By Neha Dwivedi, Staff Writer
Kyle Larson dominated the NASCAR Cup Series race in the spring at Kansas Speedway, leading 221 of 267 laps from the pole, sweeping all three stages and holding off Christopher Bell. Since his double-duty attempt, though, momentum has slipped away. A seventh-place run at New Hampshire, climbing from 16th on the grid after three lackluster weekends, gave him the boost he needed as the postseason charge continues.
Speaking on Speedfreaks, Larson admitted the Louden run steadied the ship as they have a cushion of 41 points. “We’re going to Kansas, a good track for us,” as he hopes to have another good points day, so that they are above the cut line before the Roval. He mapped out the path ahead, adding, “Get through this round, and then Vegas is a great track for us. So we could hopefully go there, be awesome to get a win, but if not, hopefully have a good points day. Talladega, I feel like we do a really good job on Speedways of gaining points and getting good finishes now this year. And then honestly, Martinsville has been one of our better tracks. So, I really like the next round.” With those words, Larson once again put himself among the names to watch.
By the numbers, Chase Elliott carries the strongest hand at Kansas. He owns an average finish of 10.4 across 19 Kansas starts, with one win and seven top-fives. Though he placed 15th in May after starting ninth, last fall he surged from 38th to ninth in the playoff race. Bell, meanwhile, remains a constant threat. With a 12.4 average finish in 11 starts, three top-fives, and momentum from his Bristol win in the Round of 16, he has all the elements to upset the field if he finds clean air late.
Larson matches Bell’s 12.4 average but has converted his Kansas speed into three wins across 21 starts, while Hamlin’s resume speaks for itself. With four Kansas wins, the most among active drivers and a big fan support, the No. 11 enters Sunday as a perennial contender.
The defending fall winner, Ross Chastain, also returns to Kansas with unfinished business. He sits 12 points below the cut line, averaging 16.9 in 13 starts but his 2023 triumph makes him the sentimental favorite for many. Beyond the headliners, William Byron and Ryan Blaney lurk in the shadows. Both sit inside the top ten for average finishes at Kansas, though neither has cracked victory lane there.
When the green flag drops, the mix of proven winners and hungry contenders will ensure that Kansas once again lives up to its billing as one of the great equalizers of the NASCAR postseason.