The NASCAR playoffs arrive at Kansas Speedway, which earlier this year produced arguably the most exciting race of the season. Back in May, Kyle Larson edged Chris Buescher in a photo finish, winning by 0.001 seconds in the closest finish in NASCAR history.
But the stakes are even higher now as the second round of the playoffs begin today. Last week, four drivers were eliminated from championship contention, leaving a field of 12 to chase the 2024 Cup Series title. Following Sunday’s race, the playoffs move to Talladega Superspeedway before another elimination race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on the roval – the part road course, part oval circuit.
If a playoff driver wins today’s race at Kansas, he will automatically advance to the Round of 8. But every playoff driver will be trying to amass as many points as possible because at least one driver will qualify for the next round on points.
USA TODAY Sports will provide news, highlights and results of the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas. Follow along for updates.
Crash breaks out on opening lap of NASCAR playoff race at Kansas
Mere seconds after the green flag waved for the Hollywood Casino 400, a multi-car crash occurred in the back of the pack at Kanas Speedway. Harrison Burton, who started 28th, and Ty Dillon, who started 32nd, made contact, causing both cars to spin. The accident also collected Jimmy Johnson and Josh Berry. During the incident, Chase Elliott was forced to ride right up along the outside wall, but Elliott’s No. 9 Chevrlet was able to avoid damage.
NASCAR playoff race at Kansas begins with green flag
The green flag has waved in the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway. This is the fourth of 10 playoff races and the first of the second round. Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Christopher Bell and Ty Gibbs lead the field in the opening stage, which is 80 laps.
Chase Elliott will start last in NASCAR playoff race at Kansas
Chase Elliott, who enters the second round of the playoffs ranked seventh, will start at the rear of the field in Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway. Hendrick Motorsports changed the engine of his No. 9 Chevrolet following Saturday’s qualifying.
Who is starting on the pole in the NASCAR playoff race at Kansas?
Joe Gibbs Racing drier Christopher Bell posted the fastest time in Saturday’s qualifying and will start on the pole in Sunday’s race. Teammate Ty Gibbs qualified second and will also start on the front row.
What is the lineup for NASCAR’s Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas?
Car number in parentheses; (P)=playoff driver
- (20) Christopher Bell (P), Toyota
- (54) Ty Gibbs, Toyota
- (8) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet
- (45) Tyler Reddick (P), Toyota
- (22) Joey Logano (P), Ford
- (24) William Byron (P), Chevrolet
- (12) Ryan Blaney (P), Ford
- (11) Denny Hamlin (P), Toyota
- (14) Chase Briscoe (P), Ford
- (99) Daniel Suarez (P), Chevrolet
- (5) Kyle Larson (P), Chevrolet
- (48) Alex Bowman (P), Chevrolet
- (23) Bubba Wallace, Toyota
- (77) Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet
- (71) Zane Smith, Chevrolet
- (43) Erik Jones, Toyota
- (2) Austin Cindric (P), Ford
- (47) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet
- (19) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota
- (1) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet
- (34) Michael McDowell, Ford
- (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet
- (7) Justin Haley, Chevrolet
- (10) Noah Gragson, Ford
- (17) Chris Buescher, Ford
- (6) Brad Keselowski, Ford
- (51) Corey LaJoie, Ford
- (21) Harrison Burton, Ford
- (4) Josh Berry, Ford
- (31) Daniel Hemric, Chevrolet
- (42) John Hunter Nemechek, Toyota
- (16) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet
- (38) Todd Gilliland, Ford
- (15) Kaz Grala, Ford
- (84) Jimmie Johnson, Toyota
- (44) JJ Yeley, Chevrolet
- (41) Ryan Preece, Ford
- (9) Chase Elliott (P), Chevrolet
What time does the NASCAR playoff race at Kansas start?
The Hollywood Casino 400 starts at 3 p.m. ET (2 p.m. local) on Sunday at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas.
What TV channel is the NASCAR playoff race at Kansas on?
USA Network is broadcasting the Hollywood Casino 400 and has a pre-race show beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. local).
Will there be a live stream of the NASCAR playoff race at Kansas?
The Hollywood Casino 400 can be live streamed on the NBC Sports website and the NBC Sports app. The race is also available to stream on Fubo.
How many laps is the NASCAR playoff race at Kansas?
The Hollywood Casino 400 is 267 laps around the 1.5-mile oval for a total of 400.5 miles. The race will feature three segments (laps per stage) — Stage 1: 80 laps; Stage 2: 85 laps; Stage 3: 102 laps.
What is the weather forecast for the NASCAR race at Kansas?
Weather should not be a factor today at Kansas Speedway. The AccuWeather forecast calls for sunny skies and warm temperatures in Kansas City, Kansas, with winds of 7 mph out of the northeast.
Temperatures should peak in the mid-80s with a 0% chance of precipitation.
Who won the most recent NASCAR Cup races at Kansas?
Kyle Larson led 63 laps on May 5, 2024 before beating Chris Buescher in a photo finish by 0.001 seconds in the closest finish in NASCAR history.
And one year ago, Tyler Reddick led just two laps, taking the lead on an overtime restart before edging Denny Hamlin by 0.327 seconds on Sept. 10, 2023.
What are the playoff standings heading into the NASCAR race at Kansas?
Rank, driver, team, points, deficit to leader. Through three races; points reset after first round.
- Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports … 3,047
- Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing … 3,032 (-15 points)
- Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing … 3,028 (-19)
- William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports … 3,022 (-25)
- Ryan Blaney, Team Penske … 3,019 (-28)
- Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing … 3,015 (-32)
- Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports … 3,014 (-33)
- Joey Logano, Team Penske … 3,012 (-35)
- Austin Cindric, Team Penske … 3,008 (-39)
- Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Racing … 3,006 (-41)
- Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports … 3,005 (-42)
- Chase Briscoe, Stewart-Haas Racing … 3,005 (-42)
How do the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs work?
Sixteen drivers earned berths in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs – 14 by virtue of a regular season victory and two winless drivers who made the playoffs on points.
There are 10 total races in the playoffs, including the championship race at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 10. The playoffs feature three rounds with three races per round before the final race. The four drivers with the fewest points were eliminated after the first round, leaving 12 to advance to the second round. Four drivers will be eliminated after the sixth race, and four more after the ninth race, leaving a final four to race for the title.
If a playoff driver wins a race in one of the three rounds, he will automatically advance to the next round. If non-playoff drivers win those races, however, playoff drivers will advance based on points accumulated during each of the three rounds.
What is the full schedule for the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs?
Here is the schedule with dates, tracks, times and TV for each of the 10 races of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs (All times Eastern)
- Sunday, Sept. 8: Atlanta Motor Speedway. Winner: Joey Logano
- Sunday, Sept. 15: Watkins Glen International. Winner: Chris Buescher
- Saturday, Sept. 21: Bristol Motor Speedway. Winner: Kyle Larson
- Sunday, Sept. 29: Kansas Speedway, USA, 3 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 6: Talladega Superspeedway, NBC, 2 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 13: Charlotte Roval, NBC, 2 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 20: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NBC, 2:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 27: Homestead-Miami Speedway, NBC, 2:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Nov. 3: Martinsville Speedway, NBC, 2 p.m.
- Sunday, Nov. 10: Phoenix Raceway, NBC, 3 p.m.
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
