Denny Hamlin’s crew chief, Chris Gabehart, is confident as the Round of 12 kicks off at Kansas Speedway, a track he considers one of their strongest. However, it’s not going to be an easy race since Kyle Larson is equally strong at this 1.5-mile oval. Gabehart anticipates nothing less than a fierce battle, or as he puts it, a “war,” between the #11 Toyota and #5 Chevrolet as the playoff intensifies.
The Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway is a pivotal race in the playoffs, as eight drivers will move forward after this three-race round. Currently, Hamlin sits sixth with a slim seven-point lead over the cutoff, while Larson enjoys a much more comfortable 39-point cushion at the top of the standings. The pressure is on for Hamlin, but both drivers have shown they know how to perform at Kansas, which makes for an exciting showdown.
Before the race, Gabehart, through a statement shared by NASCAR, expressed his anticipation for an epic on-track battle. “Kansas is one of our very best tracks,” he said. “It’s one of Larson’s very best tracks. I fully expect it to be a war, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Hamlin and Larson have proven themselves as two of the top drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series, especially on intermediate tracks like Kansas. Hamlin, representing Joe Gibbs Racing, has one win at Kansas in 2023 and boasts an impressive five consecutive top-five finishes. On the other hand, Larson, the lead driver for Hendrick Motorsports, edged out Chris Buescher by a mere 0.001 seconds in a regular season race, claiming victory. Larson enters the Round of 12 as the defending winner at Kansas, although he’s just shy of Hamlin’s top-five finishes with four.
Despite this close rivalry, Larson isn’t underestimating Hamlin’s prowess. After all, Hamlin has a long history of success at Kansas since his debut in 2005. He’s claimed four wins, three runner-up finishes, and eight podium finishes on this track. Larson, who made his Kansas debut in 2014, has two wins and six podium finishes to his name. While Larson has had fewer starts at Kansas, he has still proven to be a formidable competitor.
The playoffs have already tested both drivers. Larson had a rough start in Atlanta, where a spin-out led to him crashing into the wall and a disappointing Did Not Finish (DNF). He bounced back with a 12th-place finish at Watkins Glen and then dominated at Bristol, leading 462 laps to claim victory. Hamlin’s playoff journey has been more volatile. He struggled in the first two races, finishing 24th at Atlanta and 23rd at Watkins Glen, both due to defensive strategies and bad luck. However, he managed to secure a fourth-place finish at Bristol, boosting his standings to sixth.
Kansas Speedway, with its 1.5-mile tri-oval configuration, suits both Hamlin and Larson’s driving styles, as both have consistently performed well there throughout their careers. During a conversation on the “Dale Jr. Download” podcast, Larson discussed the unique nature of this track and why it plays to their strengths. “I think Kansas just suits both of us well. We’ve both run well there our whole careers with different cars, aero packages, horsepower packages, all of that,” Larson explained. “Something about it just suits our driving style. Currently, we are both really good, and I would say Denny will be the best there. His car is just really, really good, and he does a great job managing it. So, he’ll for sure be the one to beat.”
The stakes couldn’t be higher for both drivers. Larson already has one Cup Series championship under his belt and is one of the top contenders for another. Hamlin, meanwhile, is still chasing his first Cup Series title, despite being a veteran with several close calls. With both drivers excelling at Kansas, the battle for dominance is bound to heat up, and the outcome of this race could set the tone for the rest of the playoffs.
As the NASCAR playoffs continue, all eyes will be on the intense rivalry between Hamlin and Larson. Kansas Speedway, with its high speeds and technical challenges, is sure to test their skills. For fans, the Hollywood Casino 400 promises to be an edge-of-your-seat race as two of NASCAR’s best drivers go head-to-head in a contest that could define their 2024 playoff campaigns.
In the end, whether it’s Hamlin seeking his first championship or Larson pushing for a second, one thing is certain: Kansas Speedway will be the stage for one of the most thrilling battles of the season.
