
Hey there, race fans!
Bryan here, back again to break down this week’s NASCAR Cup Series showdown at Kansas Speedway. We just rolled out of a wild Würth 400 in Texas, where Logano pulled a surprise win and Larson showed off his usual dominance.
But now, it’s all eyes on the Midwest for the AdventHealth 400—a 1.5-mile tri-oval where speed meets strategy, and the grooves can make or break your race.
Kansas has a bit of everything: high tire wear, wide lanes, and plenty of room to make bold moves. It’s a track that rewards the smart, the smooth, and the fearless.
So let me walk you through how I think our top 12 in the standings will stack up this weekend.
Top 12 Drivers: My Kansas Speedway Outlook
1. William Byron (#24 – Hendrick Motorsports)
Byron’s sitting pretty at the top of the standings and for good reason. He’s been a model of consistency this season, and Kansas is one of those tracks where he tends to shine. He finished P2 here last fall and always seems to find a way to stay near the front. Expect him in the mix again this Sunday.
2. Kyle Larson (#5 – Hendrick Motorsports)
The defending AdventHealth 400 winner and my top pick this week. Larson LOVES Kansas. He’s got two wins here and leads the field in driver rating. If he stays out of trouble (and that’s a big if with his aggressive style), he’s the guy everyone will have to chase down.
3. Denny Hamlin (#11 – Joe Gibbs Racing)
Four wins at Kansas speak for themselves. Hamlin knows how to get it done here and tends to run clean, calculated races on tracks like this. He’s also still looking to bounce back after a rough outing in Texas. Don’t be shocked if he ends Sunday with a trophy in hand.
4. Chase Elliott (#9 – Hendrick Motorsports)
Chase hasn’t gotten a win this season yet, but Kansas could be where he breaks through. He’s got the best average finish at this track among active drivers. If the #9 crew brings speed off the hauler, we could see him battling up front late.
5. Tyler Reddick (#45 – 23XI Racing)
Kansas fits Reddick’s style like a glove. High lines, tire wear, bold moves—that’s his jam. He won the fall race here in 2023 and has looked racy at every intermediate this season. Top 5 potential all the way.
6. Christopher Bell (#20 – Joe Gibbs Racing)
Bell is sneaky good at Kansas. He qualifies well and has a solid top-10 percentage here. If he stays out of trouble and executes on pit road, Bell’s a sleeper pick to win this thing.
7. Ryan Blaney (#12 – Team Penske)
Blaney’s been building some momentum lately and Kansas has been a solid track for him over the years. He doesn’t have a win here yet, but he’s been close. This might be one of those races where he quietly racks up another top-10.
8. Bubba Wallace (#23 – 23XI Racing)
Bubba surprised everyone with his Kansas win in 2022, and while he hasn’t found that same spark lately, this track still suits him. He just needs a clean weekend. If that happens, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him back in the top 10.
9. Joey Logano (#22 – Team Penske)
Fresh off a win in Texas, Logano is rolling into Kansas with momentum. He’s got multiple wins here and knows how to manage long green flag runs. If the Penske cars have speed again this weekend, Logano could go back-to-back.
10. Alex Bowman (#48 – Hendrick Motorsports)
Bowman’s been consistent at Kansas, which is more than I can say for some of his other tracks. He’s finished top 10 in most of his recent runs here and has quietly put together a solid season. Watch for him to sneak into the top 10 again.
11. Ross Chastain (#1 – Trackhouse Racing)
Ross is always a wild card, but he’s figured out these intermediates lately. He won the fall race here last year and just grabbed a P2 in Texas. If he keeps the #1 Chevy clean, he’s definitely a threat.
12. Chris Buescher (#17 – RFK Racing)
Oh man, last year’s Kansas finish was painfully close for Buescher—lost by 0.001 seconds! While he’s been hit-or-miss this year, he’s got unfinished business here. Expect him to come in hungry.
Final Thoughts: What to Expect at Kansas
Kansas has a way of leveling the field. It rewards those who can manage their tires, run multiple grooves, and keep their cool. With guys like Larson, Byron, and Hamlin all looking sharp, and dark horses like Chastain and Buescher lurking, this could be one of the most entertaining races of the season.
I’ll be back soon with my fantasy picks post for the AdventHealth 400—so keep those alerts on and stay tuned!
Talk soon,
– Bryan
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- Bryan
- "🏁 Cruising the fast lane for over a decade at DrivingOnMarbles.com! 🚗 Passionate about all things NASCAR and dedicated to connecting fellow fans. Gear up and join the race with me! 🏎️💨 #10YearsAndCounting"
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