America’s heartland plays host to the second leg of the Contender Round for the Chase for the Sprint Cup on Sunday, in the Hollywood Casino 400. And anyone who came into the Kansas Speedway thinking it would be an easy day was seriously mistaken.
Joey Logano Powers to Victory in the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas
In qualifying on Friday, Brad Keselowski (#2 Miller Lite Ford) would sweep his way to the pole, and would want a front starting spot after landing on the Chase bubble last week in Charlotte. However, he would not inherit pit stall number one on Sunday due to a penalty from NASCAR, meaning he would pick his stall second to last. Meanwhile, every Chase driver would start in the Top 15 at Kansas.
As the race got underway, it was clear that being out front had a big advantage. With the aero package for mile and a half tracks locked in until changes come in 2016, clean air is king and Keselowski would have it for much of the start. However, after an opening caution from J.J. Yeley (#26 Toyota), pit strategy would shuffle up the front-runners, with Matt Kenseth (#20 Dollar General Toyota) moving to the top spot.
Kenseth, who had a day to forget at Charlotte last week, entered this weekend at Kansas at the bottom of the Chase standings, needing a win likely to secure a spot into Round 3. While leading, he would be unchallenged for the most part, until Joey Logano (#22 Shell Pennzoil Ford) was able to catch up to him inside the final one hundred laps.
Meanwhile, other Chase drivers found struggles like Kenseth did last week. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (#88 Halo 5 Chevy) battled through tire problems, while Jeff Gordon (#24 3M Chevy) needed to manhandle a very loose racecar. Other drivers would slap the wall as well, including Chasers Kyle Busch (#18 M&M’s Toyota) and Brad Keselowski.
With final pit stops coming, two more Chasers would run into big problems. Both Kevin Harvick (#4 Budweiser Chevy) and Martin Truex Jr. (#78 Furniture Row Chevy) would be penalized due to pit road violations. However, back at the front of the field, Matt Kenseth remained in control. But would a caution with 25 laps to go for Justin Allgaier (#51 Brandt Chevy) throw out his hopes of winning?
Pitting under caution would be most of the leaders, with Jimmie Johnson (#48 Lowe’s Chevy) staying out, looking to play spoiler after getting knocked out of the Chase in Round 1. Johnson would not last at the front, setting up an ultimate battle for the win between Matt Kenseth and Joey Logano. Chasing each other up and down the track, the battle would end with just five laps to go, as Kenseth spun in Turn 1 with Joey Logano on his back bumper.
In the end, a green-white-checkered finish would settle the battle for the win. And crossing the line first and taking the checkered flag would be Joey Logano, winning the Hollywood Casino 400. Denny Hamlin (#11 FedEx Toyota) would come home in second, and Jimmie Johnson in third.
Only one race remains now in the Contender Round of the Chase. The racers of the Sprint Cup Series will press their luck in the final race of Round 2, the ultimate wild card at Talladega Superspeedway. Be sure to watch all the big pack, high draft action next Sunday on NBCSN.
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