Denny Hamlin’s aggressive driving at Kansas likely means his team will have to purchase a car in the semifinal round of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Hamlin struggled with a car lacking power steering and lost control on the final lap while battling Bubba Wallace for the lead. Wallace hit the wall, causing Hamlin’s momentum to slow, allowing Chase Elliott to sneak past and win, securing his spot in the next playoff round.
Wallace probably needed a victory at Kansas to advance after a tough weekend in New Hampshire. He dropped from fifth to eighth place and now enters Sunday’s race at the Charlotte Roval (3 p.m. ET) sitting 26 points behind the cutoff. As we approach the final Race 12, four drivers will be cut from the playoffs after Sunday’s event.
Already qualified:
1. Ryan Blaney (won in New Hampshire)
2. Chase Elliott (won at Kansas)
Blaney and Elliott have no concerns heading into the season’s final road course since the Roval can be unpredictable, especially after restarts. However, new Cup Series cars have led to fewer cautions in recent races. Blaney won the first Roval race in 2018, while Elliott claimed victories in 2019 and 2020.
Currently feeling confident:
3. Kyle Larson (3,124 points)
4. Denny Hamlin (3,118)
5. Christopher Bell (3,114)
6. William Byron (3,110)
Though a crash or mechanical issue could ruin their chances, it’s unlikely. Byron holds a 40-point lead over ninth-place Ross Chastain, and given the stability in this car era, these drivers are poised to advance.
On the edge:
7. Chase Briscoe (3,091)
8. Joey Logano (3,083)
Briscoe, who won the first Xfinity Series race at the Roval, is currently equipped with his best Cup Series gear and is expected to be competitive, benefiting from monitoring others’ pit strategies. Logano was eliminated last year but returned after a competitor’s disqualification and has since become a three-time champion.
With a decent chance to move up:
9. Ross Chastain (3,070)
Chastain advanced without causing trouble for others, but closing a 13-point gap remains manageable in stage racing. Still, he has only one top-10 finish in six Roval starts.
Facing an uphill battle:
10. Bubba Wallace (3,057)
11. Tyler Reddick (3,054)
Both 23XI drivers must hope for many mistakes by others, and unless one wins, it’s unlikely both will move forward. Reddick has the second-best Roval average finish of 7.8, with three top-10s in five races, while Wallace has two top-10 finishes in his last three starts there.
Long shot for advancement:
12. Austin Cindric (3,035)
Cindric holds a 48-point lead over Logano but will face stiff competition from Shane Van Gisbergen, who’s won his last four road course races and is favored to extend his streak. Though Cindric struggled early at the Roval, he finished fourth last year.
Fan Take: This update highlights the high stakes and fierce competition as drivers battle for playoff survival, making every lap critical. For NASCAR fans, it adds drama and excitement, showcasing not only the skill of the top contenders but also how quickly fortunes can change in the sport.
