KANSAS CITY, Kan. (Oct. 20, 2019) – Denny Hamlin solidified his spot in the next round of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs by winning the Hollywood Casino 400, but it was the battle for the final spots that produced a lot of drama.
As the end of the Hollywood Casino 400 was in sight, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Chase Elliott were in a tight race for the final two spots in the round of eight a caution came out on lap 265, which sent the race into extra time. And then, just as the teams were closing in on the checkered flag, the caution flew again for an incident with Keselowski, Austin Dillon, Logano, Kurt Busch and pole-sitter Daniel Hemric and sent the race farther into extra time.
And Elliott took advantage of the extra laps to rally from a 22 point deficit going into the Hollywood Casino 400 to finish second and clinch the final playoff spot in the third round.
Kyle Busch was third, followed by his brother Kurt and William Byron.
The day wasn’t so kind to May Kansas Speedway winner Keselowski, who was eliminated from the playoffs along with Kansas native Clint Bowyer, Alex Bowman and William Byron.
In addition to Hamlin and Elliott, drivers advancing to the next round include Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex and Joey Logano.
Information on tickets for next year will be available soon.
Kansas Speedway, a premier motorsports facility in the Midwest, hosts two NASCAR race weekends a year, in addition to hosting approximately 200 other events throughout the year. Kansas Speedway’s first race weekend of the season is in May with the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series under the lights. In the fall, the NASCAR playoffs return in with the NASCAR XFINITY Series and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. To purchase tickets, call 866.460.RACE (7223) or log onto www.kansaspeedway.com.
General parking is always free at Kansas Speedway and fans can bring in one 14x14x14-inch soft-sided cooler with their favorite food and beverages.
Fans can follow Kansas Speedway on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kansasspeedway, Twitter (@kansasspeedway), Instagram (kansasspeedway) and Snapchat (kansasspeedway).
-KANSAS-
October 20, 2019