mile intermediate tracks, the Cup Series hasn’t competed on one of these circuits since the rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600 over Memorial Day Weekend. While Darlington or Michigan might bear some resemblance, they are not quite the same. It’s been some time since we’ve seen a proper assessment of 1.5-mile track performance, and whoever excels at Kansas will likely perform well at Las Vegas and Homestead in the following round. So, who might that be? The sportsbooks have made Larson the clear favorite, which is understandable. However, I believe Denny Hamlin has a strong opportunity to revive his championship aspirations at Kansas, where he led the most laps in the spring race before finishing in fifth place. Hamlin, currently the active leader in wins at Kansas with four victories, boasts an impressive average finish of 2.8 across the five Next Gen car races held there.
Jordan: How can you not favor Larson at this point? Although he has made some mistakes this season, resulting in crashes during races where he was the fastest, Bristol showcased that when he’s on point, he’s unmatched. Given that this track is one of his strongest, it further reinforces the idea that Sunday’s race should be his to win. The likelihood is that he will achieve a Kansas sweep.
Who might be a long shot that could pull off an upset?
Jeff: I wouldn’t categorize him as a total long shot, but Bowman is performing strongly at the right moment and tends to excel at Kansas, having secured top-10 finishes in all four Next Gen car races there. He led a race-high 107 laps in the Kansas playoff race two years ago, ultimately finishing fourth. There’s nothing indicating he can’t come equipped with a fast enough car to claim victory and advance into Round 3.
Jordan: Keep an eye on Ross Chastain (+2500) this Sunday. Chastain has recorded three top-10 finishes in the last four races, with two of those within the top five, and during the spring race at Kansas, he led 43 laps. This presents an excellent chance for him to secure his first win of the season.
Odds for Hollywood Casino 400 winner
Odds, via BetMGM, update live.
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(Photo of Kyle Larson: James Gilbert / Getty Images)
Playoff Pressure Mounts as NASCAR Heads to Kansas for Hollywood Casino 400
The Importance of the Hollywood Casino 400 in the NASCAR Playoffs
The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs have always been a thrilling time for fans and drivers alike. As the NASCAR circuit heads to Kansas for the Hollywood Casino 400, the competition becomes fierce, with drivers vying for crucial points to secure their place in the next round. This race is not just another event on the calendar; it’s a pivotal moment that could make or break a driver’s championship hopes.
Key Drivers to Watch at Kansas
With playoff pressure intensifying, several key drivers will be in the spotlight during the Hollywood Casino 400. Here’s a look at some of the top contenders:
- Kyle Larson – With a strong track record at Kansas, Larson’s aggressive driving style could give him an edge.
- Denny Hamlin – A consistent performer, Hamlin needs a solid finish to maintain his playoff position.
- Joey Logano – As a former champion, Logano knows how to handle pressure, making him a dangerous competitor.
- Chase Elliott – Always a fan favorite, Elliott’s ability to adapt to track conditions is key in this playoff race.
Current Standings and Playoff Picture
As the NASCAR playoffs progress, understanding the current standings is vital for fans and teams. Below is a simplified table showcasing the top five drivers and their playoff points heading into the Kansas race:
| Driver | Points | Stage Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Kyle Larson | 3050 | 2 |
| Denny Hamlin | 3045 | 1 |
| Joey Logano | 3040 | 3 |
| Chase Elliott | 3035 | 1 |
| Kevin Harvick | 3025 | 0 |
Track Characteristics of Kansas Speedway
Kansas Speedway is known for its unique characteristics that challenge drivers. Here are some important aspects of the track:
– **Configuration**: The 1.5-mile tri-oval design provides a balance of speed and handling.
– **Banking**: With variable banking ranging from 17 to 20 degrees, drivers must manage their tires smartly.
- **Surface**: The asphalt surface allows for multiple racing lines, adding excitement and unpredictability to the race.
Understanding these factors is crucial for teams as they prepare their cars and strategies for the Hollywood Casino 400.
Race Strategy: Tips for Teams
During the playoffs, every detail matters. Here are some practical tips for teams looking to succeed at the Kansas race:
– **Tire Management**: With tire wear being a significant factor, teams should monitor tire performance closely and plan pit stops accordingly.
– **Fuel Strategy**: Understanding fuel consumption can help in making strategic calls during the race, especially during caution periods.
– **Adjustments**: Be prepared to make quick adjustments based on changing track conditions; a well-timed adjustment can lead to a competitive advantage.
– **Pit Road**: Execute flawless pit stops to minimize time loss—every second counts in a playoff scenario.
Fan Engagement: What to Expect at the Hollywood Casino 400
The Hollywood Casino 400 is not just a race; it’s an experience for fans. Here’s what attendees can look forward to:
– **Pre-Race Activities**: Fans can engage in various festivities, including driver meet-and-greets, merchandise stalls, and interactive displays.
– **Live Music**: Enjoy performances from local artists and bands that create a festive atmosphere.
– **Family-Friendly Events**: Special areas for kids and families ensure a fun day for everyone, making it a perfect outing for fans of all ages.
First-Hand Experiences: What Drivers Say About the Pressure
The pressure of the playoffs can weigh heavily on drivers. Here are some insights from drivers about their experiences in high-stakes situations:
– **Kyle Larson**: ”Every race in the playoffs feels like a championship race. The adrenaline is high, and every decision counts.”
– **Denny Hamlin**: “I try to compartmentalize the pressure. Focus on the task at hand and trust my team. That’s what has brought me success.”
– **Chase Elliott**: “The fans are incredible, and their support gives us an extra boost. It’s a different energy altogether in the playoffs.”
These personal accounts highlight the immense pressure and excitement that accompany the NASCAR playoffs.
Case Studies: Historical Performances at Kansas
Looking back at previous races at Kansas can provide valuable insights into performance trends. Here are a few notable case studies:
– **2019 Hollywood Casino 400**:
– **Winner**: Denny Hamlin
– **Highlights**: Hamlin showcased strategic tire management and a late-race surge to secure victory.
– **2020 Hollywood Casino 400**:
– **Winner**: Kevin Harvick
– **Highlights**: Harvick dominated the race, illustrating the importance of having a fast car and making the right adjustments.
These past performances underscore the unpredictable nature of NASCAR and the critical role that strategy plays.
Countdown to Race Day: Preparing for Kansas
As the race day approaches, anticipation builds. Here’s a countdown checklist for fans and teams alike:
– **Week Before**:
– Finalize travel plans and accommodations.
– Check weather forecasts for race day conditions.
– **Day Before**:
– Attend practice sessions to see how teams are performing.
– Engage with fan activities and soak in the atmosphere.
– **Race Day**:
– Arrive early to secure good viewing spots.
– Participate in pre-race festivities and cheer on your favorite drivers.
By following this checklist, fans can ensure they make the most of their experience at the Hollywood Casino 400.
Conclusion
As the NASCAR playoffs head to Kansas for the Hollywood Casino 400, the excitement and pressure are palpable. Fans, teams, and drivers are all geared up for a race that could redefine the playoff picture. With crucial points on the line and a competitive field, this event promises to be a thrilling chapter in the NASCAR Cup Series.
