In last weekend’s Kansas race, a Toyota car was primed to win. Denny Hamlin swept both stage wins and led a race-best 159 laps in his No. 11 Toyota. Then, Bubba Wallace led the race on the final laps, keen on replicating his 2022 glory in Kansas. If the 23XI Racing driver had turned that goal into reality, Chase Elliott would be in the same pitfall of points as the last two years. But to the No. 9 Chevrolet team’s advantage, none of the Toyotas could win.

Hamlin and Wallace initiated door-to-door contact, allowing Chase Elliott room to zoom ahead and grab the victory. Yet even as the Hendrick Motorsports star enjoyed barbecue ribs and champagne after winning in Kansas, he needs to focus on the next playoff race at the Charlotte Roval. Yet the pressure is significantly less now.

Chase Ell

See Full Page