Kansas Speedway may not have the glitz of Daytona or the chaos of Talladega, but do not let the Midwestern charm fool you. This 1.5-mile tri-oval in Kansas City is one of the sneakiest playoff shapers on the calendar. Opened in 2001, it is a track that has evolved with the sport, repaved, reprofiled, and reimagined until it carved out a reputation as one of the more unpredictable intermediate ovals in NASCAR.

The racing surface is multi-groove, which means drivers can run high against the wall or dive low and make it stick, depending on tire wear and track temps. The high line has become the money lane in recent years, and watching guys like Kyle Larson ride the fence at 180 mph is worth the price of admission alone. Tire falloff also plays a role, creating comers and goers throughout a long run, and pit crews earn their money here because fresh rubber can swing momentum in an instant.

For Hendrick Motorsports, Kansas has been a place of both glory and heartbreak. Jimmie Johnson once owned this track, Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson have both had their moments of brilliance here, and William Byron’s steady hand makes him dangerous in any intermediate battle. With the playoff intensity turned up, Kansas is no longer “just another mile-and-a-half” — it’s the race that can vault a driver into the next round or bury a contender in the standings.

Historic Kansas Moments

2001 — The First Kansas Race
Jeff Gordon etched his name into the record books by winning the inaugural Cup Series race at Kansas. It was the start of a long line of Chevy victories at the track.

2011 — Johnson vs. Kenseth
Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth staged a late-race duel in the fall playoff race, with Johnson muscling past on the outside in a dramatic finish that showed Kansas was no cookie-cutter oval.

2019 — The Bowman Breakthrough
Alex Bowman scored his first career Cup win at Kansas, a milestone moment for the 48 camp (then still driving the 88). It cemented Kansas as a track where Hendrick’s next generation could shine.

Keys to Victory

William Byron: Keep the consistency rolling. He doesn’t need a heroic win, but a top-five keeps him clear of danger and strengthens his playoff push.

Kyle Larson: Control the high line. If he can ride the fence without mistakes, the 5 car can dominate on long runs. Strategy discipline will make or break his race.

Chase Elliott: Survive stage one, then strike late. He needs stage points to pad his playoff cushion, and a top finish here could ease the pressure before the ROVAL.

Alex Bowman: Play spoiler. Out of the playoff hunt, Bowman can gamble on strategy and potentially steal points from Toyota or Ford rivals, helping his teammates advance.