Playoff Intensity Ramps Up at Kansas Speedway

The second round of the Chase for the Cup is set to pick up the intensity this weekend as the 12 remaining playoff drivers face increasing pressure and higher stakes. The series heads to Kansas Speedway, a crucial intermediate oval that could play a pivotal role in determining this season's champion. With the playoffs well underway, the racing urgency is expected to be palpable as drivers look to gain an early advantage in the Round of 12.

Playoff Contenders Seek Momentum at Kansas

The Contenders – Drivers in the Hunt for the Win

Kyle Larson enters Kansas Speedway as the driver to beat after his dominant performance at Bristol last weekend. The Hendrick Motorsports star has been a force to be reckoned with at this intermediate oval, winning or finishing runner-up in four of the last six races here. Larson's victory in the Advent Health 400 earlier this year showcased his prowess at Kansas, and with a playoff berth already secured, he'll be laser-focused on adding another win to his resume.Chris Buescher, though not a part of the playoff field, could play the role of spoiler this weekend. The Roush Fenway Keselowski driver came agonizingly close to his first career win at Kansas in May, leading 53 laps before being passed by Larson in overtime. Buescher's strong showing in that race suggests his team has found something at this track, and he'll be determined to finish the job this time around.Denny Hamlin, the active wins leader at Kansas with four victories, appears to be rounding into form at the right time. The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran has been consistent at this oval, posting six consecutive top-five finishes. Hamlin's experience and recent success make him a prime candidate to contend for the win and secure his spot in the next round of the playoffs.Christopher Bell, the young Joe Gibbs Racing driver, has been knocking on the door of his first Kansas victory. With three pole positions in his last five starts at the track, Bell has shown impressive speed, and his sixth-place finish in the Advent Health 400 earlier this year indicates he's close to breaking through. The playoffs could provide the extra motivation he needs to finally capture the checkered flag.

Solid Plays – Near Locks for a Top 10 with an Outside Shot to Win

Chase Elliott has been a consistent performer on intermediate ovals this season, with a win at Fort Worth and four top-10 finishes in six starts. The Hendrick Motorsports driver is a one-time Kansas winner and has finished runner-up here on two occasions, making him a strong contender for a top-10 result and possibly even a victory.Kyle Busch, despite not being part of the playoff field, brings valuable experience and consistent performance to the table at Kansas. The two-time winner at this track has led over 400 laps in his career and has a 49% top-10 finish rate, making him a solid fantasy option this weekend.Ross Chastain has been on a roll lately, with two top-five and three top-10 finishes in the last four races. While his career numbers at Kansas may not be impressive, Chastain's recent form and 60% top-10 rate in his last five starts at the track suggest he could be a surprise contender this weekend.Alex Bowman, firmly positioned in the championship battle, rides a three-race intermediate oval top-10 streak into Kansas. The Hendrick Motorsports driver has a steady 52% top-10 rate at this 1.5-mile oval and should be a fixture among the front-runners on Sunday.

Sleepers – Drivers with Good History at Kansas & Solid Upside

Brad Keselowski, despite not advancing to the Round of 12, has been dependable on intermediate ovals this season. The owner/driver of the No. 6 Ford has two wins and 14 top-10 finishes (48%) at Kansas, and his recent performances suggest he could challenge the top 10 and crack the top 15 this weekend.Tyler Reddick, the defending race winner at Kansas, should rebound from a couple of tough outings with a return to his strong form on intermediate ovals. The 23XI Racing driver has one win and four top-10s in 10 career starts at this track, and his 67% top-10 rate on 1.5-mile ovals this season makes him an intriguing sleeper pick.Joey Logano, the Penske Racing star, has three career victories at Kansas and over 500 laps led. Despite a disappointing outing at Bristol, Logano's recent win at Atlanta and his overall success at this track make him a driver to consider, especially with the playoff urgency in play.Bubba Wallace, the 23XI Racing veteran, has found a way to succeed at Kansas Speedway, leading 58 laps and winning this event two years ago. His recent performance on intermediate tracks, coupled with his improved results at this oval, make him a sleeper worth keeping an eye on.

Slow Down – Drivers to Avoid This Week

Martin Truex Jr., the Joe Gibbs Racing veteran, has been mired in a slump, and his struggles on intermediate ovals this season (33% top-10 rate) give reason for caution heading into Kansas. His past success at this track may not be enough to overcome his current form.Ty Gibbs, the young driver of the No. 54 Toyota, has struggled on intermediate ovals, including at Kansas, where he has just one top-15 finish in four career starts and a poor 28.5 average finish. With better options available, fantasy players may want to steer clear of Gibbs this weekend.Austin Cindric, the Penske Racing driver, has yet to find consistent success at Kansas Speedway, with only two top-15 finishes in six career starts and a concerning 24.0 average finish. His inconsistency on mid-sized ovals this season makes him a risky fantasy play.William Byron, the Hendrick Motorsports youngster, has gone cold at the wrong time, with just one top-10 finish in his last five races. His struggles at Kansas earlier this season, including a distant 23rd-place finish, are a red flag for fantasy managers this weekend.