Kansas Playoff Race Preview
Kansas 2022 (Getty Images)
Introduction
Round 2 out of 10 takes the Nascar Cup Series playoffs to Kansas Speedway. The first 1.5 mile track in the Nascar Playoffs this season. This is the first time Kansas hosted the round of 16 playoff race in the Cup Series schedule. From 2014-2018, Kansas was the Round of 12 from the playoff schedule, then shifted to the round of 8 from 2019-2021. With 16 drivers yet to clinch a spot in the round 12, it’s interesting how these drivers perform.
Last Playoff Race
Last year, witnessed the dominance of Kyle Larson’s resergious season. Winning back to back races in the round of 8, with his round of 4 clinching from Texas Motor-Speedway that year. Larson won the first stage followed by his teammate William Byron winning the second stage. Larson went on to win the race leading a career high of 130 laps out of 267 laps.
Last Spring
With the new next gen car making its debut this year, Kansas was one of the most rememble races of the 2022 season. It was the battle against the Busch brothers and Kyle Larson being contenders for the win. The Kyle and Kyle show was looking for their second win of the season while older brother Kurt Busch was looking for his first win of the season. In the closing stages of the race, with 9 laps remaining, it was Kurt Busch battling Larson for the victory. Both side by side running against the wall. The mistake was when Larson hit the wall in turn 2, and Kurt Busch was able to pass him for the lead. Once the checkered flag flew, Kurt Busch scored his first win of the 2022 season with his new team 23XI. Unfortunately, Kurt Busch is still out of the season recovering his crash from Pocono.
The Favorites
The ones to watch for is Hendrick Motorsports. With all four drivers from the Hendrick Motorsports in the playoffs, they were the ones to watch this weekend. Chase Elliott won at Kansas back in the fall of 2018 and Kyle Larson last year. With Elliott crashing out last weekend at Darlington, the Regular Season Champion is looking for his first win in the playoffs this season. Not really a Round of 16 exit for Elliott. Larson on the other hand showed strength the last two Kansas races. Finishing runner up last Spring and winning last year in the fall. Also previous winners, Denny Hamlin and Joey Logono are also the ones to watch out for this weekend. Hamlin won the summer race back in the unprecedented times back in 2020 and Logano later in the fall of that season. These two drivers can also be a threat this weekend at Kansas.
The Cutline
Although he has two wins at this very race track. Kyle Busch is a driver that should be concerned about heading into this weekend. Despite Busch contract negotiations after the 2022 season, would it be another rocky race for Busch this weekend at Kansas. Last year saw Busch hitting the wall twice and having a poor result of 28th. There is something sketch about Busch racing in the fall at Kansas Speedway. Busch's only two wins at Kansas, came only in the Spring from 2016 and 2021 but never in the fall. Last race at Darlington, saw Kyle Busch leading 155 laps and almost securing a win for the round of 12. Busch's motor blew up under caution late in the race. Something with the relationship at Joe Gibbs Racing and Kyle Busch are not lining up as of late. This is a driver that should be watched out this weekend. Busch is also still in the headlines because the big question is where is he going to sign after this season.
The Playoff Picture
With the first playoff race at Darlington in the books. Upset winner Erik Jones in the iconic 43 won the race without being in the playoffs. Securing Richard Petty’s team their 200 win as an organization. No driver in the round of 16 has secured a spot in the round of 12. That can change this weekend in Kansas.
Playoff Standings after Round 1 out of 10.
Joey Logano 2065 points
William Byron -6
Denny Hamlin -8
Christopher Bell -10
Tyler Reddick -15
Ryan Blaney -18
Kyle Larson -21
Ross Chastain -23
Chase Elliott -24
Alex Bowman -28
Kyle Busch -30
Daniel Suárez -36
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Cutoff
Austin Cindric -38
Austin Dillion -40
Chase Briscoe -46
Kevin Harvick -49