Elliott Wins Kansas After Hamlin Mechanical Failure

Chase Elliott won the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway in double-overtime, charging from 10th on the final restart to edge Denny Hamlin by 0.069 seconds. Elliott’s crew chief Alan Gustafson’s call to take four fresh tires on the final stop proved decisive and locked Elliott into the Round of 8. Hamlin, who led 159 of 273 laps, suffered a late power-steering failure and a slow pit “money stop” caused by a jack mishap, costing him a shot at his 60th career victory. On the last run Hamlin and teammate Bubba Wallace tangled, sending Wallace into the wall; Wallace briefly led in overtime and now occupies a precarious playoff position. The result reshuffled the playoff picture — strengthening William Byron, Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe’s positions — as the field heads to the Charlotte Roval with one elimination race remaining. Hamlin said he was devastated by the loss, and the finish reignited debate over the Next Gen car’s passability, a point Kenny Wallace raised after the race.